BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF in South Africa

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 395,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 55 kW 🔧 135 Nm
VS
Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab in South Africa

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

2.4L 4x2 GL M/T Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 499,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 81 kW 🔧 200 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab: the short answer

DOLPHIN SURF holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Triton Single Cab.

DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 158,090 cheaper DOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · Triton Single Cab from ZAR 499,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification DOLPHIN SURF Triton Single Cab
Maximum Power DOLPHIN SURF55 kW Triton Single Cab81 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm Triton Single Cab200 Nm @ 1000-3750 rpm
Engine Size DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable Triton Single Cab2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable Triton Single Cab12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance DOLPHIN SURF155 mm Triton Single Cab200 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

2.4L 4x2 GL M/T

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

DOLPHIN SURF

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Triton Single Cab

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

DOLPHIN SURF

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Triton Single Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec DOLPHIN SURF Triton Single Cab
Model Introduced Year 2025 2024
Generation First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation Sixth-generation Triton
Facelift History No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026 Next-Gen Triton launched in South Africa in November 2024.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Single-cab pickup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment City Hatchback One-ton single-cab pickup
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle Light commercial vehicle
Spec DOLPHIN SURF Triton Single Cab
Length 3925 mm 5320 mm
Width 1720 mm 1865 mm
Height 1590 mm 1700 mm
Wheelbase 2500 mm 3130 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 120 mm 185 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 75 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 1904 l
Kerb Weight 1280 kg 1625 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1690 kg 2570 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg 945 kg
Towing Capacity 0 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 1 rows
Doors 5 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.95 m 6.35 m
Front Headroom 980 mm 1007 mm
Rear Headroom 920 mm Not Applicable
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1059 mm
Rear Legroom 690 mm Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This DOLPHIN SURF and Triton Single Cab comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: DOLPHIN SURF 25 vs Triton Single Cab 34.

Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs Triton Single Cab 49.

Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs Triton Single Cab 32.

Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs Triton Single Cab 72.

Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs Triton Single Cab not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

DOLPHIN SURF leads by 15 points

DOLPHIN SURF holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Triton Single Cab.

Evidence leader 61 /100
Lead 15 points
Data 60% source coverage
61
#1 Evidence leader

DOLPHIN SURF

60% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 90 Check Performance 25
Performance 25
Efficiency 90
Safety 87
Practicality 51
Leads by 15 points
46
#2

Triton Single Cab

79% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 72 Check Safety 32
Performance 34
Efficiency 49
Safety 32
Practicality 72
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Triton Single Cab +9 Efficiency DOLPHIN SURF +41 Safety DOLPHIN SURF +55 Practicality Triton Single Cab +21

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

DOLPHIN SURF

Performance 25/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 51/100

Triton Single Cab

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 32/100
Practicality 72/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD DOLPHIN SURF leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts vs 46 pts for Triton Single Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN SURF leads. However, Triton Single Cab may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

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DOLPHIN SURF vs Triton Single Cab questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.