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 vs Changan UNI-S: the short answer
UNI-S has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.
DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 48,000 cheaperDOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · UNI-S from ZAR 389,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
UNI-S138 kW
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
UNI-S300 Nm
Engine Size
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
UNI-S1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
UNI-S14.49 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
UNI-SNot Officially Disclosed
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 ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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)
DOLPHIN SURF
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
UNI-S
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
DOLPHIN SURF
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
UNI-S
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
No South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
City Hatchback
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Passenger car
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Length
3925 mm
4539 mm
Width
1720 mm
1865 mm
Height
1590 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
167 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
475 l
Kerb Weight
1280 kg
1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1690 kg
1825 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
0 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
4.95 m
5.66 m
Front Headroom
980 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
920 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1060 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
690 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
NE15TG-AC
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1500 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
55 kW
138 kW
Maximum Torque
135 Nm
300 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
130 km/h
190 km/h
0-100 km/h
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
3 selectable modes
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
43.0 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
105.5 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
38.88 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
295 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
40 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
7-Speed DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
Not Officially Disclosed
LSD Available
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
10.45
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
1
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
DCT
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Dual-clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Instrument switch group gear selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout
4x2
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
1
7
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
14.49 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
51 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
14.49 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
51
Combined Driving Range
295 km (WLTP)
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
245 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
288 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Driver and front passenger
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Not Available
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Driver and front passenger
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Cruise Control
Standard
Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear (6 sensors)
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Yes
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Straight-in/straight-out automatic parking
Around View Monitor
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Yes
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Microfiber leather
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Front seat cushions
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Steering Wheel Material
Imitation leather
Microfiber leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
4-way electric
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Microfiber leather
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Climate Control
Electric air conditioner
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Standard
All four windows; one-touch up/down
Keyless Entry
Standard
Passive entry
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Not Available
Electric panoramic sunroof
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
Electric air conditioner
Automatic climate control
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Infotainment System
10.1-inch touchscreen
12.8-inch infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
4
8
Digital Instrument Cluster
7-inch digital instrument display
10.25-inch instrument display
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
1 USB-A and 1 USB-C in front
Infotainment Screen
10.1
12.8-inch
Touchscreen
10.1
12.8-inch
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Black, Putty Grey, Shadow Grey, Fluorite Grey, Moon White
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Yes
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Approach Angle
15 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
25 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Tyre Size
185/55 R16
225/55 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Temporary-use spare
Wheel Rim Size
16
19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson independent
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Multi-link independent
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
179 g/km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Service Plan
4 years/2 services service plan
5 years / 90,000 km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Ownership Role
longer-range city derivative
Current South African derivative
Price Zar
395900 ZAR
469900 ZAR
Pricing Role
longer-range city derivative
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
395900
469900
Starting Price Zar
395900
469900
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
UNI-S
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN SURF and UNI-S 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 UNI-S 59.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs UNI-S 55.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs UNI-S 92.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs UNI-S 68.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs UNI-S 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.
Model imagery
DOLPHIN SURF and UNI-S image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
UNI-S leads by 8 points
UNI-S has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
UNI-S
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
68/100
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChangan UNI-S
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UNI-S leads. However, DOLPHIN SURF 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.
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.
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