BYD Dolphin Surf review

As we said, one of the big draws of the Dolphin Surf is headline price versus equipment. All versions have this interior; the ones with electric seats look the same. Everything gets the big screen, assisted cruise, output power to external loads of 3.3kW, the ability to use your phone as a key (for locking and starting), climate control, LED running lights and a rear-view camera.

So the £18,650 entry price for the Active looks good until you spot the diddy 30kWh battery capacity. Springing £21,950 for the 43.6kWh Boost suddenly seems like a good idea. Even better when you look at the finance deals, as we'll see.

Boost adds powered but not heated seats, which seems an odd priority in an EV where you're trying to eke out range by cutting cabin heat. Boost also steps up from 15- to 16-inch wheels, and its mirrors power-fold.

Comfort spec brings the 156bhp motor. It also adds heated seats, at last, plus rear tints, LED headlights, a phone charge pad and 360-degree camera. That's £23,950.

But the initial PCP rates tell a different story. Because the Boost version attracts money up front from both BYD and the dealer, you can get it for just £10 a month more than the Active. It's £269 a month for the Active, £279 for Boost and £309 for Comfort, all with a crazy-low deposit of just one month’s rental.

Those schemes run over four years, at 3.9 per cent APR, and 6,000 miles a year.