BYD Dolphin Surf vs Renault 5 vs Citroen e-C3: Which Is the Best Small Electric Car in 2025?

Small electric vehicles (EVs) are redefining urban mobility in 2025, offering eco-friendly driving without premium price tags. A recent What Car? review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0R5L8uEjSo) pits three standout small EVs—the BYD Dolphin Surf, Renault 5 (Urban Range), and Citroen e-C3—against each other to crown the best affordable option. For Australian and UK buyers, we’ve dissected these cars’ performance, practicality, and costs to help you choose. From range to ride quality, this guide delivers real-world insights to find your perfect small EV.

Why Small EVs Are Booming in 2025

Small EVs like the Renault 5 combine style, efficiency, and affordability, challenging pricier rivals like the Mini Cooper Electric, per What Car?. Priced between £19,000–£25,000 (~AUD $36,100–$47,500), these cars suit city commuters and eco-conscious drivers. With ranges of ~150–200 miles and fast charging, they’re practical for Sydney suburbs or London commutes, as noted by AutoExpress.co.uk. This comparison tests their limits to reveal the best value.

1. BYD Dolphin Surf: The Budget Dynamo

The BYD Dolphin Surf, starting at £18,995 (~AUD $36,091), is a compact EV designed by a former Lamborghini stylist, per What Car?. Its lime-green (or yellow?) exterior hides a 43.2 kWh battery (Comfort trim) with a 190-mile range and 150 hp motor, hitting 0–62 mph in 9.1 seconds. The interior’s wetsuit-like materials and swiveling 10.1-inch touchscreen add flair, though climate controls are touchscreen-only.

• Specs: 43.2 kWh battery, 190-mile range, 150 hp, 85 kW charging, 0–62 mph in 9.1 seconds.
• Performance: Outpaces rivals in drag races (8 seconds to 60 mph), with decent handling but grabby brakes, per What Car?.
• Practicality: 345L boot (5 suitcases), 4-seater layout, ample front storage, ISOFIX on front/rear seats.
• Efficiency: 3.8 miles/kWh, 163-mile real-world range, 29–80% charge in 25 minutes (59 kW average).

Real-World Use: A Melbourne family can rely on the Dolphin Surf for school runs and weekend trips to Geelong, with room for groceries and sports gear. Its £309/month PCP deal is the cheapest, per What Car?. Pros: Low price, quick acceleration, spacious boot. Cons: 4-seater only, touchscreen climate controls, lower resale value. Honorable Mention: BYD Dolphin Boost (£20,995, ~AUD $39,891) for longer range (200 miles).

2. Renault 5: The Stylish All-Rounder

Priced at £24,995 (~AUD $47,491) in mid-spec Techno trim, the Renault 5 (Urban Range) is What Car?’s 2025 Car of the Year. Its 40 kWh battery offers a 193-mile official range, powered by a 121 hp motor (0–62 mph in 9 seconds). The retro-inspired interior, with recycled denim and Google-based infotainment, feels premium, though rear space is tight.

• Specs: 40 kWh battery, 193-mile range, 121 hp, 100 kW charging, 0–62 mph in 9 seconds.
• Performance: Best-in-class handling with multi-link rear suspension, but 18-inch alloys add tyre noise, per AutoExpress.co.uk.
• Practicality: 277L boot (4 suitcases), 5-seater, 60:40 split seats, limited rear legroom.
• Efficiency: 3.9 miles/kWh, 155-mile real-world range, 17–80% charge in 28 minutes (54 kW average).

Real-World Use: A London professional can navigate city streets with ease, enjoying the Renault 5’s agile handling and Google Maps integration. Its £341/month PCP is competitive, per What Car?. Pros: Superb handling, premium interior, efficient. Cons: Tight rear space, pricey, noisy on motorways. Honorable Mention: Renault 5 Comfort Range (£27,000, ~AUD $51,300) for 250-mile range.

3. Citroen e-C3: The Practical Choice

The Citroen e-C3, at £23,795 (~AUD $45,211) in Max trim, prioritizes space over style, with a 43.7 kWh battery and 199-mile range. Its 111 hp motor is the slowest (0–62 mph in 10.4 seconds), and the interior feels budget-conscious despite fabric accents. Physical climate controls are a plus, but their placement is awkward.

• Specs: 43.7 kWh battery, 199-mile range, 111 hp, 80 kW charging, 0–62 mph in 10.4 seconds.
• Performance: Soft suspension absorbs potholes but leans in corners; light steering lacks feedback, per What Car?.
• Practicality: 310L boot (5 suitcases), 5-seater, 60:40 split seats, spacious rear.
• Efficiency: 3.5 miles/kWh, 155-mile real-world range, 19–80% charge in 39 minutes (42 kW average).

Real-World Use: An Adelaide family can use the e-C3 for daily commutes and weekend outings, with ample rear space for kids. Its £343/month PCP is priciest, per What Car?. Pros: Roomy rear, big boot, affordable outright. Cons: Slow charging, poor efficiency, wallowy handling. Honorable Mention: Citroen e-C3 Plus (£22,095, ~AUD $41,981) for lower cost.

EV Market Trends in 2025

Small EVs are gaining traction in 2025, per AutoExpress.co.uk:

• Affordable Pricing: Sub-£25,000 EVs like the BYD Dolphin Surf compete with petrol cars, offering low running costs (~£0.02/mile at home, per What Car?).
• Retro Design: Renault 5’s nostalgic styling attracts younger buyers, a trend seen in the Honda e.
• Battery Efficiency: 3.5–3.9 miles/kWh is standard, though real-world ranges (~150–160 miles) fall short of official figures.
• Charging Improvements: 80–100 kW DC charging is common, enabling 30-minute top-ups at public stations.
• Practicality Focus: Larger boots (e.g., Citroen’s 310L) cater to families, unlike earlier EVs like the Dacia Spring.

These trends position the Renault 5 as a premium choice, with BYD offering unmatched value, per X posts (@MatWatsonCars).

Comparison Table: BYD Dolphin Surf vs Renault 5 vs Citroen e-C3

Charging Infrastructure Tips for Small EVs

Maximize your EV experience with these tips, inspired by What Car? and AutoExpress.co.uk:

• Use Overnight Tariffs: Charge at home for ~£0.07/kWh, reducing costs to ~£10 for a full charge, per What Car?.
• Plan DC Charging: Use 100 kW chargers (e.g., Renault 5’s max rate) for 25–30 minute top-ups on road trips.
• Check Range Realism: Expect ~155–163 miles in mixed driving, not official figures, per video testing.
• Download Apps: Apps like Zap-Map (UK) or PlugShare (Australia) locate chargers, critical for rural drives.
• Avoid Peak Times: Charge mid-morning or late evening to avoid queues at public stations.

Buyer’s Guide: Which Small EV Suits You?

Choose based on your needs:

• Budget Buyers: BYD Dolphin Surf’s £309/month PCP and £23,195 price suit cost-conscious commuters in Perth or Bristol.
• City Drivers: Renault 5’s agile handling and premium interior are ideal for Sydney or London traffic.
• Family Users: Citroen e-C3’s spacious rear and 310L boot cater to Adelaide or Manchester families.
• Style Seekers: Renault 5’s retro design and denim interior appeal to trendsetters, per X posts (@AutoExpress).
• Long-Term Owners: Renault 5’s slower depreciation makes it cheaper outright over 3 years, per What Car?.

Visit dealers like BYD Australia, Renault UK, or Citroen retailers for test drives and finance deals, as What Car? suggests.

Honorable Mentions

• Dacia Spring (~£14,995/~AUD $28,491): Ultra-cheap but limited 137-mile range, per AutoExpress.co.uk.
• Mini Cooper Electric (~£27,000/~AUD $51,300): Premium but pricier, with 250-mile range, per What Car?.
• Fiat 500e (~£24,995/~AUD $47,491): Stylish, 190-mile range, but small boot, per X posts (@MatWatsonCars).
• MG4 SE (~£23,495/~AUD $44,641): 218-mile range, great value, per AutoExpress.co.uk.

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Small EVs?

Late 2025 may see new entrants like the Hyundai Inster (£22,000, ~AUD $41,800) with a 200-mile range, per AutoExpress.co.uk. BYD’s upcoming e2 could lower prices further, per X posts (@MatWatsonCars). Expect Australia’s EV incentives and UK’s ZEV mandate to boost adoption, with more chargers by 2026.

About the Author

James Carter is a Melbourne-based automotive journalist with 10 years of experience reviewing EVs for AutoExpress, What Car?, and Australian outlets. A former Tesla owner, he’s driven over 100 EVs, from city cars to SUVs, across Australia and Europe. James aims to guide buyers toward sustainable, practical vehicles.

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