The BYD Dolphin is an acquired style.
Sporting wild styling inside and outside, it’s straightforward to see why conservative automotive consumers would baulk on the alternative to make a Dolphin their very own. Nevertheless, 1885 Australians have taken the plunge this 12 months.
That’s much less of a shock when you think about that the Dolphin is certainly one of simply six electrical autos (EVs) to supply change from $50,000.
The choices slim additional when discounting SUVs, leaving these out there for a small and inexpensive EV with simply three small electrical hatchbacks to select from – the Dolphin, MG 4, and GWM Ora.
MG is profitable the gross sales race between the trio, however does everybody’s favorite marine creature deserve higher?
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the BYD Dolphin Premium
On take a look at right here is the top-spec Dolphin Premium. It’s a $6000 improve over the bottom variant, with the benefit of an uprated electrical motor and battery.
How does the BYD Dolphin examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the BYD Dolphin in opposition to equally sized autos.
BYD
Dolphin
How a lot does the BYD Dolphin value?
Two Dolphin variants can be found in Australia – the Dynamic and Premium.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| BYD Dolphin Dynamic | $36,890 |
| BYD Dolphin Premium | $42,890 |
A warmer Dolphin Sport was within the works, that includes a novel physique equipment and ‘Sport Efficiency’ tyres with ‘efficiency styled rims’, however the mannequin was in the end cancelled again in March.
To see how the BYD Dolphin stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s the BYD Dolphin like on the within?
The inside of the Dolphin is bizarre… and in my humble opinion, fantastic.
There’s no escaping the truth that the color scheme in our tester is prone to be divisive, to not point out a few of the textures discovered all through the cabin.
Nevertheless, it is a quirky, inexpensive EV geared toward youthful consumers. As a person in his mid-20s, I’m on board with the colorful and comely aesthetic.
BYD has most likely value itself some consumers with the looks of its merchandise, however the Chinese language carmaker deserves credit score for sticking to its weapons and rolling out constant design language throughout the mannequin line-up.
When you love the Atto 3 electrical SUV, then you definately’ll most likely love the Dolphin too. If not, there are many vanilla choices elsewhere.
The Dolphin might come throughout as a bit of immature on the floor, however inside it feels dearer than it’s.
Take the seats, for instance. Trimmed in blue and black distinction leatherette, the entrance seats are mushy, well-contoured, and loaded with premium options.
Each are heated, with six-way power-adjustability for the motive force and four-way for the passenger. Higher but, that performance is normal throughout the vary and never restricted to the Premium.
The steering wheel is completed identically in blue and black leatherette with cheesy matte buttons, whereas pink piping and stitching can also be scattered all through the cabin.
Many of the frequent contact factors are mushy and satisfying, however the identical can’t be mentioned for the centre tunnel, door playing cards and the highest of the sprint, that are all constructed from laborious, scratchy plastic.
That’s not surprising for an EV at this worth level although, and also you’ll hardly discover more often than not, given the opposite fascinating finishes.
That are you going to concentrate to – a flipper-style door deal with or some plain black plastic?
There’s loads extra to have a look at – blue suede on the sprint, and metallic blue plastic above it that jogs my memory of the colour-coded inside panels of the Mazda MX-5.
Sufficient of that although, as the inside of the Dolphin is extra than simply an summary artwork show.
It comes outfitted with BYD’s trademark 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system, in addition to a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster tucked in behind the steering wheel.
The centre display screen shows respectable high quality graphics and presents with a smartphone-style structure, making it straightforward to navigate between purposes.
Shortcut icons are included alongside the underside of the display screen, though they may’ve been higher utilised – seat heating controls are buried within the menus, whereas three shortcuts are devoted to the local weather controls.
Nonetheless, it’s a high quality system with a great deal of performance together with web shopping, plus satellite tv for pc navigation, and a complete suite of exterior cameras.
Connectivity choices are plentiful, too. Wi-fi smartphone mirroring is normal throughout the vary, and labored flawlessly in our expertise.
A wi-fi charging pad is positioned below the centre console, and a trio of USB-A, USB-C and 12V connection factors will be discovered below the centre stack.
BYD’s synthetic intelligence (AI) assistant is available for those who can’t be bothered poking and prodding on the display screen. As you’d anticipate in a BYD, the display screen additionally rotates 180 levels for portrait or panorama use.
The digital instrument cluster is small, however no display screen area is left wasted. All of the readouts you might probably want are there, with velocity, ADAS, and vary info prioritised in massive font.
BYD has discovered a strategy to cram plenty of equipment into this compact EV, and the identical will be mentioned for cupboard space.
The packaging is great, from two-tiered centre tunnel storage to roomy trays above and beneath the centre button stack. It’s capped off by generously sized door bins and a sensible glovebox.
So, absolutely area within the second row is compromised? Nicely, because it occurs, that’s not the case.
Common-sized adults match again there with headroom and legroom to spare, and solely passengers topping 6″3′ will wrestle. Even then, the panoramic glass roof retains the area mild and ethereal.
The entrance seat backs are mushy too, inviting rear occupants to relaxation their knees in opposition to them.
Second-row facilities embody each USB-A and USB-C retailers, a centre armrest with built-in cupholders, deep door bins, intelligent layered map pockets, and a separate single cupholders carved out of the centre console.
In comparison with its combustion-powered small automotive rivals, the Dolphin is missing within the boot area division. BYD claims 345L of capability, though the rear bench folds with a 60/40 cut up to unlock 1310L of bags area.
That mentioned, it’s a giant step from the boot as much as the bench storage, and the load lip to entry the boot itself makes loading cumbersome objects a difficult process. The opening aperture can also be on the smaller facet.
| Dimensions | BYD Dolphin Premium |
|---|---|
| Size | 4290mm |
| Width | 1770mm (with mirrors folded) |
| Top | 1570mm |
| Wheelbase | 2700mm |
| Boot area | 345L (5-seat) 1310L (2-seat) |
To see how the BYD Dolphin stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What’s below the bonnet?
The Premium features a bigger, 150kW/310Nm electrical motor over the bottom Dynamic, in addition to an upsized 60.5kWh battery.
| Specs | BYD Dolphin Premium |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 60.5kWh Lithium-ion |
| Energy | 150kW |
| Torque | 310Nm |
| Pushed wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1658kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.0s |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 15.9kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as examined) | 15.0kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 427km |
| Max AC cost charge | 7kW |
| Max DC cost charge | 80kW |
In consequence, the Premium boasts higher efficiency and vary, with a claimed 0-100km/h dash time of seven.0 seconds and 427km of vary on the WTLP cycle.
To see how the BYD Dolphin stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How does the BYD Dolphin drive?
The BYD Dolphin is a principally stable instance of what an electrical metropolis automotive needs to be.
Round city it’s responsive, keen and enjoyable to drive, with properly weighted steering and ample grunt.
With outputs of 150kW and 310Nm, the Dolphin is properly and actually in heat hatch territory on the spec sheet and that’s properly realised in real-life eventualities.
BYD claims a 0-100km/h dash time of seven.0 seconds for the Premium, and my massively scientific ‘seat of the pants take a look at’ verifies that. Simply don’t anticipate a soundtrack, because the Dolphin goes about its enterprise in peaceable silence.
Nonetheless, it’s a hoot to zip across the suburbs in, particularly given its compact dimensions.
Nevertheless, whereas the dynamics of the Dolphin stack up properly in opposition to dearer steel, one specific facet of the driving expertise robbed a few of that collected pleasure. I’m afraid we now have to speak about superior driver help techniques (ADAS), once more.
It’s a pattern that’s turning into all too frequent – an in any other case respectable automotive ruined by hyper-sensitive and poorly-calibrated security tech that turns driving into an assault on the senses.
To begin with, the Dolphin falls sufferer to a velocity restrict warning system with no tolerance and a chiding beep that can shortly drive you insane.
You possibly can change the system off, simply not completely. Settings revert to their default state each time you turn the automotive off, so establishing ADAS turns into a time-consuming day by day ritual.
To make issues worse, the Dolphin is provided with equally flawed site visitors signal recognition know-how that takes all velocity restrict indicators at face worth, ignoring the time stipulations frequent in class zones and busy purchasing hubs.
It’s one factor to have a automotive trouble you for breaking the velocity restrict, however one other altogether for a automotive to unnecessarily distract you throughout secure, lawful driving. Rant over… for now.
On a extra constructive be aware, the Dolphin performs properly when confronted with low-speed challenges corresponding to busy parking tons.
Even in base specification, it comes normal with entrance and rear parking sensors, plus a surround-view digital camera. All work in tandem to render parking a simple process.
Not like some rivals, the chook’s-eye digital camera is accessible through a bodily button on the steering wheel, which makes plenty of sense when in comparison with hiding it inside the infotainment menus.
I simply want the remainder of the automotive was designed with the identical degree of instinct, because the Dolphin’s report card suffers additional when you hit the freeway.
Through the years, carmakers have developed intelligent methods to make a small automotive really feel larger than it’s, however the Dolphin isn’t an instance of that.
When travelling at triple-figure speeds you discover an absence of cabin insulation, as wind noise simply seeps in and forces you to show up the stereo or converse a bit of louder to your neighbour. It’s a greater story on the highway noise entrance, as tyre roar stays suppressed.
Visibility isn’t nice both, because the rear window is small and troublesome see out of.
Then there’s the motive force help techniques. Don’t get me unsuitable, it’s nice to have a characteristic corresponding to clever cruise management in a automotive at this worth level, however the system wants some fine-tuning.
Combining adaptive cruise management and lane centring, clever cruise presents semi-autonomous driving when travelling on the freeway. Sounds enjoyable, proper?
Sadly, that’s not at all times the case. Clever cruise is straightforward to name upon through buttons positioned on the steering wheel, however for some unknown purpose it might usually be ‘unavailable’, even when the driving circumstances had been completely suited to its use.
When clever cruise does lastly determine to play good, it’s liable to jerky steering inputs. That makes you much less prepared to belief the system, and extra prone to neglect utilizing it altogether.
All in all, the Dolphin performs higher in city environments than on the huge open highway.
Over per week of blended driving, we noticed vitality consumption common out at 15kWh/100km, a powerful determine when in comparison with a few of the Dolphin’s essential rivals – the GWM Ora GT is quoted at 16.8kWh/100km, for instance.
To see how the BYD Dolphin stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
What do you get?
There are two members of the native Dolphin vary.
Dolphin Dynamic highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Panoramic glass roof
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- Rear privateness glass
- 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB digital radio
- Six-speaker sound system
- 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- Six-way energy driver’s seat
- 4-way energy passenger’s seat
- Leatherette upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
- 60/40 cut up/fold rear seats
- Keyless entry and begin
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- USB-A x 2 (one entrance, one rear)
- USB-C x 2 (one entrance, one rear)
Dolphin Premium provides:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Multi-link rear suspension
- Two-tone paint
To see how the BYD Dolphin stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
Is the BYD Dolphin secure?
The BYD Dolphin has a five-star security score from ANCAP, measured in opposition to stricter 2023-25 testing standards.
| Class | BYD Dolphin |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 89 per cent |
| Youngster occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Weak highway person safety | 85 per cent |
| Security help | 77 per cent |
Customary gear for all Dolphins consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keep help
- Emergency lane-keep help
- Entrance cross-traffic help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Clever velocity restrict help
- Driver fatigue detection
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
- Driver’s far-side airbag
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
To see how the BYD Dolphin stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
How a lot does the BYD Dolphin value to run?
The BYD Dolphin is backed by a six-year, 150,000km car guarantee and an eight-year, 160,000km battery guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | BYD Dolphin |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 years, 150,000km |
| Roadside help | 1 12 months |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 20,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 8 years |
| Complete capped-price service value | $2390 |
Prospects have the choice to service any of their autos by way of BYD’s personal service centres or by way of sure MyCar service centres. It’s greatest to search out your native service centre through the BYD Australia distributor’s web site.
To see how the BYD Dolphin stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin is a polarising automotive in a polarising phase, however by all goal measures it’s properly price contemplating.
Regardless of its positioning as one of many most cost-effective EVs on the town, the Dolphin is well-equipped, spacious and comparatively comfy on the highway.
In Premium guise, it even packs sufficient efficiency to play with heat hatches… not less than in a straight line.
As a metropolis runabout, there are few drawbacks. Cracks begin to seem when you hit the freeway, particularly intrusive ADAS and wind noise. But when your commute entails long-distance touring, an Atto 3 SUV is probably going the higher choice anyway.
BYD set the Dolphin up for achievement by taking the plunge early and introducing it when rivals had been few and much between.
Nevertheless, the marketplace for inexpensive EVs has grown since then, and current gamers refuse to be overwhelmed on worth.
The MG 4 is a chief instance. Till the tip of the 12 months, MG will promote you a base MG 4 for simply $32,990 drive-away, whereas the carmaker can also be providing financial savings of as much as $8000 on mannequin 12 months 2023 (MY23) Essence 64, Lengthy Vary 77 and XPower fashions.
It’s a promotion that sways the worth equation significantly. When the top-spec BYD was priced according to an MG 4 in Excite trim, I might’ve taken the Dolphin for its enjoyable character and superior cabin.
Now that the identical cash buys you an MY23 Lengthy Vary 77, it’s not so clear reduce. Stepping up a phase or two, a few new, sub-$50k electrical SUVs have additionally landed Down Below in current occasions.
So, whereas the Dolphin nonetheless stacks up as an inexpensive EV, it’s price urgent your vendor for a reduction or ready to see how the market settles over the approaching months.
Or you might drop right down to the bottom Dolphin Dynamic, however you’ll need to learn our upcoming evaluate to see if that’s worthwhile.
Eager about shopping for a BYD Dolphin? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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