BYD Dolphin review: Compact electric hatchback for an attractive price

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The BYD Dolphin is an entry-level EV hatchback with a spacious, practical and nicely designed interior. While the exterior is forgettable, the Dolphin comes with a fair amount of kit as standard and its range of around 200 miles is reasonable for a car of this size and price. It’s comfortable, quiet and rides well, although it can be jittery on bumpy roads and the brake pedal is a little soft.

We’d avoid the Active trim, as it feels a little underpowered by modern standards. Upgrading to the faster Boost trim is a grand well-spent £1000, although the charging speed in moderate conditions means it takes at least 38 minutes to fill the car from 10-80 per cent.

How we tested

I spent half a day driving the BYD Dolphin on various roads in the Berkshire and Surrey Area. These included residential streets, country lanes and dual carriageways.

Independent assessment: 7/10

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

There are four Dolphin models to choose from, dubbed Active, Boost, Comfort and Design. The first two have a 44.9kWh battery for between 195 miles (Boost) and 211 miles (Active), and a maximum charge rate of just 65kW, meaning a 10-80 per cent charge takes at least 38 minutes. The cheaper Active is the less powerful of the two, with 93bhp and a 0-62mph sprint time of a leisurely 12.3 seconds; the Boost has 172bhp and does the same sprint in a sprightlier 7.5 seconds.

The Comfort and Design have a 60.4kWh battery and a range of up to 265 miles. They charge at up to 88kW, but the larger capacity means a 10-80 percent charge takes a little longer, 40 minutes at best. Both models produce 199bhp and reach 62mph in 7.0 seconds. Neither of these cars is sporty, but that’s not the point. The BYD Dolphin is an affordable and relatively compact electric hatchback that’s aimed at couples and young families buying their first EV.

Although the Dolphin is a pleasant drive, it lacks the necessary control on hilly roads. In addition, the brake pedal is rather soft and takes some time to get used to.

Interior, usability and luggage space

Like the Atto 3, BYD has given the Dolphin an interior that’s more stylish than you might expect given its low price and forgettable exterior. It feels premium, and has some nice design touches, such as the elegantly curved door handles, curved dashboard and rotating central display. It also feels relatively spacious, with more legroom in the back than you’ll find in a Mini Cooper or Vauxhall Corsa. Every version of the Dolphin comes with electrically adjustable seats, but these lack adjustable lumbar support.

Most of the controls are on the fiddly touchscreen, and the driver display behind the steering wheel is small and has a cluttered interface, but we like that the wheel has physical buttons rather than touch-sensitive haptic pads. We also like the discreet drive mode and drive selector knobs on the centre console, which you operate by twisting them up and down – and without taking your eyes off the road. There are a couple of handy shelves to rest your phone and wallet on (one has wireless charging on the Design spec), and while there’s a lot of hard, cheap-feeling plastic, some of the dashboard and door panels are treated with a softer fabric that’s not dissimilar to a wetsuit. It feels better than it sounds, but we wonder how well it will age, especially if configured in a brighter colour.

The boot is 345 litres with the rear seats up and there’s a false floor under which you can stow your charging cables. There’s no frills under the bonnet.

Technology, stereo and infotainment

Despite the entry-level price, BYD’s signature 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen is fitted to all versions of the Dolphin. It runs a bespoke operating system that looks and feels like an Android tablet, which should appeal to younger drivers, but it’s an interface that can feel cluttered. The same goes for the 5-inch TFT driver display, which isn’t particularly high quality and some details are hard to read at a glance.

4G connectivity is standard across the Dolphin range, along with voice control and a pair of USB-C ports up front, plus wired support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a 360-degree parking camera on all models, as well as rear parking sensors (the front is on the Comfort and Design only), adaptive cruise control, a heat pump, keyless entry and start, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) support, which allows the battery to be used to power household appliances. The basic, no-brand six-speaker stereo works well enough, but is nothing to write home about.

Prices and operating costs

There are relatively few truly affordable EVs, at least if you’re looking to buy one new. The BYD Dolphin offers more space and practicality than the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, while also being cheaper (and roomier) than the Mini Cooper. The Dolphin also comes with a decent amount of kit as standard, although the entry-level Active feels particularly sluggish by modern standards. That might be fine for city driving, but can become tiresome if you have to tackle a motorway jaunt. The Boost costs just £1,000 more and also benefits from faster home charging (11kW compared to 7kW) and alloy wheels, while losing just 16 miles of maximum range to the Active.

As with all electric vehicles, running costs can be very low if you charge at home. Public chargers are more expensive, often significantly more expensive. Some charging networks offer access to lower prices via monthly or annual subscriptions.

BYD Dolphin rivals

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to charge?

The BYD Dolphin isn’t particularly fast-charging, with a maximum charge speed of just 65kW for the Active and Boost models, and 88kW for the Comfort and Design. Charging from 10 to 80 percent at a public charger takes between 38 and 40 minutes, while charging at home takes between five and seven hours, depending on your charger.

How much does it cost? Is it worth it?

At £26,195, the BYD Dolphin is one of the cheapest electric cars currently on sale. For that, you get a decent amount of kit as standard and a car that’s practical, with a spacious interior and a decent range. We’d recommend spending the extra £1,000 for the faster, better equipped Boost model.

Does BYD replace batteries for free?

The BYD Dolphin comes with a battery that covers the battery for eight years or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the battery fails within that time, or if the capacity drops below 70 percent, a free replacement may be available.

The Verdict: BYD Dolphin

Good value, lots of equipment as standard and a spacious, beautifully designed cabin. That’s what you get with the Dolphin – and the extra £1,000 for Boost trim is more than worth it.