Compare performance (204 HP vs 100 HP), boot space and price (29,700 £ vs 14,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BYD Dolphin or Dacia Spring?
In the growing world of electric vehicles, two promising contenders cater to different ends of the market spectrum: the BYD Dolphin and the Dacia Spring. These compact EVs are tailor-made for city driving, offering an intriguing mix of innovation, efficiency, and practicality. Let's delve into the comparison of these two electric warriors and uncover what makes each unique.
The BYD Dolphin is a powerhouse among electric hatchbacks. Boasting an impressive 204 HP (150 kW) and a torque of 310 Nm, it delivers swift acceleration, reaching 0-100 km/h in just 7 seconds. With a top speed of 160 km/h, it is designed for those who crave a dynamic driving experience.
In contrast, the Dacia Spring offers a more modest power output with its range topping at 65 HP (48 kW), providing up to 113 Nm of torque. The Spring takes 13.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h and maxes out at a speed of 125 km/h, which is well-suited for urban environments where brisk efficiency and maneuverability trump raw power.
When it comes to energy consumption, the BYD Dolphin registers at 15.9 kWh/100 km, with an impressive electric driving range of 427 km. With a substantial payload capacity of 410 kg, it offers both range and practicality for passengers and load alike.
The Dacia Spring, a compact SUV, is frugal when it comes to energy usage, consuming just 13.2 - 14.1 kWh/100 km. However, it has a limited range of up to 228 km, making it ideal for short city commutes rather than long journeys. Its versatility and modest payload capacity of up to 285 kg make it highly practical in urban settings.
The BYD Dolphin sports a larger body, measuring 4290 mm in length, 1770 mm in width, and 1570 mm in height. Its generous trunk capacity of 345 liters bolsters its appeal for those who value cargo space along with passenger comfort for up to five occupants.
The Dacia Spring, compact in nature with dimensions of 3701 mm in length, 1583 mm in width, and 1519 mm in height, is designed to swiftly navigate tight city streets. It supports four passengers comfortably and offers a trunk capacity of 308 liters, sufficient for city-dwellers' everyday needs.
Interior innovation is where these models diverge. The BYD Dolphin features a sleek, contemporary cabin, loaded with modern technology, including intuitive infotainment systems and driver-assistance tools that enhance both safety and convenience.
The Dacia Spring, while more utilitarian, doesn’t lag behind in smart features. It offers essential digital functionalities that meet the requirements of city driving, keeping things simple while ensuring connectivity and ease of use for all occupants.
The choice between the BYD Dolphin and the Dacia Spring largely depends on the user’s priorities. The Dolphin excels in performance and range, appealing to those needing a robust everyday electric companion. The Dacia Spring, however, shines in practicality and efficiency, marking itself as a perfect entrant into the EV world, particularly suited for city life. Both represent a significant step forward in the practicality of electric vehicles, each catering to different driving preferences and lifestyle needs.
Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.
Dacia Spring is significantly cheaper – starting at 14,500 £ , while the BYD Dolphin costs 29,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 15,206 £.
In terms of energy consumption, the Dacia Spring is clearly more efficient: consuming 12.4 kWh/100km compared to 15.9 kWh/100km for the BYD Dolphin. That’s a difference of about 3.5 kWh/100km.
As for electric range, the BYD Dolphin offers clearly more range – reaching up to 427 km, about 202 km more than the Dacia Spring.
Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.
When it comes to engine power, the BYD Dolphin offers considerably more power – delivering 204 HP compared to 100 HP. That’s roughly 104 HP more horsepower.
When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BYD Dolphin is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 7 s, while the Dacia Spring takes 9.6 s. That’s about 2.6 s quicker.
There’s also a difference in torque: the BYD Dolphin delivers considerably more torque with 310 Nm compared to 137 Nm. That’s about 173 Nm more.
Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.
Seats: BYD Dolphin offers more seats – 5 vs 4.
In terms of curb weight, Dacia Spring is significantly lighter – 1,070 kg compared to 1,658 kg. The difference is around 588 kg.
Looking at boot space, the BYD Dolphin offers somewhat more boot space – 345 L compared to 308 L. That’s a difference of about 37 L.
When it comes to payload, the BYD Dolphin carries visibly more – 410 kg compared to 274 kg. That’s a difference of about 136 kg.
The BYD Dolphin holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.
The BYD Dolphin is a cheeky electric hatchback that blends playful styling with surprising practicality, making it a brilliant city companion for buyers who want modern tech without the showroom bravado. It’s comfy, efficient and easy to live with, and while it won’t blind you with supercar drama, it will quietly get the job done with plenty of character.
details
The Dacia Spring is an unpretentious city electric that strips EV ownership down to the essentials, offering clean, fuss-free transport for daily urban life. It won't impress luxury-seekers, but its cheerful practicality and rock-bottom running costs make it a clever, no-nonsense choice for anyone who wants electric mobility without the drama.
details
Costs and Consumption |
|
|---|---|
|
Price
29,700 - 31,400 £
|
Price
14,500 - 16,900 £
|
|
Consumption L/100km
-
|
Consumption L/100km
-
|
|
Consumption kWh/100km
15.9 kWh/100km
|
Consumption kWh/100km
12.4 - 12.7 kWh/100km
|
|
Electric Range
427 km
|
Electric Range
221 - 225 km
|
|
Battery Capacity
-
|
Battery Capacity
-
|
|
co2
0 g/km
|
co2
0 g/km
|
|
Fuel tank capacity
-
|
Fuel tank capacity
-
|
Dimensions and Body |
|
|---|---|
|
Body Type
Hatchback
|
Body Type
SUV
|
|
Seats
5
|
Seats
4
|
|
Doors
5
|
Doors
-
|
|
Curb weight
1,658 kg
|
Curb weight
1,070 kg
|
|
Trunk capacity
345 L
|
Trunk capacity
308 L
|
|
Length
4,290 mm
|
Length
-
|
|
Width
1,770 mm
|
Width
1,583 mm
|
|
Height
1,570 mm
|
Height
-
|
|
Max trunk capacity
1,310 L
|
Max trunk capacity
-
|
|
Payload
410 kg
|
Payload
274 kg
|
Engine and Performance |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine Type
Electric
|
Engine Type
Electric
|
|
Transmission
Automatic
|
Transmission
Automatic
|
|
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
|
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
|
|
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
|
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
|
|
Power HP
204 HP
|
Power HP
70 - 100 HP
|
|
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7 s
|
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.6 - 12.3 s
|
|
Max Speed
160 km/h
|
Max Speed
-
|
|
Torque
310 Nm
|
Torque
137 Nm
|
|
Number of Cylinders
-
|
Number of Cylinders
-
|
|
Power kW
150 kW
|
Power kW
52 - 75 kW
|
|
Engine capacity
-
|
Engine capacity
-
|
General |
|
|---|---|
|
Model Year
2,023
|
Model Year
2,025
|
|
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
|
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
|
|
Brand
BYD
|
Brand
Dacia
|
Deutschland
France
Nederland
Great Britain
Sverige
Danmark
Suomi
Italia
Polska
España