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BYD Dolphin vs Land Rover Defender comparison

Compare performance (204 HP vs 635 HP), boot space and price (29,700 £ vs 57,900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BYD Dolphin or Land Rover Defender?

BYD Dolphin vs Land Rover Defender: Key differences

BYD Dolphin

4 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • substantially more electric range
  • clearly lighter
details

Land Rover Defender

4 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly more power
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Dolphin

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

BYD Dolphin is considerably cheaper – starting at 29,700 £ , while the Land Rover Defender costs 57,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 28,166 £.

As for electric range, the BYD Dolphin offers substantially more range – reaching up to 427 km, about 379 km more than the Land Rover Defender.

Defender

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Land Rover Defender offers significantly more power – delivering 635 HP compared to 204 HP. That’s roughly 431 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Land Rover Defender is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the BYD Dolphin takes 7 s. That’s about 3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Land Rover Defender delivers considerably more torque with 750 Nm compared to 310 Nm. That’s about 440 Nm more.

Dolphin

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: Land Rover Defender offers more seats – 8 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, BYD Dolphin is clearly lighter – 1,658 kg compared to 2,300 kg. The difference is around 642 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Land Rover Defender offers clearly more boot space – 786 L compared to 345 L. That’s a difference of about 441 L.

When it comes to payload, the Land Rover Defender carries significantly more – 819 kg compared to 410 kg. That’s a difference of about 409 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Land Rover Defender is far ahead overall 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.

from £57,900
Defender

Land Rover Defender

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 200 - 635 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 6 - 14.4 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 48 km
details

Frequently compared as well

BYD Dolphin
BYD Atto 2
VS
The BYD Dolphin is a zippy, compact EV built for urban life — efficient, easy to park and kind on the wallet, making it a brilliant daily driver for city dwellers. The BYD Atto 2 swaps hatchback frugality for crossover comfort and tech, offering more space, range and kit for buyers who value …
BYD Dolphin
BYD Dolphin Surf
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The BYD Dolphin and the sportier Dolphin Surf share the same efficient electric bones, but the Surf adds visual muscle, slightly firmer suspension and sharper steering for anyone craving a bit more attitude. Inside they’re twins — clever packaging, roomy rear seats and a useful boot — so the Surf’s …
BYD Dolphin
Land Rover Defender

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

BYD Dolphin

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
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000AECC3-AF0F-42E4-A606-040E7FB88B81
0344F0B7-DD22-4EE0-9220-311A496628F6

Reviews BYD Dolphin

4 (4 Reviews)
rate
Mark Kennedy
12 Apr 2026, 17:25:08

Absolute gem of a car, wonderfully smooth and powerful, along with being loaded with tech. By far the best car I've had. Would highly recommend

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Commuter (short/medium distance)
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
John Maskell
3 Jan 2026, 07:26:24

Loving the dolphin

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender looks like it could shrug off a weekend of serious off-road abuse while still turning heads on the high street. Inside it balances practical, no-nonsense utility with enough creature comforts to make daily driving feel less like an expedition and more like a stylish commute—rugged charm with civilized manners.

details
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_14
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_15
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_17
DEF_110_PHEV_22MY_INTERIOR_140721_02
DEF_110_PHEV_22MY_INTERIOR_140721_21
LR_DEF_130_23-5MY_07_114_GLHD_ALT_310522_72dpi

Reviews Land Rover Defender

4 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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BYD Dolphin
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BYD Dolphin
VW ID.3
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In a head-to-head comparison, the BYD Dolphin and VW ID.3 stand out in the rapidly evolving EV market, each offering unique strengths. The Dolphin impresses with its affordability and efficiency, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers looking for great range and technological …
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BYD Dolphin
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Land Rover Defender
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BYD Dolphin
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BYD Dolphin
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BYD Dolphin
Land Rover Defender

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,700 - 31,400 £
Price
57,900 - 172,000 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
6 - 14.4 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.9 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
427 km
Electric Range
48 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
135 - 324 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Off-Roader
Seats
5
Seats
2 - 8
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,658 kg
Curb weight
2,300 - 2,745 kg
Trunk capacity
345 L
Trunk capacity
293 - 786 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,770 mm
Width
2,008 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 kg
Payload
494 - 819 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
204 HP
Power HP
200 - 635 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
310 Nm
Torque
500 - 750 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
150 kW
Power kW
147 - 467 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
1,997 - 5,000 cm3

General
Model Year
2023
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D
Brand
BYD
Brand
Land Rover
What drive types are available for the BYD Dolphin?

The BYD Dolphin is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.