BYD Dolphin Hatchback, starting at 29,700 £

4 (4 Reviews)
rate

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.

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from £29,700
Dolphin

BYD Dolphin

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 204 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 15.9 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 427 km

Playful Shape, Grown‑Up Purpose

The BYD Dolphin wears friendly curves and crisp surfacing that look fresh without trying too hard. Compact proportions at 4,290 mm long and a relatively tall roof promise easy parking and good headroom, while aero wheels and clean light signatures add a modern edge. It feels more cheerful than many rivals, yet the stance is tidy and confident rather than cutesy. The result is a city‑friendly hatch that still looks substantial enough for family duty.

Cheery Cabin, Straightforward Controls

Inside, bright trims and neat details create a welcoming mood, supported by solid assembly and sensible storage. The rotating touchscreen is a party trick, but the real gains come from Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a responsive interface and a helpful voice assistant. Hard keys are limited and some climate functions live in the screen, so a short learning phase pays off. Materials mix soft pads with harder plastics, which feels fair for the price and robust for daily use.

Space Where It Counts

Rear legroom is excellent for the class, with wide door openings and three ISOFIX points (front passenger plus two in the back) boosting family appeal. The boot is officially around 345–364 litres depending on specification, expanding to 1,310 litres with the 60:40 backs folded. A fairly high load lip and occasional lack of a variable floor make it less flexible than the best, but it handles weekly shops, a compact stroller and sports bags without drama. There’s no frunk, yet cabin cubbies and flat rear footwells help everyday practicality.

Easygoing In Town, Calm Rather Than Keen

The front‑motor Dolphin Electric Automatic FWD serves up 204 hp and 310 Nm, good for a brisk 0–100 km/h in 7.0 s and a 160 km/h top speed. Throttle response is smooth, steering is very light, and the soft suspension tames speed humps and potholes neatly. Push harder and there’s noticeable body roll and little steering feel, so it prefers a relaxed rhythm to back‑road antics. Regeneration is mild and there’s no full one‑pedal mode, which keeps the learning curve shallow but leaves some rivals feeling sharper.

Range That Fits Life, Charging That Needs Planning

On paper the 204‑hp version claims 427 km WLTP at 15.9 kWh/100 km; in mixed real use, expect roughly 350–385 km, with winter or fast‑lane stints trimming that to nearer 250–300 km. A standard heat pump helps consistency in colder weather, especially around town. Home AC charging at up to 11 kW makes overnight top‑ups easy, but DC peaks at about 88 kW, so a 10–80% stop takes roughly 40 minutes—fine occasionally, slower than the class best on road trips. It’s efficient enough to keep running costs low, provided long‑haul use isn’t the norm.

Screens, Assists and the Small Print

Equipment is generous: adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind‑spot monitoring, a 360° camera, V2L power‑out and heated features are widely available without pricey packs. The assistants work well overall, though lane centring can feel a bit insistent and wind noise at speed makes the car busier on motorways. Infotainment is quick and feature‑rich but lacks built‑in EV route planning, so charging stops are best handled via apps or smartphone mirroring. Visibility at the front corners isn’t perfect, making the cameras and sensors more than just nice‑to‑haves.

Who It Suits

This Dolphin suits value‑minded buyers who want a well‑equipped, stress‑free electric hatch for city and suburban life. It’s a strong fit for small families thanks to rear space and easy manners, and the Dolphin Electric Automatic FWD (204 hp, 427 km WLTP, 15.9 kWh/100 km) spec covers most daily needs. Motorway regulars and keen drivers may prefer something faster‑charging or sportier, but as a sensible, comfortable all‑rounder it hits its brief. Think of it as the pragmatic EV that keeps costs, effort and drama down.

Top Car Comparisons

BYD Dolphin
BYD Atto 2
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The BYD Dolphin and BYD Atto 2 represent two distinct EV choices from BYD: the Dolphin is a compact, city-oriented hatchback focused on efficiency and nimble urban driving, while the Atto 2 is a compact crossover offering more space, a higher driving position and richer tech. Choose the Dolphin for …
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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 …
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Reviews

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

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,700 - 31,400 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
15.9 kWh/100km
Electric Range
427 km
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,658 kg
Trunk capacity
345 L
Length
-
Width
1,770 mm
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
410 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
204 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7 s
Max Speed
-
Torque
310 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
150 kW
Engine capacity
-

General
Model Year
2023
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
BYD

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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.