Review of the BYD Dolphin

The electric vehicle (EV) market in the UK is bustling with innovation, and the new BYD Dolphin is a prime example of how the industry is evolving. With its compact design, practical features, and competitive pricing, the Dolphin aims to capture the attention of urban drivers and eco-conscious consumers alike.

Rivals to the BYD Dolphin include the Nissan Leaf, Vauxhall Corsa-e and Peugeot e-208.

Our BYD Dolphin review covers:

• Modern aesthetics featuring smooth lines and a dynamic profile
• Spacious and modern interior designed for comfort and convenience
• 345-litre boot, expanding to 1,310 litres with rear seats down
• Efficient electric motor that delivers a range of up to 265 miles on a single charge
• Four trim levels are available: Active, Boost, Comfort and Design

Pros:

• Modern design
• Spacious interior
• Affordable pricing

Cons:

• Visibility
• Modest performance
• Bigger battery only available on higher trim levels

The BYD Dolphin is a standout with its modern and futuristic design. It features smooth lines and a sleek silhouette that gives it a contemporary and aerodynamic profile. The front end is characterised by sharp LED headlights that not only enhance visibility but also add to the vehicle’s distinctive look. The Dolphin's design is not just about aesthetics; it's about efficiency, with every curve crafted to reduce drag and improve range. The range of vibrant colour options, from subtle tones to more striking hues, allows drivers to express their individuality, a key consideration for many UK car buyers.

Practicality is at the heart of the BYD Dolphin’s design, making it an ideal choice for everyday use in the UK. The compact size of the Dolphin is perfect for navigating through busy city streets and fitting into tight parking spots, a common challenge in urban areas. Despite its compact dimensions, the Dolphin offers a surprisingly spacious interior, with comfortable seating for up to five passengers. The high roofline ensures ample headroom, while the clever use of space means that even rear-seat passengers enjoy a comfortable ride.

One of the standout features of the BYD Dolphin is its impressive boot space. Despite its compact exterior, the Dolphin offers a generous 345-litre boot, expanding to 1,310 litres with rear seats down, making it practical for both daily commutes and weekend getaways. The boot capacity is well-suited for accommodating everything from the weekly shop to larger items such as suitcases or sports equipment. The rear seats can be easily folded down to further extend the boot space, offering flexibility for those occasions when you need to transport bulkier items.

The BYD Dolphin's interior is designed to be both functional and comfortable, making every journey enjoyable. Across all trims, the Dolphin features a well-thought-out cabin with high-quality materials and a minimalist design that exudes modernity. The use of soft-touch surfaces and ergonomic design elements ensures that the interior feels premium, even in the more affordable trims.

A standout feature across the range is the large central touchscreen that dominates the dashboard. This intuitive 12.8-inch display serves as the hub for the car's infotainment system, offering access to navigation, media, and various vehicle settings. The system is user-friendly, and its sharp graphics and responsive interface add to the overall driving experience. The Dolphin also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, ensuring seamless connectivity on the go.

Four trim levels are available: Active, Boost, Comfort and Design.

• Active: The entry-level Active trim is perfect for those looking to enter the electric vehicle market without breaking the bank. Despite being the base model, it doesn't skimp on essential features. The Active trim includes fabric upholstery, manual air conditioning, and keyless entry. The 12.8-inch touchscreen is also present, giving access to the car's tech features. Safety is a priority in the Active trim, with a range of driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
• Boost: Stepping up to the Boost trim brings additional comforts and conveniences. This trim level introduces upgraded seating materials, with partial synthetic leather upholstery, adding a touch of luxury to the interior. The Boost trim also includes enhanced climate control, with dual-zone automatic air conditioning ensuring comfort for all passengers. The exterior sees subtle upgrades too, with alloy wheels and additional body-coloured trim elements, enhancing the Dolphin's sleek look.
• Comfort: The Comfort trim level is aimed at those who want a bit more from their EV. In addition to the features found in the Boost trim, the Comfort trim adds a panoramic sunroof, flooding the cabin with natural light and giving it a more spacious feel. The seats are fully upholstered in synthetic leather, and the driver’s seat includes power adjustment for optimal comfort. Enhanced ambient lighting sets the mood for any drive, and the audio system is upgraded for a richer sound experience.
• Design: At the top of the range is the Design trim, which is packed with premium features. This trim level includes everything from the Comfort trim but adds a few extra touches that make it truly stand out. The Design trim features a larger 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, allowing for even greater customisation of the infotainment system. The exterior is also more distinctive, with larger alloy wheels, a sportier body kit, and exclusive colour options. Inside, the attention to detail is evident with higher-grade materials, including additional soft-touch surfaces and contrast stitching on the seats and dashboard.

Under the bonnet, the BYD Dolphin boasts a highly efficient electric powertrain that provides a smooth yet responsive driving experience. The Dolphin range offers a choice of two battery options, catering to different driving needs. The standard option comes with a 44.9 kWh battery, delivering a respectable range suitable for everyday commuting. For those looking for a bit more power and longer journeys, the upgraded option is a 60.4 kWh battery that extends the range significantly, making it ideal for longer trips and reducing the need for frequent charging.

The electric motor in the Dolphin produces a robust 204 horsepower in the top trims, ensuring that the car is not only efficient but also capable when it comes to acceleration. The instant torque characteristic of electric vehicles is evident in the Dolphin, providing brisk acceleration from a standstill, making city driving and overtaking on motorways both easy and enjoyable.

Driving the BYD Dolphin is a pleasure, thanks to its smooth, quiet, and responsive nature. The electric powertrain ensures that power delivery is instantaneous, providing a seamless driving experience without the noise and vibration associated with traditional internal combustion engines. The car’s low centre of gravity, aided by the battery placement, enhances stability and handling, giving the driver a sense of control and confidence on the road.

The suspension system is tuned to absorb road imperfections, making the ride comfortable even on the UK's often uneven road surfaces. Additionally, the regenerative braking system is well-calibrated, allowing for efficient energy recovery without compromising on the smoothness of the driving experience. This system also offers different levels of regeneration, which can be adjusted according to the driver's preference, adding a layer of customisation to the driving dynamics.

For urban drivers, the compact dimensions of the Dolphin make it easy to manoeuvre through tight city streets, while the responsive steering ensures a nimble and agile feel. On the open road, the Dolphin remains composed, with a solid and planted feel that belies its size. The range of driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, enhances safety and reduces driver fatigue on longer journeys.

The BYD Dolphin is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of £25,490.00*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from £185.37.

If you're considering leasing a BYD Dolphin, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).

Leasing a BYD Dolphin can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.

It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.