BYD Dolphin - 9 things we LOVE and… 5 we HATE | Electrifying

#byddolphin #byd #electricars

Regular viewers will know that we’re rather keen on the BYD Dolphin – a small family electric car with a decent range, loads of kit and a price tag that could almost be referred to as affordable.

So why are we back behind the wheel again? The first time we saw the Dolphin, we weren’t allowed to drive it. Then, when we are allowed to, a technical issue meant that we didn’t get to experience the car at its best. We had another go a few months ago, but at that point, the car wasn’t registered in the UK. So finally, after months of waiting, we’re FINALLY getting to drive the BYD Dolphin right here in the same specification you can buy.

The Dolphin is just over 4.2 metres long (4,290mm) and around 200mm longer than a Vauxhall Corsa Electric and a Peugeot e208. However, unlike the Corsa, Peugeot and MINI it’s built on an all-electric platform designed from the outset to be a purely electric set of underpinnings.

Although BYD offers the Dolphin in its home market with two small battery options (30.7kWh and 44.9kWh) the brand has reworked the car for Europe and is offering a bigger 60kWh pack and faster charging capability, along with the 44.9kWh unit.
The entry-level Active model has the 44.9kWh battery and 93bhp motor giving around 211 miles of range. The Boost has a more powerful 178bhp motor and 17-inch wheels which hit efficiency, so the range drops to 188 miles. The Comfort and Design use the bigger 60.4kWh battery and 201bhp motor, giving a range of 265 miles.

Join Nicola as she lists the 14 things we love… and hate about the new BYD Dolphin. Are you a fan? Is the Dolphin on your shortlist, or would you choose something else? As always, we love to hear your views, so let us know in the comments below.

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Our reviews are written by some of the most experienced reviewers in the business and will even help you find the perfect new or used car.

[GlenisRetiredNZ]

I took one for a drive yesterday, I'm looking to downsize my SUV. The Dolphin is about the size of a Corolla but bigger inside. One thing not mentioned in this review is that the front seats can lift quite high, important for older drivers who struggle to get in and out of a sedan-type car. From the research I've done, the WLTP range seems to be quite accurate. The extended model I'm looking at does 427 km per charge which fits in well for a 300 km, each-way, drive I do every month. The blade battery is one of the few that will charge 0-100% without degrading the battery in comparison to other batteries that they don't recommend going over 80%, that 20% of driving is significant.

[Addixxtion]

I was at my local BYD dealership this week and they can't keep the Atto3 and Dolphin in stock, literally flying off the forecourts! I test drove the Atto3 and within the hour I had ordered one! Such a lovely car to drive, and I love the wacky interior (I know some will hate it) but I'm fed up with the drab black plastic interiors of most cars these days, so it's refreshing to see something different for a change.

The massive 15.6" rotating screen is amazing, literally like having a massive ipad on your dash, sure the rotating thing is more of a show off thing but it is very handy in navigation, it gives you almost an entire streets view (sadly though, it is locked to landscape mode using Android Auto, for some reason!?) But it will be so nice having wireless Android Auto, no more faffing around with cables, genius!

Plus it will be here within the month, where other ICE manufacturers are looking into 2024 for new orders. I had a sit in the Dolphin and it looks to be an ideal little city car for everyone that doesn't need or want an SUV like car. I regularly carry adult passengers so opted for the bigger Atto3, and I can't wait to get it. Although pricing is a concern for most people, BYD are obviously doing something right despite the cost as they are outselling many legacy manufacturers and thats got to ne good for competition in the sector.

[colddiesel]

I own an MG4 but have driven a Dolphin and I think the Dolphin is the better car. The lane keep assist is aggressive but equally so on the MG - and isn't that the point anyway? They're both easy enough to turn off, but I think that they re-set after stopping.. Worth doing a comparison, but test them in traffic, how easy are they to park, stop fast. Which is the better commuter car, runabout, shopping trolley. Get your mum or your grand-dad to drive for the tests. The seat height adjustment is a great feature for older shorter drivers. Kudos to you for mugging up on all the battery characteristics, too many reviewers leave that out. BYD can sell every car they produce so they will not be cheap YET.

[lozzamoore]

Always find Nicola's videos very informative and detailed. Plus I love her humour. Usually at least one or two moments to laugh out loud at. I currently drive an MG4 and this Dolphin looks amazing

[Jawlf]

When I drove the BYD Atto 3 the twisty screen could do split screen, so sat nav at top and easier to glance at, media at lower section.

[learnxhosawithkhanyi]

Took it for a test drive, such a smooth drive. Interior is sleek and pretty cozy. Love the sporty seats.❤

[SWR]

The screen in portrait mode is for navigation, Waze when you turn the screen is a different beast.

[TheEditorify]

The world has not produced a car worthy of Nicole’s super model legs. She is the loveliest of them all!

[anthonystevens]

This car certainly has a lot going for it. It'll be an interesting head to head with the MG4. I'll wait a while on this one but it's definitely worth checking one out at some point. The 'bing bong' would irritate the hell out of me as well so I'll have to see how irritated I get during the the test.

[RobertDodge]

You will need to do 2 tests as the Base model Dolphin Active needs to go against the base model MG4 SE Standard Range but that cannot be done until 2024. But will be interesting to see the Design Vs Trophy.

[andrewgraham]

I'm still waiting on their electric motorcycle called the

[TassieEV]

Interesting the entry level spec in Australia which is $100AUD cheaper than the MG4 entry level and is under £20k, however I don't know if you get the 70kW motor therefore the mid-level trim in Australia which is $44k AUD approx would come to £24k about. You mention about cheap materials well you want affordability they can't offer you BMW/Audi level interior spec with a £26k price-tag. The Dolphin along with the Seal and Seagull are part of their Ocean series so yes it has an Ocean theme interior. I'm glad we don't live in Victorian Industrial Revolution with colours and boring design so many cars are just like all the others members of the sheep family and boring, BYD I think kicks that out the window and is willing to be bold and different which I like.

[sngs]

This will definetely sync for those in Asia especially in Malaysia! This would be the new MYVI!

[Madonsteamrailways]

This looks good. The problem is - it’s a car rather than a small camper.!! I think that Build Your Dreams is making a great product.

[peterarmstrong]

I absolutely love mine. Ive had it for 4 months and covered 6k and first thing i did was ask byd to change the ling longs tyres!!! I now have continental pro2. I prefer this over previous EVs ive used long term which are the mg4 awful awful dealer back up! The cupra born and niro ev.

[shaonian]

No one pedal and fast charging too slow, really needs 140kw like the MG4 essence.

[Madonsteamrailways]

I prefer a car with a loud tick when the indicator is on. My current Renault Zoe has a nice loud tick!!

[devonbikefilms]

Actually drove one of these last week out of Exeter BYD. Very impressively built and very comfortable. The two issues I had were a. Regen braking was pretty weak compared to my eNiro (21 model) and b. The lane keep assist on a B road was borderline dangerous and really jerked the wheel between the verge and the central markings. Was not a issue on the motorway or the A30, but was poor on the B3180. If they sorted that it would be fine, but the MG 4 is, I think, better.

[stdrive]

I'd love an electric car for my driving school but the big problem with them for me is I have no idea who these companies are. It's a shame because they might be just as good if not better than the big names we all know like Ford, but...it's a lot of money to spend and a big risk to take. The 8-year warranty is impressive but people love sticking to what they know and I think that the main problem companies like BYD, Cupra and Polestar have is people are just saying "Who???". You're doing great work on this channel to spread the word and change that!

[AISweb]

Had a BYD Atto 3 as a hire car recently. When rotated to vertical, the screen went completely black. It was just cos I was wearing polarised sunglasses. Seems a bit of an oversight and not seen it mentioned anywhere.