Is This The New King Of Cheap Electric Cars?

Jack has a first look at the BYD Dolphin, the latest small, affordable EV to arrive in Europe from China. With state-of-the-art battery tech, ample tech included and extremely high build quality, could this be the new king of affordable EVs?

00:00 Finally another cheap EV!
01:01 Meet the Dolphin
2:38 Exterior walkaround
4:34 Battery geekery
5:53 Safe but cheerful design
6:30 Funky interior!
9:09 Rear seat Jack test
11:15 Initial thoughts?

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#BYD #Dolphin #EV #electriccar #evs

[Peter-vnue]

I took a leap of faith here in Australia after extensive research into BYD as a company. They have been manufacturing ice vehicles since 2005 and pure electric vehicles since 2010.

I own a BYD Atto 3 extended range, and I'm extremely happy with my purchase, every other Ev was over 55 grand here in Australia, so at just over 50 grand at the time the online order books opened and because I chose Surf blue as my colour which cost 700 aussie dollars more before a state Ev rebate of 3 grand made the final price 47, 700 Australia dollars.

The build quality of BYD vehicles is exceptional, and this same build quality can be found in all its models it sells.

A lot of Australians are eagerly awaiting this vehicle to go on sale here and the price as the MG4 is only available here currently with the largest battery which has the price still out of reach of most people.

If the BYD seagull comes here in 2024, with an affordable price in the low 30s, this will be extremely popular here. Price is still the factor that prevents people from transitioning to an Ev.

[TheDarrenJones]

Had the pleasure of sitting in this exact car yesterday at Fully Charged Live. Have to say I was really impressed with the build quality from what I felt from the driver's seat. I was expecting this to feel cheap and nasty, like an MG3 I've had as a courtesy car recently. That wasn't the case at all - everything felt solid, well put together and good quality. I say that as someone who's owned over 100 cars (i've bought and sold a lot), and this is really up there in terms of fit and finish.

[ericliume]

BYD Seagull is on sale now in China. BYD reduced its price from 78, 900 RMB~95, 800 RMB to 73, 800 RMB ~ 89, 800 RMB (€9, 600 ~ €11, 760). So far there is no rumor saying Seagull is coming to Europe. For the moment, BYD can't even meet the needs from the Chinese customers.

[hillbillyangle]

Boy, really enjoy watching Jack's reviews...His passion and style are simply infectious and convincing! In fact, Jack and Elliot are my two most favorable EV hosts (Sam Evans the Electric Vikings ranks 3rd 😄）Way to go - The Fully Charged Show!

[davec]

This is the most beautifully shot video of the Dolphin online. The lighting, the camo style, camera work makes the budget car look premium. BYD should pay you guys for this!

[swecreations]

I've been waiting for this. Believe it or not but this is honestly my dream car bar-none at this point, it's just SO perfect for my needs. Currently using a Renault Zoe and want something compact and extremely practical and not RWD (lots of snow here so FWD is a lot more stable).

[mattiafrancescobruni]

The "seagull" model is sold as even cheaper. We as a consumer can only benefit from a price war on EV. 😊

[baljeetd]

You're the best reviewer Jack - that perfect balance of info and tainment ;)

[JayLew]

We need more options like this in the US. its not huge, its affordable, and the range isnt an issue for day-to-day driving. Its enough car for someone with no kids and just needs to get around town.

[wyattnoise]

Jack rocking the classic 90's part.

[michaellaba]

Jack, keep up the good work your doing in presenting new EVs. You, are in my mind very very good at your job.

[CATinBOOTS]

Please note that the chinese BYD Dolplhin is smaller (around 4, 10m in length) and with different engines (95cv or 177cv) and battery pack. It's a B-segment car. In Europe, we get "another" BYD Dolphin, which instead is a C segment car (4, 29m in length) and with more powerful engines and a bigger battery pack.

[johnknight]

That's quite interesting, with BYD being a battery builder first and a car builder second. It's kind of the electric equivalent of Honda, who build engines first and then find things to use them in. I saw a BYD here in Perth, Australia, the other day! :-)
I really like the look of those saloon cars, but I'm particularly interested in that ultra squishy little hatchback. My broke millennial backside may actually be able to buy one!

[RafaGmod]

small detail: SMALL WHEELS! We needed China to come and break the "hot wheels" style hahaha. Smaller wheels are cheaper, use cheaper tyres, don't add a lot of unsprung mass and don't need 10% of the power of the car to get up to speed. Very efficient for EVs!

[Daniel-jmhd]

I saw this at FCL. I was there all weekend but never managed to sit in it as it was so popular. Looks exactly what people have been asking for. Agree with Jack, European car companies have got a lot of catching up to do and very quickly, otherwise they won't be around.

[theelectricmonk]

So... I just got an MG4 a few weeks ago (and it's mostly brilliant BTW). Haven't had any problems with range so far. There are a few little software niggles that need resolving - e.g. occasional scary-sounding warnings popping up like "Auto hold system fault, please consult your dealer" (it works fine, it doesn't seem to like being parked nose-down on a hill is all), and the radio keeps switching from Radio to "BT Music" - which my brain reads as British Telecom, took me a week to work out it meant BlueTooth...), and of course the infamous "forget all your driving settings & revert to defaults" every time you get in. And honestly, they are minor niggles.

The Dolphin's interior does look, somehow, a little more sturdy than the MG's, although honestly I actually prefer the look of the MG (inside and out - exterior in particular I think the MG is much better than the Dolphin, but I get that looks are totally subjective). If the undisclosed price is, indeed, less than the MG4, then I expect it'll be a serious contender for the "car as an appliance" market. I think the MG4 will still sell well to those who like to drive, though. I have to say, it does drive REALLY well - apart from when "lane departure assist" grabs hold of the wheel!

Oh, yeah, another minor niggle: The road-sign reader (which supposedly keeps track of speed limits by reading the signs at the side of the road) is clueless! Best ignored...

[pnblondon]

All impressive so far, but price is clearly crucial. From what I've read, I suspect we'll have to wait for the BYD Seagull – or an equivalent rival – before we have an electric car that's truly affordable for most people, at least in the UK and Europe.

[Sniffy]

I really like the overall look of the dolphin, outside and in.. holding my breath on the price to see whether it will actually be affordable though.

[MicheleEngel]

This is the first time I’ve seen one of your videos, and I must say that you are an outstanding presenter—smart, articulate, and unusually imaginative with your descriptions and assessments. Kudos to you!

[LaowaiDaveJCP]

it looks like a car my daughter would love as her first Car