BYD Dolphin

Model reviewed: 60kWh Design
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The second car from BYD offers affordable entry into electric motoring. The compact BYD Dolphin has its quirks, but its affordability really opens up EV motoring to a much wider potential audience.”
Author: Andrew Charman
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“BYD’s smallest, cheapest offering still manages to score big on space and value. It’s far from the last word in involvement but then, none of its rivals can claim to be much fun either. And away from epic B-roads, customers should find plenty of appeal in the Dolphin’s packaging, bigger battery range, in-car tech and solid build quality. It’s a really impressive compact EV, at an attractive price.”
Author: John McIlroy
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Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“With competitive prices, reasonable range and a comfortable ride, it’s definitely a viable option for many, but it falls short in too many areas to be considered a class leader.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Dolphin’s biggest incentive will be its price point. It has a sticker price similar to a basic MG4, while offering considerably more range and equipment as well as being considerably cheaper than the likes of a Vauxhall Corsa Electric or Volkswagen ID.3.”
Author: Pete Tullin
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Dolphin is neat handling, robust and tidy car to drive, well-equipped and has competitive range and performance compared to cars of a similar size. The MG4 is a sharper car to drive, but BYD’s hatch has plenty on its side to win you over.”
Author: Jake Groves, Curtis Moldrich
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Don’t write the BYD Dolphin off just because it’s cheap – this is an extraordinarily talented small electric car.”
Author: Richard Ingram, Charlie Harvey
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Dolphin is a well-priced, well-equipped and practical electric hatchback, although you don’t get auto wipers and some of the interior materials aren’t quite as soft-touch as they look.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Dolphin may be one of the cheapest electric cars on sale, but it delivers in many areas – making it something of an EV bargain.”
Author: Tom Jervis, John McIlroy
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The ride quality appears to be well resolved while its low centre of gravity allows it to switch directions keenly and cleanly. On the downside, the steering offers little in the way of feedback and feels rather artificial.”
Author: Mike Askew
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Price may be the first thing that draws you to the BYD Dolphin as a battery-powered family hatch, but its charms run deeper than decent cost. It sports plenty of equipment, good driving range, and comfort, which makes it an appealing alternative to more recognisable brand names.”
Author: Al Suttie
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Dolphin is cheap by electric car standards, but doesn’t feel it. It’s thoroughly well resolved, combining laudable interior comfort, space and build quality with impressive performance and a respectable range. There’s very little not to like.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Dolphin’s spacious interior is a huge highlight, providing more space for passengers than many cars from the class above. We also like the interesting design and appealing materials inside, while the ride is more comfortable than many rivals. Given the bargain pricing, it’s well worth considering.”
Author: Tom Wiltshire
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Model reviewed: Boost
Score: 8 / 10
“The BYD Dolphin Boost is surprisingly impressive. It is very charitably equipped, offers great value for money compared with some competitors.”
Author: Tim Barnes-Clay
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Model reviewed: 45kWh Active
Score: 7 / 10
“The BYD Dolphin is bound to raise a few eyebrows for all the right reasons – especially in this new Active version. It has a level of elegance and sophistication that nobody would expect from a Chinese export. However, the handling isn’t great, and the performance in the Active model is a bit lacklustre. So, unless an extra 20 miles of range is important, we’d happily sacrifice that to buy the other newly introduced model, the Boost, with its extra 81hp.
Author: Tim Barnes-Clay
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“There are things that some owners will absolutely adore, though, from the cutesy naming to the flamboyant colour schemes and dolphin-fin door handles.”
Author: Will Dron
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The Chinese firm launches its new, small EV, complete with a weird marine-themed name. The price might be right, but there’s lots that isn’t.”
Author: Andrew English
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The BYD Dolphin simply feels unfinished. The dampers and springs need to actually work together to do more than just jellify potholes, and the steering needs a slug of optimism that it might actually turn the car when you want it to.”
Author: Tom Ford
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