Reviewed: BYD Dolphin electric hatchback

The BYD Dolphin is priced from $49,990. Photos: Liz Dobson

BYD NZ is making waves here with its electric cars, first the award-winning Atto 3, in 2023 splashed down with the Dolphin with this year the Seal beaches on our shore.

Globally, Chinese brand BYD is dominating new electric vehicle production and sales and is taking on Tesla, with more sales in the last quarter of 2023 than Elon Musk’s company.

In New Zealand, BYD sold 3715 vehicles in 2023, finishing in 10th place on the new passenger car sales list from the Motor Trade Association.

The Atto 3 was the sixth-best-selling passenger car, and took second place for the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) segment, with the Tesla Model Y taking the top spot with 3936 registrations.

The Dolphin is expected to shore up (okay, I’ll stop with the bad ocean-themed puns) more electric sales for BYD thanks to two models; the Standard (priced from $49,990) and Extended ($55,990) version. The Clean Car Rebate has been axed so you don’t get a discount.

The electric hatchback is 4290mm long, 1700mm wide and has a height of 1570mm.

You’d expect its main competitor to be a similar China-made MG4 but BYD NZ says it’s more of a fleet car and faces off against Toyota’s Corolla and the VW Golf.

The Dolphin has garnered attention for its distinctive design, impressive range, and noteworthy driving experience.

While the Atto 3 SUV’s interior and exterior look galvanised with its design inspirations (read our review here to explain more), BYD toned it down for the Dolphin hatchback.

One of the standout features of Dolphin is its sleek and futuristic exterior. The car's design is a blend of aerodynamics and aesthetics, with smooth lines and a streamlined silhouette. 

It’s 4290mm long, 1700mm wide and has a height of 1570mm with a gross weight of 1916kg for the standard and 2068 for the extended.

The infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly.

The Dolphin's unique headlights and taillights give it a distinctive look that sets it apart from other electric cars in New Zealand. But the overall design isn’t made just to be eye-catching but also contributes to the car's efficiency by minimising wind resistance.

The BYD Dolphin is equipped with a robust electric powertrain that delivers a commendable driving experience. The standard model produces 70kW of power and 180Nm of torque while the Extended is 150kW/310Nm.

What makes the BYD brand stand out is its Blade Battery. It was developed to not only improve efficiency but to offer greater levels of safety when compared to a more common ternary lithium battery. As an example of this, BYD subjected the Blade Battery to extreme challenges, such as nail penetration and crush tests, to see how it would respond.

The standard has a range of 410km, and the extended is 80km more. But thanks to the Blade Battery technology, factors such as air conditioning don’t affect range, so you can be cool and keep those km. This makes the BYD a practical choice for those looking to make the switch to electric without compromising on range or comfort.

The Dolphin has a range from 410km to 490km.

The acceleration is smooth and instantaneous, characteristic of many electric vehicles, and the Dolphin's handling is nimble and precise. It’s a joy to drive in the city and it has the power to overtake on the motorway.

The interior of the BYD Dolphin is a comfortable and tech-savvy space. The cabin is well-appointed with quality materials, providing a premium feel that belies its affordable price point. 

The infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly, featuring a responsive touchscreen that controls navigation, entertainment, and connectivity functions. 

The inclusion of advanced driver-assistance features further enhances the overall driving experience, contributing to both safety and convenience. The Dolphin has 360-degree cameras, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency lane keep assist, front and rear radars and child presence detection. That list is impressive for a vehicle of this price.

There is enough room in the rear for three adults.

We tested the extended model for seven days and despite testing it with multiple daily trips on the motorway, two long drives to the country and city excursions - with the air con as the coldest setting - there was plenty of range left when I dropped it back at BYD head office.

While I didn’t need to charge the Dolphin as I had plenty of range, I did test it at my nearest ChargeNet location on a quiet Sunday. The car supports fast charging, allowing drivers to replenish the battery quickly when needed. I easily added 40km to the range with just a walk about the block.

In terms of driving dynamics, the BYD Dolphin stands out for its smooth and quiet operation. The absence of a traditional internal combustion engine results in a serene driving experience, with minimal noise and vibration. The regenerative braking system adds an extra layer of efficiency, capturing and converting energy during deceleration to extend the overall range of the vehicle.

The Dolphin is a compelling option in the ever-growing electric vehicle market in New Zealand, with the Chinese brand GWM’s Ora added to the fleet last year.

The Dolphin’s striking design, commendable range, and enjoyable driving dynamics make it a strong contender for those seeking an affordable and practical electric car. My model had the optional exterior colour of coral pink ($1899). The colour range available also makes it a fun choice for first-car owners.

The Dolphin has a more neutral interior design tone than the Atto 3.