BYD Dolphin: Your Complete Guide

I’ve driven several affordable electric hatchbacks in Europe, and the BYD Dolphin stands out. This guide covers what matters most: specs, pricing, and daily use. Launched in June 2023, it has 5-star Euro NCAP safety, a rotatable touchscreen, and 310–427 km WLTP range from around €29,990—undercutting the VW ID.3 and Renault 5 by a meaningful margin.

The interior feels more spacious than the dimensions suggest, and the Blade Battery adds safety confidence. The table below summarises key figures; the sections that follow go into detail. For a smaller, cheaper alternative, see our BYD Dolphin Surf guide; for hands-on impressions, see our Dolphin review.

Last Updated: March 2026

Quick Facts	Details
Price	€29,990–€37,990 (Europe)
Range / battery	310–427 km WLTP, 44.9–60.4 kWh LFP Blade
Drive	70–150 kW, 7.0–7.9 s 0–100, 65–100 kW DC (CCS2)
Top speed	160 km/h

Variants and Trim Walk

The BYD Dolphin is available in four variants. All use CCS2 for DC and Type 2 for AC.

Active (base): 44.9 kWh LFP Blade Battery, 340 km WLTP, 70 kW (95 ps), 7.9 s 0–100 km/h. AC 7 kW, DC 65 kW (CCS2), 16-inch alloys. Standard kit: 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, DiLink, CarPlay/Android Auto, 5-inch instrument panel, 6 airbags, ADAS. Real-world range about 250–310 km mixed. From £24,880 (UK) / €29,990 (EU).

Boost (adds over Active): Same 44.9 kWh, 310 km WLTP. Adds 130 kW (176 ps), 11 kW AC, 17-inch alloys. From £25,775 / €32,990.

Comfort (adds over Boost): 60.4 kWh LFP Blade, 427 km WLTP, 150 kW, 7.0 s 0–100 km/h. DC 100 kW (CCS2), 30–80% in about 29 min. Adds panoramic sunroof and enhanced interior. From £28,737 / €36,490.

Design (adds over Comfort): Same 60.4 kWh and 427 km. Adds two-tone paint, heated/ventilated front seats, electrically adjustable passenger seat, privacy glass. From £30,104 / €37,990.

Dimensions / Boot
Length × width × height	4,290 × 1,770 × 1,570 mm
Wheelbase	2,700 mm
Boot	345 L (1,310 L seats folded)

Real-world range 280–390 km depending on variant and conditions.

European Pricing and Availability

The BYD Dolphin is available in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. Owners report it as an affordable, practical hatchback with usable real-world range. For the cheaper Dolphin Surf or the larger Atto 3, see our respective guides. Check current prices; they often sit from around €29,990 (EU) and £24,880 (UK).

Design and Interior Features

The Dolphin features modern design and comprehensive interior features:

Infotainment:

• 12.8-inch electrically rotatable touchscreen
• 5-inch TFT full LCD instrument panel
• 4G connectivity
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• OTA updates
• BYD Cloud Service
• NFC keyless entry
• BYD Digital Key
• Wireless smartphone charger
• USB Type-C ports (front and rear)

Key Features:

• BYD Blade Battery (LFP)
• e-Platform 3.0
• Vegan leather seats
• Panoramic sunroof (Comfort/Design)
• LED headlights with automatic on/off
• LED daytime running lights
• Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Keyless entry and start
• Heat pump
• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) - 3.3 kW external discharge
• Driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
• Split folding rear seats (60:40)
• PM2.5 filter
• DAB+ & FM radio
• 6-speaker audio system
• Intelligent voice control

Optional Features:

• Two-tone paint options (Design trim)
• Heated and ventilated front seats (Design trim)
• Electrically adjustable passenger seat (Design trim)
• Privacy glass (Design trim)

Safety Features

The Dolphin achieved a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2023:

Euro NCAP Rating (2023):

• Overall: 5 stars
• Adult Occupant Protection: 89%
• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS):

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
• Lane Departure Assist (LDA)
• Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB)
• Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
• Front Cross Traffic Brake (FCTB)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Control (ISLC)
• Door Opening Warning (DOW)
• 360° view camera
• Front and rear parking radars
• Indirect Driver Fatigue Management (DFM)

Safety Systems:

• Driver’s airbag
• Front passenger’s airbag with deactivation switch
• Front centre airbag
• Front side airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Pre-tensioned & force limiter seat belts
• ISOFIX and i-Size child seat anchors
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Child Presence Detection (CPD)
• Mechanical child safety lock
• Emergency call (eCall)
• Multi-collision brake
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

Unique Features

The Dolphin includes several unique features:

• Ocean Aesthetics Design Language: Distinctive design inspired by ocean elements
• Rotatable Infotainment Screen: Screen can rotate between portrait and landscape orientations
• Floating Center Console Design: Modern interior layout
• BYD Blade Battery Technology: LFP chemistry with strong safety credentials
• V2L External Discharge Capability: Ability to power external devices (3.3 kW)
• NFC Keyless Entry: Unlock and start using NFC-enabled card or iPhone
• Customizable Two-Tone Paint Options: Available on Design trim

What’s Good and What’s Not

Pros:

• Competitive pricing from €29,990
• Five-star Euro NCAP (2023); 89% adult, 87% child occupant protection
• Practical range 310–427 km WLTP; real-world ~280–390 km
• DC fast charging up to 100 kW (Comfort/Design); CCS2 standard
• Rotatable 12.8-inch screen; CarPlay/Android Auto; heat pump; V2L (3.3 kW)
• Blade Battery (LFP); strong ADAS and passive safety

Cons:

• The 5-inch instrument display is small and draws criticism; usable but not ideal
• Some cabin materials feel cost-cutting beside rivals in the segment

Main Competitors

The Dolphin competes in the affordable compact electric hatchback segment:

• Renault 5
• Citroën e-C3
• Dacia Spring
• Leapmotor T03
• Volkswagen ID.2
• Fiat Grand Panda
• Hyundai Inster

The Dolphin’s competitive pricing, five-star safety rating, and practical features position it as a strong alternative to established European models in this segment.

Warranty and After-Sales Support

Vehicle Warranty:

• 6 years or 150,000 km

Battery Warranty:

• 8 years or 250,000 km (minimum 70% State of Health)

BYD offers comprehensive warranty coverage across Europe, with pan-European roadside assistance available in 40+ countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BYD Dolphin price in Europe?

The Dolphin starts from €29,990 in Germany and £24,880 in the UK, up to €37,990 for Design. That undercuts the VW ID.3 and Renault 5 while offering comparable or better equipment. Check current offers—BYD often runs promotions.

What is the real-world range of the BYD Dolphin?

Real-world range is typically 280–390 km depending on variant and conditions; the 60.4 kWh versions deliver around 340–427 km usable, the 44.9 kWh ones roughly 250–310 km in mixed use. Cold weather can cut range by about 15–20%, but for most daily and weekend use it’s sufficient.

How does the Dolphin compare to competitors?

The Dolphin competes well with the Renault 5 and Citroën e-C3 on price, with a five-star Euro NCAP rating and strong standard equipment. The rotating screen and V2L add practical value. See our Dolphin review for detailed comparisons.

Does the Dolphin have fast charging?

Yes. Comfort and Design support DC fast charging up to 100 kW (CCS2), 30–80% in about 29 minutes; Active and Boost offer 65 kW. For regular long trips, the 100 kW on higher trims is worthwhile.

What safety rating does the Dolphin have?

The Dolphin has a five-star Euro NCAP rating (2023), with 89% adult and 87% child occupant protection, among the safest affordable EVs in Europe. ADAS is capable; passive safety is strong. See our Chinese EV safety guide for broader context.

Final Verdict

The BYD Dolphin represents exceptional value in the European affordable electric hatchback market. Starting from €29,990, it delivers a five-star Euro NCAP rating, practical range, and fast charging up to 100 kW. I found the interior more spacious than expected and the Blade Battery a genuine safety advantage at this price.

Brand recognition is still developing and the small instrument display is a drawback, but the overall package is compelling. For buyers who want an affordable electric hatchback with strong safety and equipment, the Dolphin deserves a test drive. Compare it to the Dolphin Surf if you need something cheaper and smaller, or the BYD Atto 3 if you need more SUV space.

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This guide was last updated in March 2026.