When it comes to electric vehicles, there comes a certain level of expectation with the two main ones being relentless acceleration and a high-tech execution. Naturally, that’s possible because EVs also often come with an expensive price tag to match. Now, that’s not the case with the BYD Dolphin. Priced at just P 1.398-million, it’s quite attainable even for everyman standards. Best of all: it’s not a shit box to drive. It’s great whether you look at it from an EV or B-segment hatchback perspective.
If anything, the worst thing about this car is its name; it’s daft and one that most people won’t take seriously. But, see one in person and you do see the resemblance. Chinese vehicles often look like copy-and-paste jobs of each other, so it’s refreshing to see one that’s not. With its snub-nosed appearance, the Dolphin looks as friendly as its creature namesake. You’d want to pinch its cheeks if it had one. Sad really that there are just two exterior colors available—Urban Gray and Cream White.
Inside, it’s all very playful and filled with interesting shapes and color combinations. The treatment is like the Atto 3 SUV (read our review), but here, it’s been concentrated even more. The ocean theme is, admittedly, too much on the (snub) nose, with things like the dolphin flipper door handles and the wave-like dashboard insert, but points go to BYD for giving the Dolphin a unique sense of style. Material-wise, it’s quite honest. There are some fancy-feeling inserts here and there, but there are some cheap bits too. For the most part, they feel solid, if a bit hard to the touch. There are two colorways here—Orange/Gray or Brown/Black and that’s mostly dictated by the exterior shade.
Ergonomically, it’s easy to get comfortable in the driver’s seat since it offers plenty of range. The steering wheel, though lacking in telescopic adjustment, fits right. The fully digital gauge cluster has crisp graphics and doesn’t wash out even in direct sunlight. But, because it crams as much information as possible onto a 5-inch space, some of the info is difficult to read. Thankfully, it keeps the most important ones—speed, range, and power front-and-center. Take note that there’s no way to change the display layout, so if the default look isn’t to your liking, well, that’s too bad.
To the center, there’s a 12.8-inch screen. This one fairs better because it makes full use of the generous screen real estate. However, the Android-based OS isn’t optimized for car use so the sub-menu layers can go quite deep. This can make operation, especially when driving, a hot mess. There’s a row of physical buttons, but these are mostly centered on drivetrain—the toggle shifter, drive mode, and brake regen level, to name a few. Want to change the climate control temperature or radio station? You got to dive into the touchscreen for that. Luckily, the voice command system is good—probably one of the best out there—so, after a while, you’d be leaning on that instead.
Driving position aside, the Dolphin’s strong suit continues to its interior room. Because it’s riding on a purpose-built EV platform—BYD’s latest 3.0 e-platform—it can manage to accommodate the extra tall (and extra wide) despite its diminutive footprint. There’s no struggle for head- or shoulder space at the front. The same story continues in the backseat where they’re supportive and the flat floor provides ample knee room all around. If anything, the middle passenger is the only one that’ll complain. Because the seat’s slightly raised, it equates to an uncomfortably low headroom. There’s also no flip down armrest or AC vents here too.
When it comes to storage, the Dolphin’s quite decent. It maximizes all available space by carving out a shelf just below the rotating infotainment screen and a lidded cubby hole just below that. There are also the generous door bins and a sizeable glovebox. However, there are some questionable design choices here such as that shelf. Make sure to clear any objects placed there whenever the screen’s rotated to portrait view. Forget to do that and it could potentially damage the screen’s motor or the object in question. There’s also the oddly-shaped cupholders (good luck fitting two large drinks side-by-side) and the smartphone tray by the armrest. And speaking of the armrest, there’s no storage bin here; there’s an open storage space below it though. The 345-liter trunk space doesn’t sound like much, but because of the square shape, it’s enough for a week’s worth of grocery. The tiny lip also makes it easy to load up. There’s no underfloor storage here, but the rear seats though can be dropped in a 60/40 split—doing so boosts the space to 1,310 liters.
The Dolphin is powered by a single permanent magnet motor that puts out 95 horsepower and 180 Nm of torque. These figures don’t scream high-performance and, spoiler alert, they don’t. But, based on this car’s design brief, no one with a right mind will be using it as a dragster. All things considered, it’s still quite lively. Prods of the accelerator serves up proper doses of acceleration with the instant torque becoming handy sprinting from stoplight to stoplight. It also has the oomph needed to merge onto expressways easily, though, the speedometer progress almost grinds to a halt past 130 km/h. Still, this car is good enough for pretty much anything everyday driving throws at you.
The motor’s energized by a modestly-sized 44.9-kWh (usable) lithium iron phosphate battery pack. While not as sophisticated or energy-dense as the nickel manganese cobalt design, it’s deemed safer, especially when fast-charging. It also has active thermal management; something the Nissan Leaf, for example, lacks. A 10 to 80 percent top up takes about 30 minutes, says BYD, and it can be done using the widely-accepted CCS Type 2 standard. But before reaching that point, it can go up to 400 kilometers between charges says BYD. Surprisingly, its as-tested range is even better at 405 kilometers (average consumption is 8.92 kilometers per kWh). This impeccable range is important as the brake regen (even when set to “Stronger”) is quite weak.
The Dolphin’s suspension tuning clearly favors the supple side of the equation and with that, it deals with potholes and road cracks very well. Low speed NVH is excellent as is the rigidity of the platform resulting in zero creaks or rattles.
An everyday commuter sticking to moderate speeds won’t expose the Dolphin’s dynamic flaws, but push it enthusiastically and it will show. As with many soft-riding cars, once the speeds increase, body control becomes an issue. Though the steering remains precise with some nice weight, the chassis becomes resistant to change with a lot of body lean through corners. Press on the accelerator hard and it will let out some wheel spin before the stability control kicks in. Again, the decision to fit budget tires—Chao Yangs—betray this car. An unproportional amount of road noise and the telltale hum from the electric motor also make themselves more apparent at higher speed.
The tight turning circle and stubby proportions make this hatchback a cake to maneuver and park. Add to that a 360-degree camera and rear parking sensors, and you’ve got the ultimate runabout. However, overall visibility is mixed. Forward visibility is great, but the position of the thick, aggressively-angled A-pillar means a motorcycle or two will momentarily disappear from you just as you approach an intersection. The same goes for the over-the-shoulder view because of the thick C-pillar. With no advanced driving aids (it’s got cruise control though), the driver’s left to fend for himself.
The BYD Dolphin may be let down by its quirky name, but thanks to its price, range, and space, it’s a sub-compact hatchback worthy of consideration. True, the softly sprung suspension will not entice enthusiasts, but it more than makes up for it with its high levels of urban comfort and maneuverability. Those looking for a Point A to Point B car will find that the Dolphin has all the attributes you’d need and want.
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2024 BYD Dolphin EV |
|
| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Impressive range, excellent urban comfort, spacious, affordable. |
| Cons | Budget handling, noisy at speed. |
| TL;DR | As a Point A to Point B car, it has all the attributes you'd need and want. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2021 (Refreshed: 2024) |
| Warranty |
6 years / 150,000
kilometers 8 years / 150,000 kilometers (for electric motor) 8 years / 160,000 kilometers (for high-voltage battery) |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Sub-compact Hatchback |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Motor Type | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Maximum Output (BHP) | 95 |
| Maximum Torque (Nm) | 180 |
| Battery Size (kWh) | 48 (44.9 usable) |
| Architecture (V) | 400 |
| Range, WLTP (km) | 405 |
| Range, As Tested (km) | 400 |
| Energy Consumption (km/kWh) | 8.92 (average speed 14 km/h) |
| Estimated Charging Time, 1-Phase AC (0-100%) | 8 hours |
| Estimated Charging Time, DC (10-80%) | 0.5 hours |
| Charge Port | Type 2 / CCS |
| Transmission | Single Speed AT |
| Cruise Control | Yes |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,125 |
| Width (mm) | 1,770 |
| Height (mm) | 1,570 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,700 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,405 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electronic, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires |
Chao Yang Radial RP76+ 195/60 R 16 H (f & r) |
| Recommend Tire Pressure (PSI) | 36 all |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Rear |
| Parking Camera | Yes, 360-degree |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System | None |
| Other Safety Features | Hill Start Hold Control |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED |
| Fog Lamps | Yes, Rear |
| Light Operation | Auto |
| Wiper Operation | Variable Intermittent |
| Tailgate | Manual |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Manual, 6-way |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Manual, 4-way |
| Seating Surface | Vegan Leather |
| 2nd Row | 60/40 Split-Fold |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | None |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 5-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes |
| Rear View Mirror | Day/Night |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Automatic |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type A USB Type C Bluetooth |
| Wireless Charger | None |
| Infotainment Display / Size | 12.8-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay Android Auto |
| # of Speakers | 6, Dirac HD |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
Good review
ReplyDeleteThe popularity of BYD Dolphin waned down due to the arrival of more affordable and good looking EVs like the Dongfeng Nammi and BYD ORA3 400 which are cheaper and got better battery ranges.
the Atto3 took its thunder. Would still prefer this though, I like small cars :)
ReplyDeletemaybe have to wait, coz durability and dependability not yet tested.
ReplyDeleteMaybe an erratum: 8.92km per kWh ?(400km travelled at 44.9kwh battery capacity)
ReplyDeleteSorry. I keep on messing up on that km and kWh part. You're right. It's 8.92 km per kWh.
DeleteI am curious. Who would wanna be seen driving this?
ReplyDeleteI'd seriously consider one if I was in the market for an urban commuter.
DeleteAlready saw a few tangs and atto 3s here in bukidnon, not to mention the dealership available here just davao.
DeleteIf you base your purchase decision based on the image you will project, you will never be happy.
Deletejust noticed the two color choices, it's kinda ironic how a relatively cute looking car be bundled by two very vanilla colors. The Surf Blue and Puff Powder (like pastel violet) offered in other countries looks good
ReplyDeleteRight? The brochure also indicated Mauve, but it's been removed in the website. So yes...it just leaves two, rather plain, colors.
DeleteThis trim level of the Dolphin with the 45kwh battery and 400+km range sells for around $15,670 or around P877k so the P1.4M price while more affordable than other brands is still way too expensive considering there is no excise tax as this is a full battery EV. BYD are priced lower as the company has declared a price war against ICE cars but it doesn't reflect in PH because of the high mark-up.
ReplyDeleteI urge BYD to use the Seagull design language to refresh the Dolphin. Bet they’ll sell more.
ReplyDeleteis it safe in our frequently flooded streets (as the name Dolphin suggest)
ReplyDeleteEVs are better for fording than ICEVs due to the absence of ICE, a significant pro for EVs actually. Think of EVs as if they were rolling smartphones with their IP ratings. Batteries are sealed tight, but they're usually placed at the chassis of vehicles, one of their most vulnerable spots. You need to take extra care and avoid scraping the bottom of an EV if you want to keep the battery's seal intact.
DeleteAre all EVs safe during flooding, will the battery burn if submerged?
ReplyDeleteIts safe to use in flooded roads
DeleteThe battery of it is sealed tightly
Motorists are already anxious driving during heavy rains especially in flooded areas, more so with electric vehicles. You don't know if floodwaters will seep through its supposedly watertight housing as cars are constantly in motion and vibrations can loosen the screws, seals and gaps. Whether it will short circuit and burn spontaneously, electrocute you or just simply fail to function is a source of constant worry, not to mention the enormous cost that can range from 30% to 60% of the cars value if you have to replace the battery. There are countless other downsides of EVs compared to ICE cars so think thrice before buying even if you have the budget and the patience to face the problematic nature of EVs.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's called birthing pains. But ev is the future, slowly people will get used to it and, more importantly, once ev repair shops begins to sprout ev adoption will gain traction, eventually replacing ICE cars.
Delete