The entry-level BYD Dolphin Dynamic hatch is without doubt one of the most cost-effective electrical automobiles (EV) in Australia, now not that you just’d know through taking a look at the usual apparatus checklist.
In spite of a price ticket of simply $36,890 earlier than on-road prices, the Dolphin Dynamic desires for negligible, packing a wide ranging glass roof, 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, virtual tool aggregate, and power-adjustable entrance seats with heating. That’s the similar notable suite of equipment you get within the $6000 more expensive Dolphin Top class.
Notice: Divisions of this evaluate overlap with our contemporary evaluate of the Dolphin Top class, as the internal specs of each vehicles are close similar. You’ll be able to learn our evaluate of the 2025 BYD Dolphin Top class here.
So, what’s the catch? Neatly, the entry-level Dolphin isn’t essentially the most athletic marine mammal going round.
Day the Top class fashion feels each and every bit a slippery, fast EV, the Dynamic makes do with a unmarried 70kW electrical motor. Wonderful for the peak-hour metropolis grind, however negative so superb whilst you’re taking a look to assemble brisk advance on a street travel.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2025 BYD Dolphin Top class
That narrows the objective marketplace for the Dynamic significantly, and in addition places it at a definite drawback towards the equally priced but punchier MG 4 and GWM Ora.
Can BYD’s child EV assemble up for its puny powertrain in alternative disciplines? Or will it glide into irrelevancy?
How does the BYD Dolphin examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the BYD Dolphin towards equally sized automobiles.
BYD
Dolphin
How a lot does the BYD Dolphin price?
The Dolphin territory has simply been overhauled, with the fashion on take a look at right here poised to be discontinued.
A pristine Dolphin Very important bottom fashion will fix the lineup in March, changing into the most cost effective EV in Australia at underneath $30,000 earlier than on-road prices. In keeping with the Dynamic, the Very important variations lose options like a wide ranging sunroof, warm seats, a wi-fi telephone charger, and knowledge plans.
The MY25 Top class flagship shall be priced from $36,990 in the future, a cut price of $5900.
| Style | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2024 BYD Dolphin Dynamic | $36,890 |
| 2024 BYD Dolphin Top class | $42,890 |
To look how the BYD Dolphin stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our comparison tool.
What’s the BYD Dolphin like at the inside of?
Nearly all my takes at the inside of the Dolphin Top class additionally practice right here, for the reason that pair are strikingly indistinguishable inside of.
The most important level of residue is the color scheme.
Day our Top class tester got here decked out in a mixture of blue and lightless with crimson piping, the Dynamic is obtainable in 3 cabin tones related to the outside color – gray and lightless, brown and lightless, and red and gray.
Our Dynamic take a look at automotive wore Sand White external paint with the brown/lightless inside, one of the vital extra ingenious combos to be had.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t advance so far as to mention the internal is sublime or prohibited. The original array of shapes and textures discovered all over the cabin are nonetheless prone to be divisive, however the fabrics release a greater impact on this extra cheaply priced variant.
Should you love the Atto 3 electrical SUV, next you’ll most likely love the Dolphin too. If now not, there are enough of vanilla choices in different places.
The seats within the Dolphin are trimmed in comfortable leatherette and loaded with top rate options. Each are warm, with six-way power-adjustability for the driving force and four-way for the passenger.
Alternative familiar contact issues also are comfortable and pleasurable, however the similar can’t be mentioned for the centre tunnel, door playing cards and the peak of the sprint, that are all produced from juiceless, scratchy plastic.
That was once slightly of a let ill once we examined the pricier Top class, however it’s now not surprising for an EV at this payment level.
Past the funky design and blended fabrics, the bottom Dolphin advantages from a complete suite of inside tech. It comes provided with BYD’s trademark 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment gadget, in addition to a 5.0-inch virtual tool aggregate tucked in in the back of the guidance wheel.
The rotating centre display shows valuable detail graphics and items with a smartphone-style order, making it simple to navigate between programs.
An array of shortcut icons are completely situated on the base of the display, offering simple get entry to to the atmosphere regulate menu amongst alternative purposes.
There’s negative dearth of options right here – web surfing, satellite tv for pc navigation, and a complete suite of external cameras are built-in into the centre display.
Wi-fi smartphone mirroring is usual around the territory, and labored flawlessly in our revel in. A wi-fi charging dwelling is situated underneath the centre console, and a trio of USB-A, USB-C and 12V connection issues can also be discovered underneath the centre stack.
In the back of the guidance wheel sits a tiny virtual tool aggregate that items the entire vital readouts in a fairly easy means.
Neatly-packaged tech is complemented through an excess of genius store answers, from two-tiered centre tunnel store to roomy trays above and beneath the centre button stack. It’s capped off through generously sized door containers and a realistic glovebox.
The second one row is good-looking roomy, too. Moderate-sized adults have compatibility again there with headroom and legroom to alternative, and best passengers topping 6″3′ will effort. Even next, the panoramic glass roof helps to keep the length sunny and ethereal.
2d-row facilities come with each USB-A and USB-C shops, a centre armrest with built-in cupholders, deep door containers, genius layered map wallet, and a independent unmarried cupholders carved out of the centre console.
BYD claims 345L of boot capability, despite the fact that the rear bench folds with a 60/40 break to liberate 1310L of bags length.
Getting access to the difference shipment capability can also be difficult, as there’s a heavy step from the boot as much as the bench store, and the rear load lip isn’t tiny both.
| Dimensions | BYD Dolphin Top class |
|---|---|
| Dimension | 4290mm |
| Width | 1770mm (with mirrors folded) |
| Peak | 1570mm |
| Wheelbase | 2700mm |
| Boot length | 345L (5-seat) 1310L (2-seat) |
To look how the BYD Dolphin stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our comparison tool.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Dynamic is easily ill on ability in comparison to the top-spec Top class, despite the fact that it offer admirable potency in on a regular basis riding.
| Specs | BYD Dolphin Dynamic |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Unmarried-motor electrical |
| Battery | 45kWh LFP |
| Energy | 70kW |
| Torque | 180Nm |
| Pushed wheels | Entrance-wheel pressure |
| Weight | 1506kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 12.3s |
| Energy intake (claimed) | 13.2kWh/100km |
| Energy intake (as examined) | 13.0kWh/100km |
| Claimed territory | 340km |
| Max AC fee price | 7kW |
| Max DC fee price | 80kW |
To look how the BYD Dolphin stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our comparison tool.
How does the BYD Dolphin pressure?
That is the place impressions of the Dynamic deviate from the up-spec Dolphin Top class we reviewed lately.
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Dolphin Top class proven
Nearest all, the core variations between the variants are mechanical (or must I say electric) in nature.
In comparison to the flagship Top class, the Dynamic includes a smaller electrical motor, smaller alloy wheels, and a special rear postponed setup. Blended, the adjustments have an important bearing at the riding revel in.
The elephant within the room is that unmarried, front-mounted electrical motor. Generating simply 70kW and 180Nm, the Dolphin Dynamic is the least tough electrical automotive on sale in Australia. Through rather a margin.
It’s additionally ill 80kW and 130Nm on its marine dual.
However how do the ones numbers translate at the street? Don’t get me flawed, the Dynamic is gradual, however it’s now not as snail-like as you’d suppose.
Acceleration from a standstill is gradual however straight, and the Dolphin has negative bother getting as much as city speeds round 60km/h.
Particularly in comparison to equally underpowered ICE automobiles such because the Kia Picanto and Fiat 500. There’s negative gearbox to do business in with, both.
So, for those who don’t stray some distance from the town, next the insufficiency of grunt on deal right here gained’t be a lot of a burden. And straight-line remove apart, the Dolphin is a nice grocery-getter.
The Dynamic rides simply terrific on its torsion beam rear postponed order, with a comfortable setup that makes the auto really feel extra really extensive than it’s.
On the identical hour, it feels compact to persuade, and is going about its industry in non violent peace – precisely what an electrical metropolis automotive must be.
The ones are characteristics shared with the flagship Top class, however sadly the bottom fashion additionally carries the similar irritating complex motive force help programs (ADAS).
A number of the worst offenders is the velocity restrict threat gadget, which continuously confuses suburban remove indicators and unfairly punishes the driving force with a chiding beep.
The gadget may be illiberal of even essentially the most minor rushing indiscretions, so you’re feeling such as you’re riding on eggshells.
You’ll be able to transfer the gadget off, simply now not completely. Settings revert to their default climate each and every hour you turn the auto off, so putting in ADAS turns into a time-consuming day-to-day ritual.
Parking, at the alternative hand, isn’t so hour drinking because the Dolphin is supplied with an notable array of user-friendly tech.
Even in bottom specification, it comes usual with entrance and rear parking sensors, plus a surround-view digital camera. All paintings in tandem to render parking a very simple job.
Not like some competitors, the top-view digital camera is offered by the use of a bodily button at the guidance wheel, which makes a batch of sense when in comparison to hiding it throughout the infotainment menus.
Day low-speed manoeuvres are some distance from difficult, riding at freeway speeds indubitably can also be.
Getting as much as triple-figure speeds is a long job that calls for you to completely flex your proper foundation, and keeping such speeds isn’t easy with best 70kW at your disposal.
You’ll be able to fail to remember about overtaking on single-lane nation roads, because it isn’t use the related anxiousness.
The Dolphin additionally feels tiny and prone at the freeway, letting in over the top quantities of breeze noise that forces you to show up the stereo or talk a negligible louder for your neighbour. Visibility isn’t superb both, because the rear window is tiny and tough see out of.
Clever cruise regulate must battle one of the most rigidity of riding a tiny, underpowered car go nation, however the gadget wishes some fine-tuning.
Combining adaptive cruise regulate and lane centring, clever cruise is meant to deal semi-autonomous riding when travelling at the freeway. On the other hand, in my revel in the gadget was once continuously ‘unavailable’, even if the riding situations have been completely suited for its utility.
I didn’t at all times accept as true with the gadget to centre the auto in its lane, both. For the ones causes, the Dolphin plays higher in city environments than at the large evident street, particularly in Dynamic shorten.
One merit that the Dynamic has over the Top class is admirable potency – the entry-level Dolphin averaged 13.0kWh/100km over a date of blended riding, making it 13 in keeping with cent more cost effective than the Top class and a lot better than possible choices from rival manufacturers.
To look how the BYD Dolphin stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our comparison tool
What do you get?
There are two individuals of the native Dolphin territory.
2025 BYD Dolphin Dynamic apparatus highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Panoramic glass roof
- Energy-folding external mirrors
- Rear privateness glass
- 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment gadget
- Stressed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB virtual radio
- Six-speaker pitch gadget
- 5.0-inch virtual tool aggregate
- Six-way ability motive force’s seat
- 4-way ability passenger’s seat
- Leatherette upholstery
- Blazing entrance seats
- 60/40 break/crease rear seats
- Keyless access and get started
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- USB-A x 2 (one entrance, one rear)
- USB-C x 2 (one entrance, one rear)
To look how the BYD Dolphin stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our comparison tool
Is the BYD Dolphin shield?
The BYD Dolphin has a five-star protection ranking from ANCAP towards stricter 2023-25 checking out standards.
| Division | BYD Dolphin |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant coverage | 89 in keeping with cent |
| Kid occupant coverage | 86 in keeping with cent |
| Prone street person coverage | 85 in keeping with cent |
| Protection help | 77 in keeping with cent |
Same old protection apparatus contains:
- Self sustaining crisis braking
- Adaptive cruise regulate
- Aimless-spot tracking
- Lane-keep help
- Situation lane-keep help
- Entrance cross-traffic help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Site visitors signal reputation
- Clever remove restrict help
- Motive force fatigue detection
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
- Motive force’s far-side airbag
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
To look how the BYD Dolphin stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our comparison tool
How a lot does the BYD Dolphin price to run?
The BYD Dolphin is sponsored through a six-year, 150,000km car guaranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery guaranty.
BYD shoppers have the opportunity to carrier any in their automobiles during the logo’s personal carrier centres or via positive MyCar carrier centres. It’s easiest to search out your native carrier centre by the use of the BYD Australia distributor’s website.
| Servicing and Guaranty | BYD Dolphin |
|---|---|
| Guaranty | 6 years, 150,000km |
| Roadside backup | 1 yr |
| Provider durations | three hundred and sixty five days or 20,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 8 years |
| Overall capped-price carrier price | $2390 |
To look how the BYD Dolphin stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Snatch at the BYD Dolphin Dynamic
The BYD Dolphin was once inauguration to lose garden as a leader within the entry-level EV length, however contemporary adjustments to the Australian territory must flip that wave.
Even at its tide payment issues, the Dolphin blows competitors away on usual specs, and offer a relaxed pressure with enough of cabin length.
The Dynamic has simply enough quantity poke for metropolis tasks, despite the fact that the Dolphin Top class, MG 4 and GWM Ora will all trounce it within the site visitors sunny brilliant prix.
Just like the Top class, the Dynamic suffers from intrusive ADAS and breeze noise at the freeway. It additionally feels some distance much less competent at lofty speeds.
On the other hand, with a stripped-out Very important variant and Top class payment cuts inbound, each individuals of the Dolphin pod are fascinating once more. Till now, the Dynamic has suited city-slickers who have been prepared to sacrifice traveling capacity for a $6000 cut price, pace the Top class was once the better-rounded however dearer proposition.
However from March, the Very important shall be a extra compelling purchase as a back-to-basics EV, and the Top class will deal with the shortfalls of the Dynamic for a similar cash.
Electrical car pricing has been all over the place the store in recent times, which makes judging worth throughout the tide marketplace (to not point out the resale values of those EVs) a tough job.
At $36,890 earlier than on-road prices, the Dynamic is a cast metropolis runabout compared with the similarly-specced but a lot more expensive MG 4 Essence 64. Beneficiant reductions around the left-overs of the MG 4 territory expired on the flip of the yr, tipping the scales additional within the Dolphin’s favour.
The GWM Ora Prolonged Length could also be inexpensive than the Dolphin Dynamic, however it comes with a much less fascinating nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pressure battery.
If it weren’t for the upcoming axing of the infant Dolphin, it will stay a reliable choice for city consumers nearest a compact EV to nip round the city. However given BYD’s contemporary bulletins, I’d be keeping off and snagging an MY25 instance.
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