BYD Dolphin: Complete Guide 2026
BYD Dolphin price, specs, range, and review. Everything you need to know about BYD's affordable compact hatchback in Europe.
BYD Dolphin: Your Complete Guide
The BYD Dolphin serves as BYD’s compact electric hatchback in Europe, launched in June 2023. With pricing starting from €29,990 in Germany and £24,880 in the UK, the Dolphin offers exceptional value in the affordable electric vehicle segment. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the BYD Dolphin, from specifications and pricing to real-world performance and buying considerations.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Price (Europe) | €29,990 - €37,990 |
| Range (WLTP) | 310-427 km |
| Battery | 44.9 kWh / 60.4 kWh |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.0-7.9 seconds |
| Power | 70-150 kW (95-204 ps) |
| DC Charging | 65-100 kW |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h |
Key Specifications and Features
Battery and Range
The BYD Dolphin is available in four variants, each offering different battery capacities and performance levels:
Active Variant:
- Battery: 44.9 kWh LFP Blade Battery
- Power: 70 kW (95 ps)
- WLTP Range: 340 km
- AC Charging: 7 kW
- DC Charging: 65 kW
- Wheels: 16-inch alloy
- Price: £24,880 (UK) / €29,990 (EU)
Boost Variant:
- Battery: 44.9 kWh LFP Blade Battery
- Power: 130 kW (176 ps)
- WLTP Range: 310 km
- AC Charging: 11 kW (3-phase)
- DC Charging: 65 kW
- Wheels: 17-inch alloy
- Price: £25,775 (UK) / €32,990 (EU)
Comfort Variant:
- Battery: 60.4 kWh LFP Blade Battery
- Power: 150 kW
- WLTP Range: 427 km
- AC Charging: 11 kW
- DC Charging: 100 kW
- Features: Panoramic sunroof, enhanced interior
- Price: £28,737 (UK) / €36,490 (EU)
Design Variant:
- Battery: 60.4 kWh LFP Blade Battery
- Power: 150 kW
- WLTP Range: 427 km
- AC Charging: 11 kW
- DC Charging: 100 kW
- Features: Panoramic sunroof, two-tone paint options, premium interior
- Price: £30,104 (UK) / €37,990 (EU)
All variants feature BYD’s revolutionary Blade Battery technology, which uses LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry for superior safety characteristics.
Performance
The Dolphin offers practical performance suitable for urban and suburban driving:
- Acceleration: 7.0-7.9 seconds (0-100 km/h)
- Top Speed: 160 km/h
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (FWD)
- Real-World Range: 280-390 km (varies by driving conditions)
- Dimensions: 4,290 mm length × 1,770 mm width × 1,570 mm height
- Wheelbase: 2,700 mm
- Curb Weight: 1,506 kg
- Cargo Volume: 345 liters (1,310 liters with seats folded)
- Seating: 5 seats
Charging
DC Fast Charging:
- Active/Boost: 65 kW max
- Comfort/Design: 100 kW max
- 30-80% charge time: 29 minutes (at 100 kW)
- Connector: CCS2
AC Charging:
- Maximum power: 7-11 kW (varies by variant)
- Connector: Type 2
- Suitable for home wallbox installation
The Dolphin’s DC charging capability ranges from 65 kW to 100 kW depending on variant, with higher variants offering faster charging speeds for quick top-ups during longer journeys.
European Pricing and Availability
The BYD Dolphin is available across multiple European markets:
| Country | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | €29,990 | Available |
| United Kingdom | £24,880-£30,104 | Available |
| France | Available | Available |
| Netherlands | €35,490 | Available |
| Norway | Available | Available |
| Sweden | Available | Available |
| Belgium | Available | Available |
| Denmark | Available | Available |
| Spain | Available | Available |
| Italy | Available | Available |
Owner feedback describes the Dolphin as an affordable, practical electric hatchback with real-world usable range of 340-427 km. It appeals to drivers seeking practical daily driving without premium pricing.
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: Industry-leading safety with LFP chemistry
- 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 starting from €29,990
- ✅ Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating (89% adult occupant protection)
- ✅ Practical range suitable for daily use (310-427 km WLTP)
- ✅ Fast DC charging capability up to 100 kW (higher variants)
- ✅ Modern design with rotatable screen
- ✅ Comprehensive safety features
- ✅ Heat pump system for improved efficiency
- ✅ V2L functionality
- ✅ Real-world range meets expectations (340-427 km usable range)
- ✅ Affordable and practical for daily driving
Cons:
- ⚠️ Some advanced features only available on higher trims
- ⚠️ Brand recognition still developing in Europe
- ⚠️ Limited availability in some markets
- ⚠️ Lower power variants have reduced range
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
Q: What is the BYD Dolphin price in Europe?
A: The Dolphin starts from €29,990 in Germany and £24,880 in the UK. Pricing ranges up to €37,990 (Design variant). The model offers exceptional value in the affordable electric hatchback segment.
Q: What is the real-world range of the BYD Dolphin?
A: Real-world range typically ranges from 280-390 km depending on variant and conditions. Owners report usable range of 340-427 km, meeting expectations for practical daily driving.
Q: How does the Dolphin compare to competitors?
A: The Dolphin offers competitive pricing, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and comprehensive features. It competes favorably with models like the Renault 5 and Citroën e-C3, offering better value and safety credentials.
Q: Does the Dolphin have fast charging?
A: Yes, the Dolphin supports DC fast charging up to 100 kW on Comfort and Design variants, allowing for 29-minute charging from 30-80% battery capacity. Active and Boost variants offer 65 kW DC charging.
Q: What safety rating does the Dolphin have?
A: The Dolphin achieved a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2023, with 89% adult occupant protection and 87% child occupant protection, demonstrating strong safety credentials.
Final Verdict
The BYD Dolphin represents exceptional value in the European affordable electric hatchback market, offering modern design, comprehensive features, and competitive pricing starting from just €29,990. With a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, practical range suitable for daily commuting, and fast charging capability up to 100 kW, the Dolphin is an attractive option for European consumers seeking an affordable electric vehicle.
While brand recognition is still developing and some advanced features are only available on higher trims, the Dolphin’s combination of price, safety, features, and technology makes it a compelling choice in the competitive compact hatchback segment. For buyers prioritizing value, safety, and practical daily driving, the Dolphin deserves serious consideration.
This guide was last updated in January 2026.
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