BYD Dolphin Review Australia: Best Affordable EV in 2025?

Australia’s electric vehicle revolution has found a new affordability champion. But can the BYD Dolphin offer more than just an attractive price?

High EV costs have blocked Australian families for years. We’re investigating whether the Dolphin breaks through as the car that brings electric driving to everyone.

This detailed review examines the BYD Dolphin’s Australian road performance. We’ll cover real-world range and running costs. We’ll also look at practicality and technology to help you decide if it belongs in your garage.

Price, Models, and Value

Cost matters most to buyers. The BYD Dolphin makes its strongest case here, targeting both the EV market and traditional petrol hatchbacks.

Price in Australia

Australia gets two main Dolphin trims. Each serves different needs and budgets. The pricing aims to be aggressive and clear.

We’ve outlined key specs for each model. This creates an easy comparison.

Remember these Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices can drop further. Australian state EV rebates and incentives significantly reduce final drive-away prices. This makes the Dolphin even more appealing.

Competitor Comparison

How does the Dolphin measure against rivals? We compared it with the MG4 Excite, GWM Ora Standard Range, and popular Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

On price alone, the Dolphin Dynamic ranks among Australia’s most affordable EVs. It often costs less than direct electric competitors while including high-level standard equipment.

Against a Toyota Corolla Hybrid, upfront costs are higher. However, long-term fuel and servicing savings can close this gap within years. The Dolphin also includes comprehensive warranty coverage that boosts its value.

This aggressive pricing works. The latest Electric Vehicle Council market report shows EVs under $60,000 surged over 200% last year. The Dolphin targets this market perfectly.

Range and Charging

Beyond price, range anxiety and charging concerns worry potential EV buyers. We tested how the Dolphin’s official numbers perform in real Australian driving.

Official vs. Real-World Range

BYD claims 410 km WLTP range for the Dynamic model. The long-range Premium model promises an impressive 490 km. These are strong figures for this class.

Our testing mixed dense Sydney traffic with open highway driving toward the Central Coast. The Dolphin Premium achieved approximately 430 km on a full charge. This shows strong efficiency.

Real-world range always varies. Sustained 110 km/h motorway driving reduces range. Heavy air-conditioner use during hot Queensland summers affects distance. Navigating hilly terrain around Adelaide naturally cuts the total distance per charge.

Charging The Dolphin

Understanding charging is essential for EV life. The Dolphin offers versatile charging capabilities.

It supports AC charging up to 7kW. This works perfectly for home installation. Overnight charging ensures you start each day with a full “tank.”

DC fast charging handles longer journeys. The Dynamic model accepts up to 60kW. The Premium takes up to 80kW.

Practically speaking, a 10-80% charge on a common 50kW public DC charger takes about 50-60 minutes. This suits a grocery stop or short road trip break perfectly.

The Dolphin works with Australia’s major public charging networks. This includes Chargefox and Evie Networks. You’ll have options when travelling away from home.

Interior, Tech, and Practicality

Cars need more than spec sheet numbers. They must provide comfortable, usable space. We evaluated the Dolphin’s cabin design, technology, and everyday practicality.

A Look Inside

The cabin creates a modern, playful first impression. It clearly delivers on the “ocean-inspired” theme. Swooping lines and two-tone colour schemes feel fresh and unique.

BYD uses extensive vegan leather and soft-touch materials on key touchpoints. This elevates the interior feel. Some harder plastics appear in lower areas, but overall quality impresses for the price.

Despite its compact exterior, the Dolphin’s long wheelbase provides surprising rear-seat legroom. This benefit comes from its dedicated EV platform. It comfortably seats two adults in back. Headroom works well for passengers under six feet tall.

Practicality stands out. The 345-litre boot competes well in the small hatchback class. It expands to a generous 1,310 litres with 60:40 split-fold rear seats down. This handles everything from weekly shopping to weekend getaways.

Rotating Screen and Infotainment

The signature 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen dominates the interior. A button press switches it between portrait and landscape orientation.

The screen appears bright, clear, and generally responsive to touch. The native menu system follows logic, though learning all function locations takes time.

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work. These provide familiar navigation and media interfaces. Note these are wired connections, not wireless.

User feedback from forums like Reddit’s r/CarsAustralia often highlights the screen’s novelty. Some early owners reported occasional software glitches. During our week-long test, the system stayed stable after the latest over-the-air (OTA) update. This key feature lets BYD improve the car long after showroom delivery.

Safety First

Safety remains non-negotiable for Australian buyers. The BYD Dolphin delivers. It earned a full 5-star ANCAP safety rating. This provides family peace of mind.

The full ANCAP safety report is available online for detailed information. It covers crash test performance and safety assist features.

The standard active safety and driver aids list is comprehensive. It includes features often found on more expensive vehicles:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

• Lane Keep Assist (LKA)

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go

• Blind Spot Detection

• Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert

• A 360-degree surround-view camera

Driving Dynamics

Beyond spec sheets, we drove the Dolphin on various Australian roads. We assessed performance from urban commutes to regional highways.

Comfort and Ride

The Dolphin’s suspension clearly targets comfort. It excellently absorbs minor imperfections and bumps from poorly maintained suburban streets. This creates a smooth, relaxed ride.

However, larger potholes and sharp-edged bumps send noticeable jolts through the cabin. This common trait in this vehicle class partly results from battery pack weight.

Highway cabin noise stays well-suppressed. Some wind and tyre noise occurs at 100-110 km/h, especially on coarse-chip surfaces common in regional Australia. It’s not intrusive though, and normal volume conversations work fine.

Performance and Handling

The two models show distinct performance differences. The base Dynamic model handles city driving adequately. Its 12.3-second 0-100km/h time means overtakes need planning.

The Premium model tells a different story. The 7.0-second 0-100km/h time feels genuinely brisk. Freeway merging becomes effortless. While not a performance hot-hatch, instant torque provides engaging, fun city driving.

Steering feels light and direct. Parking and navigating tight city streets stays easy. Brakes work effectively. The regenerative braking system feeds energy back into the battery when slowing. It operates smoothly and intuitively.

Long-Term Ownership

Car purchases represent long-term commitments. We examined ongoing costs, warranty, and maintenance schedules. This reveals the complete ownership picture.

Ownership Cost Comparison

Reduced running costs provide one of EV’s biggest advantages. We created a simplified 5-year cost comparison against a comparable petrol-hybrid model.

These figures assume 15,000 km yearly driving. Electricity costs $0.30/kWh and petrol $2.00/L. You can use online energy cost calculators for your specific driving habits and local energy prices. The potential savings are substantial.

Warranty and Battery

BYD offers strong warranty packages in Australia. This builds buyer confidence. The vehicle gets 6-year / 150,000 km warranty coverage.

Critically, the high-voltage Blade Battery has separate 8-year / 160,000 km warranty coverage. This provides significant peace of mind about the most expensive component’s longevity.

The Dolphin uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry. This technology offers excellent thermal stability and long cycle life. It withstands more charge and discharge cycles than older battery types.

Servicing and Parts

BYD Australia offers capped-price servicing schedules. Intervals occur every 12 months or 20,000 km. Costs compete well with petrol cars.

Long-term ownership requires access to quality components. This covers both routine maintenance and customisation. For owners seeking reliable BYD parts, specialist suppliers like EVparts4x4 offer comprehensive ranges of genuine and high-quality accessories and components. These keep your Dolphin in top condition.

Final Verdict

After extensive testing, is the BYD Dolphin Australia’s best-value EV? We’ve combined our findings into a final recommendation.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:

– Exceptional price and value proposition

– High level of standard tech and safety features

– Spacious and practical interior for its size

– Full 5-Star ANCAP safety rating

– Low running and servicing costs

• Cons:

– Base model performance is modest

– Ride can be firm over large, sharp bumps

– Some interior plastics feel budget-oriented

– Wired-only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Who Should Buy It?

This car nearly perfectly fits city-based commuters. Small families wanting an affordable, safe second car will love it. Anyone wanting electric driving without breaking the bank should consider it. Its blend of price, practicality, technology, and low running costs currently stands unmatched in the Australian market.

Concluding Thought

The BYD Dolphin isn’t just a cheap EV. It’s a well-rounded, thoughtfully designed vehicle that fundamentally lowers electric car ownership barriers in Australia. It has compromises, but its overall value proposition is so compelling that it rightfully earns its place as a market game-changer.