La Chinese brand BYD continues with its European expansion, using very interesting plug-in vehicles such as the BYD Dolphin, its compact electric. I am one of those who believes that an electric car of enormous dimensions, weight and capabilities does not make much sense. I think that, since the main pollution problem is in cities, electric cars should be found in cities.
Therefore, they must be agile, light, simple and not too big cars. And furthermore, and if it is not too much to ask, flights. But of course, since we buy a car, it should not be limited to exclusively urban use. At least it allows us to move a little to the outskirts or face a relatively “long” journey with guarantees, such as traveling from one city to another.
That is why the BYD Dolphin seems like a smart car to me, because it does almost everything above. With state aid and promotions can stay below 23.000 euros, since it has a RRP of 29.990 in its most acceptable version that is about to hit the streets.
This is the BYD Dolphin on the outside
The Dolphin is the smallest and cheapest model currently offered by the Chinese brand in Spain. It measures 4,3 meters, like a Peugeot 2008 or a Volkswagen Golf to get the idea. Furthermore, it opts for a silhouette that Reminds a bit of a small minivan, which is great for making the most of the space inside.
Como notable exterior details, we have LED headlights communicated by an illuminated central band, 17-inch wheels, flat door handles and a very characteristic rear lighting style with lines that intersect and run the entire width of the car. The BYD phrase is not missing “Build Your Dreams” and in this case, because it is the highest finish, a two-tone body with the upper half height in black.
Robust, practical, technological and well-resolved interior
Comparing with the BYD Atto 3 that we tested a few weeks ago, the Dolphin is clearly a more economical car. It does not reach the same level of construction and, on the other hand, it does not have the striking design touches of his older brother.
The vast majority of elements are rigid plastics, although in their defense I have to say that they are well finished and fitted. I sincerely believe that it is the right thing to do, because let's not forget that it is a car that seeks to offer a reasonable price. As a detail, we have a panoramic roof, although it is not foldable.
Meanwhile, in the center of the dashboard the “monitor” appears to the multimedia system and, unfortunately, air conditioning. You already know that I am not a big fan of the climate control being controlled from the screen, although luckily quick defogging and some other basic functions can be done with physical buttons.
The best of this 12,8 inch is that it has magnificent fluidity and that, as in other models of the brand, it can be placed in a horizontal or vertical position, however you like.
One aspect that I really like about this car is that it has multiple spaces to leave objects. There are a couple of trays at different heights under the screen, two coasters, a compartment with wireless charging and a huge space in the center console that even fits a bag. There is no shortage of a couple of USB sockets and gaps in the doors.
The seating, which by the way are electric and heated in the front seats, have very good cushioning, but you already know that fixed headrests don't work very well for me, and even less so when they push your head forward a little. I prefer adjustable headrests, especially those that allow longitudinal adjustment.
The lifesaving tool
@actualidadmotor THIS (so cheap and simple) CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE byd byddolphin cars safety
A curiosity that I was delighted to find in this car and that would not hurt to extend to other vehicles is what I have named “the lifesaving tool".
In the central hole, just below the armrest, we have a small removable cylinder that ideally should never have to be used, but it is there in case it is necessary in an emergency situation. If we open it, On one side we find a blade to cut the seat belt. On the other, a pointer to break one of the side windows.
The rear seats of the BYD Dolphin are good for adults, with only one defect
As for the rear seats refers, although it is not perfect, the opening angle of the door is more than correct. In addition, thanks to the shape of the body, the vertical distance is good, so getting in and out, or placing children in their child restraint seats, are simple operations.
Once seated we found very good knee clearance, this detail being where the fact of having such a wide wheelbase (2,7 meters) helps the most. The negative part is that There is not much space to put your feet in. under the front seat; so people with big feet will feel somewhat uncomfortable. For me, with my height of 1,76, I have plenty of room to touch my head on the ceiling. Four adults of 1,80 can fit well in this car.
For the rest, the central square is relatively usable, because it is wide enough and because there is no transmission tunnel to bother, although logically more uncomfortable than the side ones. We have a folding center armrest, pockets in the front seatbacks, pockets in the doors, two USB sockets and roof grab bars.
The trunk is not the greatest virtue of this car, but let's not forget that it is urban
When we open the door of the BYD Dolphin we may be disappointed, because the truth is that the trunk doesn't seem very big, especially if the floor is in its upper position. This is because it does not have much length and, furthermore, because the difference between the two positions is notable.
If we raise that floor, the lower compartment is large, leaving a lot of space that will normally be partially used by the charging cables. In any case, we can always place this separator tray in its lowest position and leave a single gap. The specific volume is 345 liters, expandable to 1.310 if we fold down the second row seats.
Available versions: two batteries, three powers and four finishes
The BYD Dolphin is available with four different equipment, three power levels and two batteries of different capacities. By the way, they are the Blade Battery of lithium iron phosphate (LFP). It goes without saying that, like every electric car, it has the DGT Zero sticker.
La smallest battery is 44,9 kWh, has a 7 kW on-board charger and accepts direct current charges at a maximum of 60 kW. This battery is offered with trim levels Active and Boost, which feed motors 95 and 177 CV respectively, to approve autonomy of 340 and 310 kilometers.
For its part, the upper battery is the 60,4 kWh, reserved for finishing Comfort and Design. In this case we can charge it at 11 kW in alternating current and with powers of up to 88 kW in direct current, which by the way is a figure that seems fair to us to recharge on trips. This battery always carries the motor 204 hp and 310 Nm of torque, and the approved autonomy is 427 km.
In our case, we are testing the BYD Dolphin in its most powerful version and with the Design trim level, the top of the range. The two versions with a 44,9 kWh battery are about to hit the market.
At the wheel of the 204 HP BYD Dolphin Design
I said at the beginning that, in my opinion, A good electric car is one that is focused mainly on urban use., because it will be used mainly in the city, but it will also allow you to go out to the city or the next town with guarantees. Without fear of running out of autonomy, with sufficient response and with a minimum of comfort.
Plenty of power to hit the road
On a two-way road, with this 204 HP version we can advance without problems or join highways quickly and safely. It would be more missing with such cavalry under the accelerator.
According to the technical sheet, 0 to 100 in 7 seconds and reaches 160 km/h. It has a front engine with 204 HP and 310 Nm, that is, we have more than enough energy for a car that, in principle, is focused on urban use. In fact, if we accelerate hard coming out of a curve, it's easy to lose traction.
Due to this urban approach, and as is totally logical, it is noted that It is not as comfortable on fast roads as the Atto 3 tested weeks ago. Some more corrections need to be made to the steering wheel due to its steering geometries, it is a little more sensitive to side wind and is not as well soundproofed. But as I say, it is the most normal thing, among other things because the Atto 3 is very successful in those aspects.
In the city, where you feel most comfortable
The city is where it shows its greatest potential.. You get in and out of the car very easily both front and rear and, when it comes to driving, it has fantastic maneuverability, it is very easy to drive and its suspension is comfortable, very comfortable I would say. The negative point is the rear visibility when parking, but since we have a 360-degree camera as standard, the problem is solved.
All this, not to mention the agility and ease of moving between cars, with instant engine response and relaxing rolling silence. The only thing we have to be a little careful with is the accelerator, because in this very powerful version it is not difficult to burn the wheels if we are abrupt. In fact, I would personally opt for a less powerful version.
Consumption and autonomy of the BYD Dolphin
As for consumptions As you know, it always depends a lot on how heavy our feet are, even more so in electric cars, which I think are more sensitive to use than traditional motors.
In any case, driving as you would with any other car, that is, without aggressive driving but also without seeking efficiency, On the highway it has spent around 18 kWh/100 kilometers, which is not bad at all for, as I say, not doing efficient driving. In the city it is not difficult to see it at about 13 kWh, being able to lower it even more if we try hard.
Consumption is fantastic. And doing a simple rule of three we see that on the highway we can go over 320 kilometers With a single charge and driving around we will do around 450. On the other hand, we are far from the approved data, as is usual in these cars...
The key points of the BYD Dolphin
In addition to the price, for me the main positive points of the BYD Dolphin are the interior space, the simplicity and comfort of driving and the good standard equipment.
In the must improve There isn't much that stands out. I would cite the maximum charging power in direct current, which is quite fair compared to the rivals, and especially the horror that occurs to me having to deactivate the driving assistants and all their beeps every time we start it.
BYD Dolphin prices
Power | Battery | Finished | PVP | Price with Moves III |
---|---|---|---|---|
Power | Battery | Finished | PVP | Price with Moves III |
95 CV | 44.9 kWh | Active | 29.990 € | 22.990 € |
177 CV | 44.9 kWh | Boost | 30.690 € | 23.690 € |
204 CV | 60.4 kWh | Comfort | 35.690 € | 28.690 € |
204 CV | 60.4 kWh | Design | 37.690 € | 30.690 € |
Editor's opinion
- Editor's rating
- 4.5 star rating
- Exceptional
- BYD Dolphin
- Review of: Diego Avila
- Posted on:
- Last modification:
- Exterior design
- interior design
- front seats
- rear seats
- Trunk
- Spring Suspension
- Consumption
- Comfort
- Price
Pros
- Price in the most accessible versions
- Agility in urban environments
- Overall vehicle balance
Cons
- Maximum charging power
- Footroom in rear seats
- Insistent driving assistants