BYD Dolphin 2023: Australia’s Affordable EV Steers Toward Excellence

The 2023 BYD Dolphin, positioned as Australia’s most budget-friendly electric vehicle, marks a significant stride in the EV market. With an initial price starting at $38,890 plus on-road costs, this entry-level model competes with conventional hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3, offering commendable features and decent driving dynamics.

Available in two variants – the base-level Dynamic and the more equipped Premium priced at $44,890 plus ORCs – the Dolphin series comes in four colours at no extra expense: Sand White, Urban Grey, Maldive Purple, and Coral Pink.

While setting its sights on the small hatchback niche, the Dolphin faces competition from similar-priced electric rivals like the MG4 and GWM Ora, as well as better-equipped petrol-powered hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 hybrids.

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The Dolphin boasts a rich array of standard equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, and a 360-degree camera. However, its warranty coverage – notably four years/100,000km for suspension and lights, three years/60,000km for multimedia systems – presents curious exclusions.

In terms of safety, the Dolphin secures a five-star ANCAP rating, encompassing an impressive suite of safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Yet, real-world usability reveals occasional glitches, notably in lane keep assistance and overspeed warnings.

The 2023 BYD Dolphin.

Innovation-wise, the Dolphin allows unlocking and driving via smartphone, provides over-the-air software updates, and includes a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central infotainment screen, albeit lacking AM radio.

Powering the Dolphin Dynamic is a single electric motor generating 70kW of power and 180Nm of torque, delivering adequate performance for urban driving but exhibiting limitations at highway speeds. The Premium variant, with a larger battery, presents more robust performance figures.

Range-wise, the Dolphin Dynamic claims a WLTP-certified 340km, offering practical suburban range but somewhat challenging for extensive road trips. The Premium model, with a larger battery, extends this to a claimed 427km.

Charging-wise, the Dolphin supports AC charging at up to 7kW and public DC charging up to 60kW. The vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature enables powering household appliances from the charging port.

On-road performance manifests zippy urban running, although highway speeds may reveal limitations. The Dolphin’s suspension excels in comfort, although it lacks dynamic poise in spirited driving, often compromising cornering stability.

Inside, the Dolphin exhibits a well-designed cabin, utilising convincing faux leather and displaying genuine attention to detail.

However, it faces minor drawbacks like limited storage spaces, chunky A-pillars causing blind spots, and a modest boot space.

The 2023 BYD Dolphin, especially the Dynamic model, presents an attractive proposition in the EV domain, excelling in urban usability and comfort while maintaining a competitive edge in the budget EV market segment.

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