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    BYD Dolphin: Australian hands on first impression

    A few days ago I spent some time having a look at the new BYD Dolphin electric hatchback. I was pleasantly surprised to see it when I visited the BYD Experience Centre in Darlinghurst Sydney and there was definitely buyer interest with two couples checking it out before I could sit inside.

    These are my first impressions from examining the outside and inside of the car.

    Is there a Front Trunk / Boot?

    Unfortunately no. The BYD Dolphin has a very short bonnet and there is no official frunk or space for a DIY one.

    What’s the charging speed?

    Base model: 7kW AC and 60kW DC. Premium model: 11kW AC and 88kW DC.

    The maximum DC charging speed is disappointing. I expect at least 100kW in a modern electric car.

    What brand tires does it have?

    Ling Long Eco Master. I can’t say if they’re good or not as I haven’t heard of this brand before.

    Exterior Design

    More rounded and friendly looking than the main rival of this car, the MG4. Back lightbar is a nice touch. Some buyers may not like the silver Build Your Dreams writing which is embedded inside the light bar.

    Interior Design

    Two tone colour scheme, panoramic glass roof with retractable sunshade and perforated seats feel more premium than the MG4.

    The large central 12.8 inch rotating touch screen is bigger than the equivalent on the MG4 and the software looks much more modern as it’s based on Android.

    Overall

    Based on a first look especially the interior and exterior aspects like large Android powered screen and the panoramic roof, I’m betting a lot of buyers opt for the BYD Dolphin over the MG4.

    However looks aren’t everything, the MG4 wins in areas that aren’t obvious at a first glance such as being RWD for a more fun driving experience, much faster DC charging speed for longer drives and more power as the base MG4 is 4.6 seconds faster 0-100km compared to the base Dolphin.

    Which is better? It depends what aspects of a electric hatchback are most important to you.

    Whichever you choose, it’s great that there are now EV options in Australia’s that aren’t boxy SUV’s.

    Neerav Bhatt
    Neerav Bhatthttps://www.bhatt.id.au/blog/about-neerav-bhatt/
    Thanks to his broad general knowledge, research skills and ability to explain complex issues Neerav Bhatt has appeared in the online, print, radio and TV media including: ABC (Online, TV, Radio), SBS (Online, Radio), BBC World Service (Radio), 10 News TV, Sky News TV, Australian IT, Technology Spectator, Ausdroid, iTnews, APCMAG, IDG CSO and a variety of other publications. In 2023 he joined the techAU team and represents them at Sydney events.

    6 COMMENTS

    1. Where did you get the AC charge rates from… BYD can’t even tell customers if it will be 7kw or 11kw, their line is it won’t be faster than the Atto 3 to charge?

      • Sorry I can’t recall my exact BYD source for that spec. The true test of AC charging speed is once someone either buys it or goes for a test drive long enough to plug into a 11kW 3 phase charging location to see what the max charge rate is.

    2. The BYD blade battery retains a good speed over the full charging curve. 88kwh under these circumstances is faster enough for a city car.

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