First Drive: BYD Dolphin – A Perfect Starter EV Hatch?

Though not exactly small, the Dolphin does boasts dimensions compact enough to feel adept for
daily urban drives.

It Looks Rather Small, Doesn't It?

Sitting 4,290 MM long with a 2,700 MM wheelbase, 1,770 MM wide, and 1,570 MM tall, the new BYD Dolphin isn’t exactly small. Said dimensions see it share a similar footprint as the Honda City Hatch and Perodua Myvi which, as we discovered, holds some merits.

Effectively, it makes the Dolphin superbly adept in urban traffic, a fact further fuelled by the array of active driver assists (ADAS) features it packs. Opt for the Extended Range variant and this compact city car magic gets bolstered with a dash of zippy performance too thanks to its peppier motor.

the 2,700 MM-long wheelbase does grant generous space for the back seat, resulting in sedan-like legroom.

Moreover, the long wheelbase figure also translate to abundant cabin real estate. Space in the back seat is surprisingly generous, even if you’re a tall, lanky sub-six-footer such as this writer. Legroom is almost sedan-like in fact, though we’ll note that the Extended Range’s added glass roof does rob headroom a little.

Nevertheless, if size is a concern, we’re glad to report that the Dolphin isn’t as small as what pretty images and incessant use of the word ‘small’ and ‘compact’ in its marketing materials would suggest. Overall, there’s enough space to make this a decent city car to live with on the daily.

The Dolphin, even in base Standard Range form, arguably looks best from the rear where it features a snazzy full-width LED taillight with eye-catching graphics, plus a subtle rear spoiler.

It Does Look Very Stylish…

We agree, especially when viewed from the rear because here’s where much of the styling effort really shows in both the Standard and Extended Range variants. Traits like the full-width all-LED taillights with eye-catching graphics, along with the subtle rear spoiler, all adds to things here.

Up front, things appear a little more restraint in contrast to the rear end. You still get tasty touches like the full-width LED DRL complementing the full-LED headlights, as well as the closed-off front grille element housing the BYD badge.

Whilst the Standard Range variant rolls on 16-inch wheels, the Extended Range gets larger 17-inch units. Both feature striking designs and dual-tone colourways.

Tastier dual-tone exterior colourway options are exclusively offered in the Extended Range variant.

Even in Standard Range form, we’re certain the striking two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels design are a visual treat to most. If you don’t mind shelling out extra cash, then the Extended Range variant’s snazzier 17-inch two-tone wheels and dual-tone body paintwork adds further to the Dolphin’s  overall styling.

Simply put, you’re getting loads of style points regardless of which variant you opt for, so as long as you don’t mind the equally striking colour choices available across both. The same applies with how things are presented and executed on board.

Like the exterior, the Dolphin's cabin comes in a variety of striking colour combinations too.

What About The Cabin?

Like the exterior, BYD’s choice of cabin colour combinations are equally striking, though we reckon there’s a combination that will please just about anyone. The choice of trim materials, as well as their fit and finish, are similar to what’s seen in the larger and pricier Atto 3, meaning there are both good and bad traits.

We’ll note the downsides here first and, thankfully, there’s just one. Our sole gripe lie in the choice of cheap, hard plastic trims present in both the dash and door inserts. While they are arguably presented well thanks to clever use of colours, we reckon these could’ve been done differently – read: better.

No traditional buttons on switchgear, as BYD opted for a more novel rotational type switches instead, even for the gear selector, drive mode selector, as well as the electronic parking brake.

Fortunately, all key touchpoints, steering wheel, armrests, and seats included, see plush faux leather upholstery applied. This alone makes life in the Standard Range variant pleasing, and that’s despite the omission of desirable premium amenities found in the Extended Range.

Rotating infotainment touchscreen comes straight out of the Atto 3, offering both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as access to the 360-degree parking view monitor.

Plush faux leather upholstery covers the seats - and dash - in both, but the Extended Range (right) gets power adjustment and ventilation features added.

The novel rotating infotainment touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity plus 360-degree parking monitor, comes straight out of the Atto 3, is a neat common kit across both guises. However, things like wireless charging pad, power-adjustable front seats, front seat ventilation, and the posh glass roof, are all naturally reserved for the pricier Extended Range.

Nevertheless, even if your budget limits you to the more basic Standard Range trim, there’s enough plush amenities and high tech kit to make daily driving pleasurable. Surely, if you needed justification on splurging more on the higher-spec guise, our next set of findings might make said premium worthwhile…

While not the quickest or richly-equipped, the Standard Range variant of the Dolphin has the comfiest ride over the Extended Range variant.

Which One Drives Best?

Obviously, with peppier 201 HP and 310 NM outputs driving the front wheels, 7-second 0-100 KM/H sprint time, not to mention its longer 427 KM claimed WLTP range, all stemming from the larger 60.48 kWh battery pack primed, the Extended Range guise delivers a more dynamic and zippy drive indeed.

Said range-topper also benefits with a more planted feel in its handling, arguably traits borne out of its adoption of a multi-link rear suspension setup and the larger wheels it rolls on. Ride comfort is decent here too, but we reckon this is one area where the Standard Range variant shines the most.

Though it rides with a more traditional torsion beam rear suspension setup plus smaller 16-inch wheels, we reckon this, plus the soft and supple damping dialled into the shocks and springs at all four corners, all make the Standard Range variant clearly the comfier car between the two.

Differing battery capacities results in starkly different outputs, charging abilities, as well as range between teh Standard and Extended Range variants of the Dolphin.

However, driving comforts alone perhaps won’t be enough to make up for the Standard Range variant’s smaller 44.92 kWh battery, lower 94 HP and 180 NM outputs, slower 12.3-second century sprint time, and shorter 340 KM claimed WLTP range. If anything, perhaps this variant stands as a better pure urban mobility solution instead.

To sum things up here, the Extended Range variant clearly stands as the better all-rounder, boasting enough pep for the occasional highway jaunts without sacrificing too much on daily driving comforts. Perhaps this, plus the array of ADAS features primed, might just make it a solid choice indeed.

An array of active driver assist (ADAS) features sees both guises of the Dolphin offer at least Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities.

What About Those ADAS Features?

We’ll be brief and note that both variants are equipped with a full-swing of which, and they’re all similar to that primed in the larger, pricier Atto 3. To put it simply, there’s enough high-tech driver assistance present to make this pint-sized hatch feel as if it could almost – ALMOST – drive itself at times.

 If anything, the fact that it comes on top of basics such as airbags, ABS, traction and stability control, and ISOFIX childseat anchors, across both guises only fuels their desirability further. Perhaps these could also almost justify the steep asking prices both guises are tagged at. Speaking of which…

Separated not just in performance, both guises of the Atto 3 also see a sizeable price gap of RM25,000 between each other.

Are Either Worth A Serious Look?

At RM100,530 (Standard Range) and RM125,530 (Extended Range) excluding insurance costs, the BYD Dolphin  isn’t exactly cheap. Instead, given the level of substance, performance, and tech delivered, perhaps both are better described as affordable ‘premium’ EVs instead.

Certainly, compared against a certain feline-themed rival, as well as a certain similarly-priced alternative, it’s plain to see that both guises of the Dolphin arguably hold enough chops to impress most -  if not all – prospects who don’t mind shelling out the Ringgits to adopt as their first EV.

Also, lets also not forget, being a hatch does see the Dolphin does bring a dose of fresh air in a rather crossover SUV-heavy market space. Surely, this trait alone ought to see it win plenty of hearts and minds. It certainly did with us and, naturally, we can’t wait to take it for a longer testing stint soon…

SPECIFICATIONS
BYD DOLPHIN