VM Test Drive Report BYD Dolphin: The Dolphin Falls Short

With the Seal, BYD also presented the small Dolphin, which is a recent addition to the new "Ocean series." Expectations are accordingly high, but: Upon entering the car, we are surprised by the smell: Though clean, it is somehow sharp – as if someone had forgotten a package of toilet blocks in the very hard-plastic-heavy interior... the Atto is in a much higher class here and we realize: BYD designs its models according to vehicle category: Seal, Han, and Tang are upscale and fine, the Atto 3 is decently middle-class, and the Dolphin – well – is cheaply designed like a compact car.

Comparatively high prices for the haptic quality

Here, we would clearly prefer the Citroën ë-C3, which does not offer as much punch but is much more comfortably equipped for just €23,300 gross. Because: BYD wants €30,990 gross for the base Dolphin with a 44.9-kWh battery, and €37,990 for our 150 kW top model with a 60.4-kWh battery. For less than an additional €10,000, you can get a Seal, which is three classes higher!

Thus, we start somewhat disappointed as we leave the underground garage of Munich's Motorworld. Outside, it's pouring rain and the left wiper is not only a bit short (if it were longer, it would reach the top of the windshield), but also scrapes... making us wonder once again about the quality range within the BYD program: While the Seal appears premium-class in many details, the Dolphin lags far behind the compact Citroëns, Cupras, Hyundais, Kias, MG4, and VW ID.3. Is it at least super economical?

The consumption? Not as economical as the Seal

Nope! Well, it's now eleven degrees, a bit colder than the fifteen degrees we experienced with the "Seal," but on the same route, there's not much to achieve under 15 kWh/100 km net (which is just under 17 kWh/100 km gross) and on the highway, nothing under 20 kWh/100 km – around 22 kWh/100 km net either. We check the long-term consumption, which shows 18.2 kWh/100 km net since the beginning of the car's life – which is exactly 20 kWh/100 km gross. And that's despite the new 3.0 platform including Blade battery and heat pump... the rather non-dolphin-like cW value of 0.30 costs it valuable points here. DC charging works with a maximum of 88 kW, meaning the battery takes a good half hour to charge from 10 to 80% – the Atto 3 also required some patience here.