BYD Dolphin 2022 Review – International

The 2022 BYD Dolphin will likely take on a different moniker by the time the order book opens later this year, ahead of first local deliveries expected by mid-2023.

That was made clear to carsales recently by BYD’s local boss, Luke Todd, who revealed the sharp-looking five-door hatch would not be known as either the Dolphin or the Atto 2 – the latter previously tipped to keep the lineage flowing with the just-launched BYD Atto 3 small SUV – but would carry an “Australian-led” nameplate that’s still to be locked in.

He also admitted the hatch would not come with a sub-$35,000 price tag, as the company had hoped, but would instead be priced closer to the $40,000 mark.

Even at that point, the BYD electric hatch will be well placed to shake up the local EV market, taking the mantle of Australia’s most affordable EV by slotting in underneath the Atto 3 (from $44,381 plus ORCs) and the MG ZS EV (from $46,990 drive-away).

Its nearest rival, based on body style at least, will be the updated Nissan LEAF, priced from $50,990 plus ORCs.

In China, the Dolphin was actually the first car launched on BYD’s latest 3.0 e-platform, which underpins the new ‘Ocean’ range of cars purposely built as pure EVs.

The 2022 BYD Atto 3 is underpinned by this new platform, along with the incoming BYD Seal mid-size sedan that’s also due next year as a rival for the top-selling Tesla Model 3 (and will similarly adopt another name).

Our BYD Dolphin tester, the second-highest trim (known as Fashion Edition) in a four-model range, is priced at RMB130,254 in China, before subsidies are applied. A direct currency conversion places that at $27,660, but you can expect the entry point for the Australian model to start from just below $40,000 before on-road costs are added.

Subsidies from various state and territory governments should bring that back down to around $40K on the road.

Unlike the Atto 3, the design highlights on the Dolphin are more external than on the inside.

While the brightly coloured (green on our test car) highlights and two-tone body colour grab immediate attention, look more closely and there are subtle design cues.

Keeping with the nautical theme, there are fin-like lines on the flanks, while the roof profile – with a squint and some lateral thinking – could resemble that of a dolphin.

Just as the car-maker has impressed with its packaging and specification of the BYD Atto 3, the 2022 BYD Dolphin has a lot crammed into such a small and affordable package.

All bar the base model in China get six airbags as standard, although only the range-topping variants have advanced driver assist systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning.

Count on Australian models being based on high-spec Chinese cars, which will also bring the DiPilot system that incorporates adaptive active cruise control, lane keep assist and other technologies, controlled via buttons on the steering wheel.

There are novel features such as the surround to the screen flashing red when you exceed the speed limit. The navigation system is also up to date on speed camera location, at least around Shanghai…

Speaking of the screen, as a member of the BYD stable it can, of course, rotate from portrait to landscape orientation by buttons on both the screen and steering wheel.

The 12.8-inch display controls most functions of the car, although there is also voice activation. Our test car had a 360-degree panoramic camera system, useful for parking, and the screen would show images when the indicator light was activated as well.

On two occasions when driving, music just started playing without us seeming to activate anything.

Like on incoming Volkswagen ID electric models – including the Volkswagen ID.3 hatch that’s likely to arrive in 2024 – there is a small 5.0-inch instrument screen mounted on the steering column.

This provides the driver with key information at a glance, including the all-important remaining range and battery charge.

As per the Atto 3, the Dolphin supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, which means you can take your car glamping and use the battery to power electrical appliances.

While the base model makes do with a 30.7kWh battery pack, all other versions of the 2022 BYD Dolphin – including those expected to lead the charge Down Under – use a larger 44.9kWh unit.

BYD is one of the most vertically integrated producers in the car industry and the car uses BYD’s own self-developed and in-house-produced ‘Blade’ batteries. These are said to use more affordable lithium chemistry, but through clever packaging manage to not only make the power density comparable to more expensive NCM-type batteries, but also safer.

BYD has famously shown tests of the battery packs being penetrated by a nail with no fire or thermal runaway.

The claimed driving range from the 50kWh battery is 405km, based on the NEDC cycle. In China, there are two power outputs – 70kW and a more appealing 130kW.

For reference, the Atto 3 in Australia uses a 150kW electric motor and offers either a 50kWh (standard) or 60kWh (extended range) battery. The range is listed at 320km and 420km respectively for the standard/extended versions, based on the more stringent WLTP method.

As we found with the Atto 3, the front-wheel drive layout means the Dolphin can struggle to get the power down to the road.

Even on our lesser-powered version, there was an audible screech from the front wheels when accelerating from standstill, particularly when executing a turn at the same time. The car’s 16-inch wheels really seem loath to take up the challenge in these situations.

There are only two main driving modes available – Eco and Sport – which are selectable by a rotating button next to the drive selector. A Snow mode is also available via another button.

In Sport, despite the relatively tardy claimed 10.9-second acceleration from 0-100km/h, the Dolphin seems no slouch either with inner-city traffic or when on the highway.

On the road, the 2022 BYD Dolphin seems more geared up for comfort and stays composed when hitting large bumps and potholes.

It manages sharply curved feeder roads without difficulty, and although the steering is on the light side it doesn’t seem as detached as many other Chinese electric cars.

The hatch has a sporty stance, with a wheel at each corner, but the chassis isn’t honed for dynamic performance.

There are only two regenerative braking settings – Standard and Strong. While the stronger does have a limited effect, it is a far cry from Tesla or Nissan where one-pedal driving is possible.

The Dolphin’s compact size makes it easy to park (there’s an auto-park function too) and makes light work of darting in and out of traffic. It’s also a car that manages longer journeys with relative ease.

While fitting five into the Dolphin might be a push, there is enough room in the back for two adults up to around 1.8 metres tall.

With a wheelbase of 2.7 metres, the five-door hatch measures about 4.1 metres long, depending on the variant.

In the city, the hatchback’s 10.5m turning radius and general all-round good visibility makes it an easy car to live with.

On our tester, the driver settles into a comfortable electric-adjust seat with an integrated head restraint.

And in overall terms, the ambience is pretty good.

This high-spec Dolphin has an electric-opening panoramic roof, making the cabin very light, and there are some nice details such as the flipper-like door handles. However, all windows bar the driver’s do not have one-touch closing.

There were also some shortfalls in quality on our test car, including lots of hard plastic trim (except around the controls) that seem to wear badly. Our tester had just shy of 9000km on the clock.

The rear bench does not have a split-fold operation, simply folding down in one big lump, and in a somewhat short-sighted move there is no under-floor compartment in the boot.

BYD is obviously aiming to maximise the available cargo space. However, when the rear seatbacks are folded down, there’s a big step up from the boot floor into the passenger compartment.

Given there’s not exactly much in the way of competition, the 2022 BYD Dolphin – when it becomes available to purchase in Australia – will present buyers with an enticing proposition: an affordable, all-electric hatch.

Like all EVs, it will carry a premium that in this case will make it comparable to the best hatchbacks on the market.

And that poses a conundrum, given that here’s an enticing ticket of entry into the world of electric cars, but one that’s nowhere near as well resolved in overall terms as the best small cars, such as the Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf – neither of which offer an all-electric powertrain.

BYD’s all-electric hatch is funky and has a fun air about it, and even though it mightn’t be known as the Dolphin it’ll still have some design cues referencing the aquatic mammal – and ‘Build Your Dreams’ emblazoned on the back to let everyone know you’ve taken the plunge.

How much does the 2022 BYD Dolphin cost?
Price: $39,990 estimated (plus on-road costs)
Available: Orders late 2022, first deliveries mid-2023
Powertrain: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 70kW/180Nm (standard range), 130kW/290Nm (extended range)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 31.7kWh (SR), 44.9kWh (ER) lithium-iron phosphate
Range: 301km (SR NEDC), 405km (ER NEDC)
Energy consumption: 10.3kWh/100km (SR NEDC), 11.0kWh/100km (ER NEDC)
Safety rating: Not tested