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The Dolphin is Chinese firm BYD’s smallest offering of the three electric cars it’ll bring to the UK in 2023 – below the Atto 3 SUV and Seal saloon. In size terms, it’s within a hair of the MG4 hatchback. That makes it seem a natural rival for both smaller hatchbacks such as the Vauxhall Corsa Electric as well as the likes of the MG. You also can’t ignore the recently upgraded VW ID.3. It’s in with a shout as being one of the best small electric cars you can get in 2023.

BYD Dolphin: battery, motor and range
The Dolphin rides on the same scalable ‘e-Platform 3.0’ as its larger siblings. Here it’s graced with either a 45 or 60kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery built with BYD’s ‘Blade’ structure. The bigger battery is good for a claimed WLTP range of 265 miles. The smaller pack hasn’t gone through the test yet, but expect around 50-60 miles less on a charge.

Power outputs vary depending on trim. Entry-level Active gets the small battery and a 93bhp electric motor, while second-rung Boost keeps the same battery, ups power to 174bhp and adds multi-link rear suspension. Comfort and Design both get the bigger pack with a 201bhp electric motor the front wheels, and 0-62mph is dispatched in 7.0 seconds.

What’s the interior like?
For a start, spacious. Those disappointed by the slightly tight rear legroom in an MG4 need look no further – the Dolphin can accommodate passengers well above 6 feet tall one behind each other with room to spare.

That space has to come from somewhere, and here it’s the boot. At 345 litres in capacity it’s not awful, but it’s tall rather than deep and split by a removable floor panel under which you can hide the charging cables. There’s no frunk, sadly.
Up front the dash itself is quite low which makes the cabin feel airy, although the lack of height adjustment for the passenger seat may annoy some. Large windows and, on Design models, a massive panoramic roof help here too. The face of the dash is swathed in soft-touch plastic and vegan leather (which is also, basically, soft-touch plastic) though there are some notably cheaper materials on the doors, top of the dash and lower down, but it’s a real step up from the MG4. The door handles are modelled after a dolphin’s flipper, which is quite a nice touch.

The dash is dominated by BYD’s trademark revolving touchscreen infotainment system. It’s a massive 12.8-inches on the diagonal and at the press of a switch will turn from landscape to portrait – with different orientations better for different use cases, BYD reckons. It’s a bit of a party piece but from our experience you’ll probably leave it in landscape most of the time. That’s partially because it blocks a small portion of the windscreen in portrait, and partially because Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can’t support this orientation.

What’s it like to drive?
BYD claim a 0-62mph time of 7.0 seconds dead for the 60kWh Dolphin, with the onboard acceleration timer claiming 6.7. Power is fed in gently at first regardless of mode or ESC setting, soon ramping up to junior hot hatch levels. You get junior hot hatch torque steer at times and the odd bit of axle tramp, although wheelspin is always a fleeting thing before the traction control kicks in.

Although a little firmer than the Atto 3, the Dolphin is still a comfort biased thing. Yes, grip is acceptable and there’s less body roll than you might expect for quite a tall hatchback, but push too hard and it starts to feel scrappy while the steering is slow and uninvolving. An MG4 is undoubtedly more fun here.

The flip side is that the Dolphin is a little less fidgety than the MG on imperfectly surfaced roads and deals with potholes and speed bumps with impressive compliance. It’s no magic carpet, but it knocks the MINI Electric and Fiat 500e into a cocked hat whilst avoiding too many floaty moments.

BYD Dolphin: verdict
The Dolphin confirms that BYD is a manufacturer worth taking seriously. It’s comfortable, handles well enough for the average driver, has an attractive interior and comes packed full of equipment. Yes, there are a couple of areas that feel unfinished, but it is significantly cheaper than the VW ID.3 and significantly smaller Corsa Electric.

Some may find the boot a little on the small side, although there’s no arguing with the interior space for adults, even with a panoramic roof fitted. Yes, the MG4 is the more entertaining drive, but the Dolphin’s impressive efficiency and plusher feel will no doubt be enough to win plenty of buyers over.