BYD Dolphin

The Dolphin is a small electric hatchback that tries to be easy to live with in town and still carry a surprising amount. BYD styles it around what it calls Ocean aesthetics: a continuous LED headlight strip crosses the centre grille, and both lights take cues from dolphins leaping out of the sea. Euro NCAP gave the Dolphin five stars overall in 2023.

Space and practicality

Short overhangs and a long wheelbase, both made possible by e-Platform 3.0, make the car look roomier than its size suggests, and the rear floor is flat so a middle-seat passenger has more space. The boot holds 345 litres and grows to 1,310 litres with the 60:40 split seats folded. BYD says that is enough for four 20 inch cabin cases. The cabin has several storage areas, including large door pockets, a covered centre cubby and a tray beneath the driver's screen.

Inside the cabin

A floating centre console carries a metal trim line across the dashboard. Key controls use tactile sliders, which BYD says are easier to find without looking away from the road. The sports seats use vegan leather with multi-way adjustment, and a panoramic glass roof spans the cabin. A large display ties together voice control and connected-car functions.

Battery, connectivity and power

The Dolphin uses BYD's Blade Battery, which the maker says passed a series of extreme tests. A 4G connection provides navigation as standard, with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and intelligent voice control. Over-the-air updates arrive through the cloud service. Vehicle-to-load technology offers 3.3 kW of external output, which turns the car into a mobile power source for picnics or outdoor films. Range, battery size and charging figures vary by version, so check the UK specification for the trim you are considering.

Key facts

• Body: small electric hatchback
• Boot: 345 litres, 1,310 litres with the seats folded
• Safety: Euro NCAP, 5 stars (2023)
• Vehicle-to-load: 3.3 kW external output
• Battery: Blade Battery
• Updates: over-the-air