{"id":2356,"date":"2025-07-27T08:04:42","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T22:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/?p=2356"},"modified":"2026-08-26T10:48:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T00:48:47","slug":"review-2025-byd-dolphin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motorscout.com.au\/wp-blog\/review-2025-byd-dolphin\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: 2025 BYD Dolphin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Think of the 2025 BYD Dolphin<\/strong> as the automotive equivalent of a flat\u2011white with oat milk: familiar in size, unexpectedly smooth, and friendlier to the planet than yesterday\u2019s long\u2011black commuter. The Chinese\u2011built hatch has sailed into Australian showrooms at under thirty grand, offering a real\u2011world WLTP range of up to 427\u202fkm and a punchy 0\u2011100\u202fkm\/h time of 7.0\u202fseconds in Premium guise. In a market that once demanded luxury\u2011car money for an electric runabout, the Dolphin<\/strong> replaces sticker shock with raised eyebrows and curious grins.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons<\/h2>\n

Pros:<\/strong> bargain entry price, long standard\u2011equipment list, Blade Battery with V2L, roomy rear seat for a light hatch.<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong> steering lacks feel at highway speed, Essential\u2019s smaller motor feels breathless on steep grades, no spare wheel, still limited rural service network. These quibbles matter, yet none are deal\u2011breakers at the Dolphin\u2019s price.<\/p>\n

How Much Does\u202fIt\u202fCost?<\/h2>\n

BYD sharpened the pencil for 2025. The new Essential opens at $29,990 plus on\u2011roads<\/strong>, making it Australia\u2019s first sub\u2011$30,000 EV. Step up to Premium and you are still only at $36,990 before charges. For context, the cheapest MG\u202f4<\/strong><\/a> currently lists at $39,990<\/strong>, while the entry Hyundai Kona Electric<\/strong><\/a> hovers near $55,000. BYD is plainly gunning for buyers who would otherwise be cross\u2011shopping petrol Corollas<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Features and Benefits<\/h2>\n

Even the base Essential gets a 12.8\u2011inch rotating touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring, a heat\u2011pump, vehicle\u2011to\u2011load capability and a full suite of driver aids. The Premium adds a bigger 60.5\u202fkWh Blade Battery, a 150\u202fkW front motor, heated vegan\u2011leather seats and a panoramic glass roof. Cabin plastics will not be mistaken for premium European fare, yet the playful colour blocking and dolphin\u2011fin dash trim lift the mood. The boot swallows 345 litres, which is enough for a week\u2019s groceries plus a pram when you fold the split floor panel.<\/p>\n

Safety<\/h2>\n

ANCAP awarded the Dolphin<\/strong> a full five stars<\/strong> under the tough 2023 protocol, praising occupant protection and active collision\u2011avoidance tech. Standard kit includes front, side, curtain and front\u2011centre airbags, adaptive cruise, lane\u2011keep assist and rear cross\u2011traffic alert. Only a middling chest score in the driver\u2019s side\u2011impact test prevents a class\u2011leading result.<\/p>\n

Running Costs<\/h2>\n

Blade Battery chemistry (lithium\u2011iron\u2011phosphate) tolerates daily 100\u202fpercent charging without fuss, so owners can safely top up at home off\u2011peak for roughly $6 to $7 per 100\u202fkm<\/strong> at current national electricity averages. Scheduled servicing is annual or 20,000\u202fkm; the first five visits average under $300 each, lower than most petrol hatchbacks. Battery warranty runs eight years or 160,000\u202fkm, and BYD\u2019s over\u2011the\u2011air updates have already trimmed energy use since launch.<\/p>\n

Comparison To Its Competitors<\/h2>\n

Against the MG\u202f4 Excite<\/strong><\/a>, the 2025 BYD Dolphin<\/strong> loses rear\u2011wheel\u2011drive playfulness yet claws back cabin space and throws in V2L. Compared with a GWM Ora<\/strong><\/a>, the Dolphin<\/strong> is quicker, offers longer range and undercuts it on price. The Nissan Leaf E+<\/strong><\/a> still asks almost $16,000 more while delivering shorter range and no fast rotating screen. In short, the Dolphin\u2019s combination of keen pricing, 2025 BYD Dolphin<\/strong> features, and a genuinely usable 2025\u202fBYD\u202fDolphin<\/strong> range rewrites the light\u2011EV rulebook.<\/p>\n