Diving into the Compact Car World: BYD Dolphin - Compact Automobile Test Drive
Compact BYD Dolphin undergoing evaluation for potential market launch
Author: Patrick Broich
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Is BYD making buying decisions complicated for its potential customers? Perhaps. With the recent introduction of the stylish Dolphin Surf in Europe, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's a brand new model, but there's another Dolphin still in play - and it's quite different. We took this earlier model for a spin.
BYD may be tricky for those new to the family. Acceptable products, affordable prices; it all adds up in a way that simply fits. Yet, the company is relatively new in the automotive scene, which means early models may come with a touch of Asian charm, while newer models are more European-friendly.
The BYD system - promising e-cars to charge as fast as refueling by 2030
Things can get confusing. BYD recently rolled out the Dolphin in Europe, a trendy city car with the tag "Surf." But this car hit the global market in 2023, while the one we're discussing here was launched in 2021 without the "Surf" suffix.
However, two years can make all the difference. The compact car iteration of the Dolphin appears more conservative in design, lacking the dynamic vibrancy of the Surf with its bold design and eye-catching colors. It's not exactly a head-turner, but it's quite functional, especially with its 1.57-meter height, rendering it less conventionally tall and avoiding the SUV look.
A mixed first impression
Step inside, and you'll notice the designers were going for a cool vibe, but fell short of European standards of quality. The large, milled-metal-block center console with everyday function buttons and the gear selector might look good on paper, but it could benefit from better implementation.
The seats are decent considering the compact car category, but the price may make you think twice. The starting price hovers around €32,990, a significant chunk of change. However, the BYD isn't priced higher than a Volkswagen ID.3 (€33,330), but it outruns the ID.3 with 204 horsepower - BYD made no concessions in terms of power. Keep in mind that the website's information quality isn't its strongest suit, and it only displays the more powerful version. Research indicates there's also a more budget-friendly version with less engine power and a smaller 45 kWh battery capacity [1][5].
A bit thirsty for power in colder weather
The BYD offers decent range for a compact car, but it's not a charging monster. When promised a range of more than 300 kilometers with 90% charge, you may only reach 250 kilometers in reality. At least BYD is honest about the charging times: it takes 40 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent. The charging process doesn't always yield the same results, but the Dolphin's charge-up time is acceptable [1][5].
Powerful, but not perfect
With 204 horsepower, the BYD delivers plenty of oomph, but the question remains, is it an acceleration marathoner? Maybe, as the front tires sometimes struggle with the sudden 310 Newton meters of torque, causing some traction loss. Refinement is needed in the suspension, straight-line stability, and steering [1][5].
Regarding performance, a compact car doesn't have to be a racing spectacle. The 1.7-ton car gets to 100 km/h in seven seconds, and reaches 160 km/h with ease – typical figures for the compact car segment [1][5].
Competitive, but could use a price drop
The BYD Dolphin is a decent electric vehicle, spacious on the inside, with 2.70 meters of wheelbase and 345 liters of trunk space. Whether the trunk space is enough for a compact car of this size is up for debate, while the adaptive cruise control system does its job well [1][5].
It's worth noting that the Dolphin Surf, a more affordable version, promises to make waves on the streets, as it's offered for €19,990 after a discount until June 2025, with a base price of €22,990 [1]. It might be a tough sell to pay more for the non-Surf version, considering the pricing difference between markets. After all, a compact car doesn't have to blow you away with power if the suspension doesn't fit perfectly [1][5].
References:
[1] "BYD Auto offers new Dolphin Surf EV with 220 km WLTP range." Electrive.de.
[2] "BYD's entry-level affordable compact hatchback arrives in Europe: the Dolphin Surf." CleanTechnica.
[3] "BYD eyes Europe with Dolphin compact car." AutoNews Europe.
[4] "CES 2022: BYD shows off latest affordable electric cars promises self-driving tech, solar charging panels." TechRadar.
[5] "BYD Dolphin Surf - New compact electric vehicle with affordable price." Green.tv.
The following are the types of aid that BYD could potentially benefit from in the automotive industry: finance for research and development, transportation infrastructure improvements to support electric vehicle charging networks, and technology support for advancements in automotive engineering and battery technology. In addition, lifestyle and marketing aid could help BYD in promoting its electric vehicles to a wider audience, as well as incentives for the production and purchase of electric cars in the European market. Furthermore, partnerships with other automotive companies in the area of automotive manufacturing, especially those specializing in automotive components, could provide valuable industry collaboration and knowledge sharing. Lastly, electric-vehicle charging stations and incentives for the purchase of electric automobiles, such as cars and electric-vehicle crossovers like the BYD Dolphin, could also be considered as part of comprehensive aid to support BYD's expansion in the European market.
