BYD Dolphin Active

Overview

Get ready for the BYD Dolphin, a cheeky electric hatchback poised to make a huge splash in the compact EV segment. The 2025 Dolphin Active trim serves as the smart, value-packed entry point into BYD's "Ocean Aesthetics" lineup. Designed as an affordable and stylish city car, it packs clever features and impressive efficiency into a fun-sized package. While official US pricing is yet to be announced, it's expected to be fiercely competitive, potentially landing under the $30,000 mark to challenge established players and become a go-to for first-time EV buyers.

What's New for 2025?

The big story for 2025 is the Dolphin's anticipated arrival on US shores. While it has been making waves overseas, the US-spec model will be all-new for this market. Expect key adaptations for American drivers, including an infotainment system loaded with US-centric apps and connectivity. The most significant change will be the charge port, which will almost certainly be the NACS (Tesla) connector to align with the new industry standard, ensuring maximum charging convenience from day one. The Active trim leads the charge as the initial, budget-friendly offering.

Design & Exterior

The Dolphin's design is playful and modern, avoiding the bland appliance look of some EVs. Its "Ocean Aesthetics" theme is evident in the smooth, flowing lines and distinctive two-tone paint options. The Active trim features clean styling with efficient wheel designs that contribute to its great range. Full-width LED light bars at the front and rear give it a surprisingly premium look at night. It's a proper city-slicker, measuring a nimble 168.9 inches long, 69.7 inches wide, and 61.8 inches tall, making it a breeze to park anywhere.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside, and the Dolphin’s cabin is refreshingly fun and surprisingly spacious. The dashboard features a wave-like design, and you'll find quirky details like dolphin-flipper door handles. The star of the show is BYD’s signature 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, which can flip from landscape to portrait mode at the touch of a button and will support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite its compact size, it seats five comfortably. You get a practical 12.2 cubic feet of trunk space, which expands to an impressive 46.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Dolphin Active is all about smooth, efficient urban mobility. It's powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor driving the front wheels, producing 94 hp and 133 lb-ft of instant torque. While the 0-60 mph time of 11.8 seconds isn't going to win any drag races, it’s perfectly peppy for zipping through city traffic and merging onto highways. The driving experience is tuned for comfort, with a soft suspension that soaks up bumps nicely. It’s an easy, relaxing car to drive, making it an ideal daily commuter.

Range, Battery & Charging

At the heart of the Dolphin Active is a 44.9 kWh usable LFP Blade Battery, known for its safety and durability. This pack delivers a real-world range estimated by Green Cars Compare at 180 miles on a full charge, thanks to its excellent efficiency of 4.01 mi/kWh. For home charging, the 7 kW on-board charger can top up the battery overnight. On the road, it supports DC fast charging at up to 65 kW, capable of zapping the battery from 10-80% in about 30 minutes. The US version will feature a NACS port for easy charging.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While official US safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS are pending, the Dolphin earned a top five-star rating from Euro NCAP, which is a fantastic sign of its underlying structural integrity. To keep its price accessible, the Active trim will likely come standard with essential safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. Expect more advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system to be available on higher trims or as part of an optional package.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

BYD is expected to back the Dolphin with a competitive warranty package to build confidence in the US market. Look for a comprehensive vehicle warranty around 4 years or 50,000 miles. Crucially, the high-voltage battery and drive unit should be covered by an industry-standard 8-year, 100,000-mile policy, guaranteeing at least 70% of the battery's original capacity. As a pure EV, maintenance will be minimal—no oil changes needed! This translates to lower running costs and less time spent at the service center, a major perk of going electric.