BYD Dolphin Comfort/Design

Overview

Get ready for the BYD Dolphin, an electric hatchback poised to make a massive splash in the US market. The Comfort/Design trim strikes a brilliant balance between features, range, and affordability. It’s a stylish and practical daily driver aimed squarely at value-conscious buyers looking to go electric without breaking the bank. While official US pricing is unannounced, it’s expected to be fiercely competitive, potentially starting under $30,000 and challenging established players like the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Its clever packaging and premium-feeling tech give it some serious curb appeal.

What's New for 2025?

The 2025 model year marks the Dolphin's anticipated debut for North American drivers, bringing a fresh and compelling option to the affordable EV scene. The big news is the standard fitment of BYD's revolutionary cobalt-free Blade Battery, renowned for its superior safety, thermal stability, and longevity. This hatch also introduces BYD's "Ocean Aesthetics" design language, offering a playful yet sophisticated look. Inside, it’s packed with technology that feels a class above, setting a new benchmark for what buyers can expect from an entry-level electric car.

Design & Exterior

The Dolphin's exterior is defined by BYD’s "Ocean Aesthetics," featuring flowing lines and a friendly face that stands out from the crowd. This five-door hatchback is perfectly proportioned for city life, measuring 168.9 inches long, 69.7 inches wide, and 61.8 inches tall. The Comfort/Design trim often sports stylish two-tone paint schemes and distinctive alloy wheels that enhance its modern vibe. Full-width LED light bars at both the front and rear give the Dolphin a sharp, high-tech signature on the road, day or night.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside, and the Dolphin's cabin wows with its clever design and tech. The undisputed centerpiece is a massive 12.8-inch infotainment screen that physically rotates from landscape to portrait orientation—a proper party trick! The interior continues the ocean theme with fin-like door handles and a swooping dashboard. It seats five comfortably, and for hauling gear, you get a practical 12.2 cubic feet of trunk space. Fold the rear seats down, and that expands to a generous 46.3 cubic feet. There is, however, no front trunk ('frunk').

Performance & Driving Experience

This Dolphin is no slouch! Its front-wheel-drive layout is powered by a single permanent magnet motor kicking out a healthy 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. This gets you from 0 to 60 mph in a zippy 6.7 seconds, making it feel quick and responsive around town. The driving experience is tuned for comfort and ease, with a smooth ride that soaks up bumps nicely. While it’s not a sporty hot hatch, its predictable handling and effective regenerative braking make it an incredibly competent and enjoyable daily driver.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Comfort/Design trim is equipped with a 60.4 kWh usable Blade Battery, which is a fantastic size for this class. Green Cars Compare calculates a solid real-world range of 226 miles, with the car achieving an impressive efficiency of 3.74 mi/kWh. For charging, a US version would feature a CCS Type 1 or NACS port. It can accept up to 88 kW at a DC fast charger, juicing the battery from 10-80% in about 35 minutes. At home, the standard 11 kW on-board charger provides a full charge overnight.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While an official NHTSA rating is pending its US arrival, the Dolphin earned a top-tier 5-star safety rating from the stringent Euro NCAP, a great sign of its crashworthiness. Expect it to come loaded with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features. This includes essentials like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Offering this level of advanced safety tech as standard on an affordable EV gives it a major advantage and provides excellent peace of mind from the get-go.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

BYD is expected to back the Dolphin with a robust warranty package to win over US buyers. Look for a comprehensive vehicle warranty of around 6 years/93,000 miles, which is more generous than many rivals. The crucial Blade Battery will likely carry an even longer warranty of 8 years/124,000 miles, guaranteeing its state of health. Given the inherent reliability and longevity of LFP battery chemistry and the simplicity of electric powertrains, the Dolphin promises low maintenance needs and exceptionally affordable long-term ownership costs.