BYD Dolphin long term review

Hello Dolphin

You may not know this, but BYD or ‘Build Your Dreams’ (we’ll discuss that name more a bit later on) has been building batteries for years. From phone batteries, to batteries for Teslas, yep, to the batteries inside London buses, BYD has been the battery master for nearly 30 years. Seriously, next time you’re behind a London bus, I bet you’ll spot the BYD logo. 

So if you’re one of the best battery makers in the world, what’s should you do? Build electric cars of course. That started back in 2003 over in China, but it took another 20 years before their cars started rolling onto UK roads.

Last June I was invited to the international launch of the BYD Dolphin in Europe. We flew out to Madrid and met this quirky little hatchback for the first time. You can watch the video here. I then drove it again at the UK launch about three months later and now here we are. Today is the 29th March 2024, Good Friday, and I’ve had the Dolphin for the grand total of four days. I’ve got it booked in with me for three whole months to find out what it’s like to live with. 

Software glitch 

I’ve already done about 200 miles in the Dolphin and, unfortunately, we’ve had a small issue. I appreciate this is hardly a disaster, but when it arrived, Apple CarPlay wasn’t working. And it should. And I’m one of those people who can barely function as an adult if I’m not able to use my phone in the car. 

A quick call to BYD revealed that my car had ‘a software issue’, so I was instructed to attempt an over-the-air update. And a different cable. And a reset of the infotainment. Still no dice, so BYD kindly came and collected it for further investigation. Not a great start, right? 

Meanwhile, I’ll carry on driving this blue little number before the replacement arrives. That 200 mile trip I did? 4 miles per kWh. Hello!! Great start!!

Bonkers design

Now we can’t start this long term review without talking about the design of the car. What a bonkers looking thing. I love it! Curves for days on the inside, sharp lines and funky light designs on the outside.

OK, yes, also on the outside at the back of the car is BUILD YOUR DREAMS in big bold letters. Its like the automotive version of LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE. Not for me, thanks. Some people might find it charming but a simple BYD is better for me. I’m not a LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE person. You will be pleased to know that on all of their other models, they just say BYD, winner winner.

One guy I bumped into confused it for a VW Golf. You know what, I can definitely see where he was coming from. Similar size hatchback. But its when you look closer that you realise its WAY funkier than a Golf. From the 17-inch two tone wheels, the fancy rear light bar, the sharp lines down the side profile, it really is a lovely looking thing! Ive noticed a few heads turning already to have a quick look, most of them with faces of ‘What the hell is that? That’s not a Golf? Maybe its the new Polo? Build your dreams? What on earth? That’s kinda cool!’

Then….you open the door and sit inside. OOOOOOOH, THAT’S WHY IT’S CALLED A DOLPHIN! There are nods to aquatic life everywhere! Door handles, dashboard materials, fans, and the occasional dolphin logo dotted about if you look closely enough. Dolphin Easter Eggs if you will.

I have the blue ‘Design’ model. Top spec. The blue does look very lovely actually, but the array of colours you can get is quite bonkers. From blues and greys to pinks and purples. There are seven colour combinations in total. 

As standard, the Design model has a heat pump, V2L, wireless charging, the magnificent LFP blade battery (more on that later), panoramic roof, rear privacy glass for the rear seats and loads more. 

Loads of space

Storage? Brilliant, so much space and cubbies for all of your bits and bobs. Space? Loads. Everything feels light and airy. Sometimes in smaller hatchbacks you can feel a bit cramped. Not in here! Which is crazy right? This only looks like a small car, it doesn’t make sense!!! Well, the wheels are pushed all the way out. We’re talking 2700mm wheelbase, so bigger than a Golf! It makes it like a little funky Tardis. Honestly, go and sit in those rear seats, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

So, that’s all I can tell you so far on this long term test, I’ll update you when the replacement arrives, then I can truly test the speed, proper efficiency and ease of infotainment.

​Click for report 2​