BYD Dolphin

BYD Dolphin: Which Version Should You Buy?

The BYD Dolphin version to choose depends chiefly on how much performance you want. The original 44.9 kWh and restyled 69 kWh versions both produce 95 hp (69 kW) and 180 Nm, while the restyled 130 kWh raises output to 177 hp (130 kW). The restyled 60 kWh is the performance leader with 204 hp (150 kW), 310 Nm, and a measured 0–100 km/h time of 7 seconds.

The BYD Dolphin version to choose depends chiefly on how much performance you want. The original 44.9 kWh and restyled 69 kWh versions both produce 95 hp (69 kW) and 180 Nm, while the restyled 130 kWh raises output to 177 hp (130 kW). The restyled 60 kWh is the performance leader with 204 hp (150 kW), 310 Nm, and a measured 0–100 km/h time of 7 seconds. Every listed Dolphin is an electric, front-wheel-drive, 5-door hatchback with a 1-speed Automatic gearbox. Range and price are not measured, so neither can be used to rank these versions.

BYD Dolphin generations: what changed?

The BYD Dolphin has 2 catalogue entries within 1 generation: the original model and its restyling. The original 1 generation was produced from 2021-01-01 to 2022-11-30 as a Hatchback 5-door and includes 1 version, the 44.9 kWh.

The 1 generation, restyling 1 began on 2022-12-01 and has no measured end date. It remains a Hatchback 5-door but expands the choice to 3 versions: 69 kWh, 130 kWh, and 60 kWh. Compared with the original 44.9 kWh, the restyled range adds options with 82 hp and 109 hp more power. However, the restyled 69 kWh retains the original version’s 95 hp, 180 Nm, 130 km/h top speed, 1,405 kg kerb weight, and 1,780 kg gross weight.

BYD Dolphin engine and specs comparison

All versions use an Electro powertrain, so conventional engine displacement and engine capacity are not measured. Cylinder count, cylinder layout, and boost are also not measured. The version names must be read exactly as listed: although 130 kWh and 69 kWh resemble energy-capacity labels, the supplied specifications also pair them with outputs of 130 kW and 69 kW respectively.

Power per litre cannot be calculated because displacement is not measured for any version. On stated output alone, the 60 kWh has 109 hp more than the 44.9 kWh and 69 kWh, while the 130 kWh has 82 hp more than either 95 hp version. The 60 kWh also exceeds the 130 kWh by 27 hp and 20 kW.

Torque comparison is complete only for the 44.9 kWh, 69 kWh, and 60 kWh. The 60 kWh produces 310 Nm, which is 130 Nm more than the 180 Nm recorded for each 95 hp version. Torque for the 130 kWh is not measured, so it cannot be placed reliably between them.

BYD Dolphin performance, top speed, and economy

The 60 kWh is the only version with a measured acceleration figure: 0–100 km/h takes 7 seconds. Its top speed is not measured. The other versions have no measured 0–100 km/h result, while the 44.9 kWh, 69 kWh, and 130 kWh each have a measured top speed of 130 km/h.

City, highway, and combined consumption are not measured for any version. Electric range is also not measured, so the version names must not be treated as proof of range. A CO₂ figure of 0 is recorded for the 69 kWh and 60 kWh; CO₂ is not measured for the 44.9 kWh and 130 kWh.

BYD Dolphin dimensions and weight

Exterior dimensions are not measured for any listed version. Ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are likewise not measured, so they cannot distinguish one Dolphin from another in this catalogue.

The 60 kWh is 185 kg heavier than each of the other versions, but every version has the same stated gross weight of 1,780 kg. The difference between gross and kerb weight is 375 kg for the 44.9 kWh, 69 kWh, and 130 kWh, compared with 190 kg for the 60 kWh.

Weight per horsepower makes the performance hierarchy clearer. The 44.9 kWh and 69 kWh each carry about 14.79 kg per hp. The 130 kWh carries about 7.94 kg per hp, while the 60 kWh has the lowest ratio at about 7.79 kg per hp. Despite its extra 185 kg, the 60 kWh’s higher output gives it the strongest weight-to-power result.

All versions use Independent, spring front suspension and Semi-independent, spring rear suspension. Braking hardware is also shared: Ventilated disc brakes at the front and Disc brakes at the rear.

Which BYD Dolphin version should you buy?

Choose the 44.9 kWh if you want the original 2021-01-01 to 2022-11-30 configuration. It provides 95 hp, 180 Nm, a 130 km/h top speed, and a 1,405 kg kerb weight. Its acceleration, consumption, range, dimensions, ground clearance, wheel sizes, and price are not measured.

Choose the 69 kWh if you prefer the restyled model without needing more recorded performance than the original. Its 95 hp, 180 Nm, 130 km/h top speed, and 1,405 kg kerb weight exactly match the 44.9 kWh figures. The supplied data therefore shows no measurable power, torque, top-speed, or weight advantage over the original version. Range and price are not measured, so the name alone does not establish what extra money would buy.

Choose the 130 kWh if you want substantially more power without additional recorded kerb weight. It produces 177 hp, giving it 82 hp more than the 44.9 kWh and 69 kWh while retaining their 1,405 kg kerb weight and 130 km/h top speed. Its torque and 0–100 km/h time are not measured, however, so its real performance advantage cannot be quantified beyond output and weight per horsepower.

Choose the 60 kWh if maximum documented performance is the priority. It combines the highest output, 204 hp and 150 kW, with the highest measured torque, 310 Nm, and the only measured acceleration result, 7 seconds from 0–100 km/h. It is 27 hp more powerful than the 130 kWh and 109 hp more powerful than either 95 hp version. The trade-off is its 1,590 kg kerb weight, 185 kg above every alternative.

On the available evidence, the 60 kWh is the strongest performance choice, the 130 kWh offers the best step up in power without a recorded weight increase, and the 69 kWh is the closest restyled equivalent to the original 44.9 kWh. No version can be recommended for lowest price, longest range, best economy, or easiest packaging because those figures are not measured.