Dolphin

Driving Experience

The Dolphin rides surprisingly smooth and composed for a compact EV, soaking up speed bumps and broken roads with ease. Throttle response is progressive and linear, making the transition from petrol cars effortless, and it cruises comfortably at expressway speeds without the motor feeling strained.

Pros

• Suspension handles rough Thai roads impressively well
• Throttle response is smooth and natural, not jerky
• Easy to maneuver in tight sois and parking
• Low running and maintenance costs
• Real-world range closely matches factory claims
• ADAS features work smoothly and predictably
• Seats are supportive enough for longer drives
• Rotating centre screen is a clever touch

Cons

• Interior materials are decent but not premium
• Rear seat fits two adults comfortably but three is a squeeze
• Not designed for spirited or sporty driving
• Top-end acceleration is adequate rather than thrilling
• NVH is acceptable but not class-leading

Value for Money

You get a well-rounded package with solid safety tech, a usable rotating display, and Blade Battery reliability. Against competitors in this segment, the Dolphin offers the best overall balance of comfort, efficiency, and daily usability.

Verdict

The BYD Dolphin 2026 is ideal for city-focused drivers and small families wanting a fuss-free EV that does everything well enough. If you want raw speed or sporty thrills, look elsewhere.

Driving Experience

The Dolphin feels quick and agile in urban settings with smooth, instant acceleration from its electric motor. It's composed and confidence-inspiring around town, though it's clearly optimized for city driving rather than spirited highway runs.

Pros

• Exterior design has real character without being overdone
• Interior quality exceeds expectations for this segment
• Rear seat is surprisingly spacious thanks to flat EV floor
• Rotating touchscreen is responsive and intuitive
• Blade battery tech inspires confidence in safety
• Good selection of driver assistance features
• Practical storage and usable trunk space

Cons

• Compact size limits highway presence and stability feel
• Not a car for long-distance road trips
• Feature availability varies by trim level
• Audio system is decent but not exceptional
• No standout performance mode for driving enthusiasts

Value for Money

You get a well-equipped, modern EV with wireless charging, ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control, and a quality interior that rivals more premium competitors. For what's on offer, the Dolphin punches significantly above its class.

Verdict

The BYD Dolphin is ideal for city-focused drivers who want a modern, well-built EV without compromising on tech or design. If you need a long-range highway cruiser, look elsewhere, but for daily commuting this is a seriously compelling package.

Driving Experience

Haven't driven it yet as this was a static showcase in China. The specs suggest similar underpinnings to the outgoing model with refinements to the suspension for better ride quality.

Pros

• Front-end redesign looks much more attractive
• Cup holders are finally properly sized and spaced
• Rear air vents now included
• New seat design is noticeably more comfortable and supportive
• Center console redesigned to stop knee contact
• Larger driver display replaces the old small screen
• Fast charging upgraded to 110 kW
• 12-camera God Eye system for advanced driver assistance

Cons

• No front trunk storage still
• Base model still gets small 16-inch wheels
• Entry model lacks power tailgate
• Rear seats fold as one piece only, no split folding
• Interior materials remain mostly hard plastics
• Rear-view mirror is still manual dimming
• Rotating center screen feature removed

Value for Money

You get meaningful upgrades over the outgoing Dolphin — rear air vents, better fast charging, a bigger instrument cluster, and a completely redesigned console. For an EV in this segment, the equipment list is competitive, though some features like the cooled storage box and wireless charger are reserved for higher trims.

Verdict

The facelifted Dolphin addresses most of the original's weak points while keeping what worked. If it arrives in Thailand soon, it should be a strong contender in the compact EV segment.