BYD has made some bold claims recently. Their lofty ambition? To build electric cars that cost either as much as, or less than, an equivalent petrol-powered vehicle.

And at its current $139,888 price tag, it definitely seems like the Chinese automaker has done just that. The Dolphin is not just one of the cheapest new EVs on sale in Singapore today, it is one of the most affordable brand new cars full stop.

Don’t, however, assume that its low cost is a result of some crass corner cutting. In actual fact, there’s little to suggest that BYD has had to skimp out on either build or material quality to reduce the asking price of their hatchback class entrant. 

Quirky Aquatic-Themed Styling

Unlike its larger SUV Atto 3 sibling, the Dolphin doesn’t wear a fascia inspired by dragons. Rather, the Shenzhen-based automaker has decided to base the hatch’s looks on a theme it has dubbed ‘Ocean Aesthetics’.

As such, there are many subtle nods to its Dolphin moniker scattered throughout the vehicle. The triangular crease that stretches from the quarter panel to the front door resembles a top-down profile of the aforementioned aquatic mammal. The trim panels that border the vents upfront are also clearly inspired by a dolphin’s fin. Similar items can also be found fitted to the rear bumper.

I really appreciate the overall fit-and-finish of the car. It appears to have been manufactured out of a heavier gauge steel, which should be good against minor door dings. Panel gaps and paint match are also all decent enough for a car in its class.

There’s More to Sea on the Inside

The nautical theme continues in the cabin. Organic, flowy lines grace much of the dashboard, though stereotypical BYD quirks remain in the cabin. All of your infotainment needs are still taken care of by a rotating centre screen.

As is the case with the Atto 3, the gamer-esque seats offer significantly more support than you’d ever need. Both front chairs also come equipped with ventilation functionality, a surprising inclusion considering the car’s entry-level price tag.

Again, despite the use of mostly synthetic materials, the cabin still feels like a nice place to be in. However, there are some questionable decisions. The shifter mechanism is integrated into the bank of switches that also control the infotainment and drive mode functions. Whilst aesthetically neat, BYD has had to incorporate the ‘Park’ button on the side of the rocker. On more than one occasion I’ve accidentally knee-d the Dolphin into ‘Park’.

Otherwise, cabin space is good, even in the second row. As there is no sloping roofline, rear passengers would also not struggle for headroom, promising comfort on medium-length journeys.

The Drive

With 44.9 kWh of capacity, do not expect the Dolphin to have the massive range figures of the EV bigwigs. But despite the relatively diminutive battery capacity (most modern EVs have 50 kWh packs at the very least), the Dolphin makes up for it by being ultra efficient. Throughout our four day test drive, the car returned an impressive 8.5 km/kWh.

Do some quick maths and you’d work out that, if the pack was drained, the car would be capable of a theoretical 380 kilometres. Which is a good bit more than its homologated 340 kilometres.

Powering the Dolphin is a front-mounted, Category A-friendly 94 bhp electric motor. This isn’t an EV that’d win many traffic light grand prixes. But again, you don’t buy an economy car expecting mind-bending performance. Despite the eco-centric nature of the vehicle, there’s still a sense of fun built into the bones of the e-Platform 3.0 that it has been based on.

Firm suspension may slightly hamper ride quality, but it pays dividends in the performance department. Shod with stiffer springs as a result to cope with the battery pack’s weight, it has the welcomed side effect of mitigating excessive body roll, making it feel more agile than it really is.

Making Waves

It may be one of the cheapest new cars that money can buy today, but it still maintains a competitive level of equipment amongst its peers. The car comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as OTA update capabilities, a power tailgate and even powered seats with ventilation functionality. 

If you are a budget-conscious car shopper looking for a well-priced and equipped vehicle, and aren’t put off by the thought of a Chinese vehicle, the Dolphin is one car that you should seriously shortlist!

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