BYD Dolphin: The Toyota Corolla Competitor

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【Summary】The BYD Dolphin, priced at under AU$40,000 with a range of 410 km, is competing with other electric and ICE cars. The government is offering a $6,000 rebate, making the Dolphin cheaper than a Toyota Corolla hybrid. Despite limited availability, there is significant interest and pre-orders. The Dolphin offers similar size and acceleration to the Corolla, but Toyota still has an edge in reputation and advertising. BYD is gaining reputation and plans to release more electric models in Australia.

FutureCar Staff Sep 02, 2023 9:42 AM PT

BYD Dolphin: The Toyota Corolla Competitor

The BYD Dolphin is a new electric car that is competing with other electric and ICE cars in Australia. With a price point of less than AU$40,000 and a range of 410 km, the Dolphin is generating a lot of interest and pre-orders, despite there being only 3 available in Australia. Deliveries are expected in late September.

The Dolphin was launched on June 22 and offers a $6,000 rebate on the purchase price, making it cheaper than a Toyota Corolla hybrid. The launch event was a fun-filled party.

In terms of size, the Dolphin is slightly smaller than the Toyota Corolla Hatchback but still offers ample room for five passengers. The Dolphin has 345 L of boot space, which increases to 1310 L with the seats folded down.

Both the Dolphin and the Toyota Corolla hybrid have similar acceleration capabilities, with the Dolphin able to reach 0-100 km/h in 12.3 seconds. However, Toyota still has an edge in terms of reputation, dealership backup, and advertising spend. The Dolphin offers limited color options, which may not appeal to everyone.

BYD is gaining a reputation in the market, especially with its Blade battery technology. The company's partnership with Eagers has helped with delivery and servicing issues. Additionally, not having to pay for petrol is a significant advantage of owning an electric car. BYD is confident in its production capability and aims to become a leading player in the Australian market.

The Dolphin is expected to make a big impact on the smaller car market in Australia. BYD is also planning to release other electric models, including a sedan and a ute, in the coming years. The company's experience in battery manufacturing makes it a strong candidate to provide a BEV ute, which is in high demand in Australia.

The Dolphin comes with a range of features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, in-built maps, and wireless phone charging. It has a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic moonroof, voice recognition, and heated seats.

The interior of the Dolphin is well-designed, with wraparound seats and modern controls. Quirky features like the dolphin flipper shaped door handle and circular air vents add to its appeal. The car comes with a trickle charger and BYD dragon scales.

The Dolphin has received positive feedback from potential buyers, with many considering it as a worthy competitor to the Toyota Corolla hybrid. Price is often the deciding factor for car purchases, and the Dolphin offers a fully electric BEV at a similar price point.

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