BYD Dolphin Comfort review

BYD Dolphin

BYD Dolphin Comfort review.

For – great quality, performance, ride, steering.
Against – hopeless on highway, impenetrable computer, no dealer help.
****
£30,000
Competition – MG4, Fiat 600e, VW ID.3, ORA 03, Citroen e-C3, Hyundai Inster, Vauxhall e-Corsa, Peugeot e-208, Mini Cooper e, Jeep Avenger, Cupra Born, Volvo EC30, Kia EV3

One lingering worry. What do I do when/if China invades Taiwan?   

The Dolphin, from China’s leading electric vehicle maker BYD, is a VW Golf-size hatchback with impressive quality inside and out. It drives beautifully and has great acceleration but is hopeless on the autoroute. The computer system cries out for dealer assistance.

The computerized aids were a pain in the neck, making me wonder if the word “intuitive” exists in any Chinese dialect. Looking at the user comments on Facebook, it would seem BYD, as a new kid on the block, needs to grab this problem before the name becomes synonymous with computer power as an enemy, not an ally. Designing a quick user’s guide, plus an hour’s induction lesson from the dealer might save the day. The BYD chat facility told me a handbook wasn’t available and I’d have to download it onto the screen. But visitors to the Dolphin owner’s website said they did have handbooks. I’m still trying to find out how to list my favourite radio stations. The charging pad doesn’t work until you engage the app, which wasn’t there. BYD Chat had no idea how to ignite that. I’m sure SatNav data should be available on the little info screen at eye level just behind the steering wheel, but no luck yet. The boot isn’t much to speak of either if you have golf-playing on your mind.

So why did you buy it, I hear you ask?

I’ve owned (well, leased) the car from new for three weeks now after selling my splendid top-of-the-range Suzuki Vitara. I looked at my motoring profile, which is almost all local. It involves a bit of motorway driving but not enough to induce range anxiety. I have a charger at home. I haven’t driven to the South of France for about 10 years and whenever I do I fly and rent a car, so electric made sense. An irresistible Black Friday offer clinched the deal.

“Hey BYD, switch on the demister” 
My first impressions were very positive. The interior is seriously roomy and classy, with a quality suggesting a much higher price. The basic driving is very satisfying with super acceleration, exceptionally smooth ride and sharp steering. It even scored a first with me when I tried out the voice controls. “Hey BYD”, I said, “switch on the demister!” And it did. Adjusting the temperature worked too from voice command, but not the SatNav or the Radio. 

This car is very well equipped. The front seats are electrically powered and heated. The computer screen was a massive 12 inches and one day I will penetrate its depths. But hey, it swivels!

 The Dolphin’s range at legal motorway speeds wasn’t a big surprise because I’ve already reviewed the BYD Seal and BYD ATTO3. The Seal slashed range at legal motorway speeds by 66%. That means if you’re offered a range of 100 miles you will only get 34 at these speeds. The ATTO3 was a little better at 61.1%, while the Dolphin – my Comfort version has the bigger battery option – was 64.2%. You wouldn’t want to drive to the South of France in a BYD.

More bite for the regenerative braking please
The Dolphin dumped range going uphill. The regenerative braking didn’t help overall range much. Regenerative braking has two settings, and the “high” one didn’t have enough bite to allow one-pedal driving. Perhaps one day the Over The Air update will add a bit more oomph to this, or even a Headup Display too maybe? 

My Dolphin had a couple of added classy features. At slow speeds it plays some music to warn pedestrians or animals of its imminence, although one of my cats ignored the noise and had to be shooed out of the way. And hiding underneath the front armrest is a little tool designed to smash the windows if you drive into a river. I wasn’t too impressed with the SatNav but I wouldn’t suspect it of being existentially bad. But if it does lead you astray and underwater, you’ll be ok. Or have a fighting chance. 

The Dolphin lineup starts with Active, then Boost, Comfort and Design versions. Prices start at £26,195. All Dolphins feature a heat pump and as direct cooling and heating system for batteries, boosting thermal efficiency by up to 15% in winter.

Why did I buy the Dolphin? 
 I first tried to buy another SUV and looked at leasing a second-hand Mazda CX-30 or Mazda MX-30 R-EV but I couldn’t find one at the right price. A deal for a new Suzuki Across which would have been perfect fell through. So when the incredibly good Dolphin hatchback deal was offered I let economics be the deciding factor. Sure, there are some drawbacks and I’ll eventually master the computer, but it is a great car to drive, so no regrets. I look at my Honda Jazz and wonder why a much newer and bigger car can’t handle a golf bag east-west without folding down the rear sets. That’s annoying but not a deal braker. One lingering worry. What do I do when/if China invades Taiwan?