By Sala Masindane

Meet the BYD Dolphin, a compact electric hatchback from the world’s largest EV manufacturer. It certainly stands out on the road thanks to its bold exterior colour options and futuristic styling, giving it a distinctive character in the growing EV market.

The quirky theme continues inside, where a two-tone Pale Mauve colour scheme covers the dashboard and seats. The cabin feels modern and well equipped, featuring BYD’s familiar 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system is intuitive to use and covers all the essentials expected in this segment.

Power comes from a 45kWh battery pack, with BYD claiming a WLTP driving range of up to 340km. During our mostly city-based driving, we managed around 310km from a full charge, which is a respectable real-world result. Performance is modest, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 12.3 seconds, but the Dolphin was never intended to be a hot hatch.

Instead, it focuses on comfort and efficiency. The ride quality is impressive, while the smooth electric power delivery makes it an easy and relaxing car to drive around town. Handling is predictable and confidence inspiring, while rear passengers benefit from generous legroom, provided they’re of average height.

At R539,900, the BYD Dolphin presents an interesting option for buyers looking to make the switch to electric motoring. It may not be the quickest EV on the market, but its distinctive styling, practical cabin, comfortable driving experience, and usable real-world range make it a well-rounded package for everyday use.