BYD Dolphin Comfort for driving instructors

• Goes from 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds
• Top speed: 99mph
• Maximum range: 265 miles (WLTP)

If you're after a good mid-sized EV, the BYD Dolphin Comfort is a stylish and practical hatchback. It also makes a splash with a great amount of tech.

Specification highlights

Powered by a 60.4kWh battery, the Dolphin delivers a range of up to 265 miles. The electric motor produces 201 brake horsepower, providing zippy acceleration and a smooth driving experience. Standard features include adaptive and intelligent cruise control, lane-departure warning and prevention, and a handy 360° view camera.

Comfort

The cabin is spacious and comfortable, with electronically adjustable front seats and plenty of storage space. It's also got a good amount of room for backseat passengers too, even the more long-limbed variety. You get dual-zone climate control, and the panoramic sunroof gives a spacious, airy feel. It’s comfortable to drive too, benefitting from intelligent power braking (called Comfort Stop or CST for short), which gives a smoother experience overall.

Visibility

Visibility in the Dolphin is very good, and it’s complemented by the excellent in-car tech. For example, the LED headlights and automatic high-beam assist help with clear visibility in low-light conditions. And the inclusion of a rear-view camera and 360° surround-view system is a thumbs-up when it comes to parking and manoeuvring.

Instrumentation

The Dolphin includes modern features like the central 12.8-inch touchscreen and a 5-inch digital dashboard display behind the wheel. You can easily connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and these can be voice controlled, too, making for a user-friendly experience. 

Space

As mentioned, despite its fairly compact size, the Dolphin Comfort has a satisfyingly spacious interior. You get ample passenger legroom and plenty of space for your personal belongings. The 345-litre boot is a good size for daily errands and the rear seats can always be folded if you need to expand capacity further.

On the road

To drive, the Dolphin is smooth and comfortable, with decent acceleration. Steering is nice and light, and the range is more than enough for a day of urban driving. As a smaller car, it’s definitely better suited to the urban environment. That said, there are some useful features for longer journeys such as lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. On top of that, the 4 different driving modes (normal, eco, sport and snow) allow you to adapt to basically any conditions.

Charging

Keeping your Dolphin powered is nice and straightforward. According to BYD, the Dolphin Comfort can take up to 88kW on DC fast chargers, and should do 10-80% in about 40 minutes. When it comes to home charging, a standard 7.4kW wallbox should complete a full charge in around 9 hours.

Verdict

Chinese cars have had a resurgence in the last few years, particularly in the EV market, with the Dolphin riding this wave. It’s stylish and practical, has a good-sized cabin, and could be a great introduction to electric driving for both you and your pupils.