Chinese electric vehicle brand BYD launched the small electric hatchback Dolphin on the 11th. Priced as the fourth model released in Korea, the vehicle costs 24.5 million won. With national subsidies and local government subsidies, it can be purchased in Seoul for somewhere in the 23 million won range.
BYD also made standard a variety of options usually seen in vehicles priced above 40 million won. It is cheaper than similarly specced electric cars sold in Korea while offering a wider array of options. The base BYD Dolphin was test-driven over about a 50-kilometer section in downtown Seoul.
At first glance, the Dolphin's exterior felt "bigger than expected." The Dolphin measures 4,290 millimeters long, 1,770 millimeters wide and 1,570 millimeters tall. It is compared with Hyundai Motor Casper Electric because they are both in the 20 million won price range, but the Dolphin is clearly larger.
The Dolphin is 425 millimeters longer and 160 millimeters wider than the Casper Electric. Compared with the Kia EV3, another small electric SUV, it is 5 millimeters taller but 20 millimeters shorter in length, making it feel smaller.
From the outside, the curved design that evokes a dolphin stands out, including the U-shaped daytime running lights (DRL) connecting the grille and headlamps at the front. The recessed side design that recalls a Z gives it a sharp impression.
The integrated lamp that stretches across the rear is inscribed with "BUILD YOUR DREAMS," a somewhat unfamiliar design. In the 2026 facelift model unveiled in China, it was changed to "BYD."
Sitting in the driver's seat, the seating position is similar to that of existing small sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
The driver's seat felt somewhat cramped. Below the central display on the center fascia (the area with climate controls between the driver and front passenger seats) is a storage space for small items such as a mobile phone or key.
Overall, the layout differs somewhat from existing electric vehicles that prioritize a spacious first row. There are physical buttons below the storage compartment. The gear selector, hazard lights, and drive mode switches all operate by turning a dial up or down.
The second-row seats were quite spacious. When seated, there was room for more than two fists in front of the knees. True to an EV, the flat floor made the second row feel much roomier than the driver's area. This is thanks to a generous 2,700-millimeter wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axles.
However, with a lower overall height than rival models, headroom in the second row felt tight. It seemed insufficient for an adult male of average build, but acceptable for lower-grade school children or toddlers. Folding the rear seats expands trunk capacity to a maximum of 1,310 liters.
The accelerator pedal and steering wheel were light. Pressing the accelerator moved the car smoothly and it stopped with relatively accurate placement where intended. It climbed the Bukak Skyway grade smoothly. In base trim, the Dolphin delivers a maximum output of 70 kW (95 horsepower) and peak torque of 180 Nm.
While outside noise intrusion was minimal, the electric motor sound came through directly, which felt somewhat unfamiliar. The drive modes include Eco, Normal and Sport, but the differences did not feel significant.
The various options are a standout strength. The rotating 10.1-inch touch display supports T Map navigation, and the response was quick.
While driving, adaptive cruise control (ACC) and intelligence cruise control (ICC), which controls speed based on the distance to the vehicle ahead and helps center the car in its lane, both operated cleanly.
Notably, a 3D surround view monitor to assist with parking and a panoramic glass roof with an electronic sunshade come standard. In the Casper Electric and EV3, these are optional.
Other driver-convenience features such as blind spot detection when parking, rear cross-traffic collision warning, and safe exit warning also felt helpful for parking convenience and safety.
After driving, energy efficiency was measured at 6.29 kilometers per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The Dolphin's official combined efficiency is 5.5 km/kWh. The Dolphin is equipped with a 49.92 kWh BYD lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery. Its estimated range per full charge is 307 kilometers.
The Dolphin comes in two trims. The base model's consumer price is 24.5 million won, and the Dolphin Active is 29.2 million won. For the base model in Seoul, adding a 1.09 million won national subsidies and a 320,000 won local government subsidies brings the price to 23.09 million won. The Active is 26.7 million won.