2023 BYD Dolphin Premium Extended Range Review - The Best First EV? |

The BYD Dolphin is a remarkable car for multiple reasons, but primarily for offering properly-usable levels of performance, range and specification in an electric car for a price that more Malaysians can swallow than any EV before it. But what is most striking about the Dolphin is not its Ocean Blue paintwork, but rather how it presents itself as a truly complete package without any evidence of corner-cutting and fastidious cost-saving.
Packing the same LFP Blade battery we've come to know and love from the Atto 3, the Dolphin brings all that BYD EV goodness to a smaller, more affordable package.
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01:05 - Differentiating the Dolphin Standard Range & Extended Range
02:45 - Exterior
07:24 - Front Interior
12:17 - Rear Interior
13:59 - Ride
15:25 - Performance
15:52 - Noise, Vibration, Harshness
17:52 - Energy Efficiency
19:15 - Concerns around Servicing
20:44 - Conclusion
22:04 - Outtro
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[@colddiesel]

I have seen a bunch of reviews on this car from European and Aussie reviewers and yours is much the most professional and informative. In particular you never lose sight of the basic fact that this is an urban runabout, commuter car, shopping trolley, despite its numerous additional qualities. The details on the battery and battery chemistry are essential, and often poorly explained by other reviewers. One point that you may have mentioned - or I may have missed is that the seat height adjustment is particularly good for older drivers. Low seats in many other small cars are problematic for older folk to get in and out of. Thank you.

[@wolger]

I think it still sits higher than most sedan cars.

[@muthukrishnanmurugiah5810]

Fuel prices in Malaysia is cheap compared to neighbouring countries. Even in Indonesia RON92 sells for RM3. With fuel subsidies in Malaysia reaching RM25 billion, it’s just matter of time before government comes with measures to reduce the subsidy. So owning EV especially BYD Dolphin will be economically feasible in the long term other than environmentally sustainable.

[@tengsiangong8485]

Beside dolphin, BYD Malaysia should also bring seagull

[@vincecarlo]

BYD Dolphin Extended range with 204 ps is a Great Fun little car; rear Multi Link suspension design provides good handling

[@NavarroOne]

I like how thorough you are, yet keeping it interesting and you are very precise in your descriptions. Well done. I too think the Dolphin is handsomely drawn and find it immensely good value. Agree the service schedule mirroring ICE in a car with thousands of less moving parts is nonsense. Sime Darby take note we reject this nonsense. My Tesla has NO SERVICE SCHEDULE. That’s the only way to fly for EVs.

[@MalaysianMotoring]

Thank you for your support. 🙏🏼 For clarity, we have no issue with the service schedule, as in exchange for that value, the Dolphin isn't able to report on its status quite like a Tesla does. As such, the periodic inspection of the vehicle does ensure the best possible ownership experience through the duration of its warranty. What we contest is the cost: The 8-year standard servicing pack works out to roughly about the same money per-annum as servicing an internal combustion vehicle, which makes little sense to us given the way it's engineered. The Renault Zoe for example only demands an annual inspection and software upgrade, and costs alot less per-visit. We do not understand why and would love to hear justification for it from Sime Darby Motors.

[@NavarroOne]

Having been to a service workshop more than 60 times with my Peugeot 508 I am allergic to going to service workshops and do not associate it with good ownership experience. My Dolphin does have OTA updates so to me the setup in Malaysia reeks of a money making device more so than safeguarding owner experience but that’s my view, you are of course entitled to view it in a more positive light

[@ericchan1245]

Been waiting for this review for quite a while. As usual, very comprehensive and on point. Kudos and thank u very much. 👍🏼 Btw, what brand is that tall green cup & where can I get it? 😁

[@CFA28]

another good, professional and honest review. so glad you mentioned about the service cost.

[@shaonian]

I test drove an MG4 and this and chose the dolphin. The ride is very soft but it corners well. The 360/reversing camera is outstanding. Easy to get in and out of. Very comfortable. It's small so easy to park and maneuver in tight spaces. Heavy so stable at motorway speeds. The lane centering system is quite good, on a long trip it can do most of the driving. But if you want a sports car then the mg4 is a better choice.

[@lokekaryew8408]

Another down to earth review, Aiman👍. Awesome

[@kevindgillam]

A really professionally presented review. Many thanks👍😉👏👏👏

[@PROJEKRSX]

great review man... i had the same feeling with the car and will have it soon..probably documented it through my channel too

[@xrealx369]

Amazing review, i mean damn I'm impressed, well represented and articulated

[@GerbenWulff]

Note that the 'up to 7.4 kW' onboard AC charger is only 1 phase. Many roadside AC chargers are 3-phase, meaning you'd get only 230 Vx16 A=3.7 kW from an 11 kW charger.

[@rahargo1]

What about rear passengers comfort in sunny day ? There's big panoramic roof but no rear AC vent.

[@MalaysianMotoring]

We tested this car for a week, the majority of which saw passengers in the rear. There was no complaints of discomfort, even with the panoramic moonroof blind opened.

[@cheetikyii8596]

Which car would be damaged more if under flooded, a HRV or this Dolphin?

[@jihangaban]

hrv. dolphin can wade through flood no problem.

[@Kisio1986]

What the battery life for this kind of car? Im sure the battery will degenerate in time. Does the replacement wallet friendly?

[@jihangaban]

somewhere around 300,000-500,000 km. maybe 16-20 years.

[@user-wutong__________]

When you scrap this car, you don't have to worry about the battery. In China, taxis and online dating cars are all electric cars, which have been practiced in China market.

[@kingleoric6787]

👍

[@roshansuntharamurthy1747]

17:25 Hyundai HRV? 😂

[@steventeoh260]

Maybe you don’t understand?

[@InnerFire6213]

100k would get you an atto 3 in china. While this dolphin would have cost a little bit above a myvi, and a seagull would be even cheaper. So sad how other EV makers are treated in Malaysia. Tesla got away with practically 0% excise duty! They aren't even planning to open any factory here, only sales hub. Tesla using PM cable while BYD work from scratch, did their own market research, apply for AP like any other carmakers. Even with all the special treatment, tesla is still only a toy for the t20s, while BYD try to cater to the masses. We want more EVs on the road but still treat other EV makers like this.

[@sendoh7x]

Tesla is already an established international brand, whereas BYD is still new plus coming from China (people still has that China brand - low par quality). So not surprising BYD need to work harder to capture international market, even a small one like Malaysia. On the bright side, we the users will benefit in the long term

[@InnerFire6213]

@@sendoh7x mercedes? Bmw? Toyota? Honda? All have full electric options. All are established brands with long history of business benefitting our country and people. Tesla’s 0 duty policy is only a slap to their face. U really think users will benefit when the only company that receives special treatment is the one that sells their car at 200k a piece? Not the company that sell a variety of choices that fits all income level? Also you don’t know how established BYD is, they already passed Volkswagen in europe in sales, in their own turf.

[@alihms]

Why Tesla is able to sell relatively cheaply here is because of the direct to consumer selling strategy. You buy your Tesla online. No dealership involved. I bought my Atto 3 via a local dealer. That dealer get my car from Sime Darby which ultimately get it from BYD. There are two layers separating me from the car manufacturer compared to zero layer in case of Tesla. Each layer adds additional cost to the selling price.

[@InnerFire6213]

@@alihms because they have to pay exorbitant AP tax, unlike tesla. Why are the iphones sold here at cheaper price even by using an authorized reseller? The first apple store hasn't even opened yet compared to singapore. It's all tax