ev.nz summary
The short version
The Dolphin is a five-seat electric hatch that was still on BYD New Zealand's January 2026 specification sheet from $39,990 +ORC, but it is no longer listed on bydnz.nz or bydauto.co.nz's current vehicle range (checked 24 October 2026). Essential uses a 44.9kWh pack for 340km WLTP; Premium uses 60.48kWh for 427km.
Highlights
- Up to 427km WLTP (Premium)
- 5-star ANCAP (2023)
- Heat pump and V2L standard
- From $39,990 +ORC on the Jan 2026 sheet
Worth knowing
- No longer on bydnz.nz / bydauto.co.nz current range (Oct 2026)
- Boot volume not published on the Jan 2026 sheet
- Essential 0–100 is 12.3s
- DC peaks at 60–80kW
- Confirm new-car availability with a dealer
This summary is based on BYD New Zealand's January 2026 Dolphin specification sheet and ANCAP data, checked on 24 October 2026. It is not a road test: ev.nz has not driven this car and does not give it a score. Confirm current availability with a BYD dealer.
NZ line-up and pricing
| Trim | Price | Battery / drive | Range (WLTP) | 0–100 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $39,990 +ORC | 44.9kWh, FWD | 340km | 12.3s |
| Premium | $48,990 +ORC | 60.48kWh, FWD | 427km | 7.0s |
Overview
The BYD Dolphin is a 4,290mm five-seat electric hatch. BYD New Zealand's specification sheet dated 5 January 2026 listed Essential at $39,990 +ORC and Premium at $48,990 +ORC. When this page was checked on 24 October 2026, the Dolphin was not on bydnz.nz or bydauto.co.nz current vehicle lists (the former bydnz.nz/cars/dolphin/ URL returned an error page).
Essential uses a 44.9kWh Blade Battery with 70kW and 180Nm for 340km of WLTP range and 0–100 km/h in 12.3 seconds. Premium uses 60.48kWh, 150kW and 310Nm for 427km and 7.0 seconds.
DC charging peaks at 60kW (Essential) or 80kW (Premium). A heat pump, V2L with discharge adapter and a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen are standard. Premium adds wireless charging, heated front seats, 17-inch alloys and a multi-link rear axle.
Boot volume is not listed on the January 2026 sheet and is omitted here. ANCAP awarded the Dolphin five stars in 2023.
BYD's New Zealand EV warranty programme (as published for current models) is 6 years / 150,000km vehicle, 8 years / 160,000km battery and eight years of roadside assistance — confirm terms for any remaining Dolphin stock with a dealer.
Range and charging
BYD's January 2026 sheet lists CCS2 DC peaks of 60kW (Essential) and 80kW (Premium) but does not publish 10–80% times. A heat pump and V2L are standard on both trims.
Gallery
Specifications
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Driven wheels | Front-wheel drive | |
| Motor | Permanent magnet synchronous | |
| Maximum power | 70kW | 150kW |
| Maximum torque | 180Nm | 310Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 12.3s | 7.0s |
| Seats | 5 | |
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 44.9kWh Blade Battery | 60.48kWh Blade Battery |
| Range (WLTP) | 340km | 427km |
| Range (NEDC) | 410km | 490km |
| Heat pump | Standard | |
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| AC port | Type 2 | |
| DC peak (CCS2) | 60kW | 80kW |
| Vehicle-to-load (V2L) | Standard, with discharge adapter | |
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Length / width / height | 4,290 / 1,770 / 1,570mm | |
| Wheelbase | 2,700mm | |
| Ground clearance (laden) | 130mm | |
| Rear suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-link |
| Wheels / tyres | 16" alloy, 195/60 R16 | 17" alloy, 205/50 R17 |
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle warranty | 6 years / 150,000km | |
| High-voltage battery | 8 years / 160,000km | |
| Roadside assistance | 8 years | |
Specifications from BYD New Zealand's Dolphin specification sheet dated 5 January 2026, checked 24 October 2026. Boot volume is not listed on that sheet and is omitted. The Dolphin was not on bydnz.nz or bydauto.co.nz current model lists when checked.
Equipment
Standard on every Dolphin (Jan 2026 sheet)
- 12.8" rotating touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- Heat pump
- V2L with discharge adapter
- 360° view monitor
- Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Keeping Support
- Child Presence Detection
- 6-year / 150,000km vehicle warranty (BYD NZ programme)
Premium adds
- 60.48kWh battery and 150kW motor (427km WLTP)
- 80kW DC charging
- Multi-link rear suspension
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Wireless phone charging
- Heated front seats
Safety
BYD's January 2026 Dolphin sheet lists dual front, side and curtain airbags, a far-side airbag for the driver, 360° view monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Support, Door Open Warning, Child Presence Detection and front/rear radar suites on every Dolphin.
Sources and verification
Every figure on this page was checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Specs that could not be confirmed have been left out.
- bydnz.nz vehicle range Dolphin not listed on current range (404 on former /cars/dolphin/ URL)
- BYD New Zealand (bydauto.co.nz) Current vehicle line-up; Dolphin not listed
- ANCAP: BYD DOLPHIN safety rating 5 stars, 2023
- BYD New Zealand: roadside assistance
- Book a BYD test drive
Pricing and specs are from BYD New Zealand's January 2026 Dolphin specification sheet (PDF held in the ev.nz research archive; the public download URL is no longer served). Confirm with a dealer whether the Dolphin is still available new. Prices exclude on-road costs.
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