New 2023 BYD Dolphin hatchback to be cheaper than MG4

• 265-mile range
• Priced from £25,490 to £30,990
• Deliveries expected by end of 2023

BYD has launched its latest car, the Dolphin – an electric hatchback that is set to be the most affordable on the market, all while offering a 265-mile electric range and competitive levels of equipment.

The brand has said the Dolphin will cost between £25,490 to £30,990 depending on trim when it goes on sale in the UK – less than the MG4 which currently starts from £26,995.

The Dolphin shares many of its underpinnings with the BYD Atto 3 SUV and will launch with a 60kWh battery for the aforementioned 265-mile range figure, followed later on by a cheaper 44kWh battery option, offering up to 211 miles on a charge according to BYD’s figures.

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The BYD Dolphin will be offered in a wide range of trim levels; these start from Active, moving upwards through Boost, Comfort and Design. Each version will get a heat pump for the battery as standard, which helps conserve charge and allows the battery to function optimally over a wider range of weather conditions.

The brand has also confirmed plenty of safety tech as standard, including a forward collision warning system, autonomous emergency braking, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and braking, lane keep assist and lane departure prevention. The BYD Dolphin will be available to spec with adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera, plus blind spot detection, hill descent control, traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed limit control.

BYD hasn’t fully confirmed each trim’s specification yet, but entry-level Active models will be offered with a 94bhp electric motor, with Boost models starting from £26,490 with a second motor to bring power up to a more sprightly 174bhp, plus 17-inch wheels and a more sophisticated rear suspension setup – both these models get the smaller 44kWh battery.

Comfort and Design models cost from £29,490 and £30,990 respectively, and get the larger 60kWh battery paired with a 201bhp powertrain. Top-of-the-line Design models get added premium touches like a panoramic roof, and the ability to use the car’s battery to power electrical devices and appliances. There’s also tinted glass in the rear and wireless smartphone charging.

For our review of one of the brand’s other cars, check out our verdict on the BYD Atto 3…