A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Premium Extended Range EVElectricSingle-Speed Reduction GearCurrent
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⚡ 150 kW🔧 310 Nm
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Decision summary
Omoda C9 vs BYD DOLPHIN: the short answer
C9 and DOLPHIN are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
DOLPHIN starts ZAR 246,000 cheaperC9 from ZAR 785,900 · DOLPHIN from ZAR 539,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
C9
DOLPHIN
Maximum Power
C9192 kW @ 5500 rpm
DOLPHIN150 kW
Maximum Torque
C9400 Nm
DOLPHIN310 Nm
Engine Size
C92000 cc
DOLPHINNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
C911.8 km/l
DOLPHINNot Applicable
Ground Clearance
C9165 mm
DOLPHIN155 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Omoda C9
Explore AWD
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
C9
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
DOLPHIN
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
C9
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
DOLPHIN
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Model Introduced Year
2024
2024
Generation
Current South Africa C9 range
First South African DOLPHIN generation
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2024
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
SUV
Compact Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
Not Available
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Length
4775 mm
4290 mm
Width
1920 mm
1770 mm
Height
1671 mm
1570 mm
Wheelbase
2800 mm
2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
165 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
143 mm
130 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
65 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
660 l
345 l
Kerb Weight
1872 kg
1658 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2281 kg
2068 kg
Payload Capacity
409 kg
410 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
5.25 m
Front Headroom
1005 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
970 mm
900 mm
Front Legroom
1070 mm
1130 mm
Rear Legroom
960 mm
740 mm
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Front Track Width
Not Available
-
Rear Track Width
Not Available
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Multi-link
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
1783 l
-
AC Type
Automatic
Automatic
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Engine
2-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
SQRF4J20
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2000 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
16
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Petrol injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
10.2:1
Not Applicable
Bore
80.5 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
98.0 mm
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
192 kW @ 5500 rpm
150 kW
Maximum Torque
400 Nm
310 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
200 km/h
160 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.8 sec
7.0 sec
Quarter Mile
15.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, Off-Road
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
102 kW/tonne
90.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
213 Nm/tonne
187.0 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
60.48 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
403.2 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
427 km
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
7 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
80 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Gearbox
8 AT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
Front motor, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Available
Number of Gears
8
1
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Automatic clutch
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Electric
Instrument cluster switch gear selector
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Intelligent electronically controlled on-demand AWD with automatic front/rear torque distribution
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
8 AT
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
AWD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
1
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Claimed Mileage
11.8 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
9.5 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
13.9 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
65 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
11.8 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
65
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
427 km
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
15.9 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
315 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
398 km
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Airbags
Multiple airbags
7
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Applicable
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
AEB
Standard
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Park Assist
Not Available
Standard
Around View Monitor
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Standard
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Seat Material
Leatherette / leather
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Standard
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Synthetic leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Power
Electric adjustment
Seat Trim
Leatherette / leather
Synthetic leather
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
8
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
Full LCD instrument display
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
12.8
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
12.8
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Standard
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Standard
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, moonlight silver, grey and other official Omoda market colours where listed.
Atlantis Grey + Black, Blue + Grey, Ski White + Grey
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Approach Angle
Not Available
16 deg
Departure Angle
Not Available
23 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Standard
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
AWD / 4WD as listed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max
165 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
165 mm
-
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Tyre Size
245/50 R20
205/50 R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
245/50 R20
17
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
CO2 Emissions
197 g/km
0 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Service Plan
5 Years / 75 000 km
3 years/60000 km service plan
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Ownership Role
flagship or capability-focused
extended-range derivative
Price Zar
885900 ZAR
602900 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship or capability-focused
extended-range derivative
Starting Price
885900
602900
Starting Price Zar
885900
602900
Spec
C9
DOLPHIN
Warranty
7 Years / 200 000 km
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
In depth: how these cars differ
This C9 and DOLPHIN comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: C9 81 vs DOLPHIN 66.
Efficiency index: C9 46 vs DOLPHIN 90.
Safety-equipment index: C9 94 vs DOLPHIN 98.
Practicality index: C9 68 vs DOLPHIN 56.
Ownership-cover index: C9 not separately scored vs DOLPHIN not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
C9 and DOLPHIN image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
DOLPHIN leads by 2 points
C9 and DOLPHIN are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
DOLPHIN
Performance
66/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
56/100
C9
Performance
81/100
Efficiency
46/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
68/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD DOLPHIN
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 74 pts for C9
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN leads. However, C9 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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