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
ZAR 602,900ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW🔧 310 Nm
+Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
LDV D90 vs BYD DOLPHIN: the short answer
D90 and DOLPHIN are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
DOLPHIN starts ZAR 360,000 cheaperD90 from ZAR 899,900 · DOLPHIN from ZAR 539,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
D90
DOLPHIN
Maximum Power
D90160 kW @ 4000 rpm
DOLPHIN150 kW
Maximum Torque
D90500 Nm @ 1500-2400 rpm
DOLPHIN310 Nm
Engine Size
D901996 cc
DOLPHINNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
D9010.99 km/l
DOLPHINNot Applicable
Ground Clearance
D90210 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.
LDV D90
D90 Flagship
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)
Specification evidence leader
D90
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
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?
D90
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
D90
DOLPHIN
Model Introduced Year
2025
2024
Generation
Current South African D90 generation.
First South African DOLPHIN generation
Facelift History
No later South African facelift is published.
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Seven-seat large SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2025
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
SUV
Compact Hatchback
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Length
5046 mm
4290 mm
Width
2016 mm
1770 mm
Height
1876 mm
1570 mm
Wheelbase
2950 mm
2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
130 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
343 l
345 l
Kerb Weight
2370 kg
1658 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3100 kg
2068 kg
Payload Capacity
730 kg
410 kg
Towing Capacity
3100 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
3 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.45 m
5.25 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
990 mm
900 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1130 mm
Rear Legroom
950 mm
740 mm
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Engine
2.0L twin-turbo diesel
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
SC20M218Q6B
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Diesel
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1996 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
16
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
High-pressure common-rail direct injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
15.9:1
Not Applicable
Bore
83 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
92 mm
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
160 kW @ 4000 rpm
150 kW
Maximum Torque
500 Nm @ 1500-2400 rpm
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
4WD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
175 km/h
160 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
7.0 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Sport, Normal, Eco
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
67.51 kW/tonne
90.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
210.97 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
D90
DOLPHIN
Gearbox
8-speed automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine four-wheel drive
Front motor, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Transfer Case
Intelligent/selectable 4WD
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Centre + Rear + Front
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Number of Gears
8
1
Transmission Type
Torque-converter automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Steering wheel
Instrument cluster switch gear selector
Drivetrain
4WD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Standard
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Standard
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4WD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Standard
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
1
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Claimed Mileage
10.99 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
8.77 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
12.82 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
20 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
10.99 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
75
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
824.18
427 km
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
15.9 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
315 km
Range Real World Mixed
735.29 km
398 km
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
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
Not Officially Disclosed
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
D90
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Seat Material
Leather
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Synthetic leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
8-way electric + lumbar + massage + heating
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way electric + lumbar + heating + massage + ventilation
Electric adjustment
Seat Trim
Leather
Synthetic leather
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Climate Control
Automatic front and rear
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Automatic front and rear
Automatic
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Infotainment System
12.3-inch touchscreen
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
12
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
Full LCD instrument display
USB Ports
Standard
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
12.3
12.8
Touchscreen
12.3
12.8
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Standard
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Standard
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Natural White; Metal Ash; Metal Black; Spruce Green
Atlantis Grey + Black, Blue + Grey, Ski White + Grey
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Approach Angle
28 deg
16 deg
Departure Angle
25 deg
23 deg
Wading Depth
550 mm
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Standard
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
20 deg
Not Applicable
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Tyre Size
265/50 R20
205/50 R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
255/60 R18
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
20
17
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Front Suspension
Double wishbone
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
5-link coil spring
Multi-link
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
CO2 Emissions
239 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km
3 years/60000 km service plan
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Ownership Role
Passenger vehicle
extended-range derivative
Price Zar
899900 ZAR
602900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current go-live price
extended-range derivative
Starting Price
899900
602900
Starting Price Zar
899900
602900
Spec
D90
DOLPHIN
Warranty
5 years / 200000 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 D90 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: D90 82 vs DOLPHIN 66.
Efficiency index: D90 45 vs DOLPHIN 90.
Safety-equipment index: D90 93 vs DOLPHIN 98.
Practicality index: D90 78 vs DOLPHIN 56.
Ownership-cover index: D90 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
D90 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
D90 leads by 0 points
D90 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
D90
Performance
82/100
Efficiency
45/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
78/100
DOLPHIN
Performance
66/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
56/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLDV D90
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 76 pts for DOLPHIN
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D90 leads. However, DOLPHIN 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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