BYD DOLPHIN vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

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.

BYD DOLPHIN in South Africa

BYD DOLPHIN

Premium Extended Range EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 602,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 310 Nm
VS
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 904,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 133 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD DOLPHIN vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: the short answer

DOLPHIN has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Pajero Sport remains close.

DOLPHIN starts ZAR 250,090 cheaper DOLPHIN from ZAR 539,900 · Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification DOLPHIN Pajero Sport
Maximum Power DOLPHIN150 kW Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque DOLPHIN310 Nm Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Engine Size DOLPHINNot Applicable Pajero Sport2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy DOLPHINNot Applicable Pajero Sport12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance DOLPHIN155 mm Pajero Sport218 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.

BYD DOLPHIN

Premium Extended Range EV

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

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

DOLPHIN

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Pajero Sport

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

DOLPHIN

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Pajero Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec DOLPHIN Pajero Sport
Model Introduced Year 2024 2017
Generation First South African DOLPHIN generation Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
Facelift History No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026 South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact Hatchback Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle Passenger vehicle
Spec DOLPHIN Pajero Sport
Length 4290 mm 4825 mm
Width 1770 mm 1815 mm
Height 1570 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 218 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 130 mm 190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 68 l
Boot/Cargo Space 345 l 193 l
Kerb Weight 1658 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2068 kg 2775 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg 695 kg
Towing Capacity 0 kg 2850 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 7 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 3 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.25 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm 1022 mm
Rear Headroom 900 mm 957 mm
Front Legroom 1130 mm 1067 mm
Rear Legroom 740 mm 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This DOLPHIN and Pajero Sport 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: DOLPHIN 66 vs Pajero Sport 65.

Efficiency index: DOLPHIN 90 vs Pajero Sport 49.

Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN 98 vs Pajero Sport 72.

Practicality index: DOLPHIN 56 vs Pajero Sport 71.

Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN not separately scored vs Pajero Sport 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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 11 points

DOLPHIN has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Pajero Sport remains close.

Evidence leader 76 /100
Lead 11 points
Data 64% source coverage
76
#1 Evidence leader

DOLPHIN

64% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Practicality 56
Performance 66
Efficiency 90
Safety 98
Practicality 56
Leads by 11 points
65
#2

Pajero Sport

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 65
Efficiency 49
Safety 72
Practicality 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance DOLPHIN +1 Efficiency DOLPHIN +41 Safety DOLPHIN +26 Practicality Pajero Sport +15

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

DOLPHIN

Performance 66/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 56/100

Pajero Sport

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD DOLPHIN leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts vs 65 pts for Pajero Sport

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN leads. However, Pajero Sport may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

DOLPHIN vs Pajero Sport questions

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.