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.
DOLPHIN has a modest catalogue-index lead, while X70 Plus remains close.
X70 Plus starts ZAR 85,000 cheaperDOLPHIN from ZAR 539,900 · X70 Plus from ZAR 454,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN150 kW
X70 Plus115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN310 Nm
X70 Plus230 Nm
Engine Size
DOLPHINNot Applicable
X70 Plus1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHINNot Applicable
X70 Plus12.8 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN155 mm
X70 Plus200 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
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
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 PerformancePublished Efficiency
X70 Plus
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
X70 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2024
Not Available
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN generation
Current local listing
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Model Year
2026
Current
Production Status
Active
Active
Segment
Compact Hatchback
SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1576 kg
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Length
4290 mm
4724 mm
Width
1770 mm
1900 mm
Height
1570 mm
1720 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2720 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
130 mm
200 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
57 l
Boot/Cargo Space
345 l
1680 l
Kerb Weight
1658 kg
1576 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2068 kg
2076 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
500 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1200 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.25 m
5.7 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
900 mm
980 mm
Front Legroom
1130 mm
1045 mm
Rear Legroom
740 mm
900 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
SQRE4T15C
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1498 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
150 kW
115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
310 Nm
230 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
6-Speed DCT
Top Speed
160 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
90.5 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
187.0 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
60.48 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
403.2 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
427 km
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
7 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
80 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
Not Applicable
LSD Available
Not Available
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Available
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
1
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
6-Speed DCT
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Instrument cluster switch gear selector
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
FWD
Not Applicable
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
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
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
6-Speed DCT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
6
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
12.8 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
14.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
57 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro V
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
12.8 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
57
Combined Driving Range
427 km
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
15.9 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
315 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
398 km
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Airbags
7
Front and front side airbags plus side curtain airbags
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Not Available
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Not Available
Side Airbags
Standard
Front and front side airbags plus side curtain airbags
Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
Yes
Front Seat Side Airbags
-
Yes
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Black synthetic leather seats with red stitching
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Blue
Steering Wheel Material
Synthetic leather
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Driver electric 6-way; passenger manual 4-way
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Driver electric 6-way; passenger manual 4-way
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Black synthetic leather seats with red stitching
Seat Adjustment
-
Driver electric 6-way; passenger manual 4-way
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Climate Control
Automatic
Not Available
Power Windows
Standard
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Standard
Not Available
Push Button Start
Standard
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Standard
50W
Sunroof
Panoramic
Yes
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
Automatic
Not Available
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Automatic Headlamps
-
Yes
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1680 l
Follow Me Home Headlamps
-
Yes
Fuel Consumption Combined
-
7.8
Spare Wheel
Tyre repair kit
Non full-size
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Infotainment System
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
Dual 10.25-inch instrument cluster and infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full LCD instrument display
Not Applicable
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Front Type-A x2; rear USB ports listed
Infotainment Screen
12.8
10.25-inch
Touchscreen
12.8
10.25-inch
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Yes
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Not Available
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Atlantis Grey + Black, Blue + Grey, Ski White + Grey
See OEM source page for colour availability.
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Yes
Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Headlight Type
Standard
Yes
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Approach Angle
16 deg
Not Available
Departure Angle
23 deg
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
200 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
200 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Tyre Size
205/50 R17
235/55R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc brake
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc brake
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Non full-size
Wheel Rim Size
17
19
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Not Applicable
Brake Type Front
-
Ventilated disc brake
Brake Type Rear
-
Solid disc brake
Spare Tyre
Tyre repair kit
Non full-size
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Multiple link independent suspension
Front Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut suspension
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-link
Multiple link independent suspension
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
179 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Service Plan
3 years/60000 km service plan
5-year/60,000 km service plan
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Ownership Role
extended-range derivative
South Africa market model
Price Zar
602900 ZAR
484900 ZAR
Pricing Role
extended-range derivative
top
Starting Price
602900
484900
Starting Price Zar
602900
484900
Spec
DOLPHIN
X70 Plus
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN and X70 Plus 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 X70 Plus 45.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN 90 vs X70 Plus 50.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN 98 vs X70 Plus 91.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN 56 vs X70 Plus 77.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN not separately scored vs X70 Plus 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
DOLPHIN and X70 Plus 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 10 points
DOLPHIN has a modest catalogue-index lead, while X70 Plus remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
DOLPHIN
Performance
66/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
56/100
X70 Plus
Performance
45/100
Efficiency
50/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
77/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD DOLPHIN
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 66 pts for X70 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN leads. However, X70 Plus 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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