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 and XUV700 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
XUV700 starts ZAR 44,701 cheaperDOLPHIN from ZAR 539,900 · XUV700 from ZAR 495,199
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN150 kW
XUV700149 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN310 Nm
XUV700380 Nm
Engine Size
DOLPHINNot Applicable
XUV7001997 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHINNot Applicable
XUV70013 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN155 mm
XUV700200 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
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
XUV700
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
DOLPHIN
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
XUV700
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
XUV700
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
-
2040 kg
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Length
4290 mm
4695 mm
Width
1770 mm
1890 mm
Height
1570 mm
1755 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2750 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
130 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
60 l
Boot/Cargo Space
345 l
240 l
Kerb Weight
1658 kg
2040 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2068 kg
-
Payload Capacity
410 kg
-
Towing Capacity
0 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
-
Minimum Turning Radius
5.25 m
-
Front Headroom
1000 mm
-
Rear Headroom
900 mm
-
Front Legroom
1130 mm
-
Rear Legroom
740 mm
-
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
2-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1997 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
149 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
310 Nm
380 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 Automatic
Top Speed
160 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
7.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
ZIP, ZAP, ZOOM, CUSTOM
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
90.5 kW/tonne
73 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
187.0 Nm/tonne
186.3 Nm/tonne
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
XUV700
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 automatic
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 automatic
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
XUV700
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
13 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
10.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
15.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
60 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
13 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
60
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
XUV700
Airbags
7
7
ABS
Standard
Not Available
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Latest Gen Electronic Stability Programme
Traction Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Available
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
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Not Available
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Not Available
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Latest Gen Electronic Stability Programme
TCS
Standard
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Driver knee airbag
ABS EBD
Standard
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
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
Blind view monitoring
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Standard
Reverse camera and park assist
360 Degree Camera
Standard
360-degree camera view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Driver drowsiness detection
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Standard
Reverse camera and park assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
360-degree camera view
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Blind view monitoring
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Leatherette
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Synthetic leather
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
6-way powered driver seat with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
6-way powered driver seat with memory
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Leatherette
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Climate Control
Automatic
Dual-zone fully automatic climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Standard
Passive keyless entry
Push Button Start
Standard
Push button start
Wireless Charging
Standard
Wireless front charger
Sunroof
Panoramic
Skyroof
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Automatic
Dual-zone fully automatic climate control
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Infotainment System
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
12-speaker Sony 3D sound system
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full LCD instrument display
Not Applicable
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Not Available
Infotainment Screen
12.8
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Touchscreen
12.8
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
-
Standard
Audio Controls On Steering
-
Standard
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
LED Headlamps
Standard
Clear-view LED headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Not Available
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
Clear-view LED headlamps
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Skyroof
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
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
-
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Min
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Tyre Size
205/50 R17
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
17
R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic park brake
Parking Brake Type
-
Electronic park brake
Electric Park Brake
-
Standard
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Not Available
Front Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
Not Applicable
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Service Plan
3 years/60000 km service plan
5 years / 100 000 km
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Ownership Role
extended-range derivative
South Africa market model
Price Zar
602900 ZAR
627899 ZAR
Pricing Role
extended-range derivative
flagship
Starting Price
602900
495199
Starting Price Zar
602900
495199
Spec
DOLPHIN
XUV700
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5 years / 150 000 km
Basic Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5 years / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN and XUV700 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 XUV700 66.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN 90 vs XUV700 53.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN 98 vs XUV700 94.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN 56 vs XUV700 67.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN not separately scored vs XUV700 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 XUV700 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 5 points
DOLPHIN and XUV700 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
XUV700
Performance
66/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
67/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD DOLPHIN
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 71 pts for XUV700
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN leads. However, XUV700 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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