Dolphin
BYD's people's EV — great tech, surprising range, and a price tag that unsettles the mainstream · 5 seats
REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO04iraq / PexelsOur verdict
7.4 / 10The BYD Dolphin is a compelling, feature-rich urban EV that punches well above its price. The rotating 12.8-inch screen, ventilated seats, generous safety kit, and WLTP ranges of 340–427 km make it objectively competitive with cars costing AED 30,000–50,000 more. Its main UAE caveat is availability — the Dolphin does not appear on the official BYD UAE lineup as of mid-2026, meaning buyers rely on parallel imports that may carry warranty caveats.
Who it's for — UAE city drivers who want maximum EV tech and range per dirham — particularly those open to parallel-import purchasing and who will charge primarily at home or at public DC fast chargers.
PROS
- +Outstanding tech-per-dirham ratio — rotating 12.8-inch screen and ventilated seats at sub-AED 100k starting price
- +Good WLTP range (340–427 km) comfortably covers Dubai–Abu Dhabi commutes
- +BYD's Blade Battery chemistry is proven safe and durable
- +Six-year vehicle and eight-year battery warranty (on GCC/official stock)
- +Spacious cabin for a hatchback — 2,700 mm wheelbase rivals some compact SUVs
- +DC fast charging (60 kW) means a usable top-up in 30–40 minutes
CONS
- –Not currently listed on the official BYD UAE website — grey-market status adds warranty uncertainty
- –CCS2 charging standard is less common than CHAdeMO in some UAE locations, though growing fast
- –Resale market for BYD EVs in UAE is still developing — early adopter risk
- –130 mm ground clearance is low for UAE speed humps and unpaved surfaces
- –Interior quality is good but not premium — harder plastics in lower sections
- –Charging cap of 60 kW DC is slower than rivals like the MG4 (at 140 kW)
Specifications
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
DIMENSIONS & CAPACITY
Features
SAFETY & ADAS
6 airbags — dual front, side and curtain airbags standard
Anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution
ESP and traction control standard on all trims
Forward collision warning with auto brake intervention
Alerts driver of unintentional lane deviation
Radar-based detection for adjacent lane vehicles
Warns of approaching traffic when reversing
Surround-view parking camera system
Reverse camera with on-screen guidelines
Ultrasonic sensors with proximity alerts
Tyre-pressure monitoring system with real-time display
Road-sign reading and speed advisory
COMFORT
Single-zone auto air conditioning with auto-defrost
Perforated seat with ventilation fan — useful for UAE heat
Seat heating for cooler season use
EPB with auto-hold function
Smart key proximity unlock and ignition
6-way electric adjustment for driver
All four windows with one-touch auto up/down
60/40 split-fold rear bench expands 345-litre boot
Large fixed-glass panoramic roof
Adaptive cruise control on Extended Range; speed limiter on Standard
Leather multi-function steering wheel with paddles
Qi-standard wireless phone charger in centre console
INFOTAINMENT
12.8-inch colour touchscreen, rotates between portrait and landscape modes
Wired Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
Wired Android Auto smartphone integration
Multi-device Bluetooth for calls and audio
Over-the-air software updates for vehicle systems
Centralised display for all ADAS and vehicle settings
5-inch digital driver display with energy-flow visualisation
Multiple USB ports front and rear for charging
4-speaker audio system standard
BYD app for pre-conditioning AC, charge monitoring and locking remotely
CCS2 (DC fast charge up to 60 kW) and Type 2 AC (up to 7 kW)
Trim ladder
| PRICE | AED 94,900 | AED 109,900 |
| POWER | 95 hp | 150 hp |
| 0–100 KM/H | 12.3 s | 7 s |
| FUEL | Electric | Electric |
| ECONOMY | 13.5 kWh/100km | 15 kWh/100km |
| DRIVE | FWD | FWD |
BYD
Its own Blade batteries are a genuine strength; long-term durability and resale are still forming.
The world's EV volume leader and a battery pioneer — strong tech at aggressive prices.
In the UAE — A leading value-EV brand with fast-growing UAE presence.
Where to get it
Official listings are Parallel import / grey market. Grey-market imports may be other specs (US, Chinese, Japan) — always confirm the spec, as it affects warranty, A/C cooling and resale.
BUY FROM
The Dolphin is not currently listed on the official BYD UAE website (byduae.ae) as of mid-2026. Available UAE units are understood to be parallel imports or earlier consignments; verify current availability with Al-Futtaim or authorised resellers.
https://www.byduae.ae/en/new-cars/ ↗Grey-market and dealer-stocked units available; warranty coverage may differ from official GCC stock.
https://www.dubicars.com/uae/new/byd/dolphin-ev ↗RENT FROM
BYD Dolphin not widely available in mainstream rental fleets as of 2026; check specialist EV rental operators or short-term lease platforms in Dubai.
Warranty — 6 years / 150,000 km · BYD standard GCC warranty: 6 years / 150,000 km on vehicle; 8 years / 160,000 km on high-voltage battery. Coverage may vary for grey-market / parallel-import units — verify with seller before purchase.
Frequently asked
How much does the 2025 BYD Dolphin cost in the UAE?+
The BYD Dolphin ranges from AED 94,900 (Standard Range) to AED 109,900 for the top trim in the UAE, GCC spec.
Is the BYD Dolphin worth buying?+
Caralog rates the BYD Dolphin 7.4/10. The BYD Dolphin is a compelling, feature-rich urban EV that punches well above its price. The rotating 12.8-inch screen, ventilated seats, generous safety kit, and WLTP ranges of 340–427 km make it objectively competitive with cars costing AED 30,000–50,000 more. Its main UAE caveat is availability — the Dolphin does not appear on the official BYD UAE lineup as of mid-2026, meaning buyers rely on parallel imports that may carry warranty caveats.
Who should buy the BYD Dolphin?+
UAE city drivers who want maximum EV tech and range per dirham — particularly those open to parallel-import purchasing and who will charge primarily at home or at public DC fast chargers.
What are the pros and cons of the BYD Dolphin?+
Pros: Outstanding tech-per-dirham ratio — rotating 12.8-inch screen and ventilated seats at sub-AED 100k starting price; Good WLTP range (340–427 km) comfortably covers Dubai–Abu Dhabi commutes; BYD's Blade Battery chemistry is proven safe and durable; Six-year vehicle and eight-year battery warranty (on GCC/official stock); Spacious cabin for a hatchback — 2,700 mm wheelbase rivals some compact SUVs; DC fast charging (60 kW) means a usable top-up in 30–40 minutes. Cons: Not currently listed on the official BYD UAE website — grey-market status adds warranty uncertainty; CCS2 charging standard is less common than CHAdeMO in some UAE locations, though growing fast; Resale market for BYD EVs in UAE is still developing — early adopter risk; 130 mm ground clearance is low for UAE speed humps and unpaved surfaces; Interior quality is good but not premium — harder plastics in lower sections; Charging cap of 60 kW DC is slower than rivals like the MG4 (at 140 kW).
Is the BYD Dolphin reliable, and does it hold its value?+
BYD has solid reliability and developing resale in the UAE. Its own Blade batteries are a genuine strength; long-term durability and resale are still forming.
How fast is the BYD Dolphin?+
The BYD Dolphin makes 95 hp and does 0–100 km/h in 12.3s (top speed 150 km/h).
What is the fuel economy of the BYD Dolphin?+
The BYD Dolphin returns about 13.5 kWh/100km combined, with up to 340 km of electric range.
How many seats does the BYD Dolphin have?+
The BYD Dolphin seats 5, with 345 litres of boot space.
Where can I buy the BYD Dolphin in the UAE?+
Available from Al-Futtaim Motors (BYD UAE), Dubicars / Yallamotor listings. 6 years / 150,000 km warranty.
What are the alternatives to the BYD Dolphin?+
Cross-shop the MG MG4 Electric, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Leaf.