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BYD Dolphin vs DS 3 E-Tense
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the DS 3 E-Tense leads on running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Dolphin if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the DS 3 E-Tense if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.7
DS
4.5
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
DS
4.5
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
DS
1.9
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
DS
3
Cost Per MileDS
BYD
7.2
DS
8.2
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
DS
7.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- £6,800 cheaper
- 35 kW more power
- 2.0s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.3 m tighter turning circle
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £36,995 |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 248 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L (better) | 350 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 9 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
DS 3 E-Tense
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm-172mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-32mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm-36mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,118 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,802 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm | 1,988 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,534 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.7 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 598 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L (better) | 350 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 1050 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BYD Dolphin
- 265 mile WLTP range, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 110 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
DS 3 E-Tense
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.12m-172mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.80m+32mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 1.99m-24mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.53m-36mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.56m-142mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 170mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L (better) | 350L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 1050L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.7m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | 1,550kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 54kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 248 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW (better) | 100kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £36,995 |
| Price after EV grant | £30,195 (not eligible) | £35,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 248 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 207 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 50.8 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | Not available |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 9 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 115 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 260 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
7.2/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BYD Dolphin Comfort
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users85%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the DS 3 E-Tense worth the extra £6,800 over the BYD Dolphin?
The DS 3 E-Tense costs £6,800 more than the BYD Dolphin. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The BYD Dolphin is not just cheaper - it also offers 35 kW more power and a 2.0s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Dolphin comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The BYD Dolphin is £6,800 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Dolphin comes out roughly £6,800 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Dolphin and DS 3 E-Tense like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 32 mm narrower than the DS 3 E-Tense. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 598 mm of total clearance for the DS 3 E-Tense. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BYD Dolphin comparisons
More DS 3 E-Tense comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BYD Dolphin and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and DS 3 E-Tense rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and DS 3 E-Tense rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .