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BYD Dolphin vs Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2016-2019)
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trimPremium 28kWh · 2016-19124 mi · 28 kWh · £28,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Hyundai IONIQ Electric counters with the lowest price.
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
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
Hyundai
5
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Hyundai
3.3
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
Hyundai
6.9
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Hyundai
2.9
Cost Per Mile
BYD
7.2
Hyundai
7.4
Too close to call
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
Hyundai
6.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- 140 miles more WLTP range
- 40 kW faster rapid charging
- 62 kW more power
- 3.2s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.2 m tighter turning circle
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 | £28,995 (better) |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 124 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L (better) | 350 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 10.2 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm-180mm
Hyundai IONIQ Electric4,470mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-50mm
Hyundai IONIQ Electric1,820mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
Hyundai IONIQ Electric1,450mm-120mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,470 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,820 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,065 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 580 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L (better) | 350 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L | 1417 L (better) |
| 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 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
- At 4,470 mm, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 2,700 mm wheelbase, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 28kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.47m+180mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.82m+50mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.06m+53mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.45m-120mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.70m |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 140mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L (better) | 350L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L | 1417L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | 1,420kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 28kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 124 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW (better) | 70kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 | £28,995 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2016–2019 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 124 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 104 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW (better) | 70 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 6.6 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 25.2 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 10.2 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 88 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 295 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
7.2/10
average across 6 reviews
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Premium 28kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BYD Dolphin
All 3 videos
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)
Euro NCAP - Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 28kWh
Tested 2016
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist86%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 28kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 201,168 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
Owners love
- Owners praise the ride, which suits UK roads, and the surprisingly composed handling for a small car.
- There is plenty of rear legroom for the car's size, and the 360-degree cameras make parking easy.
- The cabin feels well made and well equipped for the money, with V2L and generous standard kit.
Watch out for
- Early cars came on LingLong tyres that owners rate poorly in the wet and cold, with some reporting early punctures; many replaced them.
- The small driver display is hard to read, there is no seat memory, and regenerative braking is weak.
- The pedestrian-warning sound and alert chimes were loud and intrusive until updates; the musical alerts can be switched to a standard sound.
Owner tips
- Check which tyres the car is on and budget to replace LingLongs if fitted.
- Make sure all software updates are installed, and switch the alert sounds from 'Brand' to 'Standard'.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Premium 28kWh
Owners love
- Exceptional efficiency: owners regularly report 5 miles per kWh or more, thanks to the slippery shape.
- Owners report about 110-150 miles of real range, holding up well at motorway speeds for a small battery.
- Battery health holds up well: owners report little or no range loss after several years and tens of thousands of miles.
Watch out for
- The 28 kWh battery limits long trips, especially in winter with the heating on.
- The low roof, sloping tailgate and shallow boot make it less practical than some rivals.
- Some owners report 12V battery problems that immobilise the car with confusing warnings.
Owner tips
- Check how much of the 8-year battery warranty is left; the earliest cars are now out of it.
- Ask for a battery health check and look for any battery warnings on the test drive.
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD Dolphin worth the extra £1,200 over the Hyundai IONIQ Electric?
The BYD Dolphin costs £1,200 more than the Hyundai IONIQ Electric. For that premium it adds 140 miles more WLTP range, 40 kW faster peak rapid charging and 62 kW more power. 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 Hyundai IONIQ Electric?
The Hyundai IONIQ Electric is £1,200 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 Hyundai IONIQ Electric comes out roughly £1,200 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 Hyundai IONIQ Electric like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 104 miles for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 117 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Hyundai IONIQ Electric?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 50 mm narrower than the Hyundai IONIQ Electric. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 580 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.2 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin or the Hyundai IONIQ Electric?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 84% for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric. That gives the BYD Dolphin a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Dolphin's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
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.
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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 Hyundai IONIQ Electric rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai IONIQ Electric rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai IONIQ Electric rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai IONIQ Electric rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai IONIQ Electric rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai IONIQ Electric 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.
GuideBuying a Used BYD Dolphin (2023 on): 44.9 vs 60.4 kWh & What to Pay
A used BYD Dolphin buyer’s guide: the 60.4 kWh Comfort and Design, the later 44.9 kWh Active and Boost, BYD’s 8-year battery warranty, slow rapid charging, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2016-2022): 28 vs 38 kWh, Battery Recalls & What to Pay
A used Hyundai IONIQ Electric buyer’s guide: the 28 kWh car vs the 2019 38.3 kWh update, the battery recalls, the 8-year battery warranty, write-offs, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .