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BYD Dolphin vs Nissan LEAF (2011-2017)
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Nissan LEAF 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 want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- 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
Nissan
5.6
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Nissan
2.6
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
Nissan
6.7
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Nissan
2.4
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
Nissan
5.8
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
Nissan
7.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- 147 miles more WLTP range
- 60 kW faster rapid charging
- 70 kW more power
- 4.5s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.0 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 | £25,990 (better) |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L | 370 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 11.5 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Nissan LEAF
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm-155mm
Nissan LEAF4,445mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm
Nissan LEAF1,770mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-20mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,030 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare | 630 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L | 370 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 720 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | Not available |
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.
Nissan LEAF
- At 4,445 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 |  Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.45m+155mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.77m |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.03m+18mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.55m-20mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.70m |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 160mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L | 370L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 720L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | 1,520kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 24kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW (better) | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 | £25,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2011–2015 |
* Nissan LEAF: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 76 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW (better) | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 3.3 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 22 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LMO_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 | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 11.5 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 80 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 254 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
Nissan LEAF
Visia 24kWh
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.
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 - Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh
Tested 2011
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist84%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
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'.
Nissan LEAF
Visia 24kWh
Owners love
- Excellent value for money as a used purchase, with strong reliability over time and minimal maintenance needs beyond tires and wipers
- Very cheap to run with low electricity costs (1-2.5p per mile on off-peak tariffs) and zero vehicle excise duty, recovering purchase price through fuel savings in 3-4 years
- Smooth, quiet, and refined driving experience with instant torque providing surprisingly responsive acceleration from standstill
Watch out for
- Battery degradation is a significant concern on early models, with some owners losing multiple capacity bars within months or years; air-cooled batteries lack thermal management
- Limited real-world range of 50-120 miles makes the Leaf unsuitable as a sole vehicle for longer journeys, requiring careful trip planning and multiple charging stops
- Winter range significantly reduced by 20-30% due to heating demands and cold battery chemistry, sometimes dropping below 70 miles
Owner tips
- Always check actual battery state of health (SOH) using LeafSpy OBD2 diagnostic tool before purchase rather than relying on dashboard bar display or dealer assessments, which can be misleading
- Target 2013+ generation models with mechanical foot brakes, heat pumps, and 6.6kW chargers; prioritize 30kWh batteries over 24kWh for better warranty (8 years vs 5 years) and realistic range
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD Dolphin worth the extra £4,205 over the Nissan LEAF?
The BYD Dolphin costs £4,205 more than the Nissan LEAF. For that premium it adds 147 miles more WLTP range, 60 kW faster peak rapid charging and 70 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 Nissan LEAF?
The Nissan LEAF is £4,205 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 Nissan LEAF comes out roughly £4,125 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 Nissan LEAF like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 76 miles for the Nissan LEAF - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 145 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Nissan LEAF?
The two are within 0 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 630 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.0 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 Nissan LEAF?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 65% for the Nissan LEAF. 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 Nissan LEAF'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.
More BYD Dolphin comparisons
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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 Nissan LEAF rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Nissan LEAF rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Nissan LEAF rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Nissan LEAF rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Nissan LEAF rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Nissan LEAF 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 .