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BYD Dolphin vs Renault Megane (2022-2024)
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 charging speed, while the Renault Megane leads on family practicality.
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 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
Choose the Renault Megane (2022-2024) if...
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
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
Renault
5.9
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Renault
3.9
FamilyRenault
BYD
7.9
Renault
8.9
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Renault
6.3
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
Renault
3.9
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
Renault
7.8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault MeganeEquilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £35,995 |
| Official range | 265 miles | 280 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 364 L | 440 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 32 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.5 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Renault Megane
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
Renault Megane4,200mm-90mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm
Renault Megane1,768mm-2mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
Renault Megane1,505mm-65mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault MeganeEquilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,200 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm | 1,768 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,017 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,505 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 | 632 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault MeganeEquilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L | 440 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L | 1332 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 900 kg (better) |
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.
Renault Megane
- 280 mile WLTP range, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 130 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- Boot space of 440 L is bigger than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Renault Megane Equilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.20m-90mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.77m-2mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.02m+5mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.50m-65mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.69m-15mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L | 440L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L | 1332L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | 1,636kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 900kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 60kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi | 280 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £35,995 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2022–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault MeganeEquilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles | 280 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 32 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 161 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 60 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault MeganeEquilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.5 sec |
| Power | 150 kW | 160 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 300 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | Not available |
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
Renault Megane
Equilibre EV60 optimum charge
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault MeganeEquilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £13,699 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £15,361 |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 16.2% over ~6 months | Down 15.2% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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 - Renault Megane Equilibre EV60 optimum charge
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant85%
Child Occupant88%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
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 | Renault MeganeEquilibre EV60 optimum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,934 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'.
Renault Megane
Equilibre EV60 optimum charge
Owners love
- Google-integrated infotainment system with Android Automotive is intuitive, reliable, and praised as class-leading by multiple owners
- Excellent build quality with high-quality interior materials comparable to premium brands, though some note Renault's historical reputation concerns
- Impressive real-world range of 170-250 miles depending on conditions, with liquid-cooled battery performing better in cold weather than air-cooled alternatives
Watch out for
- Range estimate display (GOM) is overly conservative and inaccurate, especially early in ownership, requiring owners to monitor miles/kWh instead
- Significant winter range penalty of 40-50%, dropping from 250 miles in summer to 170-215 miles, with battery heating consuming noticeable energy
- Limited rear legroom unsuitable for taller passengers, exacerbated by manual seat adjustments on UK models near £40k price point
Owner tips
- Specify 18-inch wheels instead of 20-inch for noticeably better ride comfort, lower replacement costs, and improved winter traction
- Reset the trip computer (hold 3-5 seconds on steering wheel selector) to recalibrate range estimates, and monitor efficiency in miles/kWh rather than relying on GOM predictions
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Megane
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Dolphin
No active listings.
Renault Megane
- £16,5952022Drive GreenView
- £15,5952023Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault Megane worth the extra £5,800 over the BYD Dolphin?
The Renault Megane costs £5,800 more than the BYD Dolphin. For that premium it adds 76 litres more boot space. 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 Renault Megane?
The BYD Dolphin is £5,800 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 £5,920 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 Renault Megane like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 193 miles for the Renault Megane - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 27 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Renault Megane?
The two are within 2 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 632 mm of total clearance for the Renault Megane and about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin. 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 Renault Megane?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 84% for the Renault Megane. 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 Renault Megane'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
More Renault Megane 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 Renault Megane rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Megane rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Renault Megane rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Megane rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Megane rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Megane rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 Renault Megane E-Tech: 2022-2024 vs 2024-on, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Renault Megane E-Tech buyer’s guide: optimum charge vs comfort range, heat pump by trim, warranty left, real-world range, owner-reported faults, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .