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BYD Dolphin vs Suzuki e VITARA
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trimMotion 49kWhChange trim213 mi · 49 kWh · £26,249
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Suzuki e VITARA 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
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
Suzuki
5.9
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Suzuki
3
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
Suzuki
4.5
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Suzuki
3.5
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
Suzuki
6
City Driving
BYD
8.5
Suzuki
8.1
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- 52 miles more WLTP range
- 54 litres more boot space
- 44 kW more power
- 2.6s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.0 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 | £26,249 (better) |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 213 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L (better) | 310 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 45 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 9.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Suzuki e VITARA
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
Suzuki e VITARA4,275mm-15mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-30mm
Suzuki e VITARA1,800mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm-65mm
Suzuki e VITARA1,635mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,800 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,635 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 (better) | 600 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L (better) | 310 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 562 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 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Suzuki e VITARA
- At 4,275 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 149 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Suzuki e VITARA Motion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.28m-15mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.80m+30mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | Not available |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.64m+65mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.70m |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L (better) | 310L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 562L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg (better) | 1,680kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 213 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 | £26,249 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 213 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 162 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 45 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 149 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| 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 | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 9.6 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 106 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 193 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
- Auto Express4/5
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
Suzuki e VITARA
Motion 49kWh
6.3/10
average across 4 reviews
- Auto Express3.5/5
- Parkers3.1/5
- Electrifying.com6/10
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 - Suzuki e VITARA Motion 49kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant77%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Suzuki e VITARA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD Dolphin worth the extra £3,946 over the Suzuki e VITARA?
The BYD Dolphin costs £3,946 more than the Suzuki e VITARA. For that premium it adds 52 miles more WLTP range, 54 litres more boot space and 44 kW more power. The Suzuki e VITARA is not just cheaper - it also offers 40 kW faster peak rapid charging. 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 Suzuki e VITARA?
The Suzuki e VITARA is £3,946 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 Suzuki e VITARA comes out roughly £3,906 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 Suzuki e VITARA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 162 miles for the Suzuki e VITARA - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 59 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Suzuki e VITARA?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 30 mm narrower than the Suzuki e VITARA. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 600 mm of total clearance for the Suzuki e VITARA. 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 Suzuki e VITARA?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 90% for the Suzuki e VITARA. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day. 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 Suzuki e VITARA 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 Suzuki e VITARA rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Suzuki e VITARA rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Suzuki e VITARA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Suzuki e VITARA rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Suzuki e VITARA rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Suzuki e VITARA rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
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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 .