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BYD Dolphin vs VW ID.3
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the BYD Dolphin with the VW ID.3 Neo
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the VW ID.3 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 need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the VW ID.3 if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.7
VW
6.2
Motorway Range
BYD
5.5
VW
5.6
Too close to call
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
VW
7.4
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
VW
6.5
Cost Per MileVW
BYD
7.2
VW
8.4
City Driving
BYD
8.5
VW
8.1
Too close to call
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 | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £30,860 |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 241 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L | 385 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 25 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 8.2 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
VW ID.3
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
VW ID.34,264mm-26mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-39mm
VW ID.31,809mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
VW ID.31,564mm-6mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,264 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,809 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,015 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,564 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 591 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L | 385 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 1267 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 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 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 145 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  VW ID.3 Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.26m-26mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.81m+39mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.02m+3mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.56m-6mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.77m+70mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 150mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 1267L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.2m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg (better) | 1,787kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 52kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 241 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 145kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £30,860 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024–2026 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 241 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 201 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 25 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 145 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 52 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 8.2 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 125 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 310 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
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
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £20,992 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £22,699 |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 16.2% over ~6 months | Down 6.4% 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 - VW ID.3 Pure Essential
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| 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'.
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
Owners love
- The 2023 facelift brought better interior materials than the early cars
- Spacious and comfortable inside for a Golf-sized hatchback, with a 385-litre boot
- Rapid charging is quick, with owners reporting 10-80% in around 25 minutes on a fast charger
Watch out for
- The infotainment still draws complaints for glitches and fiddly menus despite updates
- The touch sliders for volume and temperature are imprecise to use while driving
- Winter range drops noticeably, with owners quoting around 200-215 miles from a 240-mile car in the cold
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving, and use preconditioning while plugged in
- Test the infotainment and touch controls properly on the test drive
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Dolphin
No active listings.
VW ID.3
- £26,2992025Car360View
- £20,9922024Car360View
- £21,6992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin or the VW ID.3?
The BYD Dolphin is £665 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 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 £625 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 VW ID.3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 201 miles for the VW ID.3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 20 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the VW ID.3?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 39 mm narrower than the VW ID.3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 0.8 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 VW ID.3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 87% for the VW ID.3. 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 VW ID.3'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 VW ID.3 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 VW ID.3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW ID.3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and VW ID.3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW ID.3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW ID.3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW ID.3 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 .