[Star Test Drive] BYD Dolphin, an Electric Hatchback Beyond Cost-Performance, Full of Charm

*This content was translated by AI.

Star One-Line Review

A car that best embodies BYD's capabilities; even if the price were higher, it would be understandable

GOOD

- Price: Can be in hand at the mid-20 million won range

- No time to feel the sorrow of having no money

BAD

- Braking performance: Not smooth at any speed, causing tension

- If you look at it, you dislike it; if you don't, you feel ignored... Is it my problem?

The saying "displacement and price are the ultimate trump cards" is always prevalent in the automotive industry. No matter what you do, if the displacement is high, the car has power; no matter what marketing techniques are used, if it's cheap, it sells. In that sense, the BYD Dolphin is like a 'trump card' in the industry. An electric hatchback with a length of 4,290mm at the mid-20 million won range. This is a price only BYD could produce. So, how is the performance? This test drive sparked unprecedented curiosity.

Personally, I had been familiar with the BYD Dolphin for several years through business trips to China. Before considering its charm, it wasn't an unattractive car; its somewhat familiar design and novel configuration caught the eye. The real problem was the smell of plastic and glue inside the cabin that stung the nose. Additionally, the unidentified Chinese-style color arrangement was an element that confused the eyes. However, BYD Korea has eliminated all these drawbacks.

The tidy design has refined the color arrangement calmly, and the familiar design now appears well-adapted to our local environment. The infotainment system has properly settled with a Korean patch, and the interior colors are considered stable enough to be acceptable. The space configuration is also stable. The seats feel slightly 'soft' and plush, yet they perform their role well during driving. The second row is also designed with ample knee and headroom to fully enhance user convenience. In particular, the glass roof significantly expands the sense of space, which is a praiseworthy feature that mitigates the shortcomings of a small hatchback.

However, the door handles feel somewhat light, and the field of view through the room mirror is quite narrow. Additionally, it is difficult to gauge the front width at any seat height, which is regrettable. The trunk space is understandable considering the car's size, but there is lingering regret that the finish could have been more meticulously refined. Furthermore, the A-pillar is thicker than expected, obstructing the view during left turns and making driving cautious.

The BYD Dolphin is divided into two models: the Basic and the Active. The test drive vehicle was the Basic model. It has a driving range of 307km and is equipped with a 49.9kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. The maximum output is 70kW, which translates to approximately 100 horsepower. The torque is 180Nm, which is the figure for China's most popular cars. The curb weight is around 1.5 tons, so it is not the heavy weight typically called a handicap for electric vehicles.

Using the BYD Dolphin was very simple. Press the start button and turn the lever, and it goes. It is a truly simple and sincere expression of the convenience of an electric vehicle. The gear shift and air conditioning buttons neatly arranged on top of the center console are gathered together, making them easy to find, but it was ambiguous whether to turn or press them. The conclusion was that both were required. However, it was difficult to shake off the impression that this part was somewhat light.

The driving feel was surprising. The smooth acceleration at initial launch or the acceleration power that makes you tilt your head when entering the highway is enough to make you forget the price of this car for a moment. It could draw surprisingly ideal driving lines even in turning sections. Above all, the NVH performance was stunningly stable across all sections. In this class, generally, if the speed is fast, it is noisy; if it is quiet, it is slow. However, the BYD Dolphin is both fast and quiet. While some improvement in braking performance was needed, it was not to the extent of urgent urging. Options to adjust regenerative braking or monitor the entire battery charging and discharging process should exist, but for the BYD Dolphin, it is forgivable.

Even when pushing the car's speed more boldly and pressing deeply in turning sections, the BYD Dolphin was a better car than expected. There was no awkward handling or noise rising due to unnecessary twisting. Above all, thanks to the tires dedicated to electric vehicles, vibration noise was suppressed surprisingly well, demonstrating a commendable driving feel. It performed driving performance beyond expectations rather than just meeting the standard.

At this point, it could be judged that this was not merely a car that stayed within 'cost-performance.' As a hatchback, it offers solid practicality, and it has secured the efficiency of an electric vehicle, while also demonstrating outstanding ability in the basics of driving, turning, and stopping.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.