BYD Dolphin G DM-i: behind the wheel of the cheapest plug-in hybrid on the market

The BYD Dolphin G DM-i arrives in Spain with a very strong argument: it is the cheapest plug-in hybrid on the market, if we go by the price announced by the brand, taking into account launch campaigns, the Plan Auto+ incentives and the financing discount. Its price starts at 18,700 euros.

We got to know it in a very brief first contact, enough to confirm what we already suspected: BYD has not wanted to limit itself to launching an entry-level plug-in version to grab attention with a “from” price, but has actually brought PHEV technology to a segment where it did not seem to make much sense.

The national presentation took place simultaneously at several official BYD dealerships, and our first contact was at Harmony Auto, in Madrid. We will need to drive it and live with the car for longer. But as a first approach, I can confirm that the Dolphin G DM-i aims very high.

A PHEV from 18,700 euros: where is the catch?

The price is, inevitably, the first headline. The entry-level BYD Dolphin G DM-i, in Active trim, starts at 25,200 euros, but with campaigns, Plan Auto+ incentives and financing it is advertised from the already mentioned 18,700 euros. This is part of the catch: the price includes campaigns. The second part is that for that figure you can only access the version with the small battery, which offers 40 km of electric range. If you want the Dolphin G DM-i with up to 105 km of range, the price with all discounts and incentives starts at just over 21,000 euros.

Even so, the commercial impact is evident: BYD has managed to bring to market a plug-in hybrid 4.16 metres long, with a Zero emissions label and a 425-litre boot that does not compete against other PHEVs because, quite simply, there are none in this price range. It is an alternative to non-plug-in hybrid city cars, small petrol SUVs and even fully electric urban vehicles.

The range is organised into four versions, with the following prices, always including campaigns, the Plan Auto+ and financing:

• BYD Dolphin G DM-i Active: from 18,700 euros
• BYD Dolphin G DM-i Boost: from 21,376 euros.
• BYD Dolphin G DM-i Comfort: from 22,846 euros.
• BYD Dolphin G DM-i Sport: from 23,826 euros.

The most interesting step up is probably the Boost trim, because it incorporates the large 18.3 kWh battery, the one that allows reaching those 105 kilometres of WLTP electric range. The Active, by price, is the entry hook, but its 7.4 kWh battery, as we have said, limits the homologated electric range to 40 kilometres.

This model expands BYD’s PHEV range in Spain, where it already has models such as the Atto 2 DM-i, the Seal U DM-i and the Seal 6 DM-i in saloon and Touring estate body variants.

A small plug-in hybrid, but with a compact-car boot

The Dolphin G DM-i measures 4,160 mm long, 1,825 mm wide and 1,575 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,610 mm. It is therefore a city car or segment B vehicle, although with considerable width and a practical approach closer to that of some small SUVs.

The most striking thing is the use of space. BYD claims a 425-litre boot, a very good figure for a car of its length. And even more so for a plug-in hybrid, where the battery usually reduces load capacity. Under the floor there is an additional 45-litre compartment, useful for storing cables or small objects. And with the rear seat backs folded down, capacity can reach 1,225 litres.

The interior follows a recipe already known from other BYD models: clean design, a floating central screen, digital instrumentation and a layout designed to free up space between the front seats. The gear selector is located on the steering column, which allows a central area with storage compartments, cup holders and, depending on the version, wireless phone charging.

The approach is clearly functional, with good spaciousness for its size, a driving position that is simple to understand and equipment that, in the higher versions, can include elements unusual for this segment.

DM-i technology: electric driving most of the time

The Dolphin G DM-i’s plug-in hybrid system uses BYD’s Dual Mode Intelligence technology. In essence, the car prioritises electric operation and turns to the 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine when it is needed to generate energy, maintain battery charge or support traction in certain circumstances.

In all versions the combustion engine is a 1.5 producing 95 CV, which works together with a front electric motor producing 163 CV and 210 Nm. Total system power varies depending on the battery: 176 CV for the Active and 212 CV in the Boost, Comfort and Sport versions. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 8.3 seconds and top speed reaches 180 km/h in all versions.

BYD Dolphin G DM-i Active

The Active version uses a 7.42 kWh Blade LFP battery. It is homologated for 40 kilometres of WLTP electric range and up to 1,020 kilometres of combined total range. Its weighted consumption is 2.6 l/100 km and CO2 emissions are 60 g/km. Combined consumption is 4.3 l/100 km.

It is the entry option and the one that allows advertising the price from 18,700 euros. It makes sense for those who want a very affordable PHEV, with a Zero emissions label and relatively short urban journeys. For those who can charge daily and want to use it as an electric car for more kilometres, the higher versions seem more advisable, although as with petrol and diesel in the past, you need to do the sums to see whether the difference pays off and when you start to amortise the extra cost of the versions with the larger battery.

BYD Dolphin G DM-i Boost, Comfort and Sport

The Boost, Comfort and Sport versions fit the 18.3 kWh battery, so WLTP electric range rises to 105 kilometres, weighted consumption drops to 1.4 l/100 km and combined total range reaches 1,040 kilometres. Homologated emissions are 32 g/km and average consumption is 4.5 l/100 km.

This configuration is the most interesting of the Dolphin G DM-i, because it allows covering a good part of daily journeys without using petrol if charged frequently. It also keeps the advantage of the combustion engine for long trips, removing the dependence on charging infrastructure that conditions many pure electric cars.

Charging: up to 39 kW in direct current

The Active version accepts AC charging at 3.3 kW and can go from 15 to 100% in a little under three hours. It is a modest power, but sufficient for a 7.42 kWh battery if charged overnight.

Versions with the 18.3 kWh battery raise AC power to 6.6 kW and add DC fast charging at 39 kW. According to the figures provided by the brand, they can go from 10 to 80% in 26 minutes. It is not a high power compared with a modern electric car, but it is unusual for a PHEV at this price and size. In any case, with both battery options you can comfortably consider charging at home overnight from a domestic socket.

From the Boost trim onwards, the V2L function is also included, which allows powering external electrical devices with up to 3.3 kW. It is a practical feature for leisure, work or emergencies, and adds value in a car presented as an affordable city car but with solutions from higher segments.

The Active trim already includes 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, LED headlights, automatic climate control, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and voice control.

The Boost adds the large battery, a 12.8-inch central screen, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, electrically folding mirrors, ambient lighting, 15 W wireless charging, rear air vents, USB ports in the rear seats, an eight-speaker sound system and the V2L function.

The Comfort raises the level considerably with a Head-Up Display, a panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade, a 360-degree camera, a driver’s seat with electric adjustment and lumbar support, 18-inch wheels, mixed upholstery and a multimedia system with Google integration, including Google Maps and Google Assistant.

The Sport takes the Comfort as its base and adds a specific look, with 18-inch darkened wheels, its own badges and two-tone upholstery with a sporty-inspired finish.

For safety, all Dolphin G DM-i models include a comprehensive package of assistants: adaptive cruise control, intelligent cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, front and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, blind-spot detection, driver monitoring and door-opening alert.

First contact: who is the Dolphin G DM-i for?

The Dolphin G DM-i does not seek to excite through design or sportiness. Its strength lies in rationality: compact dimensions, a Zero emissions label, a large boot relative to its exterior size, sufficient electric range for daily use and an entry price that breaks the usual logic of plug-in hybrids.

In a market where PHEVs are usually associated with mid-size SUVs, saloons or models costing more than 30,000 euros, BYD proposes something much closer to the general buyer. Its strong point is offering a lot of useful technology for little money. And there, at least on paper, the Dolphin G DM-i has few rivals.

It is a model that fits especially well with drivers who can charge at home or at work and make daily journeys of less than 100 kilometres. Easy to drive, agile in traffic, comfortable when it is time to head out onto the road… In that scenario, the Boost, Comfort and Sport versions can work almost like an electric car during the week, reserving the petrol engine for trips, unforeseen events or long journeys.

It may also be an interesting alternative for those who want a Zero emissions label but do not feel ready to make the leap to a pure electric car. The total range of up to 1,040 kilometres reduces range anxiety, while the electric range allows saving fuel in everyday use.

The Active makes sense on price, although its small battery limits its appeal compared with the higher trims. The Boost seems the most balanced version for those seeking the large battery without blowing the budget. The Comfort will probably be the most appealing for those who want more technology and comfort, while the Sport is an aesthetic option for those who prefer a differentiated image.

Conclusion: a price that could change the segment

The BYD Dolphin G DM-i arrives with a very clear idea: to democratise the plug-in hybrid. From 18,700 euros with conditions — campaigns, discounts, the Plan Auto+ and the small battery, with up to 40 km of electric range — it positions itself as the cheapest PHEV on the Spanish market and leaves rival brands in an uncomfortable position, as they find it increasingly difficult to justify alternatives that cost far more.

We will need to drive it for longer in a full road test to draw more conclusions. But after this brief first contact, we can say that BYD continues to make the most of its strategy of attacking the market with price, technology and a formula that is hard to match.

BYD Dolphin G DM-i | Image gallery