BYD Dolphin — model-year timeline & key facts
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Compiled from the BYD Dolphin deep-research dossier; researched 2026-09-21. UNVERIFIED flags from the source research are preserved verbatim.
Key facts
| Powertrain | EV |
|---|---|
| Power | 204 |
| Range | 427 |
| Battery | 60.48 |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.0 |
| Fast charge | 88 |
| New price US | n/a |
| New price EU | UNVERIFIED |
| New price CN | UNVERIFIED |
| Used price signal | UK used: 2024 Comfort GBP 15k-17.5k; 2025 Comfort GBP 17.2k-20.75k / Design GBP 20.2k-20.9k; 2026-reg Comfort GBP 23,499; new GBP 30,230-31,730 (~40% depreciation in 2 yrs) |
| Value call | The rationalist's pick: buy a used 2024 Comfort (60.48 kWh) at GBP 15k-17.5k; never buy new at GBP 30k+ |
| Sweet-spot year | 2024 |
| Years to avoid | 2023 (Feb-Dec 2023 build window: CEPS steering recall unless documented done); buying new |
| Reliability flag | Cleanest sheet in cluster: no drivetrain/battery failure waves; single big mark is the 2024 CEPS steering recall |
| Biggest risk | Buying a 2023 from the recall build window without checking recall status; paying new price for a car the used market sells 40% cheaper |
| Community verdict | The most boring-good car in the cluster — a diligent appliance that won't stop beeping |
Model-year timeline 2021–2026
| Year | Generation / changes / reliability / used prices |
|---|---|
| 2021 | China launch (Aug 2021) · 44.9 / 60.48 kWh Blade LFP, FWD · Domestic-market teething; no export data · None reported · n/a (China only) |
| 2022 | China sales ramp · No major issues surfaced in accessible sources · None reported · n/a (China only) |
| 2023 | Export version launches (EU mid-2023, UK Sept 2023) · Stretched body; 150 kW/204 hp; 88 kW DC · First export software (ADAS tuning criticized from day one) · CEPS steering recall covers builds from Feb 2023 (announced Sept 2024) — check 2023 cars · UNVERIFIED (too new in export markets; UK new from ~£26k at launch, UNVERIFIED) |
| 2024 | Thailand production begins (July 2024) · No new systemic issues · Sept 30, 2024: 96,714 Dolphin/Yuan Plus China recall (CEPS fire risk, builds to Dec 2023) · UK: 2024 Comfort £15k–17.5k (PistonHeads, Sept 2026) |
| 2025 | China facelift (new front fascia, interior tweaks); AU: Dynamic→Essential (44.9 kWh) Jan 2025 · Facelift too new for pattern data · None reported · UK: 2025 Comfort £17.2k–20.75k, Design £20.2k–20.9k (PistonHeads, Sept 2026) |
| 2026 | Carryover; UK range simplified to Comfort/Design · None reported · UK new £30,230–31,730; used 2026-reg Comfort £23,499 |
Sweet-spot year: 2024
Years to skip: 2023 (Feb-Dec 2023 build window: CEPS steering recall unless documented done); buying new