BYD Dolphin G DM-i the plug-in, plus-sized supermini

Let's get one thing straight: the Dolphin G isn't really a supermini. Not in the traditional sense, as it is the first plug-in hybrid to appear in its segment and its bigger.

At 4,160mm long with a 425-litre boot, it's closer in size to a Volkswagen Golf than a Ford Fiesta. BYD calls it a supermini; I call it plus size. Either way, you're getting C-segment space for B-segment money.

According to Edvard Mecbergs, automotive Product Manager for the UK, it has been designed to target European buyers, where sharper steering and a more flexible ride are demanded.

That extra room was proven when Edvard, a six-footer, sat comfortably in the back with ample head and legroom. The boot, meanwhile, is huge for this type of model.

The range starts at £23,990 for the Active trim and tops out at £29,490 for the Sport. That means even the fully loaded version undercuts rivals, many with none of the Dolphin G's hybrid tech or equipment list. Four trims are available.

Active keeps things simple: 16-inch alloys, parking sensors, rear-view camera, LED lights, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, auto air conditioning and fabric upholstery. Boost adds the larger battery, a 12.8-inch screen, heated seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, wireless charging, rear vents, eight-speaker audio and Vehicle-to-Load.

Comfort brings a head-up display, panoramic roof, puddle lights, vegan leather, an electric driver's seat, a 360° camera, 18-inch alloys and Google integration. Sport adds discreet badging, darker alloys and a two-tone cabin with suede seat panels.

Exterior

The look is very much in the eye of the beholder. I like the ocean-inspired front end with its smart light cluster and adaptive air intakes, complemented by either 16- or 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear, in my view, has a flatter profile, not helped even by the roof spoiler – but for that extra boot room, it's worth it.

Interior

Inside it feels light and airy, particularly on the models with the panoramic roof. Seats are supportive and comfortable. A 2,610mm wheelbase delivers best-in-class space for five adults and the boot expands to a cavernous 1,225 litres with the rear seats folded.

Central is a 10-inch or 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. This is supplemented by an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel that sits within the dash. The column-mounted gear selector frees space for dual-level storage, a cupholder and, on most versions, wireless charging.

Previous BYD models frustrated critics (myself included) with rotating screens, clunky software and irritating constant alerts. This has been largely addressed. A driver can now customise which screen stays on display with a single swipe of the screen, with the option of adding from the sub-menus later. It's a small change that makes a big difference to daily usability.

Hybrid powertrain

The plug-in hybrid setup features a 1.5-litre petrol engine, two electric motors (one drive, one generator), and a choice of two batteries.

The engine mostly acts as a generator, with the electric motor doing the heavy lifting, delivering a quiet, EV-like feeling. In EV mode it runs purely on battery; in HEV mode, intelligent controls switch between five configurations, though it can also be manually controlled.

The motor produces 163PS and 210Nm, giving 0-62mph in a pretty rapid 8.3 seconds. It is largely muted but can become noisy when the pedal is depressed suddenly and does take a second to kick in.

Handling

Some colleagues and I disagreed on handling. I found it sharp, particularly on a very sharp curve on Fish Hill in the Cotswolds that nearly caught me by surprise, but it clung on confidently with the steering responsive and the ride pretty good too.

It's the kind of car that could aspire to the Ford Fiesta's handling prowess, if it were still around.

As for the ride, for the most part it never felt unsettled except a couple of times over the potholes plaguing our roads at the moment. Is it genuinely good or just better than I expected from a BYD?

Batteries and range

Two Blade Batteries are offered. Active has a 7.42kWh unit for 24.8 miles of electric range and 633 miles combined. Boost, Comfort and Sport step up to 18.3kWh, extending electric range to 65 miles and combined range to 646 miles while cutting CO2 from 60g/km to 32g/km.

Charging splits accordingly: Active gets a 3.3kW on-board charger, while the rest receive 6.6kW and 39kW DC charging, taking 10-80% in 26 minutes. The larger-battery versions return a claimed 201.7mpg — genuinely impressive at this price.

Safety

Every version comes with front and rear parking sensors, Adaptive and Intelligent Cruise Control, lane-keeping and departure assist, cross-traffic alert and brake, blind spot detection, driver monitoring and door opening warning. Comfort and Sport add a 360° camera—useful given the car's footprint.

Verdict

For a car of this size and price, the Dolphin blends practicality, efficiency and surprising composure. It may not be a traditional supermini, but with C-segment space for B-segment money, that's exactly the point. That said, the engine’s slightly delayed response and noise under sudden acceleration are a niggle. Strong for the money, but not flawless.