BYD Dolphin Extended Range: Road trip!
I’ve managed to catch myself a Dolphin – the BYD Dolphin Extended Range.
For $49k after the rebate, it promises 427km of range. Inside, it’s a welcome change from the usual grey gloom, with bright colours, a rotating screen and plenty of gadgets like heated seats, wireless charging, and even a vehicle-to-load adapter so you can power your campsite or keep the chips sizzling during a blackout. It’s playful, practical, and not afraid to splash out on the details.
On the road, this Dolphin can move – I clocked 0–100 in 6.5 seconds, which puts it in hot hatch territory. Sure, there are quirks: eco tyres that chirp if you push too hard, a rear window smaller than a dolphin’s blowhole, and a low-speed noise generator . But after a proper road trip up to Opononi – home of New Zealand’s most famous dolphin – I came away impressed. With a Spud Score of 70/100, this little EV feels every bit as friendly as its namesake.
