2023 BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard Review

As the choices in the B-segment pure electric market in Malaysia increase, family users and young consumers are paying more attention to balanced products that combine "practicality + intelligence"—they want a car that meets daily commuting range needs without compromising on space and configuration. Entering this segment as a hot contender, the 2023 BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard is priced at RM 100,000, offers an official range of 410km, and comes with a rich set of active safety features, raising the question among many consumers: can it become the "high-value pure electric family car" of choice? In this test drive, we focused on verifying: does its space really accommodate five passengers comfortably? Is the performance sufficient for urban driving? Are the smart features truly practical?

From the exterior perspective, the Dolphin Dynamic Standard adopts a round and cute design style with smooth overall lines and no overly complex contours. The front features a closed grille, paired with rounded LED headlights on both sides, while the BYD Logo is embedded in a chrome strip that spans the front, giving it good recognition. The waistline of the car body extends from the front to the rear, complemented by 16-inch multi-spoke rims, which make it look compact and agile. At the rear, the taillights feature a smoked-through design that echoes the front, while the diffuser-shaped design under the rear bumper adds a touch of sportiness. Regarding the lighting system, the LED headlights are bright enough, the daytime running lights are clearly visible during the day, and the effect after lighting up at night is fairly refined.

Sitting inside, the interior is primarily light-toned, complemented by silver accents, creating a warm and cozy ambiance. The centerpiece of the dashboard is a 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen, boasting high resolution and smooth operation, supporting voice control, navigation, phone connectivity, and other functions. The steering wheel is multifunctional, supports electrical adjustment, and offers a moderate grip. Its left buttons control the driving assistance system, while the right ones manage multimedia controls, with a reasonable layout. The instrument panel is fully digital, capable of displaying range, speed, driving modes, and other information in a simple and easy-to-read interface. In terms of materials, the upper part of the dashboard is wrapped in soft materials, while the inner parts of the door panels are also wrapped in leather, offering decent tactile quality. Regarding the configuration, features like keyless entry, push-button start, automatic air conditioning, and rear air vents are all included. The front row even provides a 220V power outlet, which is convenient for outdoor electricity use.

Space performance is one of Dolphin's highlights, with a wheelbase of 2700mm, placing it in the upper tier of its class. The front seats support six-way manual adjustment (driver's seat) and four-way manual adjustment (passenger seat). At a height of 175cm, after adjusting the driver’s seat, there’s still two fingers’ worth of space above the head. The rear space is even more impressive, offering about two fists of legroom, and headroom of about one fist, making it comfortable even for three adults. The trunk has a capacity of 345L, which is enough to store several suitcases for daily use. The rear seats support a 60/40 split-folding configuration, allowing for an expanded cargo area when folded down, which is practical for transporting large items. In terms of storage, the door compartments, central armrest box, and front cup holders provide ample space, and there’s even a dedicated area for placing smartphones.

In terms of power, the Dolphin Dynamic Standard is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, with a maximum power of 70kW (95PS) and a maximum torque of 180N·m, paired with a single-speed transmission. During daily driving, it accelerates briskly, is very agile in urban low-speed conditions, and the throttle response is linear, without any abrupt thrusting sensation. When switched to Sport mode, the power output becomes more aggressive. While overtaking and stepping hard on the accelerator, the motor can deliver torque quickly. The process of increasing speed from 60km/h to 100km/h is relatively smooth, making it fully capable of meeting urban commuting needs. However, when driving on the highway at speeds over 100km/h, the power reserve for further acceleration seems slightly lacking. Considering its positioning as a family car, this performance is reasonable.

The handling and chassis performance align with its family car positioning. The steering wheel is precise with little slack, light at low speeds, and becomes heavier at high speeds, offering a good feel. The suspension system consists of a front MacPherson strut and a rear torsion beam, tuned for comfort. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension filters out most of the vibrations, avoiding any notable stiffness. During cornering, the body roll is within an acceptable range, ensuring passengers remain comfortable. Regarding braking, the brake pedal has a moderate travel distance and offers linear braking force, making daily driving easy to control.

As for range, the official pure electric range is 410km. In our urban road tests, with the automatic air conditioning turned on and the driving mode set to Standard, the power consumption was approximately 13kWh per 100km. The actual range reached around 360km, achieving about 88% of the official range, which is a decent performance. On highways, maintaining a speed of about 100km/h, power consumption increased to 15kWh/100km, and the range was approximately 300km. In terms of charging, it takes about 7 hours to fully charge with a home slow charging station. In fast charging mode, charging from 30% to 80% takes 30 minutes, meeting daily energy replenishment needs.

Regarding ride comfort, the seat cushions are relatively soft, and the front seats provide adequate lumbar support, ensuring long drives are not too tiring. The rear seat angle is also quite appropriate, making it comfortable to sit. As for noise control, at low speeds, motor noise is almost inaudible. When the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind and tire noise gradually become noticeable but are within the normal range for vehicles in this class. The energy regeneration system offers three adjustable levels, with the lowest level feeling similar to coasting in a fuel car. The highest regeneration setting provides a significant braking effect when the accelerator is released, and once accustomed, it can reduce the need to use the brakes.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2023 BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard are evident: its 2,700mm wheelbase provides a spacious rear cabin, making it suitable for family users. Priced at 100,000 yuan, it comes equipped with abundant safety features such as 6 airbags, ACC adaptive cruise control, and active braking, offering outstanding value for money. With an official range of 410km and a decent range achievement rate, it can meet daily commuting and short-distance travel needs. Compared with competitors in the same class, such as the MG4 Electric, the Dolphin offers more space, better configurations, and a more competitive price. Compared with the ORA Good Cat, the Dolphin offers smoother power delivery and more stable range performance.

This car has a clearly defined target audience: families who value space and practicality, need a vehicle for daily tasks such as picking up and dropping off kids, grocery shopping, and occasional family trips; young people with a budget of around RM 100,000 who want a feature-rich, practical electric car with sufficient range; and consumers who prioritize safety features and want a more convenient driving experience.

Overall, the 2023 BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard is a well-balanced electric family car that meets daily needs in terms of space, features, and range. Priced at RM 100,000, it is very competitive in its class. If you’re looking for a high-value electric car for daily use, it’s worth considering.