23:27 10-07-2026
BYD Dolphin G: Britain's Cheapest Plug-In Hybrid Arrives from £23,990
BYD's Dolphin G plug-in hybrid opens for UK orders from £23,990, offering up to 105 km of electric range and deliveries starting in September.
The BYD Dolphin G isn’t just about the price tag. The Chinese brand is bringing a proper plug-in hybrid into a segment where European buyers have long chosen between a petrol hatchback, a mild hybrid, or an affordable EV. For drivers, that changes the calculation: short trips run on electric power alone, while a long drive no longer means hunting for a charger.
Orders are already open in the UK, with sales starting in September. Prices start at £23,990, roughly $32,600 or €29,900. The range-topping Sport trim costs £29,940 — about $40,700 or €37,600. That’s not cheap for a compact hatchback, but the Dolphin G isn’t only aiming at the Renault Clio and Vauxhall Corsa — it’s also chasing buyers who wanted an EV but were put off by range anxiety and charging infrastructure.
The car measures 4,160 mm in length, with a 425-litre boot. It runs on BYD’s Super Hybrid DM-i system, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors. The entry-level Active gets a 7.4 kWh battery and up to 40 km of electric-only range. Pricier versions get an 18.3 kWh pack and can cover up to 105 km on electric power alone. Power output ranges from 176 to 212 hp, with CO2 emissions rated from 32 g/km.
Standard kit is generous for the B-segment: a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. Higher trims add heated seats, a 12.8-inch display, Google services, a 360-degree camera, and nicer interior materials.
The obvious rivals are the MG3 Hybrid+, Renault Clio and Vauxhall Corsa — though each competes on different terms. The MG3 Hybrid+ is cheaper and simpler, the Clio leans on reputation and efficiency, and the Corsa relies on brand recognition and dealer reach. The Dolphin G counters with electric-only range, power and generous equipment, but it still has to prove its resale value and service quality in Europe.
BYD is betting on the right formula: around 100 km of electric range covers city driving, while the petrol engine removes any anxiety about motorway trips or winter weather.
The Dolphin G shows where BYD wants to strike in Europe — not the premium segment, but the mainstream volume class, where one well-executed hybrid could pull buyers away from petrol, hybrid and electric rivals all at once.