BYD Dolphin G DM-i: Europe Gets a B-Segment Plug-In Hybrid from €28,990
bydglobal.com
BYD's first model built specifically for Europe lands in Germany. The plug-in hybrid hatchback starts at €28,990, offers up to 105 km of EV range and goes on sale in autumn 2026.
BYD is bringing the Dolphin G DM-i to Europe — a plug-in hybrid hatchback designed specifically for the local market. The car is already open for order in Germany: the base price is €28,990 (around $33,550), with first deliveries expected in autumn 2026.
The Dolphin G DM-i looks noticeably different from the electric Dolphin. It’s 130 mm shorter than the European BEV but 55 mm wider, measuring 4160 mm long, 1825 mm wide and 1575 mm tall, with a 2610 mm wheelbase. The exterior features slim headlights, short overhangs, semi-hidden door handles and dark rear pillars that give the roof a floating effect. Inside, there’s an 8.8-inch digital cluster, a 10.1 or 12.8-inch central screen, wireless charging, physical buttons and a 425-litre boot that expands to 1225 litres.
The tech matters more than the design here. At the heart of it sits a DM-i hybrid system pairing a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 70 kW (94 hp) with a 120 kW (161 hp) electric motor. The entry-level Active gets a 7.42 kWh battery, delivers 40 km of WLTP electric range and a combined output of 129 kW — about 173 hp. The Boost, Comfort and Sport trims move up to an 18.3 kWh battery and offer up to 105 km without petrol at 156 kW — roughly 209 hp. The 0–100 km/h sprint takes 8.3 seconds, and combined consumption is rated at 4.5 l per 100 km.
Pre-subsidy pricing breaks down as follows: Active — €28,990, Boost — €31,990, Comfort — €33,490, Sport — €34,490. Factoring in government EV incentives and BYD’s own bonus, the German price can drop to between €18,990 and €23,990.
The main target isn’t electric cars but conventional hybrids and compact hatchbacks. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid, Renault Clio E-Tech and Volkswagen Polo now face a rival that drives around town like an EV but doesn’t require planning long trips around chargers. That matters in Europe, where buyers want low running costs but are still wary of a pure EV.
The Dolphin G DM-i could become one of BYD’s first models with a European address — production is expected at the company’s plant in Szeged, Hungary. That reduces exposure to import tariffs and lets the Chinese brand compete on more than just price — local assembly counts too.
BYD is entering the most mainstream segment not with record power but with a simple promise: a small car no longer has to choose between the plug and the pump.
