BYD Dolphin vs Chery Tiggo 7
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The BYD Dolphin starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the Chery Tiggo 7 opens at $29,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $32,989 and $32,989 respectively.
The BYD Dolphin qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Chery Tiggo 7, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Dolphin and Chery Tiggo 7 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Dolphin and 82% for the Chery Tiggo 7.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Chery Tiggo 7 packs more ADAS features with 5 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 1 in the BYD Dolphin.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Dolphin and 7 in the Chery Tiggo 7.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Dolphin features a 12.8-inch touchscreen, while the Chery Tiggo 7 gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The BYD Dolphin uses a Electric producing 70kW and 180Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.3 seconds.
The Chery Tiggo 7 responds with a Petrol making 108kW and 210Nm, paired to a 6-speed dct driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The Chery Tiggo 7 has the clear power advantage at 108kW vs 70kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery Tiggo 7 is 2.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Dolphin measures 4,290mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 250mm shorter than the Chery Tiggo 7 at 4,540mm (2,661mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Dolphin generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 308L in the BYD Dolphin and 475L in the Chery Tiggo 7, giving the Chery Tiggo 7 a 167L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 11.2m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Dolphin) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Chery Tiggo 7). The Chery Tiggo 7 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Chery Tiggo 7 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery Tiggo 7 takes 5 of 5 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Chery Tiggo 7 has a clear edge. The Chery Tiggo 7 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Dolphin and Chery Tiggo 7?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Chery Tiggo 7 uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Dolphin and Chery Tiggo 7 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Chery Tiggo 7 has the largest boot at 475L.
Which can tow the most?
The Chery Tiggo 7 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery Tiggo 7 has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery Tiggo 7 makes the most power at 108kW. The Chery Tiggo 7 is quickest to 100km/h in 9.5s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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