BYD Dolphin vs Hyundai i30 Hatch
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchs 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.
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Dolphin starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai i30 Hatch opens at $26,990. That makes the Hyundai i30 Hatch the more affordable entry point by $3,000.
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 $29,689 respectively.
The BYD Dolphin qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Hyundai i30 Hatch, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
44.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 60kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 60kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Dolphin features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 5-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai i30 Hatch gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Dolphin gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai i30 Hatch offers cloth.
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 Hyundai i30 Hatch responds with a Petrol making 120kW and 203Nm, paired to a manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.4 seconds.
The Hyundai i30 Hatch has the clear power advantage at 120kW vs 70kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai i30 Hatch is 2.9s 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, 50mm shorter than the Hyundai i30 Hatch at 4,340mm (2,650mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Dolphin generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 345L in the BYD Dolphin and 395L in the Hyundai i30 Hatch, giving the Hyundai i30 Hatch a 50L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 10.6m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
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 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai i30 Hatch). The BYD Dolphin has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai i30 Hatch if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai i30 Hatch takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Hyundai i30 Hatch has a clear edge. The BYD Dolphin adds peace of mind with a longer 6-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 Hyundai i30 Hatch?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch is the cheapest at $26,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Dolphin by $3,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch uses the least fuel at 7.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BYD Dolphin all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch has the largest boot at 395L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Dolphin has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch makes the most power at 120kW. The Hyundai i30 Hatch is quickest to 100km/h in 9.4s.
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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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