BYD Dolphin vs Hyundai IONIQ
Two electric Hatchbacks go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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.
Hyundai IONIQ: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, braked towing and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai IONIQ hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Dolphin and 90% for the Hyundai IONIQ.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai IONIQ, against 4 on the BYD Dolphin.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the BYD Dolphin and 7 in the Hyundai IONIQ.
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.
How long to charge
38.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.2kW AC, 100kW 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 IONIQ gets a 10.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai IONIQ counters with ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Dolphin gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai IONIQ 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 IONIQ counters with its electric setup making 100kW and 295Nm, paired to a single speed reduction gear driving the front wheels.
The Hyundai IONIQ has the clear power advantage at 100kW vs 70kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 44.9kWh (BYD Dolphin) vs 38.3kWh (Hyundai IONIQ), giving WLTP ranges of 340km and 311km. DC fast charging peaks at 60kW (BYD Dolphin) vs 100kW (Hyundai IONIQ).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Dolphin measures 4,290mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 180mm shorter than the Hyundai IONIQ at 4,470mm (2,700mm wheelbase).
Boot space is 345L in the BYD Dolphin and 357L in the Hyundai IONIQ, giving the Hyundai IONIQ a 12L 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 IONIQ). 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 IONIQ if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Dolphin takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. 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 IONIQ?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Dolphin has the most range at 340km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Hyundai IONIQ accepts the highest DC charging at up to 100kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BYD Dolphin and Hyundai IONIQ all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai IONIQ has the largest boot at 357L.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Dolphin has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai IONIQ makes the most power at 100kW.
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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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