BYD Dolphin vs Kia Picanto
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks 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 Kia Picanto opens at $18,390. That makes the Kia Picanto the more affordable entry point by $11,600.
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 $20,229 respectively.
The BYD Dolphin qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Kia Picanto, 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.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Dolphin features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 5-inch digital dash, while the Kia Picanto gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Dolphin gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Picanto 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 Kia Picanto responds with a Petrol making 62kW and 122Nm, paired to a manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.2 seconds.
The BYD Dolphin has the clear power advantage at 70kW vs 62kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Picanto is 0.1s 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, 695mm longer than the Kia Picanto at 3,595mm (2,400mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Dolphin generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 308L in the BYD Dolphin and 255L in the Kia Picanto, giving the BYD Dolphin a 53L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.8m to 10.4m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.8m 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 (Kia Picanto). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Picanto takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the BYD Dolphin has a clear edge. The Kia Picanto 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 Kia Picanto?
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest at $18,390 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Dolphin by $11,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Picanto uses the least fuel at 5.4L/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 BYD Dolphin has the largest boot at 308L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Picanto has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Dolphin makes the most power at 70kW. The Kia Picanto is quickest to 100km/h in 12.2s.
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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