BYD Dolphin vs Leapmotor B05
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.
Leapmotor B05: we're still completing transmission, turning circle, 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
The BYD Dolphin starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the Leapmotor B05 opens at $35,990. That makes the BYD Dolphin the more affordable entry point by $6,000.
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 $39,589 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
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.
How long to charge
56.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 156kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 156kW 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 Leapmotor B05 gets a 14.6-inch display and 8.8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Dolphin stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Leapmotor B05. The Leapmotor B05 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Leapmotor B05 counters with its electric setup making 160kW and 240Nm, paired to its gearbox driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The Leapmotor B05 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 70kW. In the real-world sprint, the Leapmotor B05 is 4.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 44.9kWh (BYD Dolphin) vs 56.2kWh (Leapmotor B05), giving WLTP ranges of 340km and 401km. DC fast charging peaks at 60kW (BYD Dolphin) vs 156kW (Leapmotor B05).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Dolphin measures 4,290mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 140mm shorter than the Leapmotor B05 at 4,430mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Leapmotor B05 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 345L in the BYD Dolphin and 357L in the Leapmotor B05, giving the Leapmotor B05 a 12L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m diameter
Good
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
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 6 years / 150,000km (Leapmotor B05). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Leapmotor B05 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Leapmotor's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Leapmotor B05 takes 7 of 8 key spec categories. 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 Leapmotor B05?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Leapmotor B05 by $6,000.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Leapmotor B05 has the most range at 401km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Leapmotor B05 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 156kW.
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 Leapmotor B05 has the largest boot at 357L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Leapmotor B05 makes the most power at 160kW. The Leapmotor B05 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.5s.
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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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