BYD Dolphin vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BYD Dolphin scores higher, 76 vs 71
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 30 Sep 2026, price 14 Nov 2026
BYD Dolphin
16 of 27 standard · no option data · 4 not offered · 7 no dataFrom
$29,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Hatchback
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 70kW
- Energy use
- 15.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 345L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 71
BYD Australia offer: $28,888 drive-away (state not stated), ends 15 Dec 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
14 of 27 standard · no option data · 13 no dataFrom
$47,790
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Engine
- 2.4L D4 MPI VVT (IN)
- Power
- 94kW
- Economy
- 6 L/100km as a hybrid
- Safety
- No data
- Boot (seats up)
- 359L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 15 Dec 2026
Offer from BYD Australia, checked 12 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$29,990RRP
- cannot be matched: Rain-Sensing Wipers not offered
$47,790RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
A plug-in hybrid is compared on its fuel use as a hybrid (battery depleted), the figure that is like for like with the other car; its certified combined figure, which assumes every trip starts with a full battery, is printed under it. Electric range is how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Price and cost per week
BYD Dolphin Essential
$29,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 14 Nov 2026
$28,888 drive-away in VIC, as published by BYD Australia
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ES
$47,790
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
No lowest cost is named: these totals leave out different parts (2026 BYD Dolphin Essential excludes servicing and insurance; 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ES excludes insurance).
Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year (fixed for every comparison) in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Each car's fuel or charging price is in its own breakdown. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
No lowest cost is named: these totals leave out different parts (2026 BYD Dolphin Essential excludes servicing and insurance; 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ES excludes insurance).
Cash outlay over 5 years: the deposit, the repayments and the running costs. Excludes resale value. Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
Standard features per $10,000: not ranked, too few features are known for both cars. On the rated figures, the BYD Dolphin leads on price per litre of boot: $87 per litre of boot on RRP for the BYD Dolphin; $133 per litre of boot on RRP for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.
The BYD Dolphin starts $17,800 lower on RRP.
The BYD Dolphin currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$111/wk(≈$479/mo)
Estimate on the BYD Dolphin at $28,888 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BYD DolphinDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BYD Dolphin and 5 on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BYD Dolphin
None open on our record
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging and range
The rated figures side by side: electric range and fuel use with the battery depleted for a plug-in hybrid or range extender, the km each battery-electric car adds overnight on its own onboard charger, and the DC time in the window each document prints.
| 2026 BYD Dolphin Essential | 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ES | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery electric | Plug-in hybrid |
| Electric range (battery charged) | Not applicable | 55 km |
| Fuel use, battery depleted | Not applicable | 6 L/100km as a hybrid |
| Added overnight, 10A power point (2.4 kW) | 158 km in 10 h | Not applicable |
| Added overnight, 7.4 kW wallbox | 295 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 7 kW AC, a full battery | Not applicable |
| DC fast charge, as printed | 35 min, 0-80% | 38 min, 0-80% |
| Charging connector | CCS2 | No data |
| Portable charger supplied | Supplied | No data |
| Type 2 cable supplied | No data | No data |
| Front boot | No data | No data |
- A plug-in hybrid or range extender without a charge-sustaining fuel figure is not costed or ranked on fuel.
- Km added in 10 hours: the charger rate, capped by the car's own onboard charger, over its own rated energy use. A car without an onboard charger or energy figure is No data, never an assumed rate.
- DC times are printed only in the window the document gives (0-80% or 10-80%). Different windows are not one measure, so nobody leads across them.
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
44.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
Same as public DC: this car caps at 60kW
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
13.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · car accepts 22kW · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
Same as public DC: this car caps at 22kW
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's 22kW DC maximum. No onboard charger figure is held for this car, so the AC times assume 7.4kW: an illustration, not this car's rated figure. Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
What's in the boxBYD Dolphin
- Portable chargerSupplied
- Type 2 cableNo data
From the manufacturer's own equipment list for this car. A Type 2 cable is what an untethered public AC post needs; a portable charger plugs into a household socket.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Dolphin features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 5-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Dolphin stands out with V2L: features our data doesn't list for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Dolphin gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV offers cloth.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV responds with a 2.4L D4 MPI VVT (IN) making 94kW and 199Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV has the clear power advantage at 94kW vs 70kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV is 2.6s 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, 255mm shorter than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV at 4,545mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Dolphin generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 345L in the BYD Dolphin and 359L in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, giving the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV a 14L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BYD Dolphin's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 10.4 m against 10.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Front boot (frunk)
BYD Dolphin
No data
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
No data
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BYD Dolphin costs about $684 a year (15.8 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity) and fuel for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV about $1,755 a year (6 L/100km as a hybrid, at $1.95/L petrol). A plug-in hybrid is costed running as a hybrid (battery depleted); charged daily, it uses less fuel and some electricity.
The weekly and 5-year figures in the price section above add repayments, rego, servicing and tyres to this; use our Fuel Cost Calculator for your own driving.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000 km (BYD Dolphin) and 10 years / 200,000 km (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV). Capped-price servicing: no data (BYD Dolphin), 10 years (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV).
- No break-even: the BYD Dolphin costs less to buy and less in energy.
Energy only. Excludes servicing, rego, insurance, finance interest and resale. Prices are compared only on one basis.
Where each one leads
The BYD Dolphin: the lower starting price ($29,990 against $47,790) and the longer warranty not tied to dealer servicing (6 years against 5).
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV: more power (94kW against 70kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (359L against 345L).
The Verdict
BYD Dolphin scores higher, 76 vs 71
The BYD Dolphin scores 76 to the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (BYD Dolphin ahead by 25 points), performance (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV ahead by 12 points), value (BYD Dolphin ahead by 9 points).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$111/wk(≈$479/mo)
Estimate on the BYD Dolphin at $28,888 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BYD DolphinDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Dolphin and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV by $17,800.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Dolphin holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). We hold no ANCAP data for Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV has the largest boot at 359L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Dolphin has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 6 years / 150,000 km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV makes the most power at 94kW. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV is quickest to 100km/h in 9.7s.
Track the BYD Dolphin & Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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