BYD Dolphin vs Renault Megane E-Tech
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
BYD Dolphin scores higher, 76 vs 75
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 23 Oct 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 75
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.
Renault Megane E-Tech
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$50,000
est. RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 16 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 440L
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: Wireless Phone Charging not offered
$50,000est. RRP
- 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.
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
Renault Megane E-Tech Techno
$50,000
Estimated RRP (the brand lists drive-away prices only), before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
$54,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Renault Australia
Both totals exclude servicing and insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
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.
Both totals exclude servicing and insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
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. Price per km of range: not ranked, the prices are on different bases. Price per kW: not ranked, the prices are on different bases. Price per litre of boot: not ranked, the prices are on different bases. These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
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
ANCAP lists the BYD Dolphin at 5 stars (2023) and the Renault Megane E-Tech at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Dolphin and 85% for the Renault Megane E-Tech, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
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 Renault Megane E-Tech.
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 7 on the Renault Megane E-Tech.
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
Renault Megane E-Tech
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 Renault Megane E-Tech Techno | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery electric | Battery electric |
| Added overnight, 10A power point (2.4 kW)Level: within 5%. | 158 km in 10 h | 154 km in 10 h |
| Added overnight, 7.4 kW wallbox | 295 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 7 kW AC, a full battery | 353 km in 10 hCapped: a full battery |
| Added overnight, 11 kW three-phase | 295 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 7 kW AC, a full battery | 353 km in 10 hCapped: a full battery |
| DC fast charge, as printed | 35 min, 0-80% | 30 min, 0-80% |
| Charging connector | CCS2 | CCS2 |
| Portable charger supplied | Supplied | No data |
| Type 2 cable supplied | No data | No data |
| Front boot | No data | No data |
- 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
55kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 130kW DC). 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 Renault Megane E-Tech gets a 9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Dolphin stands out with Apple CarPlay and V2L: features our data doesn't list for the Renault Megane E-Tech. The Renault Megane E-Tech counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, BOSE audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Renault Megane E-Tech responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.
The Renault Megane E-Tech has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 70kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Renault Megane E-Tech is 4.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 44.9kWh (BYD Dolphin) vs 60kWh (Renault Megane E-Tech), giving WLTP ranges of 340km and 454km. DC fast charging peaks at 60kW (BYD Dolphin) vs 130kW (Renault Megane E-Tech).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Dolphin measures 4,290mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 90mm longer than the Renault Megane E-Tech at 4,200mm (2,685mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Dolphin generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 345L in the BYD Dolphin and 440L in the Renault Megane E-Tech, giving the Renault Megane E-Tech a 95L 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
Renault Megane E-Tech
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 electricity for the Renault Megane E-Tech about $702 a year (16 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity). That is $18 a year less for the BYD Dolphin.
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 5 years / unlimited km (Renault Megane E-Tech).
- No break-even: the prices are on different bases (BYD Dolphin: RRP; Renault Megane E-Tech: estimated RRP).
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 longer warranty (6 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($684 a year against $702).
The Renault Megane E-Tech: more power (160kW against 70kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (440L against 345L).
The Verdict
BYD Dolphin scores higher, 76 vs 75
The BYD Dolphin scores 76 to the Renault Megane E-Tech's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 10 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (Renault Megane E-Tech ahead by 29 points), reliability (BYD Dolphin ahead by 10 points), value (BYD Dolphin ahead by 9 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BYD Dolphin costs about $18 less (15.8 kWh/100km against 16 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity). Boot space with the seats up: 345L in the BYD Dolphin, 440L in the Renault Megane E-Tech. Warranty: 6 years on the BYD Dolphin, 5 on the Renault Megane E-Tech.
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 Renault Megane E-Tech?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Renault Megane E-Tech by $20,010.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Renault Megane E-Tech has the most range at 454km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Renault Megane E-Tech accepts the highest DC charging at up to 130kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Dolphin holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023) and Renault Megane E-Tech holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Renault Megane E-Tech has the largest boot at 440L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Dolphin has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150,000 km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Renault Megane E-Tech makes the most power at 160kW. The Renault Megane E-Tech is quickest to 100km/h in 7.4s.
Track the BYD Dolphin & Renault Megane E-Tech
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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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