BYD Dolphin vs Volvo C40
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.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
BYD Dolphin
From $29,990
Hatchback
Electric
Electric
70kW
—
5★ ANCAP
345L
Volvo C40
Price TBC
Hatchback
Electric
Recharge Twin Electric Motor
300kW
—
ANCAP: no data
—
Volvo C40: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 5 others.
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
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
78kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The BYD Dolphin stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Volvo C40. The Volvo C40 counters with wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio. 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 Volvo C40 responds with a Recharge Twin Electric Motor making 300kW and 660Nm, paired to a single-speed driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds.
The Volvo C40 has the clear power advantage at 300kW vs 70kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo C40 is 7.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 44.9kWh (BYD Dolphin) vs 78kWh (Volvo C40), giving WLTP ranges of 340km and 500km.
Space & Comfort
Turning 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.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volvo C40 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Dolphin comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (64 vs 46), taking 0 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: performance (Volvo C40 ahead by 58), energy efficiency (BYD Dolphin ahead by 42), value (BYD Dolphin ahead by 35). 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 Volvo C40?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Volvo C40 has the most range at 500km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BYD Dolphin accepts the highest DC charging at up to 60kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Dolphin holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volvo C40, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo C40 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo C40 makes the most power at 300kW. The Volvo C40 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.7s.
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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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