NIO Firefly vs BYD Dolphin
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.
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.
Feature Showdown
The NIO Firefly features a 12.8-inch touchscreen, while the BYD Dolphin gets a 12.8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The NIO Firefly uses a Single electric motor producing 105kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The BYD Dolphin responds with a Electric making 70kW and 180Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.
The NIO Firefly has the clear power advantage at 105kW vs 70kW. In the real-world sprint, the NIO Firefly is 2.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 41.2kWh (NIO Firefly) vs 44.9kWh (BYD Dolphin), giving WLTP ranges of 330km and 340km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (NIO Firefly) vs 60kW (BYD Dolphin).
Space & Comfort
The NIO Firefly measures 4,003mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 287mm shorter than the BYD Dolphin at 4,290mm (2,700mm wheelbase).
Boot space is 308L in the NIO Firefly and 308L in the BYD Dolphin.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m 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 10.4m 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: 7 years / 150,000km (NIO Firefly) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Dolphin). The NIO Firefly has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the NIO Firefly if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer NIO's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The NIO Firefly takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The NIO Firefly 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, NIO Firefly and BYD Dolphin?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The NIO Firefly has the most range at 427km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The NIO Firefly accepts the highest DC charging at up to 100kW.
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 best warranty?
The NIO Firefly has the longest warranty at 7 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The NIO Firefly makes the most power at 105kW. The NIO Firefly is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
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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