Nissan LEAF 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.
Nissan LEAF: we're still completing price, width, warranty, braked towing and electric range, plus 1 other.
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
40kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 50kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (6.6kW AC, 50kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
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.
Feature Showdown
The Nissan LEAF features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the BYD Dolphin gets a 12.8-inch display and 5-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Nissan LEAF stands out with heated front seats and Bose audio — features our data doesn't list for the BYD Dolphin. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Nissan LEAF gets leather accented upholstery while the BYD Dolphin offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Nissan LEAF uses a Electric producing 110kW and 320Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 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 12.3 seconds.
The Nissan LEAF has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 70kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Nissan LEAF is 4.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 40kWh (Nissan LEAF) vs 44.9kWh (BYD Dolphin). DC fast charging peaks at 50kW (Nissan LEAF) vs 60kW (BYD Dolphin).
Space & Comfort
The Nissan LEAF measures 4,490mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 200mm longer than the BYD Dolphin at 4,290mm (2,700mm wheelbase).
Boot space is 405L in the Nissan LEAF and 345L in the BYD Dolphin, giving the Nissan LEAF a 60L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 11.0m
Based on 11.0m 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
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
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 Nissan LEAF if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Nissan'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 Nissan LEAF takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Nissan LEAF has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Nissan LEAF and BYD Dolphin?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Dolphin has the most range at 340km (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 Nissan LEAF, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Nissan LEAF has the largest boot at 405L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan LEAF makes the most power at 110kW. The Nissan LEAF is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
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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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