Toyota Corolla Hatch vs BYD Dolphin
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
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.
Toyota Corolla Hatch
From $32,110
Hatch
Hybrid
1.8L 4-cyl VVT-i Hybrid
103kW
4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
217L
BYD Dolphin
From $29,990
Hatch
Electric
Electric
70kW
—
5★ ANCAP
345L
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Price Breakdown
The Toyota Corolla Hatch starts from $32,110 before on-road costs, while the BYD Dolphin opens at $29,990. That makes the BYD Dolphin the more affordable entry point by $2,120.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $35,321 and $32,989 respectively.
The BYD Dolphin qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Toyota Corolla Hatch, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
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.
Feature Showdown
The Toyota Corolla Hatch 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 Toyota Corolla Hatch stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that you will not find on the BYD Dolphin. The BYD Dolphin counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota Corolla Hatch gets cloth upholstery while the BYD Dolphin offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Corolla Hatch uses a 1.8L 4-cyl VVT-i Hybrid producing 103kW and 142Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD 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 12.3 seconds.
The Toyota Corolla Hatch has the clear power advantage at 103kW vs 70kW. In the real-world sprint, the Toyota Corolla Hatch is 4.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Corolla Hatch measures 4,375mm long on a 2,640mm wheelbase, 85mm longer than the BYD Dolphin at 4,290mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Dolphin generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 217L in the Toyota Corolla Hatch and 345L in the BYD Dolphin, giving the BYD Dolphin a 128L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m 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.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Corolla Hatch) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Dolphin). The BYD Dolphin has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Corolla Hatch if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Dolphin takes 4 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the BYD Dolphin has a clear edge. The BYD Dolphin adds peace of mind with a longer 6-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota Corolla Hatch and BYD Dolphin?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota Corolla Hatch by $2,120.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Corolla Hatch uses the least fuel at 4L/100km on the combined cycle.
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 most boot space?
The BYD Dolphin has the largest boot at 345L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Corolla Hatch has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Dolphin has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Corolla Hatch makes the most power at 103kW. The Toyota Corolla Hatch is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
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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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