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Audi A2 e-tron vs BYD Dolphin
Selected trim52kWh 170PSChange trim262 mi · 52 kWh · £32,200
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
At a glance
In this comparison, Audi A2 e-tron leads on motorway range and running costs, while the BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, charging speed and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Audi A2 e-tron if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the BYD Dolphin if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBYD
Audi
5.1
BYD
6.7
Motorway RangeAudi
Audi
6.3
BYD
5.5
Family
Audi
7.7
BYD
7.9
Too close to call
ChargingBYD
Audi
6.9
BYD
7.7
Cost Per MileAudi
Audi
9.5
BYD
7.2
City DrivingBYD
Audi
7.7
BYD
8.5
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Audi A2 e-tron52kWh 170PS | BYD DolphinComfort |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £32,200 | £30,195 (better) |
| Official range | 262 miles | 265 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 396 L (better) | 364 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 24 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 8.8 sec | 7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Audi A2 e-tron
BYD Dolphin
Length
Audi A2 e-tron4,324mm
BYD Dolphin4,290mm-34mm
Width
Audi A2 e-tron1,789mm
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-19mm
Height
Audi A2 e-tron1,583mm
BYD Dolphin1,570mm-13mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Audi A2 e-tron52kWh 170PS | BYD DolphinComfort |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,324 mm | 4,290 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,789 mm | 1,770 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,012 mm |
| Height | 1,583 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 9.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 611 mm spare | 630 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Audi A2 e-tron52kWh 170PS | BYD DolphinComfort |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 3 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 396 L (better) | 364 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1336 L (better) | 1329 L |
| Frunk | 13 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Audi A2 e-tron
- 262 mile WLTP range, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Boot space of 396 L is bigger than 80% of hatchback EVs we track.
- At 4,324 mm, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
BYD Dolphin
- 265 mile WLTP range, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 110 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- At 4,290 mm, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Audi A2 e-tron 52kWh 170PS |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.32m | 4.29m-34mm |
| Width | 1.79m | 1.77m-19mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.01m |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.57m-13mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.70m-70mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 396L (better) | 364L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1336L (better) | 1329L |
| Frunk | 13L | Not available |
| Seats | Not available | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 9.4m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,658kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 52kWh | 60.4kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 262 mi | 265 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 110kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,200 | £30,195 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £30,700 (-£1,500) | £30,195 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2027+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Audi A2 e-tron52kWh 170PS | BYD DolphinComfort |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 262 miles | 265 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 219 miles | 221 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 110 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | Not available | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 52 kWh | 60.4 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Audi A2 e-tron52kWh 170PS | BYD DolphinComfort |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.8 sec | 7 sec (better) |
| Power | 125 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Torque | 350 Nm (better) | 310 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Audi A2 e-tron
52kWh 170PS
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
7.2/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BYD Dolphin Comfort
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users85%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Audi A2 e-tron52kWh 170PS | BYD DolphinComfort |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 250,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Audi A2 e-tron
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi A2 e-tron worth the extra £2,005 over the BYD Dolphin?
The Audi A2 e-tron costs £2,005 more than the BYD Dolphin. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The BYD Dolphin is not just cheaper - it also offers a 1.8s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Dolphin comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Audi A2 e-tron or the BYD Dolphin?
The BYD Dolphin is £2,005 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Dolphin comes out roughly £1,925 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Audi A2 e-tron and BYD Dolphin like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 219 miles for the Audi A2 e-tron and 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Audi A2 e-tron or the BYD Dolphin?
The two are within 19 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 611 mm of total clearance for the Audi A2 e-tron.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Audi A2 e-tron or the BYD Dolphin?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Audi A2 e-tron and 90% for the BYD Dolphin. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Audi A2 e-tron comparisons
More BYD Dolphin comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Audi A2 e-tron and BYD Dolphin rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Audi A2 e-tron and BYD Dolphin rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Audi A2 e-tron and BYD Dolphin rank among the best city EVsWhere the Audi A2 e-tron and BYD Dolphin rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Audi A2 e-tron and BYD Dolphin rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Audi A2 e-tron and BYD Dolphin rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .