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BYD Dolphin vs Deepal S05
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trimStandard278 mi · 69 kWh · £39,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, family practicality and running costs, while the Deepal S05 leads on motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Dolphin if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Deepal S05 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.7
Deepal
6.2
Motorway RangeDeepal
BYD
5.5
Deepal
6.7
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
Deepal
7.2
ChargingDeepal
BYD
7.7
Deepal
8.2
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
Deepal
4.9
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
Deepal
4.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Deepal S05
Base
- 128 litres more boot space
- 90 kW faster rapid charging
- 170 kW more power
- 1.5s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Deepal S05Base |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £39,995 |
| Official range | 265 miles | 278 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 364 L | 492 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 15 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | 5.5 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Deepal S05
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm-330mm
Deepal S054,620mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-130mm
Deepal S051,900mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm-30mm
Deepal S051,600mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Deepal S05Base |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,620 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,900 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,600 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 500 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Deepal S05Base |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L | 492 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 1250 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 159 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
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.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Deepal S05
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Deepal S05 Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.62m+330mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.90m+130mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | Not available |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.60m+30mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.88m+180mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L | 492L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 1250L |
| Frunk | Not available | 159L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg (better) | 1,940kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh | 69kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi | 278 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 200kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £39,995 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Deepal S05Base |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles | 278 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles | 231 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 15 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh | 69 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Deepal S05Base |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | 5.5 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 320 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 502 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
7.2/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
Deepal S05
Base
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BYD Dolphin
All 3 videos
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)
Euro NCAP - Deepal S05 Base
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Deepal S05Base |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km | Not available |
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Deepal S05
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Deepal S05 worth the extra £9,800 over the BYD Dolphin?
The Deepal S05 costs £9,800 more than the BYD Dolphin. For that premium it adds 90 kW faster peak rapid charging, 128 litres more boot space and 170 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BYD Dolphin comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin or the Deepal S05?
The BYD Dolphin is £9,800 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 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 £9,880 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BYD Dolphin and Deepal S05 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 231 miles for the Deepal S05 - 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 BYD Dolphin or the Deepal S05?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 130 mm narrower than the Deepal S05. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 500 mm of total clearance for the Deepal S05.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin or the Deepal S05?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 90% for the Deepal S05. 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 BYD Dolphin comparisons
More Deepal S05 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 BYD Dolphin and Deepal S05 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Deepal S05 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Deepal S05 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Deepal S05 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Deepal S05 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Deepal S05 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 .