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BYD Dolphin vs Kia EV3
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trimStandard Range 58.3kWhChange trim270 mi · 58.3 kWh · £33,055
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Kia EV3 stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Dolphin if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- 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
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
BYD
6.7
Kia
6.3
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Kia
4.1
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
Kia
6.5
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Kia
4
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
Kia
6
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
Kia
7.4
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 | BYD DolphinComfort | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £33,055 |
| Official range | 265 miles | 270 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 364 L | 460 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 29 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.5 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Kia EV3
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm-20mm
Kia EV34,310mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-80mm
Kia EV31,850mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
Kia EV31,570mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,310 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,850 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 550 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L | 460 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 25 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.
Kia EV3
- At 4,310 mm, shorter than 85% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 149 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.31m+20mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.85m+80mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | Not available |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.57m |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.68m-20mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L | 460L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 25L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg (better) | 1,800kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 58.3kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi | 270 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 127kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £33,055 |
| Price after EV grant | £30,195 (not eligible) | £31,555 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles | 270 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 127 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 149 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 58.3 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NCMA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 7.5 sec |
| Power | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 283 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
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
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Auto Express4/5
Kia EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
8.5/10
average across 5 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Parkers4.2/5
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
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £25,220 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £25,750 |
| Saving vs RRP | £11,351 below new | £7,305 below new |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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 - Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant84%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist78%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
Owners love
- Owners praise the ride, which suits UK roads, and the surprisingly composed handling for a small car.
- There is plenty of rear legroom for the car's size, and the 360-degree cameras make parking easy.
- The cabin feels well made and well equipped for the money, with V2L and generous standard kit.
Watch out for
- Early cars came on LingLong tyres that owners rate poorly in the wet and cold, with some reporting early punctures; many replaced them.
- The small driver display is hard to read, there is no seat memory, and regenerative braking is weak.
- The pedestrian-warning sound and alert chimes were loud and intrusive until updates; the musical alerts can be switched to a standard sound.
Owner tips
- Check which tyres the car is on and budget to replace LingLongs if fitted.
- Make sure all software updates are installed, and switch the alert sounds from 'Brand' to 'Standard'.
Kia EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
Owners love
- Owners are consistently delighted with the range: 250-350 miles in practice, around 4.5-5 miles per kWh in summer and about 3 in winter.
- Interior quality, space and comfort are rated well above what the size and price suggest.
- The ride is comfortable and the car is easy and quiet to drive.
Watch out for
- Rapid charging is slower than some rivals: owners see peaks of around 100-135 kW and a curve that tails off.
- The safety and driver-assistance systems beep too often and some are over-sensitive.
- A few owners report home AC charging dropping to 1.4-3.4 kW or other charging faults, with slow dealer diagnosis.
Owner tips
- Spend the first week setting up the infotainment and turning off the driver-assistance alerts you don't want.
- Expect 2.8-3.5 miles per kWh in winter and plan longer winter trips around it.
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia EV3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia EV3 worth the extra £2,860 over the BYD Dolphin?
The Kia EV3 costs £2,860 more than the BYD Dolphin. For that premium it adds 96 litres more boot space. 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 Kia EV3?
The BYD Dolphin is £2,860 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 £2,900 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 Kia EV3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 193 miles for the Kia EV3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 28 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Kia EV3?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 80 mm narrower than the Kia EV3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 550 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV3. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin or the Kia EV3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 89% for the Kia EV3. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. The BYD Dolphin's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Kia EV3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
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 Kia EV3 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 Kia EV3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Kia EV3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Kia EV3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Kia EV3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Kia EV3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Kia EV3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BYD Dolphin (2023 on): 44.9 vs 60.4 kWh & What to Pay
A used BYD Dolphin buyer’s guide: the 60.4 kWh Comfort and Design, the later 44.9 kWh Active and Boost, BYD’s 8-year battery warranty, slow rapid charging, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Kia EV3 (2024 on): Which Battery, the Recall, the 7-Year Warranty & What to Pay
A used Kia EV3 buyer’s guide: Standard and Long Range explained, the instrument-cluster recall, the 7-year warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .