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BYD Dolphin vs MINI Countryman
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trimEChange trim310 mi · 65.2 kWh · £33,005
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on family practicality, charging speed and city driving, while the MINI Countryman leads on running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Dolphin if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the MINI Countryman if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BYD Dolphin leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
BYD
6.7
MINI
6.8
Too close to call
Motorway Range
BYD
5.5
MINI
5.7
Too close to call
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
MINI
6.3
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
MINI
4.1
Cost Per MileMINI
BYD
7.2
MINI
8.7
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
MINI
5.5
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 | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CountrymanE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £33,005 |
| Official range | 265 miles | 310 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 364 L | 460 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 29 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 8.6 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
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BYD Dolphin
MINI Countryman
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm-155mm
MINI Countryman4,445mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-73mm
MINI Countryman1,843mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm-65mm
MINI Countryman1,635mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CountrymanE |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,843 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,073 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 11.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 557 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CountrymanE |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 892 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L | 460 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L | 1450 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 1,200 kg (better) |
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.
MINI Countryman
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  MINI Countryman E |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.45m+155mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.84m+73mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.07m+61mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.64m+65mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.69m-8mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L | 460L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L | 1450L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 892mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 11.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg (better) | 1,940kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 1,200kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh | 65.2kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi | 310 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £33,005 |
| Price after EV grant | £30,195 (not eligible) | £29,255 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
* MINI Countryman: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* MINI Countryman: Current figure, for cars delivered from April 2026 after an efficiency update. Earlier cars have less range.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CountrymanE |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles | 310 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles | 258 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh | 65.2 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CountrymanE |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 8.6 sec |
| Power | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 250 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
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
MINI Countryman
E
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 | MINI CountrymanE |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £29,357 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £34,075 |
| Saving vs RRP | £11,351 below new | At or above new price |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 16.2% over ~6 months | Down 3.9% over ~6 months |
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 - MINI Countryman E
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | MINI CountrymanE |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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'.
MINI Countryman
E
Owners love
- First MINI purpose-built as an EV with proven BMW iX1 dual-motor AWD technology and 313 hp output
- Owners praise the new MINI OS 9 navigation system, one-pedal driving, and driving assist modes
- Circular touchscreen display is innovative and the first fully-usable design of its kind
Watch out for
- Styling is controversial and considered generic compared to previous generations, lacking distinctive MINI character
- Front end proportions appear elongated and clumsy, with some comparing it unfavorably to ordinary sedans and the Ford Flex
- Charging speeds are modest at 100-130 kW DC, below current industry standards
Owner tips
- Use Shell Recharge integration or third-party NACS adapters like Lectron Vortex Plus to enable Plug & Charge on compatible networks like IONNA and Tesla
- Inspect interior trim carefully during purchase, particularly in Favored trim models, and examine official photos to verify proportions before committing
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Countryman
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the MINI Countryman worth the extra £2,810 over the BYD Dolphin?
The MINI Countryman costs £2,810 more than the BYD Dolphin. For that premium it adds 45 miles more WLTP range and 96 litres more boot space. The BYD Dolphin is not just cheaper - it also offers a 1.6s 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 BYD Dolphin or the MINI Countryman?
The BYD Dolphin is £2,810 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 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 £2,770 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 MINI Countryman like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 258 miles for the MINI Countryman - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The MINI Countryman goes roughly 38 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the MINI Countryman?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 73 mm narrower than the MINI Countryman. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 557 mm of total clearance for the MINI Countryman. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 2.0 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 MINI Countryman?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 84% for the MINI Countryman. That gives the BYD Dolphin a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD Dolphin's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the MINI Countryman'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 MINI Countryman 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 MINI Countryman rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and MINI Countryman rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Countryman rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Countryman rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Countryman rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BYD Dolphin and MINI Countryman rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 MINI Countryman Electric (2024 on): E vs SE ALL4, the Grant & What to Pay
A used MINI Countryman Electric buyer’s guide: the E and SE ALL4, the 2026 range update, the £3,750 grant that makes a new one cheaper than many used ones, recalls, warranty, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .