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BYD Dolphin vs Renault Zoe
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Renault Zoe leads on running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BYD Dolphin if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- 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
Choose the Renault Zoe 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.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.7
Renault
0
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Renault
3.5
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
Renault
2.8
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Renault
3.6
Cost Per MileRenault
BYD
7.2
Renault
8.3
City Driving
BYD
8.5
Renault
8.4
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- 25 miles more WLTP range
- 88 kW faster rapid charging
- 70 kW more power
- 1.2 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 | Not available |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 239 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L (better) | 338 L |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Renault Zoe
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm-206mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-40mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm-8mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L (better) | 338 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L | Not available |
| 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.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.08m-206mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.73m-40mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | Not available |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.56m-8mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.59m-112mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L (better) | 338L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.56m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 52kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 239 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW (better) | 22kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2020–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 239 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 199 miles |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW (better) | 22 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 49.8 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | Not available |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 80 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 245 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
- DrivingElectric4/5
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
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 | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £7,650 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £9,000 |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 16.2% over ~6 months | Up 18.8% 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 - Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant43%
Child Occupant52%
Vulnerable Road Users41%
Safety Assist14%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| 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'.
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Owners love
- Owners report good real-world range of 200-240 miles on newer ZE50 models, with CCS rapid charging enabling manageable longer journeys
- Very low running costs compared to petrol vehicles, with electricity expenses roughly one-third the fuel cost and minimal maintenance needed
- Practical and reliable small EV suitable for daily commuting and second-car use, with many owners reporting 70,000+ miles without major issues
Watch out for
- Motor and inverter failures reported across multiple model years with expensive repairs costing £3,800+, though individual cases suggest isolated issues rather than systemic defects
- Dealer servicing costs are excessive (£250-350 for routine work), with main dealers charging significantly more than independent EV specialists
- Battery lease complications including strict transfer rules, unclear liability when selling, and continued payment obligations that persist even after vehicle sale if paperwork isn't processed quickly
Owner tips
- Purchase used ZE50 models from 2020 onwards with owned batteries (not leased) and verify CCS charging capability by checking for '++' moulding on the charging port cover
- Use independent EV specialists (HEVRA Level 3/4 certified) instead of Renault main dealers for post-warranty repairs, typically costing 40-50% less than dealer quotes
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Dolphin
No active listings.
Renault Zoe
- £11,3992022Browns of RichmondView
- £11,7952022Drive GreenView
- £11,3952022Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
What are the BYD Dolphin and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 199 miles for the Renault Zoe - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 21 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Renault Zoe?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 40 mm narrower than the BYD Dolphin. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.2 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 Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 86% for the Renault Zoe. 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 Renault Zoe'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 Renault Zoe 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 Renault Zoe rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Renault Zoe 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.
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 Renault Zoe ZE 50 (2020-2023): Safety, Warranty, Range & What to Check
A used Renault Zoe ZE 50 buyer’s guide: the zero-star Euro NCAP rating explained, R110 vs R135, Rapid and Boost Charge, the 5-year warranty many cars still have, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .