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BYD Dolphin vs Smart #1
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 Smart #1 counters with the lowest price.
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
- 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.
ValueBYD
BYD
6.7
Smart
5.9
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Smart
1.9
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
Smart
5.4
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Smart
2.9
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
Smart
1.9
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
Smart
6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- 71 miles more WLTP range
- 51 litres more boot space
- 1.6 m tighter turning circle
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 | £29,960 (better) |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L (better) | 313 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Smart #1
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
Smart #14,270mm-20mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-52mm
Smart #11,822mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm-66mm
Smart #11,636mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,822 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,025 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 11 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 578 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L (better) | 313 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 976 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
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 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Smart #1
- At 4,270 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- One of 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Smart #1 Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.27m-20mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.82m+52mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.02m+13mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.64m+66mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.75m+50mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L (better) | 313L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 976L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 11m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 49kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 193 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 | £29,960 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2023+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 193 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 133 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 181 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 49 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| 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 | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | Not available |
| Power | 150 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
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
Smart #1
Pure
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 | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £22,900 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £23,771 |
| Saving vs RRP | £11,351 below new | £6,189 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 16.2% over ~6 months | Up 4.3% 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 - Smart #1 Pure
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant96%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist88%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #1Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km (better) | 201,168 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'.
Smart #1
Pure
Owners love
- Owners describe a comfortable, quiet and planted drive, with a premium, well-built interior.
- Generous standard equipment for the money, including a glass roof, 360-degree cameras and, on Premium and BRABUS, a clear head-up display and Beats audio.
- The BRABUS is very fast, and even the single-motor car feels quick.
Watch out for
- Early cars often had sticky or faulty pop-out door handles, fixed under warranty.
- Some early cars developed a hum from the rear axle bearings or motor mounts, fixed with new parts under warranty.
- The Hello Smart app is widely criticised as unreliable, asking for repeated log-ins and showing wrong data.
Owner tips
- Check every door handle works properly on a test drive.
- Listen for humming from the rear at speed and ask whether bushes or bearings have been replaced.
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Dolphin
No active listings.
Smart #1
- £23,9992024Car360View
- £23,7712024Car360View
- £22,9002024EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin or the Smart #1?
The Smart #1 is £235 cheaper to buy. The BYD Dolphin is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £200 for the Smart #1, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the two land within £5 of each other - effectively the same to own. 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 Smart #1 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 133 miles for the Smart #1 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 88 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Smart #1?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 52 mm narrower than the Smart #1. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 578 mm of total clearance for the Smart #1. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.6 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 Smart #1?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 90% for the Smart #1. 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. 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 Smart #1 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 Smart #1 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Smart #1 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #1 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #1 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #1 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #1 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 Smart #1 (2023 on): Pro+, Premium or BRABUS & What to Pay
A used Smart #1 buyer’s guide: the 66 kWh Pro+, Premium and BRABUS and the later 49 kWh Pure and Pro, the seat belt recall, the short car warranty but 8-year battery cover, real-world range, what owners report and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .