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BYD Dolphin vs Smart #5
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the Smart #5 leads on family practicality.
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 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
Choose the Smart #5 if...
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
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
Smart
6.4
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
Smart
2.7
FamilySmart
BYD
7.9
Smart
9
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
Smart
5
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
Smart
1.6
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
Smart
3.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Smart #5
Pro
- 266 litres more boot space
- 40 kW faster rapid charging
- 100 kW more power
- 850 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £39,800 |
| Official range | 265 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 364 L | 630 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
Smart #5
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm-405mm
Smart #54,695mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-150mm
Smart #51,920mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm-135mm
Smart #51,705mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,920 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,169 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,705 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) | 480 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L | 630 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L | 1530 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 47 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg | 1,600 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 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Smart #5
- Boot space of 630 L is bigger than 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 32 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  Smart #5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.70m+405mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.92m+150mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.17m+157mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.71m+135mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.90m+200mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 190mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L | 630L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L | 1530L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 47L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg (better) | 2,200kg |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | 1,600kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh | 76kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi | 288 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £39,800 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles | 288 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 202 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 185 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh | 76 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 373 Nm (better) |
| 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
- Auto Express4/5
- Electrifying.com8/10
- DrivingElectric4/5
Smart #5
Pro
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 - Smart #5 Pro
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant88%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users84%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | Smart #5Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 250,000 km | Not available |
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 real-world range. 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'.
Smart #5
Pro
Owners love
- Exceptional interior space with comfortable rear legroom, reclining seats, and 630 litres of boot space
- Outstanding acceleration (3.8 seconds 0-62mph) and impressive 800V fast charging (10-80% in 18 minutes at optimal conditions)
- Advanced infotainment with three screens, superb conversational voice control, and premium materials (Alcantara, vegan leather)
Watch out for
- High energy consumption significantly impacts real-world range compared to competitors despite 335-mile WLTP rating
- Design is polarizing and divisive; frequently compared unfavorably to the Nissan Cube with questionable styling details
- 335-mile WLTP range underwhelming for a 100kWh battery and not class-leading compared to rivals
Owner tips
- Test drive the rear-wheel drive base models which offer better steering feel, more dynamic handling, and additional frunk space compared to all-wheel drive variants
- Visit dealerships in person to confirm driver's seat comfort if over 6 feet tall and test voice assistant behavior to ensure it suits your driving style
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart #5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart #5 worth the extra £9,605 over the BYD Dolphin?
The Smart #5 costs £9,605 more than the BYD Dolphin. For that premium it adds 40 kW faster peak rapid charging, 266 litres more boot space and 100 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 Smart #5?
The BYD Dolphin is £9,605 cheaper to buy. The BYD Dolphin is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £200 for the Smart #5, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BYD Dolphin comes out roughly £9,845 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 Smart #5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 202 miles for the Smart #5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 19 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the Smart #5?
The BYD Dolphin is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 150 mm narrower than the Smart #5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 480 mm of total clearance for the Smart #5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BYD Dolphin or the Smart #5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 90% for the Smart #5. 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 #5 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 #5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #5 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and Smart #5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and Smart #5 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 .