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BYD Dolphin vs VW e-Golf
Selected trimComfortChange trim265 mi · 60.4 kWh · £30,195
Selected trim24kWh · 2014-17Change trim118 mi · 24.2 kWh · £30,845
At a glance
In this comparison, BYD Dolphin leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the VW e-Golf stays competitive across the board.
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
VW
4.4
Motorway RangeBYD
BYD
5.5
VW
2.8
FamilyBYD
BYD
7.9
VW
6.7
ChargingBYD
BYD
7.7
VW
3.4
Cost Per MileBYD
BYD
7.2
VW
5.8
City DrivingBYD
BYD
8.5
VW
7.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD Dolphin
Comfort
- 147 miles more WLTP range
- 70 kW faster rapid charging
- 65 kW more power
- 3.4s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.5 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,195 (better) | £30,845 |
| Official range | 265 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 364 L (better) | 341 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 22 min |
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 10.4 sec |
Size Comparison
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BYD Dolphin
VW e-Golf
Length
BYD Dolphin4,290mm
VW e-Golf4,270mm-20mm
Width
BYD Dolphin1,770mm-29mm
VW e-Golf1,799mm
Height
BYD Dolphin1,570mm
VW e-Golf1,482mm-88mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm (better) | 1,799 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,012 mm (better) | 2,027 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.4 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 630 mm spare (better) | 601 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 3 (better) | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 364 L (better) | 341 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1329 L (better) | 1231 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.
VW e-Golf
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BYD Dolphin Comfort |  VW e-Golf 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.29m | 4.27m-20mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.80m+29mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.01m | 2.03m+15mm |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.48m-88mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.63m-69mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 127mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 364L (better) | 341L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1329L (better) | 1231L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.4m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,658kg | 1,585kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 60.4kWh (better) | 24.2kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 265 mi (better) | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 110kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,195 (better) | £30,845 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2014–2017 |
* VW e-Golf: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 265 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 221 miles (better) | 71 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 22 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 110 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 3.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 60.4 kWh (better) | 20.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7 sec (better) | 10.4 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 85 kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 270 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
VW e-Golf
24kWh
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 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,646 | £9,795 |
| Average used price | £18,844 | £9,795 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 19.4% over ~6 months | Up 3.2% 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 - VW e-Golf 24kWh
Tested 2012
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist71%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BYD DolphinComfort | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 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 real-world range, 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'.
VW e-Golf
24kWh
Owners love
- Owners like that it drives like a normal Golf: refined, comfortable, well built and with physical controls rather than touchscreens.
- Owners report very good efficiency, around 4 to 5 miles per kWh in mild weather, which gives the 35.8 kWh car roughly 120 to 140 miles.
- The battery pack has a good reliability record, with very few reported failures.
Watch out for
- Winter range drops sharply: owners of the 35.8 kWh car report around 90 to 100 miles in cold weather, and less without a heat pump.
- Rapid charging is slow by current standards (40 kW peak, tapering above about 80%), so long trips need long stops.
- Several owners report the charge-port lock actuator wearing out, clicking after charging or stopping the car from charging.
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump before buying; it is not on every car.
- On rapid chargers stop at about 80%, because the last 20% takes disproportionately long.
Buying options
Get a quote
BYD Dolphin
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Golf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BYD Dolphin
No active listings.
VW e-Golf
- £9,7952017Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BYD Dolphin or the VW e-Golf?
The BYD Dolphin is £650 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 £730 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 VW e-Golf like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 221 miles for the BYD Dolphin and 71 miles for the VW e-Golf - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BYD Dolphin goes roughly 150 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BYD Dolphin or the VW e-Golf?
The two are within 29 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 630 mm of total clearance for the BYD Dolphin and about 601 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Golf. The BYD Dolphin also turns in a 1.5 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 VW e-Golf?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the BYD Dolphin and 84% for the VW e-Golf. 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 VW e-Golf'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 VW e-Golf 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 VW e-Golf rank among the best family EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW e-Golf rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BYD Dolphin and VW e-Golf rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW e-Golf rank among the best city EVsWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW e-Golf rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BYD Dolphin and VW e-Golf rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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.
GuideUsed VW e-Golf buyer's guide (2014-2020)
Buying a used Volkswagen e-Golf: the 24.2 and 35.8 kWh versions, the battery warranty running out, realistic range, the charge-port fault owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .