BYD Dolphin G DM-i (2026 - )

BYD has ushered in another model: the Dolphin G DM-i. This innovative plug-in hybrid vehicle enters Europe's B-segment market. 

Powered by the Chinese automaker's advanced Super Hybrid DM technology, the Dolphin combines compact dimensions with family-car practicality and can travel up to 65 miles on electricity alone. 

So, does this particular Dolphin offer a unique option in the UK's supermini class? Our motoring journalist, Tim Barnes-Clay, finds out.

The Dolphin G DM-i may be designed around efficiency, but it doesn't feel short on poke behind the wheel. Its 163PS electric motor produces 210Nm of torque, giving the car an immediate response that feels well suited to pulling away from junctions, joining motorways and overtaking.
The 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds won't set your pants on fire, but that's hardly the point. What matters in everyday motoring is how effortlessly the 112mph BYD delivers its performance, and the electric motor gives it the sort of instant reaction you'd hope for.
That became particularly apparent on a long trip in the Comfort model from Northamptonshire to Loch Lomond and back. With more than seven hours behind the wheel each way, the plug-in hybrid had oodles of opportunity to show whether it could cope with everything from slower rural roads to long motorway stretches. It did so with utter ease.
The EV-led nature of BYD's DM-i system means the electric mill does a lot of the heavy lifting, keeping acceleration smooth and hushed. When the petrol unit joins in, the transition is unobtrusive, with the car's intelligent system deciding how best to apportion power between the engine, battery and electric motor.
That makes the G DM-i a piece of pie to drive over long distances. You don't need to think about which mode the powertrain should use - the hatchback just gets on with it.
The handling is reassuring, too. This Dolphin isn't intended to be a sports whip, but the steering feels accurate enough, while the suspension keeps the BYD composed through twisty bits and over hilly roads. You can enjoy a winding stretch of Scottish road with enough confidence, without sacrificing the chilled character that makes the Dolphin G DM-i such a good long-distance chum. And that comfort really shone during my road trip.
Spending north of seven hours in the car each way is a thorough test of any car's seats and ride quality. The cabin remained a lovely place to be, and the combination of comfortable seats and a settled ride meant I never felt I needed to get out and stretch simply because I had a numb bum.
Mind you, on the return journey to England, I was so content that I did nap in the car at Wetherby Services. That's probably the best real-world endorsement of its comfort.
The efficiency of the DM-i system also proved impressive. During the long journey back towards the Midlands, I only needed to stick £60 worth of petrol in the tank. For a hatchback that had just completed such a hardcore round trip, that's a convincing demonstration of what BYD's hybrid tech can achieve.
Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give the Dolphin G DM-i, though, is that I actually missed it when it went back.
After spending more than 14 hours behind the wheel over the course of the trip, it had become familiar company - and that's not something every test car manages to achieve. 
The BYD proved comfy enough for epic journeys, responsive enough for everyday driving and composed enough to make long stretches of motorway and rustic routes feel painless. 
 

BYD's inaugural B-segment hatchback – the only plug-in hybrid hatch in its segment - features design elements sure to resonate with UK consumers. 

Measuring 4160mm in length and 1825mm in width, it has a sporty, stable stance that makes it a walk in the park to navigate and park in urban environments. At 170mm shorter than the Atto 2 DM-i SUV, the Dolphin G DM-i is BYD's most compact DM-i Super Hybrid model, comfortably positioned in the supermini segment.

The front end showcases the latest iteration of BYD's ocean-inspired design philosophy, with gentle curves and an elegant integration of adaptive air intakes for the Super Hybrid powertrain in the lower bumper. Sharper, near-vertical creases along the edges enhance the aesthetic, giving the vehicle a wider stance.

On the sides, a single shoulder line rises from the front wing to the rear, while the clean surfacing of the lower doors 'pinches' the car's visible waistline. An intriguing 'kick' design element after the rear door shut line interacts with the C-pillar, creating upward movement and highlighting the 'floating' roof effect. 

The alloys - 16-inch on the Active and Boost models, and 18-inch dual-tone or gloss-black on the Comfort and Sport variants - further enhance the G's appearance.

At the rear, a full-width bar accommodates the BYD branding and LED taillights, complemented by a sculpted lower bumper and a discreet roof spoiler that also houses the third brake light.

Inside, the focus is on space and ease of use. The dashboard features clean, horizontal lines to visually widen the cabin, with the air conditioning vents seamlessly integrated at each corner. 

Tech-wise, an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel is stylishly incorporated into the sweeping lines of the cross-dashboard. Meanwhile, the easy-to-use infotainment screen - available in either 10.1 inches or 12.8 inches - protrudes prominently

The G DM-i’s well-designed cabin makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position.

The gear lever is situated on the steering column, and the storage between the front seats includes a cubbyhole divider, a cupholder, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. A straightforward line of buttons at the base of the dashboard manages main functions like windscreen demisting and driving modes.

Intelligent packaging and a 2610mm wheelbase - longer than that of any direct foe with a combustion powertrain - deliver superior space utilisation, accommodating five-up, although four adults will be comfier. 

The boot space surpasses that of many full-sized family hatchbacks from the class above, offering 425 litres of capacity, which includes a secret 45-litre section beneath the floor. This capacity will balloon to 1225 litres with the rear seats collapsed in a 40:60 split configuration.

The Dolphin G DM-i comes in three core trim levels, plus an extra Sport edition that gives the range-topping version a distinctive look.

Starting with the Active grade, it features a compact 7.42kWh Blade Battery that provides a pure electric range of 24.8 miles. Combined with its petrol engine, the total range reaches an impressive 633 miles, allowing fewer stops at the fuel station and lower overall running costs. The Active trim is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and includes essential features such as front and rear parking sensors and LED lighting.

As you move up to the Boost, the Dolphin's performance improves. It houses an 18.3kWh Blade Battery, extending pure electric range to 65 miles, while the combined total range increases to 646 miles. 

This means you can cover more distance on electric propulsion, reducing fuel expenses. 

The Boost package also adds Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, letting you power external devices and improving convenience and practicality without increasing running costs.

The Comfort trim, as driven, adds high-end features that enhance convenience and comfort, and many of these amenities are found in pricier vehicles. While these enhancements lift the driving experience, the emphasis remains on efficiency, with battery size (18.3kWh) and range (646 miles – and 65 miles on pure electric) devised to keep fuel consumption as low as possible.

Finally, the Sport trim - with the same battery and range as the Boost and Comfort - keeps the focus on parsimonious motoring while boosting style. Although it has design upgrades, running costs are still competitive due to its thrifty electric range and combined capabilities.

The Dolphin G DM-i surprised me - in a good way! Yes, it's a compact plug-in hybrid hatchback designed chiefly for efficiency and practicality. Still, after driving it from Northamptonshire to Loch Lomond and back, it proved to be much more than an economical little car.

The powertrain delivers worthy performance, while the suspension and steering make the G DM-i reassuring and easy to drive. More significantly, it's comfortable over long distances. The efficiency is equally impressive. Needing only around £60 of petrol for the return leg to the Midlands demonstrates just how effectively BYD's DM-i system can blend electric and petrol poke.

Add generous passenger space, a 425-litre boot, plenty of technology and the ability to travel up to 65 miles on electric power alone in the larger-battery versions, and the Dolphin G DM-i makes a fabulous case for itself.

For drivers who want the hushed, smooth feel of an EV without fretting about charging on marathon journeys, the Dolphin G DM-i hits the sweet spot of doling out great efficiency, comfort, practicality, and good old ordinary daily usability.