Verdict
The BYD Dolphin asks RM100,530, RM14,630 above the Honda City Hatchback, and the money mainly moves you into EV motoring: a 44.9 kWh battery, 340 km range and a bigger 345 L boot. It is not the quicker car, with 94 hp and a 12.3-second 0-100 km/h time. The Honda counters with 119 hp, 10.7 seconds to 100 km/h and a lower RM85,900 price. Both are front-driven B-segment hatchbacks with six airbags and AEB, so this is space-and-EV versus price-and-pace.
Pick the BYD Dolphin if you want an electric hatchback with 340 km range, the larger 345 L boot and a longer 6-year warranty.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want the lower RM85,900 price, stronger 119 hp output and quicker 10.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Dolphin RM100,530; Honda City Hatchback RM85,900.
- Power: BYD Dolphin 94 hp; Honda City Hatchback 119 hp.
- 0-100 km/h: BYD Dolphin 12.3 s; Honda City Hatchback 10.7 s.
- Size: BYD Dolphin 4,290 mm long, 1,770 mm wide; Honda City Hatchback 4,350 mm long, 1,748 mm wide.
- Boot space: BYD Dolphin 345 L; Honda City Hatchback 289 L.
- Warranty and road tax: BYD Dolphin 6 years and RM50/year; Honda City Hatchback 5 years and RM90/year.
Dolphin
- 340 km EV range from a 44.9 kWh battery
- Bigger 345 L boot
- Longer 2,700 mm wheelbase
- RM14,630 dearer to buy
- Slower 12.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 94 hp output
City Hatchback
- Lower purchase price
- Quicker 10.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- More power at 119 hp
- Smaller 289 L boot
- Shorter 5-year warranty
- Higher RM90 yearly road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,530 | RM85,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 119 hp |
| Torque | — | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 94 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 180 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 44.92 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 340 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 60 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BYD | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.3 seconds | 10.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 195 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,350 mm |
| Width | 1,770 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,488 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,149 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 345 litres✓ | 289 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/60R16 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/60R16 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full size |
| Factory Tyres | Linglong Eco Master E | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Brake | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB-A, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-A, 1 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.8” Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers, Bluetooth, Navigation | Radio with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver’s Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Dolphin & City Hatchback for sale
Dolphin vs City Hatchback FAQ
Is the BYD Dolphin or Honda City Hatchback better?
The BYD Dolphin is better for EV use and carrying space, with 340 km range and a 345 L boot. The Honda City Hatchback is better on price and acceleration, costing less and doing 0-100 km/h in 10.7 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Dolphin costs RM14,630 more than the Honda City Hatchback. The gap buys an electric drivetrain, 44.9 kWh battery, 340 km range, larger boot space and a 6-year warranty.
Which one is more practical?
The BYD Dolphin has the bigger boot at 345 L versus 289 L, plus a longer 2,700 mm wheelbase. The Honda City Hatchback is 60 mm longer overall, but its boot is smaller.