BYD Dolphin vs Renault Zoe
Verdict
The BYD Dolphin is RM100,530; the Renault Zoe is RM165,000, so the French hatch asks an extra RM64,470. For that, it gets a bigger 52.0 kWh battery, 395 km range and 108 hp, against the Dolphin’s 44.9 kWh, 340 km and 94 hp. But the BYD hits back hard with six airbags, auto emergency braking, a longer 2,700 mm wheelbase, a slightly larger 345-litre boot and a six-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer watching monthly payments, the Dolphin is the easier car to justify.
Pick the BYD Dolphin if you want the lower price, longer warranty, more airbags and the bigger cabin-on-paper footprint.
Pick the Renault Zoe if you are willing to pay much more for the longer 395 km range, larger battery and higher 108 hp output.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Dolphin RM100,530; Renault Zoe RM165,000
- Battery and range: BYD 44.9 kWh and 340 km; Renault 52.0 kWh and 395 km
- Power: BYD 94 hp; Renault 108 hp
- Wheelbase: BYD 2,700 mm; Renault 2,588 mm
- Boot space: BYD 345 litres; Renault 338 litres
- Safety and warranty: BYD 6 airbags and 6 years; Renault 4 airbags and 3 years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 100,530✓ | RM 165,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Motor | Single motor | Single motor |
| Power | 94 hp | 108 hp✓ |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 12.3 s | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 44.9 kWh | 52.0 kWh✓ |
| EV range | 340 km | 395 km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,087 mm |
| Width | 1,770 mm | 1,787 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,588 mm |
| Boot space | 345 L✓ | 338 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6✓ | 4 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6✓ | 3 |
| Road tax / year | RM 50 | RM 50 |
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.
Dolphin
- RM64,470 cheaper to buy
- Six airbags plus auto emergency braking
- Longer wheelbase and slightly bigger boot
- Less power at 94 hp
- Shorter 340 km range
- Smaller 44.9 kWh battery
Zoe
- Longer 395 km EV range
- Larger 52.0 kWh battery
- More power at 108 hp
- RM64,470 more expensive
- Four airbags versus six in the BYD
- Shorter three-year warranty
Dolphin vs Zoe FAQ
Is the BYD Dolphin or Renault Zoe better?
The BYD Dolphin is the stronger buy for most Malaysians because it costs RM64,470 less, has six airbags, auto emergency braking, a longer wheelbase and a six-year warranty. The Renault Zoe only leads on battery size, range and power.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Zoe costs RM64,470 more than the BYD Dolphin. The Dolphin is RM100,530, while the Zoe is RM165,000.
Which has the longer EV range?
The Renault Zoe has the longer quoted range at 395 km. The BYD Dolphin is rated at 340 km, so the Zoe has a 55 km advantage.