BYD Dolphin vs Toyota Yaris Cross
Verdict
This is a close Malaysian B-segment fight on price: the BYD Dolphin costs RM100,530, the Toyota Yaris Cross RM99,900. The Dolphin is the EV play, with a 44.9 kWh battery, 340 km range, 94 hp motor and RM50 road tax. The Yaris Cross is the petrol SUV, with a 1.5 litre engine, 105 hp, CVT, 42 litre tank and a much larger 471 litre boot. The BYD has the longer 2,700 mm wheelbase; the Toyota is taller and carries more luggage.
Pick the BYD Dolphin if you want an electric hatchback with 340 km range, lower road tax and the longer wheelbase.
Pick the Toyota Yaris Cross if you want a petrol SUV body, a 42 litre tank and the bigger 471 litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Dolphin RM100,530; Toyota Yaris Cross RM99,900
- Powertrain: BYD Dolphin electric single motor; Toyota Yaris Cross 1,496 cc petrol engine
- Output: BYD Dolphin 94 hp; Toyota Yaris Cross 105 hp and 138 Nm
- Size: BYD Dolphin 4,290 mm long, 1,570 mm tall; Toyota Yaris Cross 4,310 mm long, 1,655 mm tall
- Wheelbase and boot: BYD Dolphin 2,700 mm and 345 L; Toyota Yaris Cross 2,620 mm and 471 L
- Road tax and warranty: BYD Dolphin RM50/year and 6 years; Toyota Yaris Cross RM120/year and 5 years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 100,530 | RM 99,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 1,496 cc |
| Power | 94 hp | 105 hp✓ |
| Torque | — | 138 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 12.3 s | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 44.9 kWh | — |
| EV range | 340 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,310 mm |
| Width | 1,770 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Boot space | 345 L | 471 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | — | 42 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 50✓ | RM 120 |
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
- 340 km EV range from a 44.9 kWh battery
- Longer 2,700 mm wheelbase
- Lower RM50 yearly road tax
- Smaller 345 litre boot
- Slower 12.3 second 0-100 km/h time
- Hatchback body, not SUV height
Yaris Cross
- Larger 471 litre boot
- Petrol powertrain with 42 litre fuel tank
- Taller 1,655 mm SUV body
- Shorter 2,620 mm wheelbase
- Higher RM120 yearly road tax
- Shorter 5-year warranty
Dolphin vs Yaris Cross FAQ
Is the BYD Dolphin or Toyota Yaris Cross better?
The BYD Dolphin is better if you want an EV with 340 km range and lower road tax. The Toyota Yaris Cross is better if boot space and a petrol SUV format matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Yaris Cross is RM630 cheaper than the BYD Dolphin. At this level, the bigger difference is not price but powertrain: petrol SUV versus electric hatchback.
Which has more boot space?
The Toyota Yaris Cross has the bigger boot at 471 litres. The BYD Dolphin has 345 litres, so the Toyota gives you 126 litres more luggage capacity.