Head-to-head
BYD Dolphin vs Hyundai Inster
At $29,990 the BYD Dolphin undercuts the Hyundai Inster by $9,010 (23%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Hatch
BYD Dolphin
The Dolphin is one of Australia's cheapest new EVs and one of the best small-car bargains, full stop. With a Blade LFP battery, full ADAS suite, and 5-star ANCAP rating, it punches well above its sticker price.
- From
- $29,990
- Range
- 427 km
- Battery
- 60.5 kWh
Option B · Hatch
Hyundai Inster
Hyundai's tiny city EV pitches Australian buyers a sub-$40k Korean alternative to the Chinese-built BYD Dolphin and MG 4. Modest performance but characterful design and clever interior packaging.
- From
- $39,000
- Range
- 360 km
- Battery
- 49 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai Inster, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin goes 67 km further on a charge (427 vs 360 km WLTP).
- 2
Price · advantage BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin undercuts the Hyundai Inster by $9,010 (23%) on starting price.
- 3
Battery · advantage BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin carries a 11.5 kWh larger battery (60.5 vs 49 kWh).
- 4
0–100 km/h · advantage BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin is 3.6 s quicker to 100 km/h (7 s vs 10.6 s).
- 5
DC charging · advantage Hyundai Inster
The Hyundai Inster accepts 32 kW more DC peak charging (120 vs 88 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the BYD Dolphin wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $9,010
- ▸ 67 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (7s vs 10.6s)
- ▸ Longer warranty (6 years)
Where the Hyundai Inster wins
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (120 kW vs 88 kW)
BYD Dolphin
What we like
- ✓ Among the cheapest EVs on sale in Australia
- ✓ Surprisingly long range from the Premium variant
- ✓ Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability standard
What we don't
- ✕ Funky styling won't suit everyone
- ✕ Rear seat space tighter than the Atto 3
- ✕ Limited dealer network outside capital cities
Hyundai Inster
What we like
- ✓ One of the cheapest Korean EVs in Australia
- ✓ Quick DC charging for the class (120 kW peak)
- ✓ Configurable interior with sliding rear seats
What we don't
- ✕ Slow 0–100 even by city-EV standards
- ✕ Shorter battery warranty (100,000 km vs 160,000 km on Kona)
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP tested at launch
Frequently asked: BYD Dolphin vs Hyundai Inster
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the BYD Dolphin or the Hyundai Inster?
- The BYD Dolphin is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $29,990 versus $39,000 for the Hyundai Inster, a $9,010 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The BYD Dolphin has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 427 km, 67 km further than the Hyundai Inster's 360 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Hyundai Inster accepts a peak DC charging rate of 120 kW versus 88 kW for the BYD Dolphin. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The BYD Dolphin does 0–100 km/h in 7.0 seconds — 3.6 s quicker than the Hyundai Inster's 10.6 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the BYD Dolphin better value than the Hyundai Inster?
- On paper the BYD Dolphin is $9,010 cheaper AND beats the Hyundai Inster on most of the headline specs we measure — meaning by spec-sheet logic it's the stronger value play. What a spec sheet can't capture: brand prestige, dealer network depth, build feel, software polish, and likely resale.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
BYD Dolphin
if…
- ✓ you want to save $9,010 on the sticker
- ✓ maximum range matters (67 km further per charge)
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.