BYD Dolphin vs Tesla Model Y: which is better for you?

In recent years, electric mobility has become not just a fashion trend, but a real alternative to petrol and diesel cars. In Ukraine, this transformation is taking place against the backdrop of rising fuel prices, the war, and the simultaneous development of charging infrastructure. Today, electric car owners can move around the city and sometimes travel across the country without the constant fear of being stranded in a field. But which car to choose? There are more and more models on the market, and in this article, we compare two players from completely different leagues: the compact BYD Dolphin and the technological crossover Tesla Model Y.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

Affordability: what you can afford today

Let's talk about the main thing - the price. A Tesla Model Y in Ukraine can cost from $55,000 to $80,000 depending on the configuration, while the BYD Dolphin is sold for much less. In BYD's native Australia, prices start at 38,890 AUD (approximately $25,000), and even in Europe, it remains one of the most affordable electric cars.

That is, Dolphin opens the door to the world of electric vehicles for those who previously looked at Tesla only as a beautiful dream from TikTok. If cost plays a key role, then this is already a big plus in BYD's favour.

Format and size: hatchback versus crossover

Tesla Model Y is a full-fledged crossover. It is large, spacious and looks serious. It is almost 4.8 metres long. This is a car for family or business. It has a huge trunk (up to 2138 litres with the seats folded down), a high roof and a sense of space at every turn.

BYD Dolphin is a different approach. This is a B-class hatchback, 4.3 metres long. And although it looks more modest, the interior is quite well thought out. It also has a panoramic roof, a completely flat floor for rear passengers and a good trunk: 345 litres or up to 1,310 litres with the seats folded down. However, this car is more suitable for city driving or travelling together.

Interior and controls: what's more convenient for you

Tesla has been playing with minimalism for a long time. There are no buttons, everything is done through the touchscreen. Even the gear lever has been replaced by a swipe on the screen. On the one hand, it looks futuristic. On the other hand, it's sometimes annoying. For example, to change the position of the mirrors, you need to dive into the menu. And this is not always convenient when driving.

Dolphin, on the other hand, combines modernity with logic. There is a large screen, but physical elements are still there: for example, a rotating knob for volume or gearshift. And it all looks fresh and even a little playful. The finishing materials are also pleasing: instead of cheap leatherette, neoprene and matte inserts are used here, creating a pleasant sense of quality.

Dynamics: speed or comfort?

No surprises here. Tesla Model Y has a more powerful engine. The rear-wheel-drive version produces 220 kW (approximately 299 hp) and accelerates to hundreds in 5.9 seconds. This is serious.

The Dolphin in the Premium version has 150 kW (204 hp) and 310 Nm of torque. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 7 seconds. It doesn't sound bad, but you can feel the difference. Especially if you like dynamic driving.

But BYD is not trying to be a sports car. Its main strength is its balance. The steering wheel is easy to control, the suspension smoothes out pits (which is especially important for Ukrainian roads), and the weight of 1658 kg makes it quite manoeuvrable. The Tesla, on the other hand, sometimes feels heavy, and on sharp turns, the electronics actively intervene to hold the car back.

Charging and range: realities on the road

BYD Dolphin Premium:

• Battery 60.5 kWh
• Cruising range up to 520 km
• Charging: DC up to 88 kW, AC up to 11 kW

Tesla Model Y RWD:

• Battery ~64 kWh
• Cruising range up to 550 km 
• Charging: DC up to 175 kW, AC up to 11 kW

Who's the winner? 

In terms of numbers, it's Tesla. It charges faster and has a longer range. But if you are in the city or charging at home at night, the difference is not so critical. Dolphin can also power other devices (Vehicle-to-Load function), which is useful during power outages or outdoors.

There is still no official Tesla Supercharger station in Ukraine. Model Y owners use publicly available networks based on CCS connectors, such as ECOFACTOR, YASNO, TOKA, UGV Chargers, Eleport, AutoEnterprise, etc. It works, but the charging speed often does not exceed 50-100 kW, even if the car supports more. That is, Tesla does not use its full potential, and this is important to consider before buying.

Both models are suitable for those who charge their cars at home, for example, in a private house or office car park. But you should know: The BYD Dolphin has an AC charging capacity of up to 11 kW, so a full charge will take longer. The Tesla Model Y also has a charging capacity of 11 kW, which allows you to charge more overnight.

How we at ECOFACTOR help with car charging

At ECOFACTOR, we make charging easy and affordable for everyone who has chosen an electric car. Our network covers more than 3500 charging ports across Ukraine, including AC stations up to 44 kW and DC stations up to 420 kW. All charging stations are designed and manufactured in Ukraine, and we constantly update them in accordance with new standards. If you have a BYD Dolphin or Tesla Model Y, you can easily connect to our network via universal CCS and Type 2 connectors.

To simplify the search process, we've created a handy app for iOS and Android. In it you can:

• find the nearest charging station via map of charging stations
• check the status of the station in real time
• Find out its power and connector type
• plan a route to the charging point based on traffic
• filter results as needed (e.g., DC only or a specific connector)

For home use or long journeys, we also offer cables and adapters - All of this is available in our online storewhere there are RFID cards, mobile chargersWe offer charging points, adapters, holders and cables for different types of cars. If you charge your car at home, our mobile charging solutions can be a good alternative to a stationary installation.

We also provide an operator platform for businesses that want to add charging infrastructure to their hotel, shopping mall or office centre. The platform allows you to flexibly set up tariffs, keep reports and manage all processes online. All this is to ensure that charging an electric vehicle does not become a problem for either drivers or companies that take care of it.

Technology and safety: not just speed

When we talk about electric vehicles, it's important to remember that it's not just about batteries or range. It is also about the safety of the driver, passengers and those around them. And here, both the BYD Dolphin and Tesla Model Y demonstrate a high level. Both cars have a maximum safety rating of 5 stars according to the ANCAP system, which says a lot.

BYD Dolphin: a complete set of basic systems

Despite the fact that Dolphin is positioned as a budget model, the manufacturer has not sacrificed safety for economy. On the contrary, this car has almost all the modern driver assistance systems that were previously found only in premium cars.

The package includes:

• 7 airbags (including a centre airbag between the seats)
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB):
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-start function in traffic jams
• Lane keeping system
• Traffic sign recognition system
• Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert
• High-resolution 360-degree camera
• Child detection system in the cabin - when a child is left in the car, the car signals and automatically switches on the air conditioning
• Tyre pressure monitoring

This is a serious list, especially for a car with a price close to a good Toyota Corolla. It is also impressive that most of the systems work adequately, although, as reviewers note, sometimes the lane-keeping system can be too "zealous". But this can be easily adjusted in the settings.

Tesla Model Y: a level higher in automation

Safety has long been part of Tesla's philosophy. It also has 7 airbags, a full set of ADAS systems, but the main feature is semi-autonomous driving.

The car can do it on its own:

• stay in the lane, and not "jerk" from side to side, as is often the case with other models
• change lane after turning on the turn signal
• Brake and accelerate smoothly, focusing on the traffic ahead

Although Tesla does not sell the Full Self-Driving (FSD) function in Ukraine, the basic Autopilot set works quite confidently even without connecting to the American infrastructure.

The Model Y also has:

• Front and rear cameras
• Collision avoidance system
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning system
• Adaptive headlights (new version)
• Rear screen for passengers to watch videos and adjust the climate

Interestingly, Tesla replaces many of the classic physical controls with software. For example, even the mirrors can be adjusted via the screen. For some, this is modern and convenient, for others it is unusual and even annoying. But this is part of their vision for the future of the car.

Maintenance and warranty: long-term costs

• BYD Dolphin: 6 years or 150,000 km warranty. MOT every year or every 20,000 km. The cost is approximately $299 per year.
• Tesla Model Y: 4 years or 80,000 km warranty. Maintenance without a clear periodicity, but some components need to be checked (e.g. brakes, filters).

It's clear that you expect more from Tesla for the money. But in practice, Dolphin's service looks simpler, clearer, and more affordable.

A few things to keep in mind

Tesla Model Y is indeed faster, has a longer range and charges faster. This is important if you travel frequently or need more power on the highway.

BYD Dolphin is different: it is more affordable, easier to maintain and more convenient in the city. If you're looking for a car to go about your daily routine without any hassle, it's definitely worth considering.

Both cars are modern, fully electric and have a good level of safety. But each of them is suitable for different scenarios. It all depends on your priorities: how much you are willing to spend, where you will be driving, and whether technology or practicality is more important to you.

What is important for Ukrainian roads?

The state of the roads, constant repairs, chaotic traffic and difficult weather conditions - all this requires not only ticking off the list of features, but also the real efficiency of these systems in operation.

• BYD Dolphin is best suited to those who appreciate a classic, intuitive approach to driving without over-automation. Its cameras, assistants and basic systems work well, and most drivers get used to them quickly.
• Tesla Model Y is suitable for those who want maximum automation. It can take over part of the routine on the road, and with active use, its "assistants" really make your journeys easier.

Both cars are on top in this aspect, just with a different focus: BYD focuses on simplicity and adequacy, Tesla on innovation and automation.

Conclusion.

When choosing between BYD Dolphin and Tesla Model Y, you need to look at your real needs. If you need a simple, affordable car for the city that is easy to park, doesn't stretch your budget, and has all the necessary modern features, the Dolphin looks like a very logical choice. It doesn't try to impress with bells and whistles, it just does its job well.

Model Y is a different story. Everything here is built around technology, automation and a slightly different approach to driving. It's no longer just a vehicle, but a part of Tesla's digital world, with its own vision, aesthetics and amenities. But the price is also appropriate.

Both electric vehicles have their advantages and cannot completely replace each other. Therefore, if in doubt, it is better not to chase the brand, but to honestly answer the question: what do I need right now, in the conditions in which I live, drive and charge?

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