VS
At a Glance
Power
70 kW
85 kW
Torque
180 Nm
250 Nm
Fuel
—
5.3 l/100km
0-100 km/h
12.3 s
13.1 s
Engine
electric cc
1493 cc
Choosing between the BYD Dolphin and the Kia Carens is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Dolphin delivers 70 kW while the Kia Carens produces 85 kW. Pricing starts at R539 900 for the Dolphin and R599 995 for the Carens. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
70 kW
85 kW
Torque
180 Nm
250 Nm
0-100 kph
12.3 s
13.1 s
Top Speed
150 Km/h
170 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
1493 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
diesel
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
5.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
44.9 kWh l
45 l
CO2 Emissions
—
139 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4290 mm
4550 mm
Width
1770-2012 mm
1800 mm
Height
1570 mm
1734 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2780 mm
Ground Clearance
—
180 mm
Kerb Weight
1506 Kg
1488 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
7
Load Volume
345-1310 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
3 vehicle / 8 battery
5
Warranty Distance
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
3
Service Plan Distance
—
45000
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Carens
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Carens
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Dolphin
Practicality
Carens
Pros & Cons
BYD Dolphin
Lower starting price (R539 900)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (12.3 ss)
Less power than rival (70 kW vs 85 kW)
No factory service plan
Kia Carens
More powerful engine (85 kW)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Dolphin or Carens?
The Dolphin produces 70 kW and 180 Nm of torque while the Carens delivers 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The Carens is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Dolphin and Carens?
The Dolphin starts from R539 900 and the Carens from R599 995. The Dolphin is cheaper by R60 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Dolphin or the Carens?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.