VS
At a Glance
Power
70 kW
85 kW
Torque
180 Nm
250 Nm
Fuel
—
5.2 l/100km
Towing
—
900 Kg
0-100 km/h
12.3 s
12.0 s
Engine
electric cc
1493 cc
Choosing between the BYD Dolphin and the Kia Seltos is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Dolphin delivers 70 kW while the Kia Seltos produces 85 kW. Pricing starts at R539 900 for the Dolphin and R521 995 for the Seltos. 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
12.0 s
Top Speed
150 Km/h
175 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
—
5.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
44.9 kWh l
50 l
CO2 Emissions
—
145 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4290 mm
4365 mm
Width
1770-2012 mm
1800 mm
Height
1570 mm
1620 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2610 mm
Ground Clearance
—
190 mm
Kerb Weight
1506 Kg
1382 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
345-1310 l
433 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
900 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ 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
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ 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
—
4
Service Plan Distance
—
60000
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Seltos
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Seltos
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Seltos
Practicality
Seltos
Pros & Cons
BYD Dolphin
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (70 kW vs 85 kW)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Kia Seltos
More powerful engine (85 kW)
Lower starting price (R521 995)
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (12.0 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Dolphin or Seltos?
The Dolphin produces 70 kW and 180 Nm of torque while the Seltos delivers 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The Seltos is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Dolphin and Seltos?
The Dolphin starts from R539 900 and the Seltos from R521 995. The Seltos is cheaper by R17 905 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Dolphin or Seltos?
The Dolphin has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the Seltos can tow 900 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Dolphin or the Seltos?
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.