BYD Dolphin will enter South Korea at 14,000 USD in H1 2026, same starting price as in China
The BYD Dolphin all-electric hatchback will be launched in South Korea in the first half of next year priced at around 20 million South Korean won (98,000 yuan or 14,000 USD), according to BYD Korea. Once launched, it is expected to compete directly with models such as the Hyundai Casper EV and Kia Ray EV.
According to reports, BYD has completed the South Korean Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment’s emissions and noise certification for the Dolphin, and is currently determining the specific launch date for the vehicle in South Korea, according to Chinese news outlet My Drivers. However, industry experts generally predict that the launch date will most likely be in late February next year, coinciding with the finalization of South Korea’s electric vehicle subsidy policy for 2026.
Earlier this month, the BYD Dolphin reached its one million unit sales milestone globally, the third model under the Ocean series to hit this milestone after the BYD Song Plus and Seagull.
Currently on the South Korean market, prior to the Dolphin, BYD has the Atto 3 (known as the Yuan Plus in China) compact SUV, the Seal mid-size sedan, and the Seal 7 mid-size SUV on sales.
The BYD Dolphin was officially launched in China on August 29, 2021 as the first model built on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 with dimensions of 4290/1770/1570 mm (l/w/h) and a wheelbase of 2700 mm.
It features a front-wheel-drive layout and is equipped with BYD’s self-developed lithium iron phosphate Blade battery, available in two versions: a standard 44.9 kWh battery and a long-range 60.4 kWh battery. Its corresponding CLTC range is 420 km and 520 km, respectively.
Its permanent magnet synchronous motor outputs a maximum power of 70 kW (94 hp) and a peak torque of 180 Nm for the standard version, and 150 kW (201 hp)/310 Nm for the long-range version. Under DC fast charging mode, it takes 28 to 29 minutes to recharge the battery from 30% to 80%.
Source: BYD, My Drivers
