2023 used (earliest NZ-new)
$28,000Earliest Dolphin examples in NZ. Thin used supply. Factory warranty still runs.
Weekly
$127.95
Monthly
$554.43
BYD model
BYD Dolphin finance calculator
An affordable small-EV path into New Zealand's lowest new-EV price bracket.
Last reviewed: 23 April 2026
The Dolphin is BYD's small hatch in the NZ lineup, priced from around $35,000 new through BYD NZ dealers. It sits in a bracket with very few direct rivals, cheaper than a new MG4 in most trims and substantially cheaper than a new Kona Electric. For first-time EV buyers previously choosing between a petrol Yaris and a used Leaf, the Dolphin opens a third path with full factory warranty and NZ dealer support. Lender residual-value data is thinner than on the Atto 3 because volume is lower, which is worth knowing before committing to a long term.
Your estimated repayment
Weekly
$174/week
$347 /fortnight $752 /month
$38,000
$0
7.00% p.a.
5 years
We are not a finance company. Indicative only. Not a quote or offer of credit. Actual rates, fees, and repayments depend on your circumstances and the lender's decision.
Year by year
Dolphin prices and repayments, by era.
Typical NZ market prices and the weekly cost of financing each. All figures assume 7% over 5 years with no deposit. Indicative only; open the full calculator to pre-set your own rate and term.
2024 used
$32,000Broader NZ-new supply. Standard and Premium trims available.
Weekly
$146.22
Monthly
$633.64
2025+ new/nearly-new
$37,000Current BYD NZ pricing. The cheapest new EV in the BYD NZ range.
Weekly
$169.07
Monthly
$732.64
Who this suits
Who buys a BYD Dolphin?
- First-time EV buyers on a single-car urban pattern in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch central suburbs.
- Households replacing a small petrol hatch (Swift, Yaris, Polo) with an EV while keeping the weekly cost in a similar band.
- Retired and semi-retired buyers doing under 10,000 km a year who value predictable low running costs over range headroom.
Financing notes
What financing a Dolphin usually looks like.
At $38,000 across a five-year term at an indicative 7.3% EV tier rate, the weekly lands around $176, or $765 a month. Shortening to three years pushes the weekly up to roughly $269 but cuts total interest by more than half. The Dolphin's low sticker price makes it a sensible fit for buyers who want to keep the loan principal modest and avoid long terms, and the battery warranty still outlasts a five-year loan comfortably.
Model-specific questions
BYD Dolphin finance FAQ.
Does the Dolphin qualify for the same EV loan tier as the Atto 3?
At most NZ lenders, yes. The EV tier applies across new BYD NZ stock on equivalent terms, so Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seal quote from the same pricing band. A small number of lenders apply a minimum loan amount to their EV tier that the cheapest Dolphin variants may fall below, which is worth confirming when the broker runs the comparison.
Is the Dolphin's smaller battery a problem for highway trips?
For day-to-day urban and commuter use in New Zealand, no. For occasional longer trips (Auckland to Tauranga, Wellington to Napier), the Dolphin needs at least one planned rapid-charge stop each way, which adds 30 to 45 minutes to the journey. If the typical drive pattern is more than monthly long highway trips, the Atto 3 Extended Range or a Sealion 6 PHEV is usually a better fit.
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A formal estimate on a BYD Dolphin.
Our finance partner compares multiple NZ lenders. Calculator inputs travel through to the application, and the partner returns a formal estimate after the lender's credit assessment.