VS
At a Glance
Power
150 kW
110kW@4000
Torque
310 Nm
320Nm@2000
Fuel
15.9 kWh/100km l/100km
7.4
Towing
—
1350
0-100 km/h
7.0 s
—
Engine
electric cc
1995
Choosing between the BYD Dolphin and the Nissan X-Trail is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Dolphin delivers 150 kW while the Nissan X-Trail produces 110kW@4000. On fuel, the Dolphin returns 15.9 kWh/100km l/100km while the X-Trail uses 7.4 — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R599 900 for the Dolphin and R454 925 for the X-Trail. 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
150 kW
110kW@4000
Torque
310 Nm
320Nm@2000
0-100 kph
7.0 s
—
Top Speed
160 Km/h
178
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
1995
Engine Layout
—
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
DIESEL
Transmission
automatic
AUTOMATIC
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
front
ALL
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✗
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
15.9 kWh/100km l/100km
7.4
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
60.5 kWh l
65
CO2 Emissions
—
196
Dimensions
Length
4290 mm
4635
Width
1770-2012 mm
1785
Height
1570 mm
1700
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2630
Ground Clearance
—
203
Kerb Weight
1658 Kg
—
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
364 / 1329 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
1350
Load Capacity
410 l
1773
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
7
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
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✗
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✗
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
BOTH FRONT
Electric Seat Adjustment
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✗
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
3 vehicle / 8 battery
36
Warranty Distance
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
100000
Service Plan
—
S
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Nissan X-Trail
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Dolphin
Fuel Economy
X-Trail
Value
X-Trail
Practicality
X-Trail
Pros & Cons
BYD Dolphin
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (15.9 kWh/100km l/100km)
Higher starting price
Nissan X-Trail
Better fuel economy (7.4)
Lower starting price (R454 925)
Higher towing capacity (1350)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Dolphin or X-Trail?
The Dolphin uses 15.9 kWh/100km l/100km and the X-Trail uses 7.4 on the combined cycle. The X-Trail is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Dolphin or X-Trail?
The Dolphin produces 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque while the X-Trail delivers 110kW@4000 and 320Nm@2000 of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Dolphin and X-Trail?
The Dolphin starts from R599 900 and the X-Trail from R454 925. The X-Trail is cheaper by R144 975 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Dolphin or X-Trail?
The Dolphin has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the X-Trail can tow 1350. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Dolphin or the X-Trail?
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.