VS
At a Glance
Power
150 kW
149 kW
Torque
310 Nm
380 Nm
Towing
—
1500 Kg
0-100 km/h
7.0 s
—
Engine
electric cc
1997 cc
Choosing between the BYD Dolphin and the Mahindra XUV700 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Dolphin delivers 150 kW while the Mahindra XUV700 produces 149 kW. Pricing starts at R602 900 for the Dolphin and R495 199 for the XUV700. 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
149 kW
Torque
310 Nm
380 Nm
0-100 kph
7.0 s
—
Top Speed
159 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
1997 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Tank Capacity
60.5 kWh l
60 l
CO2 Emissions
—
198 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4290 mm
4695 mm
Width
1770-2012 mm
1890 mm
Height
1570 mm
1755 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2750 mm
Kerb Weight
1658 Kg
1691 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
345-1310 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
1500 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
6
4
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ 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
150000 Km
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
5
Service Plan Distance
—
100000
Service Intervals
20000
20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mahindra XUV700
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Dolphin
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
XUV700
Practicality
XUV700
Pros & Cons
BYD Dolphin
More powerful engine (150 kW)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Mahindra XUV700
Lower starting price (R495 199)
Factory service plan included
Less power than rival (149 kW vs 150 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Dolphin or XUV700?
The Dolphin produces 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque while the XUV700 delivers 149 kW and 380 Nm of torque. The Dolphin is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Dolphin and XUV700?
The Dolphin starts from R602 900 and the XUV700 from R495 199. The XUV700 is cheaper by R107 701 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Dolphin or XUV700?
The Dolphin has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the XUV700 can tow 1500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Dolphin or the XUV700?
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.