VS
At a Glance
Power
70 kW
129 kW
Torque
180 Nm
400 Nm
Towing
—
2500 Kg
0-100 km/h
12.3 s
—
Engine
electric cc
2179 cc
Choosing between the BYD Dolphin and the Mahindra Scorpio-N is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Dolphin delivers 70 kW while the Mahindra Scorpio-N produces 129 kW. Pricing starts at R539 900 for the Dolphin and R587 999 for the Scorpio-N. 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
129 kW
Torque
180 Nm
400 Nm
0-100 kph
12.3 s
—
Top Speed
150 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
2179 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
diesel
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Tank Capacity
44.9 kWh l
57 l
CO2 Emissions
—
174 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4290 mm
4662 mm
Width
1770-2012 mm
1918 mm
Height
1570 mm
1905 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2750 mm
Kerb Weight
1506 Kg
2110 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
7
Load Volume
345-1310 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
2500 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ 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
✓ 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
—
Sunroof
—
✓ 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
—
110000
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mahindra Scorpio-N
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Scorpio-N
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Dolphin
Practicality
Scorpio-N
Pros & Cons
BYD Dolphin
Lower starting price (R539 900)
Less power than rival (70 kW vs 129 kW)
No factory service plan
Mahindra Scorpio-N
More powerful engine (129 kW)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the Dolphin or Scorpio-N?
The Dolphin produces 70 kW and 180 Nm of torque while the Scorpio-N delivers 129 kW and 400 Nm of torque. The Scorpio-N is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Dolphin and Scorpio-N?
The Dolphin starts from R539 900 and the Scorpio-N from R587 999. The Dolphin is cheaper by R48 099 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Dolphin or Scorpio-N?
The Dolphin has a braked towing capacity of not specified and the Scorpio-N can tow 2500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Dolphin or the Scorpio-N?
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.