- iCar V23 vs BYD Dolphin: Electric City Car vs Off-Road EV SUV
- iCar V23 AWD
- BYD Dolphin
- Design & Purpose Comparison
- Range & Performance
- Price & Value
- Which EV for Which Buyer?
- Pros & Cons
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
iCar V23 vs BYD Dolphin: Electric City Car vs Off-Road EV SUV
The iCar V23 AWD and BYD Dolphin are two of the most affordable Chinese electric cars in the UAE, but they serve completely different purposes. The iCar V23 AWD is a boxy off-road-styled SUV with 211 hp, dual-motor AWD and 501 km of range at 66,000 AED. The BYD Dolphin is a sleek city hatchback with 201 hp and up to 427 km of range at 80,000 AED. Both are excellent value, but they target very different buyers. This comparison helps you decide which affordable Chinese EV is right for your lifestyle.
Updated August 2026.
| Model | Body Style | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCar V23 AWD | SUV | 66,000 AED | Adventure-seeking buyers who want dual-motor EV performance with off-road ability. |
| BYD Dolphin | Hatchback | 80,000 AED | City drivers who want a clean, cheap-to-run electric hatchback. |
iCar V23 AWD
Starting Price: 66,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
The dual-motor AWD version of Chery's iCar V23, delivering 211 hp and 292 Nm through all four wheels with a 501 km WLTC range. It combines genuine off-road capability with a full ADAS suite, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a 540-degree camera at a price that shames every rival.
Key Highlights
- Dual-motor AWD with 211 hp / 292 Nm, 0-100 in 7.5s
- 81.8 kWh battery with 501 km WLTC range
- Full ADAS: AEB, ACC, LKA, BSD, 540-degree camera
- Off-road mode with hill descent control
- Heated & ventilated leather seats, 8-year / 200,000 km warranty
Best for: Adventure-seeking buyers who want dual-motor EV performance with off-road ability.
BYD Dolphin
Starting Price: 80,000 AED
Body Style: Hatchback
A compact electric hatchback and BYD's most affordable EV. The Blade Battery delivers up to 427 km of WLTP range in a city-friendly footprint, making it the cheapest gateway into BYD electric ownership in the UAE.
Key Highlights
- Most affordable BYD EV at 80,000 AED
- Blade Battery with up to 427 km WLTP range
- 201 hp / 310 Nm electric motor, 0-100 in 7.0s
- Compact footprint ideal for Dubai city parking
- 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty
Best for: City drivers who want a clean, cheap-to-run electric hatchback.
Design & Purpose Comparison
The iCar V23 and BYD Dolphin could not be more different in design and purpose. The iCar V23 is a boxy, upright SUV with a rugged off-road stance, 21-inch wheels and a design language inspired by classic off-roaders. It looks ready for the desert even when parked outside a Dubai office tower. Its purpose is adventure — carrying you from the city to the dunes and back with zero emissions.
The BYD Dolphin is a compact, aerodynamic hatchback designed for the city. Its sleek, rounded shape is optimised for efficiency and easy parking in tight Dubai Marina spaces. The Dolphin's purpose is urban commuting — cheap, clean and practical daily transport with no pretensions of leaving the tarmac.
Your choice here is fundamentally about lifestyle. If your weekends involve desert camping, wadi trips or off-road adventures, the iCar V23 is the obvious fit. If your driving is entirely urban — commuting, school runs and mall visits — the Dolphin's compact footprint and city-friendly dimensions make it the more practical choice.
Range & Performance
The iCar V23 AWD produces 211 hp and 292 Nm from its dual-motor system, with a 0-100 time of 7.5 seconds. Its 81.8 kWh battery delivers 501 km of WLTC range. The BYD Dolphin produces 201 hp and 310 Nm with a 0-100 time of 7.0 seconds, and its Blade Battery delivers up to 427 km of WLTP range.
On raw performance, the two are surprisingly close — the Dolphin is actually 0.5 seconds quicker to 100 km/h despite having 10 fewer horsepower, thanks to its lighter weight. The iCar's advantage is AWD traction and off-road capability, which the Dolphin's front-wheel drive simply cannot offer.
On range, the iCar V23 AWD's 501 km gives it a 74 km advantage over the Dolphin's 427 km. Both are more than sufficient for daily UAE commuting, but the iCar's longer range provides extra confidence for weekend trips beyond the city.
Price & Value
The iCar V23 AWD at 66,000 AED is 14,000 AED cheaper than the BYD Dolphin at 80,000 AED. This is remarkable given that the iCar is an SUV with AWD, more range and a larger battery. The Dolphin's higher price reflects BYD's proven Blade Battery technology and established brand presence in the UAE.
On value-for-money, the iCar V23 AWD is the stronger proposition. You get more range, AWD, an SUV body and a full ADAS suite for 14,000 AED less. The Dolphin's value argument rests on its proven Blade Battery, BYD's dealer network and its compact, city-friendly dimensions.
Both cars come with 8-year battery warranties, so longevity is not a differentiator. The iCar's warranty extends to 200,000 km versus the Dolphin's 160,000 km, giving the iCar an additional 40,000 km of coverage.
Which EV for Which Buyer?
Choose the iCar V23 AWD if you want an adventure-capable electric SUV that can handle desert trails, wadi crossings and weekend camping trips alongside daily commuting. Its boxy design, AWD traction and V2L capability make it the perfect EV for young, active UAE buyers who want more than just a city car.
Choose the BYD Dolphin if your driving is entirely urban and you prioritise easy parking, proven battery technology and BYD's established dealer network. The Dolphin is the ideal second car for Dubai households or a primary car for city dwellers who never venture off-road.
Pros & Cons
iCar V23 AWD
Pros:
- 14,000 AED cheaper at 66,000 AED
- Dual-motor AWD for off-road and wet conditions
- Longer range at 501 km WLTC
- Boxy SUV design with adventure character
- V2L capability for powering external devices
- 8-year / 200,000 km warranty
Cons:
- Larger footprint is harder to park in tight city spaces
- Smaller 280 L boot for a compact SUV
- Newer iCar sub-brand with fewer UAE service points
BYD Dolphin
Pros:
- Proven Blade Battery with heat-stable LFP chemistry
- Compact city-friendly footprint for easy parking
- Slightly faster 0-100 at 7.0 seconds
- Established BYD dealer network across the UAE
- 345 L boot is practical for a hatchback
Cons:
- 14,000 AED more expensive at 80,000 AED
- Shorter range at 427 km WLTP
- Front-wheel drive only, no AWD
- Not designed for off-road or adventure use
| Spec | iCar V23 AWD | BYD Dolphin |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 66,000 AED | 80,000 AED |
| Power | 211 hp / 292 Nm | 201 hp / 310 Nm |
| Drivetrain | Dual-motor AWD | FWD |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 7.0 seconds |
| Battery | 81.8 kWh | Blade Battery (LFP) |
| Range | 501 km (WLTC) | 340-427 km (WLTP) |
| Boot Space | 280 L | 345 L |
| Body Style | Boxy Off-Road SUV | Compact Hatchback |
| Warranty | 8 yr / 200,000 km | 8 yr / 160,000 km |
| V2L | Yes (3.3 kW) | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, the iCar V23 AWD or BYD Dolphin?
The iCar V23 AWD is 14,000 AED cheaper at 66,000 AED versus the BYD Dolphin at 80,000 AED, despite being an SUV with AWD and more range.
Which is faster, the iCar V23 or BYD Dolphin?
The BYD Dolphin is slightly faster to 100 km/h at 7.0 seconds versus the iCar V23 AWD's 7.5 seconds, thanks to its lighter weight. However, the iCar has 10 more horsepower and the advantage of all-wheel drive.
Which has more range, the iCar V23 or BYD Dolphin?
The iCar V23 AWD has a longer range at 501 km WLTC compared to the BYD Dolphin's up to 427 km WLTP, an advantage of 74 km.
Can the BYD Dolphin go off-road?
No, the BYD Dolphin is a city hatchback with front-wheel drive and low ground clearance. It is not designed for off-road use. The iCar V23 AWD with its dual-motor AWD and off-road mode is the capable choice for desert and wadi driving.
Verdict
These two EVs serve completely different purposes and both do their jobs excellently. The BYD Dolphin is the better city car — compact, proven and easy to park — but it costs 14,000 AED more. The iCar V23 AWD is the better all-rounder — cheaper, more capable, longer-range and adventure-ready. For UAE buyers who want one EV that can handle both city commuting and weekend adventures, the iCar V23 AWD is the clear winner. For pure city use with proven battery technology, the BYD Dolphin remains a solid choice.
