Motoring | On the road

BYD Dolphin G DM-i

By Bill McCarthy

Let’s get one thing straight: the B YD Dolphin G isn’t really a supermini. Not in the traditional sense, as it is the first plug-in hybrid to appear in its segment and its bigger.

At 4,160mm long with a 425-litre boot, it’s closer in size to a Volkswagen Golf than a Ford Fiesta. BYD calls it a supermini; I call it plus size. Either way, you’re getting C-segment space for B-segment money.

According to Edvard Mecbergs, automotive Product Manager for the UK, it has been designed to target European buyers, where sharper steering and a more flexible ride are demanded.

That extra room was proven when Edvard, a six-footer, sat comfortably in the back with ample head and legroom. The boot, meanwhile, is huge for this type of model.

Equipment and prices

The range starts at £23,990 for the Active trim and tops out at £29,490 for the Sport. That means even the fully loaded version undercuts rivals, many with none of the Dolphin G’s hybrid tech or equipment list. Four trims are available.

Active keeps things simple: 16-inch alloys, parking sensors, rear-view camera, LED lights, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, auto air conditioning and fabric upholstery. Boost adds the larger battery, a 12.8-inch screen, heated seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, wireless charging, rear vents, eight-speaker audio and Vehicle-to-Load.

Comfort brings a head-up display, panoramic roof, puddle lights, vegan leather, an electric driver’s seat, a 360° camera, 18-inch alloys and Google integration. Sport adds discreet badging, darker alloys and a two-tone cabin with suede seat panels.

Exterior

The look is very much in the eye of the beholder. I like the ocean-inspired front end with its smart light cluster and adaptive air intakes, complemented by either 16- or 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear, in my view, has a flatter profile, not helped even by the roof spoiler – but for that extra boot room, it’s worth it.

Interior

Inside it feels light and airy, particularly on the models with the panoramic roof. Seats are supportive and comfortable. A 2,610mm wheelbase delivers best-in-class space for five adults and the boot expands to a cavernous 1,225 litres with the rear seats folded.

Central is a 10-inch or 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. This is supplemented by an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel that sits within the dash. The column-mounted gear selector frees space for dual-level storage, a cupholder and, on most versions, wireless charging.

Previous BYD models frustrated critics (myself included) with rotating screens, clunky software and irritating constant alerts. This has been largely addressed. A driver can now customise which screen stays on display with a single swipe of the screen, with the option of adding from the sub-menus later. It’s a small change that makes a big difference to daily usability.

Hybrid powertrain

The plug-in hybrid setup features a 1.5-litre petrol engine, two electric motors (one drive, one generator), and a choice of two batteries.

The engine mostly acts as a generator, with the electric motor doing the heavy lifting, delivering a quiet, EV-like feeling. In EV mode it runs purely on battery; in HEV mode, intelligent controls switch between five configurations, though it can also be manually controlled.

The motor produces 163PS and 210Nm, giving 0-62mph in a pretty rapid 8.3 seconds. It is largely muted but can become noisy when the pedal is depressed suddenly and does take a second to kick in.

Handling

Some colleagues and I disagreed on handling. I found it sharp, particularly on a very sharp curve on Fish Hill in the Cotswolds that nearly caught me by surprise, but it clung on confidently with the steering responsive and the ride pretty good too.

It’s the kind of car that could aspire to the Ford Fiesta’s handling prowess, if it were still around.

As for the ride, for the most part it never felt unsettled except a couple of times over the potholes plaguing our roads at the moment. Is it genuinely good or just better than I expected from a BYD?

Batteries and range

Two Blade Batteries are offered. Active has a 7.42kWh unit for 24.8 miles of electric range and 633 miles combined. Boost, Comfort and Sport step up to 18.3kWh, extending electric range to 65 miles and combined range to 646 miles while cutting CO2 from 60g/km to 32g/km.

Charging splits accordingly: Active gets a 3.3kW on-board charger, while the rest receive 6.6kW and 39kW DC charging, taking 10-80% in 26 minutes. The larger-battery versions return a claimed 201.7mpg — genuinely impressive at this price.

Safety

Every version comes with front and rear parking sensors, Adaptive and Intelligent Cruise Control, lane-keeping and departure assist, cross-traffic alert and brake, blind spot detection, driver monitoring and door opening warning. Comfort and Sport add a 360° camera—useful given the car’s footprint.

Verdict

For a car of this size and price, the Dolphin blends practicality, efficiency and surprising composure. It may not be a traditional supermini, but with C-segment space for B-segment money, that’s exactly the point. That said, the engine’s slightly delayed response and noise under sudden acceleration are a niggle. Strong for the money, but not flawless.

Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 90 PS Tech Line Review: Sensible, Spacious, Surprisingly Well-Equipped

The Hyundai i20 has quietly become one of the most rounded superminis on sale. The Tech Line trim sits near the top of the range, and with the 1.0-litre turbocharged 90 PS petrol engine, it promises low running costs without stripping out equipment. It isn’t a hot hatch—that role belongs to the i20 N—but it is a genuinely likeable everyday car.

Performance and driving

Under the bonnet is a 998cc three-cylinder turbo petrol producing 90 PS and 172 Nm. It drives the front wheels through a six-speed intelligent manual gearbox, which can decouple the engine when coasting to save fuel. The numbers are modest: 0-62mph in about 11.5 seconds and a 112mph top speed. Yet the engine feels eager enough around town, with useful low-down torque and a characterful three-cylinder thrum. The iMT gearbox shifts cleanly, and the light steering makes city driving effortless.

The i20 feels composed on smooth roads, with a tight turning circle and good visibility. The trade-off is a firm ride, especially over potholes, but it rewards with decent body control. Drive modes adjust throttle response and steering weight, while cruise control makes longer journeys relaxed. Official economy is around 47.9mpg, with CO2 emissions of 134g/km, so running costs should be manageable.

Interior and equipment

The Tech Line cabin is a strong point. You get heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and multi-colour ambient lighting, which makes cold mornings far more bearable. The driver’s seat is height-adjustable, and the rear bench splits 60:40. Electric front and rear windows, luggage hooks, and a front cup holder add everyday usability.

The dual-screen setup is the highlight: a 10.25-inch digital supervision instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, Mapcare, live services, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Climate control, windscreen auto-defog, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control, and drive modes are all standard. Parking is easy thanks to front parking sensors and a rear-view camera, while automatic wipers with a rain sensor, rear seat alert, wireless charging pad, and USB ports front and rear keep life simple. There’s also a smart key with engine start button, immobiliser, and steering wheel remote controls. A temporary mobility kit, privacy glass, and aero wiper blades complete the package. Some plastics are hard to the touch, but the layout is logical and the kit count embarrasses pricier rivals.

Practicality and safety

Boot space is 352 litres, expanding to 1,165 litres with the rear seats folded—among the best in class. Trailer wiring is included, and the 60:40 split makes carrying longer items easy. Rear passengers get a USB-C charging port, and the rear seat alert helps prevent leaving children or pets behind.

The i20 is also well protected. Standard safety kit includes lane keep assist, lane follow assist, intelligent speed limit assist, forward collision avoidance, driver and front passenger airbags, side and curtain airbags, ABS, ISOFIX, and childproof rear door locks. An eCall system adds peace of mind in an emergency.

Verdict

The i20 1.0 T-GDi 90 PS Tech Line isn’t the fastest or most exciting supermini. But it is efficient, practical, and remarkably well equipped. The firm ride and some cheap interior materials are minor flaws in an otherwise sensible package. With a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, it makes a compelling case for buyers who want technology and peace of mind without paying premium prices. It may not set your pulse racing, but it will make everyday driving easy.

FAST FACTS

Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDi 90 PS Tech Line
Price: from £22,995 (approx)
Mechanical: 90ps, 998cc, 3-cyl turbo petrol, front-wheel drive, 6-speed intelligent manual
Max speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 11.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 47.9
Insurance group: 10E (approx)
CO2 emissions: 134g/km
BiK rating: 30% (approx)
Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles

Audi A3 Saloon 150 TSI Sportline

By Bill McCarthy

Marketing history proves that premium status can be bought or engineered. A well-known lager trading itself as reassuringly expensive, weaponised high pricing to signal quality, while Audi’s iconic “Vorsprung durch Technik” delivered a message of technical innovation.

Both cemented luxury reputations, showing consumers will pay more for emotional prestige or German engineering. While the lager ad then fell away, the Audi motto is still strong in the world of touchscreens, EVs and AI.

The A3 stands out as an aspirational premium brand that, while expensive, does not cost a fortune, unless you pack in the pricey extras. This compact saloon offers the iconic four-ring badging, premium quality, practicality and excellent fuel economy. A newer version is imminent, but this model retains strong appeal for those seeking understated luxury and fine engineering.

Exterior styling

It is a smart, sleek vehicle sporting the signature four rings and trapezoidal LED headlights flanking a wider, slimmer grille. Finished in optional Ascari Blue metallic, the colour highlights sharp creases and muscular haunches. It also features 18-inch ‘5-twin-spoke’ alloy wheels. S line specification adds aluminium window trims, body-coloured mirrors, while privacy glass adds sophistication.

Interior quality and technology

The sport seats are wrapped in Twin Leather with an embossed ‘S’ logo, finished in black with grey stitching. They come heated with 4-way lumbar support as standard, alongside aluminium trim, illuminated ‘S’ door sills, a black cloth headliner, and ambient lighting.

In place of the old Virtual Cockpit is a touchscreen and a digital display for the driver. If you go for the Technology Pack at £1,395, it throws in a bigger 10.1-inch navigation screen, Audi Connect for three years, plus wireless charging with a handy illuminated phone box.

The SONOS 3D system is top-notch and comes as standard, and you can grab extra apps through the onboard store. Better still, ‘Functions on Demand’ means you can add new features later on, even after you’ve driven it home.

Practicality

Interior space is generous with good legroom, though rear seats are slightly cramped. Boot space is adequate for daily needs, offering 425 litres, and the split-folding rear seats extend capacity when required. The Storage Pack (£180) adds useful cubbies, while rear USB charging ports keep passengers connected.

On the road performance

On the road, the fun begins. The 1.5-litre mild hybrid four-cylinder TFSI may read modestly on paper, but with 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque through the slick seven-speed S tronic gearbox, it punches above its weight. The 0–62 mph sprint takes 8.1 seconds – not scorching, but enough to keep things interesting as it slips seamlessly through the cogs.

In Sport mode, throttle response sharpens, the standard sports suspension firms, and the engine emits a gratifying snarl. That suspension is firm enough and claimed to be compliant enough to avoid jarring – though in practice it does jar, so standard mode is more comfortable for everyday driving. Sport mode proved essential, however, carving through the twisting lanes of the Derbyshire Peaks.

The car feels agile and composed, dispatching hairpins with ease. Steering is sharp, well-weighted and precise, allowing exact placement corner after corner. Grip is on hand when needed most. On the motorway, it’s a refined cruiser, though tyre noise is noticeable. Overtaking is simple, with 250 Nm of torque delivering instant response. The powertrain offers effortless flexibility around town and on open roads.

Safety is comprehensively covered as standard with full airbags, adaptive cruise control, Audi pre sense front, traffic sign recognition, hill-hold assist, lane departure warning with emergency assist, and intersection assist. Park Assist with parking aid Plus and a rear view camera make manoeuvring effortless.

Economy and emissions

Economy is excellent. WLTP combined fuel consumption is 52.5 mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 122 g/km. With some aggressive driving, I didn’t reach that figure, with around 47mpg showing. The 50-litre fuel tank provides generous range, making this a practical choice for commuting and longer journeys.

Verdict

The A3 Saloon offers a typical Audi blend of style, quality, performance and efficiency. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, the interior is generally top notch, and the saloon body style offers a traditional alternative to the sportback. At £38,130 (including options), it represents strong value, and with decent levels of standard equipment and attractive extras packs, this A3 proves that good things really can come in small packages.

Factfile

Audi A3 Saloon 150 TSI Sportline

Price: £38,130 (as tested)
Engine: 1,498cc turbo petrol, 150PS, driving front wheels via a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission
Max Speed: 144 mph
0-62 mph: 8.1 seconds
Combined MPG: 52.5
CO2 Emissions: 122 g/km
Insurance group: 23 (est)
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles

On the road

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