Which Entry-Level Electric Car Is Best?

Which Entry-Level Electric Car Is Best?

BYD Dolphin Mini vs Renault Kwid E-Tech vs Caoa Chery iCar vs GWM Ora 03

Switching from combustion to electric usually starts with one question: what is the best “first” EV I can buy without blowing my budget?
In this article we compare four of the most important entry-level electric hatchbacks on the Brazilian market:

• BYD Dolphin Mini

• Renault Kwid E-Tech

• Caoa Chery iCar

• GWM Ora 03 (Cheapest available version)

Our podium is not based only on who has the biggest battery or the lowest price tag. We look at five points:

1. Purchase price and running costs

2. Real-world range and efficiency

3. Charging time and practicality

4. Standard equipment and comfort

5. Overall value for money

At the end, we rank them from 3rd to 1st place based on who delivers the most car for each real spent.

1. The contenders: what each car is

BYD Dolphin Mini
Urban hatchback with a modern design and BYD’s Blade battery technology. It wants to be the “no-brainer” first EV: compact, efficient and packed with equipment for the price.

Renault Kwid E-Tech
Electric version of a well-known low-cost hatch. The pitch is simple: if you already like the Kwid, this is the cheapest way to get into an electric car with a known brand and traditional dealership network.

Caoa Chery iCar
A micro-hatch with a more “premium toy” vibe. Very compact, strong city focus, a lot of equipment and design character, but limited space and versatility.

GWM Ora 03
The most “grown-up” of the group. Larger body, more power and range, more equipment – and, naturally, a higher price tag. It sits at the upper edge of what we can still call “entry-level”.

2. Price: who hurts your wallet the least?

• Renault Kwid E-Tech – usually the lowest price

• BYD Dolphin Mini – slightly above the Kwid, but close

• Caoa Chery iCar – in the middle, depending on promo

• GWM Ora 03 – clearly the most expensive of the four

If your only filter is “I want the cheapest EV possible”, the Kwid E-Tech tends to win.
But the pure purchase price is only half of the story. You need to see what you actually receive for that amount – range, equipment, comfort – which is where the rankings start to change.

3. Range and efficiency: who goes further on each kWh?

Entry-level EVs are urban animals, but range still matters – especially if you want to do short trips on weekends without stopping to charge.

• GWM Ora 03: largest battery and the highest range of the group; behaves more like a “full” car than a city toy.

• BYD Dolphin Mini: very efficient in urban use; its real-world range is competitive and well balanced with the battery size.

• Caoa Chery iCar: decent urban range, but limited for highway use; ideal for short distances and daily commute.

• Renault Kwid E-Tech: usually the smallest pack and range; enough for city routine, but you need more planning for longer trips.

Here, the GWM Ora 03 clearly dominates, with the Dolphin Mini close behind considering its price. iCar and Kwid E-Tech work well as pure city cars, but are more limited outside that scenario.

4. Charging: who returns faster to the road?

For most buyers, these cars will be charged mainly at home or at work. Still, DC fast-charging capability can make the difference when you need agility.

Em linhas gerais:

• Ora 03 and Dolphin Mini usually offer the best DC fast-charge performance, enabling a useful top-up in coffee-break times.

• iCar has reasonable charging, but not as strong as the larger competitors.

• Kwid E-Tech focuses more on slow/AC charging and basic infrastructure; you need more time at the plug.

In the “range + charging” combo, Ora 03 is the most comfortable car to live with, followed closely by Dolphin Mini. The other two ask for more planning.

5. Standard equipment and comfort

BYD Dolphin Mini

• Often brings a rich package for the price: digital cluster, large central screen, modern connectivity, ADAS in some versions.

• Finish is simple but well resolved; space is reasonable for a small hatch.

Renault Kwid E-Tech

• Keeps the DNA of the combustion Kwid: simple cabin, basic materials, but now with EV-specific info.

• Equipment list is correct, but not generous; focused on doing the basics.

Caoa Chery iCar

• Surprises with the feeling of “mini-premium gadget”: more design, lots of features, panoramic roof in some versions, bold color combinations.

• The downside is space: rear seats and boot are clearly limited.

GWM Ora 03

• Interior is the most sophisticated of the group: better materials, more tech, more safety systems.

• Feels like a segment above the others – because it really is, also in price.

6. What is the highlight of each one?

• Kwid E-Tech: the entry ticket to the world of EVs with the lowest initial investment.

• Dolphin Mini: the balance car – good range, good equipment, modern platform, still within a relatively accessible price.

• iCar: ultra-urban proposal; ideal 2nd car for big cities, easy to park, with a “fun” image.

• Ora 03: the mini-tourer – more range, more comfort, more car around you.

7. The value-for-money podium

Now we do what everyone really wants: rank them.

Our criterion is: how much complete, practical and safe electric car you receive for each real invested, considering the medium-term horizon of 5–7 years.

3rd place – Renault Kwid E-Tech
Perfect for who just wants the cheapest electric badge possible and drives almost only in the city. It loses points in range, refinement and equipment, but wins in initial price.

2nd place – GWM Ora 03
The best car objectively – more range, more comfort, more tech. The problem is that its price pushes it out of reach for many entry-level buyers. It’s the “I want a small electric but don’t want to feel limited” option.

1st place – BYD Dolphin Mini
The most balanced package for most people:

• Price not so far from the Kwid,

• Range and charging much closer to Ora 03 than to the cheaper rivals,

• Very decent list of equipment and safety.

For someone looking for a first electric car to be used every day, the Dolphin Mini tends to deliver the best mix of cost, usability and future-proofing.

The Caoa Chery iCar floats between them: it can be 2nd or 3rd place depending on your priority (city use, design, compact size), but as an all-rounder it is less versatile than the Dolphin and the Ora.

8. Conclusion: how to use this comparison

Rather than memorizing the exact podium, use this article as a decision framework:

• If budget is extremely tight → look at the Kwid E-Tech.

• If you want the best car and can pay more → test the GWM Ora 03.

• If you want balance for daily use → the BYD Dolphin Mini will probably be your sweet spot.

• If your life is 100% urban and you love tiny cars → the iCar can make sense.

Whichever you choose, remember: the “best” entry-level EV is not the one with the biggest spec sheet, but the one that fits your routine, your charging reality and your pocket over the next few years.