MG4 vs BYD Dolphin 2024 comparison review: Two of the cheapest new electric cars, but which is best?

Australia's fully electric vehicle segment has gone to the next level over the past 18 months, with the cost of entry continuing to come down and down. Two such models that have made it so are the MG4 and BYD Dolphin, both of which are first-generation small hatchbacks built in China.

While the similarly sized and shaped GWM Ora may currently hold the title of Australia's most affordable EV, the MG4 and BYD Dolphin are not far behind, offering would-be zero-emissions buyers plenty of choice in what was a class that previously required more than $60,000 to enter – the starting price is now in the mid-to-high 30s.

So, in this expert comparison review, CarsGuide Senior Journalist Tom White puts the MG4's 64kWh Excite variant head to head with the BYD Dolphin's mid-range Premium version to find out which EV on a budget is the one you should be buying.

#MG #MG4 #BYD #Dolphin #Review
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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:26 Pricing and features
02:23 Design
03:43 Interior - MG4
05:44 Practicality - MG4
07:32 Interior - Dolphin
09:16 Practicality - Dolphin
12:18 Boot space
12:41 Under the bonnet
13:01 Efficiency
14:03 Driving - MG4
17:06 Driving - Dolphin
20:31 Safety
20:47 Ownership
21:32 Verdict
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CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

Very good comparison!
I am living in Thailand where Chinese EVs are the only feasible option. I looked first at the MG4 because I like its style and RWD. But I did’t feel comfortable and it missed some comfort features. The Dolphin is far more comfortable and has better specs (in Thailand). I also prefer its LFP battery which I can always charge to 100%. It is not as pretty as the MG4 but I am very happy with my decision (8 months, 18, 000 km).

[Neutrinum]

This is the best car review i've seen so far. You mentioned like the most important factors of an ownership! Well done, sir!

[Garezinator]

Thank you for mentioning safety! That is the most important thing I look at and no other reviewer mentions it. Far more important than how the headlights are shaped for example.

[Digwind]

When I sat at the back of the Dolphin I was like wow that's spacious.

[davidpalmer]

The NMC battery on the MG is what swayed me to the Dolphin. The MG is also limited to a charge of 80%, reducing the advertised range (Not one comparison by motoring journos has mentioned this difference). The LFP battery on the BYD is also environmentally friendlier due to no cobolt being in the chemistry.

[ecdchho]

The Dolphin is aimed at a different market. Similarity of price just is logical but the short version is “if you want bling, gimmicks, don’t care about handling and don’t mind terrible tyres, get the Dolphin. If you want better driving dynamics, and much less emphasis on bling, the MG4 is better for you.”

[sasanshamsuldini]

Who gives a dang about heated seats in Australia??

[michaelhoolahan]

configurable shortcut buttons for the mg4 are on the wheel

[budawang]

You can't compare LFP to NMC. LFP has more durability (cycle life) and more real world range as you can charge to 100% all the time.

[MaxThompson-hqve]

No doubt you should have used the MG4 Essence 64 for this review, so much better equipped than the Excite 64, we took delivery of our new 2024 build MG4 Essence two weeks ago in Qld, cost us 47K driveaway, the Dolphin used in this review is only $463 cheaper driveaway in Qld, $46537.

[LaBambaCL]

lucky you have 2 nice choices! canada has no chinese brand ev's :(...thus few choices, high prices.

[gordonshaw]

Apples and Oranges, should have used Essence 64.

[davidcartwright]

I love the description of “ artificial leather “ seats, let’s call it for what they are, Vinyl .. I know many other cars employ this synthetic material, but in my opinion it 1970’s esq .

[shankarbalan]

The Chinese EVs are somewhere else entirely in terms of what they offer

[markuc]

Should've included the GWM Ora in this test. That car is similarly priced and probably underrated.

[phangmoh]

I think you shoot some b-roll that you can use the voice from the main video to voice over like when you are talking about the bottle compartment on the main video but ain't showing them.

[stephenodonohue]

50km of range added per hour at your local shopping centre as you shop (which is probably within 5km). Sounds good to me... especially if it's free.

[Jatinderjay]

For hatchback almost $45000 is crazy😮😮

[noodlefoo]

You shouldn't have chosen Excite 64 for this comparison, its interior features are just too lacking in comparison. Should have chosen Essence 64 instead.

[metricstormtrooper]

The larger screen is a downer for me, i want buttons and a small screen when i buy a new ev. Synthetic leather is just Vinyl.