BYD Dolphin vs MG4: Which Cheap Electric Hatch Is Better?
The Dolphin and the MG4 are two of the cheapest family-sized electric hatchbacks you can buy. In Australia the Dolphin starts lower; in the UK it does too, but the MG4 offers bigger batteries and more range for the money. MG's warranty is longer on paper, while BYD scored much higher for reliability in a large 2026 European owner survey.
| BYD Dolphin | MG4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia price | A$29,990 / A$36,990 before on-road costs | A$31,990–47,990 drive-away |
| Australia batteries | 44.9 kWh, 60.4 kWh | 43, 54, 64 kWh (XPOWER 64 kWh) |
| UK price (on the road) | from about £26,000 | from £29,995 |
| UK batteries / range | 44.9 kWh / 60.4 kWh, up to 265 miles | 64 kWh 280 miles, 77 kWh 338 miles |
| Vehicle warranty (UK) | 6 years / 93,750 miles | 7 years / 80,000 miles |
| Battery warranty (UK) | 8 years / 155,000 miles, 70% SOH | 8 years / 100,000 miles, 70% SOH |
| Vehicle warranty (Australia) | 6 years / 150,000 km | 7 years unlimited km; 10 years / 250,000 km with MG dealer servicing |
Australian MG4 prices are drive-away; Dolphin prices are before on-road costs. The Dolphin Essential is A$28,888 drive-away on orders to 15 December 2026. Confirm current prices with the dealer.
Price
In Australia the Dolphin Essential lists at A$29,990 before on-road costs (A$28,888 drive-away on orders to 15 December 2026) and the Premium at A$36,990. The MG4 ranges from A$31,990 drive-away for the Urban 43 to A$47,990 for the XPOWER. In the UK the Dolphin starts from about £26,000 and the 2026 MG4 from £29,995.
Battery and range
The MG4 offers more battery choices and, in the UK, more range: the 2026 MG4 starts with a 64 kWh battery (280 miles) and offers 77 kWh (338 miles). The Dolphin's 60.4 kWh version manages up to 265 miles and the 44.9 kWh version is best suited to city driving. Both use LFP batteries in their mainstream versions.
Warranty
MG's headline warranty is longer: 7 years in both markets, extended in Australia to 10 years / 250,000 km if serviced at an MG dealer. BYD gives 6 years on the vehicle. On the battery, BYD's UK cover (8 years / 155,000 miles) goes further than MG's (8 years / 100,000 miles).
Reliability
In OCU's 2026 European reliability survey of more than 85,000 owners, BYD scored 89 out of 100 in its first appearance, while MG scored 72 and finished second-last of 39 brands. Survey scores are brand-wide, not model-specific, but they're one of the few large data sets on Chinese-brand reliability.
Which should you buy?
The Dolphin is the cheaper way in and the stronger choice on reliability data and UK battery cover. The MG4 gives you more range for the money and a longer headline warranty — worth it if you regularly drive long distances. Whichever you choose used, decode the VIN and check recall and service history.
FAQ
Is the BYD Dolphin cheaper than the MG4?
Yes, to start: from A$29,990 before on-road costs in Australia (A$28,888 drive-away on orders to 15 December 2026) and from about £26,000 in the UK, against A$31,990 drive-away and £29,995 for the MG4.
Which has more range, Dolphin or MG4?
The MG4, in the UK: up to 338 miles with the 77 kWh battery, against up to 265 miles for the Dolphin.
Is the Dolphin more reliable than the MG4?
Brand-level survey data favours BYD: in OCU's 2026 European survey BYD scored 89/100 for reliability and MG 72/100.
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