BYD Dolphin vs MG4: The Real Winner on Facts
The BYD Dolphin and MG4 are Australia's two value-EV benchmarks, and the honest answer is that each wins on different facts. The MG4 offers rear-wheel-drive handling, larger battery options with longer range, and faster DC charging. The Dolphin counters with BYD's LFP Blade battery, strong efficiency, and a taller, roomier cabin. The real winner depends on your priorities: the MG4 for range and charging speed, the Dolphin for efficiency and battery peace of mind.
How This Comparison Is Sourced
Fairness starts with transparency. Every BYD Dolphin figure below is verified against the Dolphin owner's manual. The MG4 figures come from official MG and authoritative Australian sources, because we do not have MG's manual on file, and they are flagged as such throughout.
That matters because the MG4 is sold in several battery sizes and variants, and figures vary by model year. Where you see a range for the MG4, it reflects that lineup. Always confirm the exact variant's specification with MG.
BYD Dolphin vs MG4: Side by Side
| Measurement | BYD Dolphin (manual) | MG4 (official sources) |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Compact hatchback | Compact hatchback |
| Length | 4,290 mm | About 4,287 mm |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 1,770 mm | About 1,836 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | About 1,516 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | About 2,705 mm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Peak power | Up to 150 kW | Up to 180 kW (300 kW XPower) |
| Battery (market) | About 44.9 / 60.4 kWh | About 51 / 64 / 77 kWh |
| WLTP range (market) | About 340 / 427 km | About 350 to 530 km |
| DC charging (market) | About 60 to 88 kW | Up to about 140 to 154 kW |
| Battery type | LFP Blade | LFP or NMC by variant |
Size and Space
On the tape measure these two are remarkably close in length, both a touch under 4.3 metres, but their shapes differ.
- MG4 is lower and wider: Its lower roofline and broader body give it a planted, sporty stance
- Dolphin is taller: The extra height translates to a more upright seating position and generous headroom
- Similar wheelbase: Rear space is comparable, both making good use of a roughly 2.7 metre wheelbase
- The feel: The MG4 reads as a sporty hatch, the Dolphin as a practical, roomy one
Drive and Performance
This is the MG4's headline advantage, and it is a genuine one. The MG4 is rear-wheel drive, which gives it a more balanced, engaging character that reviewers consistently praise. The Dolphin is front-wheel drive, tuned for easy, secure everyday driving rather than outright fun.
On power, the MG4 stretches higher, up to 180 kW in its rear-drive form and around 300 kW in the flagship XPower, against the Dolphin's up-to-150 kW. For most buyers both are brisk, but the MG4 has the sportier hardware and the keener drive.
Range and Battery
The MG4 also offers more battery choice. Its lineup extends to larger packs, up to around 77 kWh, delivering a longer top WLTP range of roughly 530 km, comfortably beyond the Dolphin's approximately 427 km in Extended Range form.
The Dolphin's answer is BYD's LFP Blade battery, prized for its safety, longevity, and the freedom to charge to 100 percent daily. Some MG4 variants use LFP too, while others use NMC chemistry. If long range is the priority, the MG4 leads. If battery reputation and simple charging habits matter most, the Dolphin's Blade is a strong draw.
Charging Speed
On DC fast charging, the MG4's larger-battery variants pull ahead, peaking at roughly 140 to 154 kW against the Dolphin's approximately 60 to 88 kW. On a long trip, that means shorter stops for the MG4.
For city and suburban owners who mostly charge at home, this gap matters far less, as both handle overnight AC charging comfortably.
Ownership Costs Compared
| Measurement | BYD Dolphin | MG4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (market) | From about $29,990 | From about $34,888 |
| Vehicle warranty | 6 years / 150,000 km | Up to 10 years / 250,000 km |
| Battery warranty | 8 years / 160,000 km | Long-term, check current terms |
| Efficiency | Strong, its key advantage | Good, slightly higher use |
| AC charging | Up to 11 kW | Up to 11 kW |
| V2L | Yes | Yes |
The Dolphin typically opens at a lower price and is the efficiency leader, which helps running costs. The MG4 counters with a longer headline warranty on many terms. All pricing, warranty, and cost figures change over time and by variant, so confirm the current details before buying.
The Honest Verdict
There is no single winner here, and any guide claiming otherwise is not being straight with you. The facts point to a clear split.
The MG4 wins if you value:
- Rear-wheel-drive handling and a sportier drive
- The longest range, from its bigger battery options
- Faster DC charging for regular road trips
- A longer headline warranty
The BYD Dolphin wins if you value:
- BYD's LFP Blade battery and simple charge-to-full habits
- Class-leading efficiency and low running costs
- A taller, roomier cabin with a higher seating position
- A typically lower entry price
Our Fact-Checking Approach
This honest, source-separated method is how we compare every car. We verify the BYD side against the owner's manual and clearly flag rival figures from official sources, the same approach we take in our BYD versus Tesla range comparison, so you can trust exactly where each number comes from.