Clash of the electric hatchbacks: BYD Dolphin versus MG4

Australia has lacked options for electric hatchbacks, but in recent months a few announcements have signalled a big change to that situation, with the MG4 and the BYD Dolphin about to enter the market.

These two electric hatchbacks will be two of the most competitive and affordable electric vehicles in the market. Today, we take a look at what we know so far and compare the pair.

Variants

MG4 first announced its arrival in March 2023 at the Fully Charged Live show. Since then three variants of the MG4 have been announced:

• Excite 64 kWh
• Essence 64 kWh
• Essence 77 kWh

Although the official local variants of the BYD Dolphin have not been announced for the Australian market, New Zealand models of the electric hatchback have been released and include:

• Standard 45kWh
• Extended 60kWh

These are likely to be carried over for the Australian release but more details are expected to be announced next week.

Size

The MG4 is shorter in length when compared to the BYD Dolphin but not by much. Official dimensions of the MG4 stand at:

• 4,287 mm in length
• 1,836 mm in width
• 1,504 mm in height

The Dolphin’s specs spotted in New Zealand indicate that although it would be longer than the MG4, it’s shorter in width and height:

• 4,290 mm in length
• 1,770 mm in width
• 1,570  mm in height

 That’s not such a bad thing for narrower inner-city streets.

Battery and Range

On the battery front, the MG is offered in a larger 77 kWh variant which is expected to provide up to 530 km of WLTP range. The base Excite in the 64 kWh gets an estimated 450 km of WLTP range.

The BYD in the Standard variant from NZ specs delivers 340 km of estimated WLTP range from a 45 kWh battery pack while the Extended takes the range up to 427 km. The latter with more range is offered with a larger 60 kWh battery pack.

Charging Speeds

MG with the 64 kWh battery is capable of charging up to 138 kW at the right DC fast charger. That is fairly quick compared to many other vehicles on the market.

Dolphin’s fast charging speeds are also dependent on the variant. The Standard version can charge up to 60 kW with its smaller battery. Longer range, Extended version can achieve up to 80 kW of DC charging.

Power & Acceleration

The MG4 in its base form delivers 150 kW of power that’s sent to the rear wheels. The Essence 77 kWh top-of-the-range variant delivers up to 180 kW. 

These figures on paper come on top compared to the Dolphin which comes in at delivering 150 kW of power for the Extended variant.

It’d be worth comparing how these two deliver power on the road and we look forward to reviewing both in Australian conditions.

Colours

When it comes to looks, the MG4 will be offered in seven colours locally:

• Dover White
• Brixton Blue
• Black Pearl
• Camden Grey
• Dynamic Red
• Volcano Orange 
• Sterling Silver

Although the official specs of the Australian-delivered dolphin are yet to be confirmed, the New Zealand offering gives us a sneak peek of what could be expected. Over there, it would be offered in various colours depending on the model you choose.

For the Standard model, it is available in four single-tone colours:

• Sand White
• Maldive Purple
• Urban Grey
• Coral Pink

On the Extended variant, the two-tone offerings are:

• Ski White
• Atlantis Grey
• Surf Blue
• Coral Pink

The only shared colour between the two variants of the Dolphin is Coral Pink which is offered in two tones with a black roof for the top-of-the-range variant.

Interior

On the inside, the MG4 includes a 10.25-inch infotainment screen that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

That’s a bit smaller than the Dolphin’s 12.8-inch rotating infotainment screen that offers Apple Carplay. If the screen on the Dolphin is similar to the one on BYD’s larger Atto 3 SUV, it’d be quite well received.

Expected Pricing

MG’s pricing announced earlier this month ranges between $44,990 and $55,990 before on-roads.

On the Dolphin, the official pricing is yet to be revealed in Australia but in New Zealand, the more affordable Standard variant starts at the equivalent of $A46,250. That could be lower in Australia if it’s being dubbed as the “most affordable” EV in the market by its promoters.

The Extended variant gets a bigger 60.48 kWh battery pack at a more premium $A51,810.

Both models are expected to be eligible for most state and territory subsidies, aside from in Victoria where the rebates will finish by the end of June.

Release Date

Both cars are earmarked for a release date later this year. Reservations for the MG4 are now open and prospective buyers can register their interest for the Dolphin electric hatchback.