BYD Dolphin vs MG MG4 Urban
Two electric Hatchbacks go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
MG MG4 Urban: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, transmission, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Track the BYD Dolphin & MG MG4 Urban
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Dolphin starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the MG MG4 Urban opens at $32,990. That makes the BYD Dolphin the more affordable entry point by $3,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $32,989 and $36,289 respectively.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
44.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 60kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 60kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
54kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 87kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (6.6kW AC, 87kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Dolphin features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 5-inch digital dash, while the MG MG4 Urban gets a 12.8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Dolphin stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the MG MG4 Urban. The MG MG4 Urban counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats, V2L and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Dolphin gets synthetic leather upholstery while the MG MG4 Urban offers pu leather.
Drivetrain
The BYD Dolphin uses a Electric producing 70kW and 180Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.3 seconds.
The MG MG4 Urban responds with a Electric making 118kW and 250Nm, paired to its gearbox driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds.
The MG MG4 Urban has the clear power advantage at 118kW vs 70kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the MG MG4 Urban is 3.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 44.9kWh (BYD Dolphin) vs 54kWh (MG MG4 Urban), giving WLTP ranges of 340km and 405km. DC fast charging peaks at 60kW (BYD Dolphin) vs 87kW (MG MG4 Urban).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Dolphin measures 4,290mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 105mm shorter than the MG MG4 Urban at 4,395mm (2,750mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG MG4 Urban generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 345L in the BYD Dolphin and 382L in the MG MG4 Urban, giving the MG MG4 Urban a 37L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m diameter
Good
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Dolphin) vs 10 years / 250,000km (MG MG4 Urban). The MG MG4 Urban has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Dolphin if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MG MG4 Urban if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The MG MG4 Urban takes 8 of 9 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the MG MG4 Urban has a clear edge. The MG MG4 Urban adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Dolphin and MG MG4 Urban?
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MG MG4 Urban by $3,000.
Which has the longest driving range?
The MG MG4 Urban has the most range at 405km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The MG MG4 Urban accepts the highest DC charging at up to 87kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Dolphin holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for MG MG4 Urban, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG MG4 Urban has the largest boot at 382L.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG MG4 Urban has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG MG4 Urban makes the most power at 118kW. The MG MG4 Urban is quickest to 100km/h in 8.7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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