MG4 EV vs BYD DOLPHIN: Which small EV should you lease?

MG4 EV VS BYD DOLPHIN: Which affordable electric car should you lease?

We love the MG4 EV.

It’s one of the best compact electric cars out there, and it comes in a Volcano Orange colour that stands out among the black, blue and white cars in the car park.

We’re no strangers to pitting the MG4 EV against its rivals (like the GWM ORA 03). This time around, it’s diving into saltier waters as we put it head-to-head with the BYD DOLPHIN.

Can the MG4 retain its crown as king of the compact EVs? Or will the slippery allure of the BYD DOLPHIN prove irresistible?

This isn’t just another car lease comparison – it’s a battle for the title of best affordable electric car lease.

Grab your favourite beverage and let’s dive into the details.

Meet the contenders

MG4 EV: The people’s champion

The MG4 EV has been turning heads since it arrived on UK shores.

And for good reason.

It’s carved out a reputation as the go-to choice for anyone wanting a proper electric car without the premium price tag. With its distinctive styling, generous WLTP Comb range, and surprisingly spacious interior, the MG4 has been sitting pretty at the top of the affordable EV podium.

If you want an electric car that doesn’t cost the earth, the MG4 EV is a sensible option.

BYD DOLPHIN: The personality-packed challenger

The BYD DOLPHIN has been making waves in the UK since 2023, proving that the newer manufacturers can deliver compelling alternatives to rivals.

Though BYD are a newer manufacturer, having arrived on our shores just two years ago, there’s a good chance you’ve seen one. They’ve quickly proven to be a popular choice, and offer a wide variety of lease choices.

The DOLPHIN represents BYD’s approach to affordable electric motoring: sustainable, innovative, and surprisingly tech-packed for the money.

And If the standard DOLPHIN feels like too much car (or too much money), there’s now the smaller BYD DOLPHIN SURF offering an even more affordable entry point into the BYD family.

Interior: Putting the ‘fun’ in function

MG4 EV

Step inside the MG4, and you’ll find exactly what you’d expect from an affordable electric car: a clean, practical interior that gets the job done without any unnecessary frills.

The dashboard is dominated by a 10.25-inch touchscreen that’s intuitive and responsive.

Unlike some manufacturers who’ve plonked all their features into the infotainment screen, MG have sensibly kept a row of physical buttons for the most-used functions.

Much easier to use on the go, and better for your muscle memory.

The interior feels practical and well-built, everything is where you want it to be, and the materials feel solid enough to handle daily family life.

You can’t ask for much more.

BYD DOLPHIN

The BYD DOLPHIN takes a more playful approach to interior design, and it’s rather refreshing.

Available in either black and grey, or black and brown, the cabin feels more cheerful than your typical budget EV, while still having a luxe feel to the finish.

The centrepiece is the rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen, which can switch between portrait and landscape modes. Sure, the novelty might wear off after a few months, but it’s genuinely useful for different apps and functions.

The interior layout is more mature than BYD’s ATTO 3, having ditched some of the quirkier design elements for a more conventional approach that makes sense.

Practicality: Space where it matters

MG4 EV

The MG4 is also impressively spacious for its size, easily accommodating four adults in comfort (with a smaller one wedged in the middle).

Sure, it’s not going to be the comfiest car for long distance driving with five adults in situ, but for short journeys?

It’s absolutely perfect.

And there’s a good amount of cabin storage on offer. There’s a little section below the screen for your phone to rest in, as well as two cupholders, storage in the centre console, and a decent-sized glovebox.

The MG4 EV’s boot isn’t going to win any prizes for its size, coming in at 363L, but it’s practical enough for everyday family life.

And the slight reduction in boot space does mean more space for your passengers, so it’s very much swings and roundabouts.

BYD DOLPHIN

Don’t let the Dolphin’s compact exterior fool you – this car is a bit of a TARDIS when it comes to interior space.

You can comfortably fit four six-foot adults, with decent head and legroom all around. The flat floor design maximises space for everyone’s feet, making it genuinely comfortable for longer journeys.

Prioritising cabin space does mean the boot clocks in at 345 litres, but it’s still big enough for a weekly shop for the whole family, and they’ll thank you for the extra leg room.

The DOLPHIN is also packed with additional cabin storage for all your odds and ends.

You get a good glovebox, door bins big enough for a large water bottle, two cupholders, a small cubby, and another storage space underneath the central armrest.

Tech and spec: Old school vs new school

MG4 EV

The MG4’s approach is to give you plenty of choice.

There are five different trims to pick from, with two different batteries. Stick to the lower end if you want to save as much cash as possible, or stretch the budget with the top spec models if you want the most bang for your buck.

Happily, even the entry-level SE comes well equipped adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, and vehicle-to-load charging – which means you can power a kettle with your car.

Handy for a post-walk cuppa in this wintery weather.

Move up the range, and you start to get more luxuries, like a 360-degree camera, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Top of the range is the XPower trim, which comes with the best performance, and adds advanced safety tech (including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance).

BYD DOLPHIN

The BYD DOLPHIN’s line up is even simpler, with two trims and one battery size.

Both the Comfort and Design specs are packed with tech that punch well above their price points, so it really comes down to how much you value the luxury extras that the Design trim includes.

But Comfort really does come with everything you need, including that rotating touchscreen, 360-degree parking cameras, vehicle-to-load charging, electrically adjustable seats, and heated front seats.

If you do have a little more wiggle room in your budget, Design adds a panoramic roof, wireless phone charging, ventilated and heated front seats, and rear privacy glass.

It’s an impressive package that would cost much more from premium manufacturers.

Range and charging: Going the distance

MG4 EV

The MG4 range is the more complex of the two, with a few different powertrain options.

The entry-level SE trim is only available with the smaller 50.8kWh battery, giving you a WLTP Comb range of 218 miles. Step up to the Long Range powertrain with the 61.7kWh battery (available on all trims above SE), and you’ll get 270-281 miles of WLTP Comb range.

For maximum range, there’s the Extended Range with its 77kWh battery and 323 miles of WLTP Comb range – though you’ll pay extra for the privilege.

Charging speeds vary by model, with the most powerful versions accepting up to 250kW rapid charging.

BYD DOLPHIN

With its 60.4kWh battery, the BYD DOLPHIN delivers an official WLTP Comb range of 265 miles.

That’s genuinely impressive for the price point, comfortably beating many more expensive rivals while providing the kind of range that makes electric driving genuinely practical for most people.

Charging speeds are excellent, with the DOLPHIN capable of accepting up to 233kW rapid charging.

In ideal conditions, you’re looking at a 10-80% charge in less than 20 minutes – something that’s particularly valuable as the charging infrastructure continues to improve.

Driving experience: Smooth operators

MG4 EV and BYD DOLPHIN

Both cars deliver the instant acceleration and refined driving experience that makes electric cars so appealing for daily driving.

The MG4 feels light and nimble, with good body control through corners.

Even the entry-level version offers more than adequate performance for most drivers.

The BYD DOLPHIN prioritises comfort over sportiness, with a smooth, refined ride that makes it excellent for longer journeys. The steering is light, and the car feels effortless to drive around town.

Pricing and value: The bottom line

Both the MG4 EV and the BYD DOLPHIN offer excellent value for your hard earned money, but approach it from slightly different angles.

The BYD DOLPHIN is the simpler choice, but still an exceptional one, with lease deals that often undercut rivals while offering more standard equipment. When you factor in the generous range and tech package, it’s hard to argue with the value proposition.

The MG4 EV, while slightly more expensive in some configurations, does offer more choice across the range.

You can start with the affordable-but-still-well-equipped SE, or splash out on the Trophy Extended Range if you’re wanting something with maximum mileage and maximum kit.

The verdict

After weighing up all the factors, the BYD DOLPHIN just edges ahead as our winner.

While the MG4 remains an excellent choice – particularly if you need maximum range, prefer a more conventional approach, or just really like orange – the DOLPHIN offers something special.

Though we mourn the loss of the pink and purple exterior paints, the combination of innovative tech, impressive efficiency, eye-catching design, and exceptional value for money make it the more compelling option.

The DOLPHIN proves that you don’t need to compromise on features or quality when choosing an affordable EV.

It’s a genuine game-changer in the compact electric car space.

Plus, let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to tell people they drive a DOLPHIN?

Ready to make the switch?

Both the MG4 EV and the BYD DOLPHIN offer excellent electric car lease deals that’ll save you money while reducing your environmental impact.

Whichever one you choose, you’ll be driving one of the best affordable electric cars on our roads.

And that’s a win-win situation if we’ve ever seen one.