Updated September 2026 with the latest prices, the 2026 MG4 facelift and the new MG4 EV Urban.
The short answer
Choose the BYD Dolphin Surf if you want the cheapest way into a safe, well-equipped electric car and mostly drive in and around town. Choose the MG4 if you need a proper family hatchback with five seats, more range and more boot space, and your budget stretches to around £30,000. If you are torn, the new MG4 EV Urban sits between the two.
Head-to-head
| BYD Dolphin Surf | MG4 EV Urban | MG4 EV (2026) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | £18,675 | £23,495 | About £29,995 |
| Versions | Active £18,675; Boost £21,975; Comfort £23,975 | Comfort and Premium | Premium Long Range; Extended Range about £32,995; XPower about £33,995 |
| Official range | 137 miles (Active); up to 200 miles (Boost) | Shorter than the MG4 | 280 miles (Long Range); 338 miles (Extended Range) |
| Fastest charging | 65 to 85kW | Check with dealer | About 150kW (Long Range) |
| 10-80% charge | About 30 minutes (Boost) | – | About 26 minutes (Long Range) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Boot | 308 litres | – | 363 litres |
| Insurance group | 14 to 19 | 22 to 23 | 27 to 33 (pre-facelift figures) |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2025) | 5 stars (2025) | 5 stars (2022) |
| Warranty | 6 years / 93,750 miles; battery 8 years / 155,000 miles | 7 years / 80,000 miles | 7 years / 80,000 miles |
Price
The Dolphin Surf is roughly £11,000 cheaper than the full-size MG4, and even the top Comfort version costs less than the entry MG4. MG has been offering £1,500 off selected electric models, but neither car qualifies for the government’s Electric Car Grant because both are built in China.
Size and practicality
This is the biggest difference. The Dolphin Surf is a small city car, just under four metres long, with four seats. The MG4 is a family hatchback, around 4.3 metres long, with five seats, more rear legroom and a bigger 363-litre boot. If you regularly carry more than one passenger or a lot of luggage, the MG4 is the more usable car.
Range and charging
Avoid the entry-level Dolphin Surf Active if you do motorway journeys: its 137-mile range is modest. The Boost, at £21,975, goes up to 200 miles and is the version we recommend. The MG4 goes considerably further, with 280 miles from the Long Range and 338 from the Extended Range, and charges faster on the Long Range. See our charging times and costs for every Chinese EV.
Running costs
- Insurance: the Dolphin Surf sits in groups 14 to 19, some of the lowest for any EV. The MG4 is higher. See our insurance groups guide.
- Servicing: BYD electric cars need a service only every two years. See our servicing costs guide.
- Warranty: MG gives seven years but caps it at 80,000 miles; BYD gives six years and a class-leading battery warranty. See our warranty comparison.
- Charging at home: both cost a few pence a mile on an EV tariff.
Driving
The MG4 is rear-wheel drive and one of the most enjoyable affordable EVs to drive, with sharp handling. The Dolphin Surf is light, nimble and easy to park, and feels at its best in town. The 2026 MG4 facelift also brought a much better interior, with a larger screen and physical climate controls.
Reliability and dealers
MG has the bigger dealer network, with around 160 sites, but has scored poorly in recent owner reliability surveys. BYD climbed from last to 16th of 30 brands in the 2026 Driver Power survey. See are Chinese cars reliable?.
Verdict
For most city drivers and anyone on a tight budget, the Dolphin Surf Boost is the smarter buy. It is much cheaper, cheaper to insure, very safe and has enough range for daily life. For families and higher-mileage drivers, the MG4 is worth the extra for its space, range and driving fun. Also compare the Dolphin Surf with the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 in our cheapest electric cars guide, and the MG4 with the VW ID.3 in our MG4 vs ID.3 comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD Dolphin Surf cheaper than the MG4?
Yes. The Dolphin Surf starts at £18,675, against about £29,995 for the MG4 and £23,495 for the smaller MG4 EV Urban.
Which has more range, the Dolphin Surf or MG4?
The MG4, with up to 338 miles against up to 200 miles for the Dolphin Surf Boost.
Is the Dolphin Surf big enough for a family?
It has four seats and a 308-litre boot, so it suits a small family for town driving. For regular long trips with passengers, the MG4 is more practical.
Which is cheaper to insure?
The Dolphin Surf, in groups 14 to 19, is one of the cheapest EVs to insure in the UK.