Video summary

BYD Dolphin vs MG4 vs Volkswagen ID.3 | Comparativa / Test / Review en español | coches.net

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) reviewed / compared

The video compares three electric compact cars aimed at the ~4.2–4.3 m C-segment (Spain-focused buyer interest):

  1. BYD Dolphin (Chinese; BYD; “Build Your Dreams 3.0” platform)
  2. MG4 (SAIC/MG; sold in Spain under the MG brand)
  3. Volkswagen ID.3 (German; older platform but updated)

Key specs & pricing mentioned (by trim/unit)

BYD Dolphin (Sign trim)

  • Power/Battery/Range: ~204 hp, 64.1 kWh, 427 km (theoretical)
  • Price: €37,690 (could be reduced via incentives like MOVES)
  • Wheels: 17-inch

MG4 (Luxury trim, unit described as top-of-range)

  • Power/Battery/Range: 65 kWh, ~435 km theoretical
  • Motor: rear-mounted, stated as 2002 hp (likely an auto-caption error; context suggests it’s ~similar to rivals)
  • Price: starting €37,190
  • Wheels: 17-inch now; later cars arriving with 18-inch
  • Batteries/ranges: offered in two battery types

Volkswagen ID.3 (top-of-the-range, no options)

  • Power/Battery/Range: 204 hp, 58 kWh, 420 km theoretical
  • Heat pump: highlighted as a notable feature
  • Price: €4,260 more than the others (as stated); described as most expensive in this setup
  • Size: 4.26 m long, 1.81 m wide, 1.57 m high
    • Wheelbase: 2.77 m (longest in comparison)

Dimensions / habitability takeaways

  • All are “logical” for 4 people and good for travel; 5 people becomes cramped.
  • Wheelbases:
    • ID.3: longest (2.77 m)
    • Dolphin and MG4: 2.70 m
  • Body size notes:
    • Dolphin length: 4.29 m, width 1.77 m
    • MG4 width: 1.84 m (widest) and 1.51 m lower

Design & interior experience (user experience)

BYD Dolphin interior

Pros / standout features

  • Most elaborate dashboard design (more elements, rounded shapes; less minimalist)
  • Largest screen in comparison: 12.89 inches, can be placed vertically
    • Reviewer recommends horizontal use while driving
  • Good infotainment menus (Spotify, battery screens, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto)
  • Very feature-rich storage/console area, including:
    • Large tray + lower tray with lid
    • 2× USB-C, 12V
    • Small SD slot
    • Wireless charger (works well)
    • Small cupholders
  • Differentiators:
    • Climate controls accessed via a cluster/screen (no separate physical climate controls)
    • Dolphin-shaped door handle referencing the car’s name

Cons

  • Cabin doesn’t feel as spacious as rivals; screen area/layout feels more intrusive toward the driver
  • Very small instrument cluster (not configurable; limited customization via buttons)
  • Climate screen control buttons feel not excellent (somewhat cheap)
  • Trunk opening described as more of a tray arrangement (not a conventional opening)
  • Lower storage tray not very practical (access requires contortion)

Seats

  • Sporty headrests; comfortable, but with lacking lateral support

MG4 interior

Pros / standout features

  • Most Tesla-like convenience: no start button
    • Car starts by touching the brake (sensor), with key in pocket
  • Minimalist, modern horizontal design; functional and well finished
  • Center console described as “floating” with wireless charging
  • Good equipment and usability:
    • 10.25-inch center screen + 7-inch instrument cluster
    • Steering side controls “mimic a joystick” and are precise/functional
    • Practical storage (trays with lids + large usable areas)
    • Connectivity: USB + USB-C + 12V plus wireless charger
    • Contrasting stitching and good finishing touches

Cons

  • Steering wheel shape: two-spoke with flattened top/bottom; reviewer personally dislikes it
  • Wireless charger area feels insecure; phone can move while charging
  • Piano-black trim attracts fingerprints/dust

Seats

  • Comfortable and supportive; good driving-position visibility (surprisingly good)

Volkswagen ID.3 interior

Pros / standout features

  • Minimalist horizontal layout similar to MG4
  • 12-inch screen (second largest here) with good graphics and vibrant colors
  • Climate control via screen (like others)
  • Better finish quality than the two Chinese cars:
    • Softer materials and double stitching
    • Door panels with Alcantara-like lining
  • Seats emphasized as superior comfort:
    • Adjustable seat cushion length
    • Better overall comfort feel
  • Driving position rated excellent; best visibility of the three

Cons

  • Some screen menu navigation is difficult
  • Instrument cluster is also small
  • Steering wheel controls look good but lack precision
  • Central storage differs:
    • No conventional center console; more minimalist tray arrangement

Unique packaging

  • Gear selector located near the top, next to the instrument cluster
  • Window controls are spread out (two per window area—detailed “button style” approach)

Rear seats & comfort

BYD Dolphin rear

  • Most comfortable seats in the review, with plenty of legroom even for tall people
  • Benefits from lower roofline, but:
    • Feels cramped at shoulders and head (tight shoulder/head area)
  • No rear vents; limited amenities beyond 2× USB-C

MG4 rear

  • Good seat comfort, but worst legroom (still okay for tall driver ~90 cm tall)
  • Middle seat has higher cushion; third person less comfortable
  • No vents
  • Rear charging: 1× USB port
  • No armrest/headrests as described

ID.3 rear

  • Legroom good but not best; headroom plentiful
  • Feels more upright/chair-like, firmer padding/backrest
  • Middle seat is “emergency-like” and cramped in headroom

Trunk / cargo (explicit liters + practicality)

BYD Dolphin

  • 345 L (smallest on paper)
  • Best functionality tricks:
    • Generous double floor and removable trays
    • Second hidden level for tire repair kit + emergency triangles
    • Rubber tray accessory to protect original tray (useful when dirty)
    • Rear seats fold (access via trunk)
    • Folding/overall max stated: up to 1310 L

MG4

  • 350 L (5 L more than Dolphin; still close)
  • More “cubic” shape
  • Fixed double floor (can’t lower to add volume)
  • Total with seats folded stated: 1165 L (worst among the three)

Volkswagen ID.3

  • 385 L (largest)
  • Very cubic shape for better load distribution
  • Double floor + hidden storage for charging cable
  • Additional small tool/tow/hardware space underneath
  • Folded-seat total stated: 12,267 liters (caption likely incorrect; inconsistent number)
    • Reviewer still emphasizes versatility and practicality

Driving / dynamics / highway behavior (comparisons)

Acceleration (0–100 km/h, as stated)

  • BYD Dolphin: ~7.0 s
  • ID.3: ~7.4 s
  • MG4: ~7.8 s

Powertrain differences

  • Dolphin: front-wheel drive (stands out vs rivals)
  • MG4 & ID.3: rear-wheel drive (power to rear axle)

Steering & handling character

BYD Dolphin

  • Comfort-first: soft suspension; great on highways
  • On twisty roads: more body roll and less agile feel
  • Steering: smooth/precise but too light with not enough feedback
  • Braking: good, but low-speed braking from a stop feels abrupt
  • Regenerative braking has two positions; differences not huge
  • Sport mode improves response; can lose traction if accelerated decisively

MG4

  • Feels most agile/sporty on mountain roads
  • Firmer/leaning suspension feel (still comfortable)
  • At higher pace, rebound damping seems weaker → some bouncing
  • Traction control intervenes if you push
  • Steering described as firm/soft—not extreme; “direct” for corner entry
  • Driving/regeneration modes exist, but differences “not very noticeable”

Volkswagen ID.3

  • Described as the most balanced overall: comfort + capability on winding/narrow roads
  • Best stability at higher speeds / fast curves
  • Heaviest: 1815 kg
  • Braking feel rated worst: spongy, long pedal travel; braking near end of pedal travel
  • Regenerative braking difference between D and B is more noticeable
  • No paddle shifters on any model (reviewer misses this)

Efficiency / consumption

  • Official consumption (kWh/100 km):
    • MG4: 16.6
    • BYD Dolphin: 15.9
    • ID.3: 15.2 (most efficient officially)
  • Real test consumption (video): 20–21 kWh/100 km
    • Lowest in test: BYD Dolphin ~20 kWh/100 km average

Equipment & driver assistance (common ground + differences)

Common to all three

  • Safety/driver assistance:
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Traffic jam assist
    • Lane keeping assist described as somewhat intrusive

Extra mentioned for the two Chinese cars

  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Traffic sign recognition, among others

Options approach

  • BYD & MG4: few options; practically everything is standard
  • VW ID.3: more configurability, but increases price
  • Costly options mentioned:
    • 20-inch wheels (+1115, as stated)
    • Heat pump (+1065, as stated)

Unique points mentioned (consolidated list)

  • Growth of the electric compact segment; comparison targets Spanish buyers

BYD Dolphin (highlights)

  • 12.89” largest screen with vertical placement capability
  • Screen-based climate control; button feel criticized
  • Small non-configurable instrument cluster
  • Dolphin-themed door handle
  • Front storage tray access is awkward; no conventional trunk described
  • Rear: most comfortable seats; good legroom; cramped head/shoulders; no vents; 2× USB-C
  • Trunk: 345 L; best double-floor system; fold seats; 1310 L stated
  • Driving: FWD, soft comfort, body roll on twisties, light steering, abrupt low-speed braking
  • Efficiency: official 15.9, real ~20; 0–100 ~7 s

MG4 (highlights)

  • Tesla-like start (no button; seat sensor + brake)
  • Steering wheel shape disliked; joystick-like controls praised
  • 10.25” center screen + 7” cluster
  • Floating center console; wireless charger phone stability issue
  • Piano black dust/fingerprint tendency
  • Rear: comfortable but worst legroom; middle seat less comfy; no vents; 1× USB port
  • Trunk: 350 L; fixed double floor; 1165 L stated with seats down
  • Driving: RWD, most agile on mountain roads; sportier/firm-ish feel; rebound bounce at pace
  • 0–100 ~7.8 s; official 16.6

ID.3 (highlights)

  • Heat pump highlighted
  • Minimalist dashboard; second-largest screen (12”)
  • Menu navigation sometimes hard
  • More configurability (but higher price)
  • Gear selector near top next to cluster
  • Best visibility; best interior finish/seat comfort (softer materials, Alcantara-like lining, adjustable cushion length)
  • Rear: legroom good but not best; best headroom; firmer upright seating; emergency-like center seat; no vents
  • Trunk: 385 L, very cubic, best packaging tools/cables (folding capacity number inconsistent)
  • Driving: heaviest; most stable at speed/fast curves; worst braking feel (spongy); regen difference noticeable; 0–100 ~7.4 s; official 15.2

Pros / cons summary by model (as implied)

BYD Dolphin

  • Pros: feature-rich interior/storage; biggest screen; comfortable highway ride; best real-world efficiency; comfortable rear seats; useful trunk double-floor system
  • Cons: light steering feedback; less agile on twisties; small/limited cluster; low-speed brake feel issues; rear lacks vents

MG4

  • Pros: most engaging driving/agility; Tesla-like key/start feel; functional dashboard/storage; comfortable and supportive seats; practical trunk shape (but limited max usefulness)
  • Cons: steering wheel shape (subjective); wireless charger phone stability; piano black surfaces collect dust; worst rear legroom; fixed trunk tray limits max utility

Volkswagen ID.3

  • Pros: best interior finish/seat comfort; best visibility and overall balance; most stable at higher speeds; largest trunk
  • Cons: most expensive as tested (notably with heat pump/wheels); worst brake pedal feel; screen menu navigation can be tricky; rear center seat less usable; less agile than MG4 on twisties

Overall verdict / recommendation

  • No single car fully convinces the reviewer panel, but recommendations vary by priorities:
    • One reviewer prefers MG4 for driving feel/agility.
    • Another chooses MG again for highway dynamics.
    • Another goes with ID.3 for overall completeness/versatility (comfort/finish).
  • Final “clear choice” (last summarized opinion): MG4 (Chinese car implied) due to price, finishes, and balanced dynamic performance.

General recommendation from the content

  • Choose MG4 for the most engaging driving and agility.
  • Choose ID.3 if you prioritize finish quality, seat comfort, balance, stability, and the largest trunk, accepting higher cost/options.
  • Choose BYD Dolphin for feature value, large screen, high comfort on highways, good real-world consumption, and smart trunk organization—accepting softer, less agile twisty-road behavior.

Speaker-specific views (who said what)

  • Nestor: Likes ID.3 multimedia, likes MG dynamics, likes VW design; chooses MG4 for driving/handling.
  • Luis: Prefers MG for dynamics and highway handling; ultimately chooses Volkswagen for completeness/versatility (life-stage practicality).
  • Third reviewer (final decision voice): Chooses the Chinese car (MG4/Dolphin group context indicates MG4) due to price, finishes, and balanced dynamic performance.

Original video