BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs MG HS

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current

ZAR 395,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 55 kW 🔧 135 Nm

MG HS

2.0T AT Luxury Petrol 9-Speed Automatic Current

ZAR 665,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 170 kW 🔧 370 Nm ⛽ 11.63 km/l

＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs MG HS: the short answer

HS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.

DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 158,000 cheaper DOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · HS from ZAR 499,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives

Specification	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Maximum Power	DOLPHIN SURF55 kW	HS170 kW
Maximum Torque	DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm	HS370 Nm
Engine Size	DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable	HS1986 cc
Combined Fuel Economy	DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable	HS11.63 km/l
Ground Clearance	DOLPHIN SURF155 mm	HS145 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

MG HS

2.0T AT Luxury

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

DOLPHIN SURF

Strengths

Better fuel efficiency

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures

Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Specification evidence leader

HS

Strengths

More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency

Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

DOLPHIN SURF

Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

HS

Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Model Introduced Year	2025	2025
Generation	First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation	Current five-seat HS on MG's SIGMA-A architecture with 1.5T DCT and 2.0T automatic powertrains.
Facelift History	No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026	Current-generation HS introduced locally in 2025; four petrol derivatives remain active.
Facelift Launched Since	Original current-generation version	2025
Facelift Version Ending	Current	Current
Body Style	Hatchback	Five-door mid-size SUV
Model Year	2026	2025
Production Status	Active	active
Segment	City Hatchback	Mid-size SUV
Vehicle Type	Passenger vehicle	SUV

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Length	3925 mm	4655 mm
Width	1720 mm	1890 mm
Height	1590 mm	1655 mm
Wheelbase	2500 mm	2765 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)	155 mm	145 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)	120 mm	Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity	0 l	65 l
Boot/Cargo Space	230 l	507 l
Kerb Weight	1280 kg	1590 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)	1690 kg	2065 kg
Payload Capacity	410 kg	475 kg
Towing Capacity	0 kg	750 kg
Seating Capacity	5 seats	5 seats
Number of Rows	2 rows	2 rows
Doors	5 doors	5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius	4.95 m	5.65 m
Front Headroom	980 mm	968 mm
Rear Headroom	920 mm	964 mm
Front Legroom	1060 mm	1044 mm
Rear Legroom	690 mm	980 mm

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Engine	Single-motor battery-electric powertrain	2.0-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type	Electric	Petrol
Hybrid System	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Engine Displacement	Not Applicable	1986 cc
Cylinders	Not Applicable	4
Cylinder Layout	Not Applicable	Inline
Valves	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration	Not Applicable	Turbocharged
Fuel System	Not Applicable	Direct injection
Compression Ratio	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Bore	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power	55 kW	170 kW
Maximum Torque	135 Nm	370 Nm
Combined Power	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Combined Torque	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Motor Type	Permanent Magnet Synchronous	Not Applicable
Number of Motors	1	Not Applicable
Motor Location	Front	Not Applicable
Drive Type	FWD	FWD
Transmission	Single-Speed Reduction Gear	9-Speed Automatic
Top Speed	130 km/h	220 km/h
0-100 km/h	15.5 sec	Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile	Not Officially Disclosed	Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes	Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow	Standard, Eco, Sport, Custom
Launch Control	Not Officially Disclosed	No
Rev Limiter	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio	43.0 kW/tonne	106.92 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio	105.5 Nm/tonne	232.70 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity	38.88 kWh	Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity	Not Officially Disclosed	Not Applicable
Battery Type	LFP	Not Applicable
Battery Voltage	Not Officially Disclosed	Not Applicable
Electric Range	295 km (WLTP)	Not Applicable
AC Charging Power	6.6 kW	Not Applicable
DC Charging Power	40 kW	Not Applicable
AC Charging Time	Not Officially Disclosed	Not Applicable
DC Charging Time	Not Officially Disclosed	Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking	Yes	Not Applicable

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Gearbox	Single-Speed Reduction Gear	9-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout	Front motor, front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
LSD Available	Not Available	Not Available
Transfer Case	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Differential Lock	Not Available	Not Available
Paddle Shifters	Not Applicable	Standard
Final Drive Ratio	10.45	Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears	1	9
Transmission Type	Automatic	Automatic
Clutch Type	Not Applicable	Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator	Standard	Standard
Gear Shift Type	Instrument switch group gear selector	Automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
4WD Selector	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles	Not Applicable	Standard
Front Differential Lock	Not Available	Not Available
Gearbox Type	Single-speed reduction gear	Automatic
Low Range Ratio	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Low Range	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Axle Layout	4x2	Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds	1	9

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Claimed Mileage	Not Applicable	11.63 km/l
City Mileage	Not Applicable	9.35 km/l
Highway Mileage	Not Applicable	16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity	Not Applicable	65 l
Emission Standard	Not Applicable	EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	Not Applicable	Standard
Real-world Mileage	Not Applicable	11.63 km/l
Charging Port Type	Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC	Not Applicable
Charging Type	AC and DC	Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres	Not Applicable	65
Combined Driving Range	295 km (WLTP)	Not Applicable
Electric Consumption	13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)	Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway	245 km	Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed	288 km	Not Applicable

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Airbags	6	7
ABS	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Not Applicable	Not Available
Hill Start Assist	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats	Standard	Standard
Front Parking Sensors	Not Available	Standard
AEB	Not Available	Standard
BA	Standard	Standard
Brake Override System	Standard	Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags	Standard	2
Driver Airbag	Standard	Standard
EBD	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Not Applicable	Standard
Hill Hold	Standard	Standard
Passenger Airbag	Standard	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Standard	Standard
Seatbelt Reminder	Standard	Standard
Side Airbags	Standard	2
Stability Control	Standard	Standard
TCS	Standard	Standard
Knee Airbag	Not Available	Not Available
ABS EBD	Standard	Standard

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Cruise Control	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Standard
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	Not Available	Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring	Not Available	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Standard
Parking Sensors	Standard	Standard
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert	Not Available	Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition	Not Available	Standard
Auto Highbeam	Not Available	Standard
Auto Wipers	Standard	Standard
Rear Parking Sensors	Standard	Standard
Reverse Camera	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Standard
Park Assist	Standard	Not Available
Around View Monitor	Not Available	Standard
Blind Spot Warning	Not Available	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	Not Available	Standard

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Seat Material	Synthetic leather	PVC Seat with hole
Heated Seats	Standard	Standard
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Ambient Lighting	Not Available	Standard
Steering Wheel Material	Imitation leather	Microfibre (PU)
60 40 Split Seat	Not Available	Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment	6-way electric	Electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment	4-way manual	Powered
Seat Trim	Synthetic leather	PVC Seat with hole

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Climate Control	Electric air conditioner	Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power Windows	Standard	Standard
Keyless Entry	Standard	Standard
Push Button Start	Standard	Standard
Wireless Charging	Standard	Standard
Sunroof	Not Available	Panoramic electric sunroof
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers	Standard	Standard
AC Type	Electric air conditioner	Dual-zone automatic climate control

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Infotainment System	10.1-inch touchscreen	12.3-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Standard
Android Auto	Standard	Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	4	8
Digital Instrument Cluster	7-inch digital instrument display	12.3-inch driver display
USB Ports	Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports	4
Infotainment Screen	10.1	12.3-inch
Touchscreen	10.1	12.3-inch

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
LED Headlamps	Standard	Standard
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	Standard
Fog Lamps	Rear fog lamp	Standard
Roof Rails	Not Applicable	Standard
Exterior Colour Options	Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue	Black, White, Grey, Silver, Blue, Red
Headlights	Standard	Standard
Panoramic Sunroof	Not Available	Standard

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Approach Angle	15 deg	19.0 deg
Departure Angle	25 deg	28.0 deg
Wading Depth	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes	Not Applicable	Not Available
Locking Differential	Not Available	Not Available
4WD System Type	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Breakover Angle	Not Applicable	Not Officially Disclosed

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Tyre Size	185/55 R16	225/55 R19
Front Brake Type	Ventilated disc	Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type	Disc	Disc
Spare Wheel Type	Tyre repair kit	Space-saver spare
Wheel Rim Size	16	19-inch
Handbrake Type	Electronic parking brake	Electric

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Front Suspension	MacPherson strut	MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension	Torsion beam	Multi-link

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
CO2 Emissions	0 g/km	195 g/km

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Service Plan	4 years/2 services service plan	5 years / 90,000 km

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Ownership Role	longer-range city derivative	Passenger vehicle
Price Zar	395900 ZAR	665900 ZAR
Pricing Role	longer-range city derivative	Current South African MSRP
Starting Price	395900	665900
Starting Price Zar	395900	665900

Spec	DOLPHIN SURF	HS
Warranty	3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit	5 years / 200,000 km vehicle; 7 years / unlimited km engine

In depth: how these cars differ

This DOLPHIN SURF and HS comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: DOLPHIN SURF 25 vs HS 70.

Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs HS 46.

Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs HS 98.

Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs HS 57.

Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs HS not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Model imagery

DOLPHIN SURF and HS image comparison

Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

BYD DOLPHIN SURF exterior view 2 for South African vehicle comparison

View 8 more DOLPHIN SURF images

BYD DOLPHIN SURF exterior view 3 for South African vehicle comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF exterior view 4 for South African vehicle comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF exterior view 5 for South African vehicle comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF interior view 1 for South African vehicle comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF interior view 2 for South African vehicle comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF interior view 3 for South African vehicle comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF interior view 4 for South African vehicle comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF interior view 5 for South African vehicle comparison

View DOLPHIN SURF model and variants

MG HS

MG HS exterior view 2 for South African vehicle comparison

View 8 more HS images

MG HS exterior view 3 for South African vehicle comparison

MG HS exterior view 4 for South African vehicle comparison

MG HS exterior view 5 for South African vehicle comparison

MG HS interior view 1 for South African vehicle comparison

MG HS interior view 2 for South African vehicle comparison

MG HS interior view 3 for South African vehicle comparison

MG HS interior view 4 for South African vehicle comparison

MG HS interior view 5 for South African vehicle comparison

View HS model and variants

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100

Evidence-index readout

HS leads by 8 points

HS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while DOLPHIN SURF remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100

Lead 8 points

Data 78% source coverage

#1 Evidence leader

HS

78% source coverage 2 strong categories

Best at Safety 98 Check Efficiency 46

Performance 70

Efficiency 46

Safety 98

Practicality 57

Leads by 8 points

DOLPHIN SURF

60% source coverage 2 strong categories

Best at Efficiency 90 Check Performance 25

Performance 25

Efficiency 90

Safety 87

Practicality 51

Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%

Category leaders What moves the verdict

Performance HS +45 Efficiency DOLPHIN SURF +44 Safety HS +11 Practicality HS +6

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown

Evidence-index leader

HS

Performance 70/100

Efficiency 46/100

Safety 98/100

Practicality 57/100

DOLPHIN SURF

Performance 25/100

Efficiency 90/100

Safety 87/100

Practicality 51/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index MG HS leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, HS leads. However, DOLPHIN SURF may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

DOLPHIN SURF vs HS questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs MG HS

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

MG HS

BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs MG HS: the short answer

Five key differences

Hagalu editorial ratings

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

MG HS

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

DOLPHIN SURF

HS

Which One's Right for You?

DOLPHIN SURF

HS

Full Specs, Side by Side

In depth: how these cars differ

DOLPHIN SURF and HS image comparison

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

MG HS

Specification Evidence Index

HS leads by 8 points

HS

DOLPHIN SURF

HS

DOLPHIN SURF

What the evidence means

Related comparisons

DOLPHIN SURF vs HS questions