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.
DOLPHIN SURF and MG3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
MG3 starts ZAR 72,000 cheaperDOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · MG3 from ZAR 269,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
MG375 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
MG3128 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Engine Size
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
MG31498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
MG323.26 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
MG3149 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 ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
MG3
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
DOLPHIN SURF
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
MG3
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Model Introduced Year
2025
2025
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Current-generation five-door MG3 offered locally with naturally aspirated petrol and self-charging hybrid powertrains.
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
South African launch specification introduced in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Five-door hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
City Hatchback
Compact Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Hatchback
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Length
3925 mm
4113 mm
Width
1720 mm
1797 mm
Height
1590 mm
1502 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
149 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
36 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
293 l
Kerb Weight
1280 kg
1308 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1690 kg
1766 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
458 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
500 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
5.25 m
Front Headroom
980 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
920 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1060 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
690 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
1.5-litre Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Electric
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1498 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
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Multipoint Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
55 kW
75 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
135 Nm
128 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
155 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
425 Nm
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
1
2
Motor Location
Front
Front
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
3-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
130 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
15.5 sec
8.0 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Eco, Standard, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
43.0 kW/tonne
118.50 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
105.5 Nm/tonne
324.92 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
38.88 kWh
1.83 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
LFP
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Yes
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
3-Speed Automatic hybrid transmission
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 Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
10.45
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
1
3
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Instrument switch group gear selector
Hybrid
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
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Hybrid transmission
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
3
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
23.26 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
27.03 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
20.41 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
36 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
23.26 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
36
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
MG3
Airbags
6
6
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
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
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
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
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
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Not Available
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
MG3
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
PVC + Fabric
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Imitation leather
PU
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
PVC + Fabric
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Climate Control
Electric air conditioner
Single-zone air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Electric air conditioner
Single-zone air conditioning
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Infotainment System
10.1-inch touchscreen
10.25-inch infotainment display
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Wireless
Android Auto
Standard
Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
7-inch digital instrument display
7-inch driver display
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
2 front USB-C ports (1 full-function, 1 charging)
Infotainment Screen
10.1
10.25-inch
Touchscreen
10.1
10.25-inch
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Not Available
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Flare Red, Morning Yellow, Pearl Black, York White, Hampstead Grey, St. Moritz Blue, Blade Silver
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Approach Angle
15 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
25 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Tyre Size
185/55 R16
195/55 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
16
16-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electric
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion Beam
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
100 g/km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Service Plan
4 years/2 services service plan
MG3-specific service plan
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Ownership Role
longer-range city derivative
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
395900 ZAR
469900 ZAR
Pricing Role
longer-range city derivative
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
395900
469900
Starting Price Zar
395900
469900
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
MG3
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5 years / 150,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN SURF and MG3 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 MG3 40.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs MG3 90.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs MG3 92.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs MG3 48.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs MG3 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 MG3 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
MG3 leads by 5 points
DOLPHIN SURF and MG3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
MG3
Performance
40/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
48/100
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMG MG3
leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts
vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, MG3 leads. However, DOLPHIN SURF may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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