At present, more and more green cars appear on the street, and the latest sales volume of the market continues to verify the fact that new energy vehicles have seized more markets.
According to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the production and sales of new energy vehicles in 2023 will be 9.587 million and 9.495 million respectively, an increase of 35.8% and 37.9% year-on-year, respectively, and the market share will reach 31.6%, 5.9 percentage points higher than the same period last year. In the Chinese market, sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) have increased significantly, reflecting the gradual increase in consumer acceptance of NEVs.
In such a scenario, the main theme of the new energy vehicle industry in 2023 is still the "price war". In the market, the Volkswagen ID.3, BYD Dolphin, and MG4 EV all gave good discounts, which also helped sales to a certain extent.
However, in addition to the price advantage, what really impresses consumers is that the entry-level model is more compatible with the current driving scene, and the road congestion has intensified, making it difficult to park, resulting in small and lightweight models attracting attention. Whether it's buying groceries for the family, picking up and dropping off the kids, or commuting to the office, an entry-level car is the first thing everyone will consider.
So who is more competitive among the three popular entry-level models in the market, ID.3, MG4 EV, and Dolphin, let's compare them today.
The entry-level car should also have a comfortable space
Entry-level models have sacrificed some space to increase flexibility, but for consumers, there must be a need for both, want, and demand, so even for entry-level models, consumers will compare who has the most space.
Among the three cars, the most crowded is the BYD Dolphin, which is positioned as a small car, and the MG4 EV and ID.3 are both positioned as compact cars, and in terms of positioning, the MG4 EV and ID.3 have an advantage. The MG4 EV has a length, width and height of 4,287/1,836/1,516 mm and a wheelbase of 2,705 mm, while the Volkswagen ID.3 has a length, width of 4,261/1,778/1,568 mm and a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. The wheelbase of the Volkswagen ID.3 has advantages, while the MG4 EV has an advantage in length and width, with a longer body for better ride and storage space, while a wider body allows passengers to sit side by side without looking cramped. Overall, the MG4 EV has the advantage in size.
If you want to ride comfortably in the car, in addition to the large space, the material of the seat also determines the ride comfort. In terms of the comparison of the three cars, the Volkswagen ID.3 uses fabric seats, while the MG4 EV and BYD Dolphin both use leather seats, and have seat heating and electric adjustment. The steering wheel of the Volkswagen ID.3 is made of plastic, while the MG4 EV and the Dolphin both use leather-wrapped steering wheels.
Power and range remain the focus of consumers
According to the survey data, regardless of men, women and children, the biggest pain point of electric vehicle travel points to battery life, followed by power when fully loaded.
Among the three cars, the Volkswagen ID.3 is currently on sale in three models, and all three models provide a range of 450 kilometers, and consumers have no choice in terms of range. BYD Dolphin provides five models for consumers to choose from, providing a range of 401 kilometers and 420 kilometers, although there are two options for battery life, but the difference between the two is only 19 kilometers, which is not very significant. The MG4 EV is available in 8 models, with 4 ranges to choose from, with a maximum range of 520 km, which is the richest of the three models and the longest of the three.
In terms of power, the Volkswagen ID.3 is equipped with a single motor with a motor power of 125 kilowatts and does not provide energy recovery; BYD Dolphin has a small positioning, but its total motor power reaches 130 kilowatts, but it only provides a single motor; among the three cars, only the MG4 EV provides a dual-motor version, that is, four-wheel drive, with a total power of 315 kilowatts and a peak torque of up to 600 Nm, and its 0-100 km / The acceleration time reached 3.8 seconds, and the real small steel cannon will not look difficult even if the vehicle is fully loaded.
For everyday driving, both the MG4 EV and the Dolphin are equipped with a 360-degree panoramic view on the lower-spec variants, which can better help the driver observe the vehicle's surroundings, which is commendable. And Volkswagen ID.3, low-end models only have reversing images, daily car is inconvenient, want to get 360-degree panoramic images, only the Jizhi version is equipped, and even in the top model, there is still no 360-degree panoramic image, you need to spend 2500 yuan for optional. In terms of driver assistance systems, only the MG4 EV is equipped with a complete set of driver assistance systems, including automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, energy recuperation and other functions, which will make driving easier.
A car's suspension can also affect the comfort and driving experience in the car. THE MG4 EV IS EQUIPPED WITH A RARITY IN ITS CLASS, A FRONT MACPHERSON AND REAR FIVE-LINK SUSPENSION, AND IS EQUIPPED WITH SUPER XDS CORNER CONTROL SYSTEM. This design significantly improves the handling and comfort of the MG4 EV when driving. The rear suspension of the ID.3 is equipped with conventional multi-link suspension, which helps with comfort in a decent way. The BYD Dolphin is the most cost-saving, equipped with the lowest-cost torsion beam non-independent rear suspension, and the comfort of the rear row cannot be guaranteed.
Market performance varies
According to the data of the Passenger Car Association, from January to May 2023, the sales of the ID.3 model totaled 11,800 units, with an average monthly sales of only about 2,370 units, and only 1,819 units sold in June. In order not to be squeezed out of the Chinese market, the Volkswagen ID.3 achieved sales growth in the second half of 2023 thanks to price reductions.
BYD Dolphin relies on the positioning of small cars, flexible travel has become the choice of many consumers, coupled with the hot sales of BYD models in the new energy market, so that the Dolphin stands on the shoulders of giants, and it is easier to obtain sales.
The MG4 EV is selling well not only in Japan but also overseas. As we all know, the European market has always been known for its rigorous audit, and the standards in many aspects such as noise, collision, exhaust emissions, toxic substance release, and scrapped vehicle recycling are far higher than the "national standard". Under such severe conditions, the export volume of the MG4 EV still reached 138736, and the large number of exports to Europe is enough to prove the product strength of the vehicle. Of course, good products are naturally recognized by consumers in China, and its sales in December hit a new high in China, reaching 4,346 vehicles, a monthly increase of 68%, proving its strength in the domestic market.
Summary:
The price of the three models is about the same after the discount, and after comparison, it is found that the MG4 EV has stronger comprehensive strength, higher range, stronger power, more comfortable space and configuration, and the MG4 EV has done everything to meet the needs of consumers. For an entry-level pure electric model, it can achieve such a comprehensive product power, coupled with a price of more than 100,000 yuan, it is indeed the best choice among entry-level pure electric models.