BYD Dolphin vs Renault 4: which one offers the best value for money?

If you’re eyeing up these two comparable electric hatchbacks but aren’t sure which offers the better value, we’re here to help.

As electric cars continue to grow in popularity, so does the choice of EVs across all shapes and sizes. But if you’re looking for a smaller electric car to nip around town in, the BYD Dolphin and Renault 4 are two strong contenders. Both offer generous standard equipment, modern features and attractive pricing, but which one gives you the better overall value?

We’ve compared the BYD Dolphin and Renault 4 on equipment, pricing, and the latest new, used and lease deals to help you decide which electric hatchback is the smarter choice.

To keep things like-for-like, we’ve based this comparison on the top trim level of each car: the Design version of the Dolphin and the Iconic+ version of the Renault 4. These are the most expensive versions available, giving you a clear picture of everything each car has to offer.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Which has better equipment?

First up, let’s compare their range and equipment when you buy them new. Both cars are known for coming with plenty of kit for all your needs, but which one has more on offer?

Here’s how the electric range compares as well as some of the major equipment in their highest-specced versions at a glance:

BYD Dolphin Design	Renault 4 Iconic+
265 miles of range Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 12.8-inch touchscreen Wireless charging Six-speaker audio system with sound optimisation Onboard 4G connectivity Adaptive cruise control Customisable driving modes Blind spot detection 360-degree camera Rear parking radar Panoramic glass roof 17-inch alloy wheels	243 miles of range Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 10.1-inch touchscreen Wireless charging Harman Kardon premium audio system Wi-Fi hotspot Adaptive cruise control Customisable driving modes Blind spot warning Rear-view camera Front, rear and side parking sensors 18-inch alloy wheels

As the table above shows, both cars share much of the same technology, but the BYD Dolphin adds a 360-degree camera and panoramic glass roof, while you get to enjoy a Harman Kardon premium audio system in the Renault 4.

Buying new

Next up, let’s look at buying both. You’re more likely to finance your car, so the total cost will usually include interest and additional fees. These costs can vary depending on the type of deal, when you buy, and current interest rates.

For our calculations, we used PCP finance, a flexible car finance option where your monthly payments cover much of the car’s expected depreciation rather than its full purchase price.

Using BYD and Renault’s own websites, we’ve assumed a deposit of £5,000, a three-year term and annual mileage of 10,000 miles. We’ve also assumed that you’ve returned the car to the finance company at the end of the agreement.

Here’s a breakdown of all the costs you can expect. At the time of writing, the BYD Dolphin was available with 0% APR, meaning no interest was charged on the finance. The Renault 4, however, was offered at 5.90% APR.

	BYD Dolphin Design	Renault 4 Iconic+
Car’s list price	£31,730	£27,945 (after electric car grant)
Initial deposit	£5,000	£5,000
Regular monthly payments	£354.83	£349
Total cost to PCP if you return the car	£17,773.74	£18,057

If you want to keep the car, there’s an optional final payment of £12,260.63 for the Dolphin and £13,050 for the Renault 4.

The figures above show that it’s cheaper to buy a BYD Dolphin than a Renault 4 on the same finance terms and annual mileage, despite the latter being eligible for the full £3,750 electric car grant. This is largely because the Dolphin is currently available with 0% APR, while the Renault 4 had a 5.9% APR at the time of writing.

This is a good reminder that it’s always worth checking for interest-free finance incentives when comparing deals, as they can make a significant difference to the overall cost.

Looking to save even more? It’s worth checking out the latest Carwow deals. Right now, you can get more than £2,700 off the BYD Dolphin Design, while the Renault 4 Iconic+ has more than £6,800 off.

Buying used

Buying used is another option to consider. We compared two equivalent models on Carwow from the same model year with similar mileage to see which worked out cheapest.

We found two used examples from 2026 that already have over 2,000 miles on the clock, and here’s how much they cost:

	BYD Dolphin Design	Renault 4 E-Tech Iconic+
Existing mileage	2,187 miles	2,000 miles
Used price	£23,890	£25,409

This shows that, even with slightly higher mileage, a used Dolphin is still around £2,000 less expensive than a used Renault 4. Remember, though, that used deals change all the time, and you may find a real bargain if you have good timing.

It’s also worth noting that the Dolphin has been on sale in the UK for a bit longer than the Renault 4. The Dolphin arrived in September 2023, whereas the rebooted Renault 4 didn’t launch until July 2025. That means there’s a much larger pool of used Dolphin models on the market, giving you a better chance of finding a bargain.

Leasing

Finally, there’s leasing. Like we’ve done with the PCP deals, we’ve assumed a three-year lease, 10,000 miles per year and a 12-month initial payment. The figures are based on each model’s highest trim.

Here are some leasing deals available on Carwow at the time of writing and how they stack up against each other:

	BYD Dolphin Design	Renault 4 E-Tech Iconic+
Monthly payment	£309.54	£247.99
Initial payment	£4,068.48	£3,325.89
Total cost	£14,902.38	£12,005.54

So, which one is the best value?

It depends how you would like to run the car. Overall, the BYD Dolphin offers better value for money if you’re buying with cash or on a PCP finance deal. It’s cheaper to buy used and is expected to depreciate less over three years, helping to reduce its overall cost of ownership.

However, if you’re happy to lease the car and have no concerns about simply handing the car back at the end of the term, the Renault 4 is the way to go. It’s always worth comparing different deals and considering which car’s equipment and features best suit your needs.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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