The starting point — Skoda Scala (hatch) vs BYD Dolphin (EV hatch) vs Jaecoo E5 (compact SUV). Note the E5 is taller & wider, being an SUV.
| Dimension | Skoda Scala | BYD Dolphin | Jaecoo E5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,362 mm | 4,290 mm | 4,380 mm |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 1,793 mm | 1,770 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,471 mm | 1,570 mm | 1,650 mm |
True hatchbacks only — no SUVs, no saloons. Ranked on value for money and range.
| # | Car | Price (from) | WLTP Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renault 5 E-Tech | ~£23,000 | 252 miles |
| 2 | MG4 (Long Range) | ~£29,995 Urban from £23,495 | 280 mi up to 338 (Ext. Range) |
| 3 | Citroën ë-C3 | ~£19,930 | ~199 miles |
| 4 | BYD Dolphin Surf | £18,650 Boost £21,950 | ~200 miles (Boost) |
| 5 | Hyundai Inster | ~£23,000 | ~229 miles |
| 6 | MG4 Urban NEW | £23,495 £21,995 w/ discount | 201–258 miles |
The all-rounder. UK Car of the Year 2026 and best-selling small EV in the country. Genuinely good range, lovely to drive, strong residuals — the safest "right choice".
The range champion. The cheaper Urban trim gets you in for ~£23.5k; spend up and the Extended Range does 338 miles — class-leading for the money. Spacious, rear-wheel drive, fun.
The comfort-and-value pick. Sub-£20k after the EV grant, genuinely comfy ride, simple and honest. Range is modest but fine for most. Brilliant £-per-mile.
The cheapest mainstream EV on sale. The Surf is the smaller/cheaper sibling of the Dolphin. Stretch to the Boost for the 43.2kWh battery + 200 miles — outstanding value.
The quality wildcard. A bit smaller/taller (city-car footprint) but properly well-built and characterful, with surprisingly strong range and Hyundai's reputation/warranty.
The new (Jan 2026) entry-level MG4 trim — same size as the regular MG4 but cheaper, prioritising space and value over outright performance. Standard Range is a 41.9kWh battery / 201 miles; the Long Range steps up to 52.8kWh / 258 miles. Both 10–80% in ~30 min on a rapid charger. A genuine value standout if you don't need the pricier MG4's bigger batteries.
Not a hatchback (it's an estate/wagon), so it sits outside the list above — but worth a mention if boot space matters more than footprint.
The updated MG5 estate runs a 61.1kWh battery for 250 miles, 154bhp through the front wheels, and a huge 578-litre boot (1,456 L seats down). Two trims — SE and Trophy — and MG's 7-year/80,000-mile warranty. There's no "Urban" trim on the MG5; that name belongs to the MG4. Choose this over the hatchbacks only if you want estate practicality.