It may boast the color of a carnival float, but the new MG4 is set to brighten the lives of many car buyers looking to go electric.
Forget the pretense of MG’s English heritage; this chinese car is a little cracker. The numbers are impressive, but it’s the time behind the wheel that really convinced us of the MG4’s appeal.
Let’s start with those numbers, though. You get a fully electric five-door hatchback with the promise of 350km to 450km on a single charge, depending on whether you choose the 51kWh or 64kWh battery. It will be able to recharge quickly at speeds of up to 135 kW and will be able to perform the 0 to 100 km/h in less than 8 seconds. Its interior is somewhere between that of a city car and its clear rival, the VW ID.3. However, its price is the big number that matters: from €27,495.
The MG4 will be available in three trim levels when it lands in Ireland in the coming months – the MG4 EV Excite 51kWh Standard Range, Excite 64kWh Long Range and Exclusive 64kWh Long Range. The price of the standard Excite range is €27,495; the Excite Long Range price is €30,995 and the Exclusive Long Range price is €34,495.
To put that into perspective, the Renault Zoe EV starts at €30,295 with a range of 395km, while Peugeot’s 208 Electric supermini starts at €30,545 with a range of 361km. Still, the MG is a family saloon, on par with the traditional Ford Focus or VW Golf, so its real rival is the Volkswagen ID.3, which starts at €35,310 with its 58kWh battery and a claimed range of 425km. . Another similarly sized rival is the Renault Megane E-Tech, but it starts at €37,495.
The prices for the MG4 should be enough to pique anyone’s interest. But it is at the wheel that the MG really surprises.
This new MG4 is a bit of a marvel, a major step up from the rest of the auto company’s offerings to date.
Our test car was the 64Kwh Exclusive Long Range version and the time spent behind the wheel forced us to rethink our view of MG as a simple value proposition. This car has a lot more going for it than a competitive price. It’s a fun-to-drive MG EV.
New platform
Beneath the metal is a new platform that will underpin various future models within the SAIC Group, the ultimate owners of MG.
Beneath the floor is a sizable battery – developed by MG and battery cell producer CATL – powering a rear-mounted electric motor that offers enough power to give the MG4 the pep to match its rivals. And as with all of these EVs, the low center of gravity and 50/50 weight distribution help deliver impressive handling. That’s not always a given in EVs, and not in MGs lately, but this one delivers. There’s very little body roll and the MG4 offers impressive cornering stability, coping well with poorly paved side roads while cruising comfortably on country roads.
The most surprising characteristics of this car’s driving dynamics are this subtlety on bad roads, as well as a remarkably quiet cabin. MG seems to have gone to great lengths in terms of soundproofing, particularly in the wheel arches, and the result is impressive: you get little of the usual tire rumble that intrudes into the cabin. There are high-end brands that would be proud of this library-like tranquility.
This is the most entertaining MG we’ve driven in decades, a major surprise from a carmaker that’s been defined more by price than driving performance until now.
MG has opted for a large rotary dial to switch between drive, reverse or park, so it really is a case of jump and go. And while the infotainment screen doesn’t look state-of-the-art, it’s a cinch to navigate the menus.
The 10.25-inch touchscreen and 7-inch digital driver display may recall the software you used to get a Renault a few years ago. It benefits from Apple CarPlay and Android-Auto compatibility.
While our test car was in blinding Volcano Orange, the cabin is a bit dark compared to more colorful rivals, but it’s uncluttered and for rear passengers there’s ample legroom for adults, although the low seating position and high floor leave you a little high on the knees, while the visibility of taller occupants is obstructed by the imposing rear pillar. The toggle switches on either spoke of the steering wheel are also a bit difficult to maneuver.
The level of equipment of this car is impressive. All models are equipped with a coterie of driver safety assistance systems, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, LED lights and rear parking sensors. Upgrade to the exclusive trims and you get features like blind spot detection, lane change assist, and comfort features like a power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, navigation system via satellite, wireless phone charging and a Bluetooth key system.
Driving pleasure
All in all, it’s a very impressive family car. The trunk volume is 363 litres, increasing to 1,177 liters with the rear seats folded down. That’s only slightly less than what’s offered on the VW ID.3.
The MG4 is a car that should cause sleepless nights at VW headquarters – and any automaker preparing to launch an EV family hatchback. It offers as much driving pleasure as any of its electric rivals, but at an incredibly competitive price. There’s more than the launch color that should grab the attention of potential EV buyers.
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