2024 MG4 review: Full range detailed

The MG4 is a small electric hatchback that marks the Chinese carmaker’s first global model, on ground-up electric vehicle underpinnings, and with the cheapest price tag yet for an MG EV.

It launched in Australia in August 2023 separated into two variants – Excite and Essence – with three battery size options.

The MG 4 is the company’s first EV to feature the dedicated Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), which promises to provide a sporty edge.

The hyper MG 4 X-Power electric hot hatch has also launched in Australia since this range review was first published.

🔽 Now, here's everything you need to know about the MG4!

JUMP AHEAD

• Pricing
• What body styles are available?
• What features are standard?
• What features do I get if I spend more?
• How safe is it?
• How comfortable and practical is it?
• How much boot space is offered?
• Will I enjoy driving this?
• Which provides the longest driving range?
• What’s the towing capacity?
• How long is the warranty and how much is servicing?
• Which version does Wheels recommend?
• What are the key rivals?
• What might annoy me?
• Does any upgrade have a downside?
• What might I miss that similar cars have?
• What’s the infotainment system like?
• Where is it made?
• Are there plans to update this model soon?

2024 MG4 Pricing

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What body styles are available for the MG4?

The MG4 is classed as a five-seat small hatchback.

Its dimensions are in line with the petrol-engined Volkswagen Golf, Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla.

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What features are standard in every MG4?

The base MG4 Excite 51 includes a good standard kit list, with a 50.8kWh usable lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, a single electric motor, and rear-wheel drive.

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What key features do I get if I spend more?

The Excite 64 adds a larger 62.1kWh usable nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery that provides more driving range, bumps up the power output and increases DC fast charging capability.

Additionally, the Essence 64 gains top-spec features and has the same 62.1kWh usable NMC battery.

Finally, the Long Range 77 introduces the largest 74.4kWh usable NMC battery for the most driving range in the line-up, while increasing power output and booting both AC and DC charging capabilities.

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2024 MG4 options

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How safe is the MG4?

The MG4 has received a full five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) [↗] under 2022 testing criteria.

Individual assessment scores included; 83 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 75 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 81 per cent for safety assist systems.

All MG 4 models come with six airbags but none includes a centre airbag. Two ISOFIX and three top-tether child seat anchor points are provided in the rear row.

Its safety assistance systems, dubbed ‘MG Pilot’, use a combination of camera and radar sensors.

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Entry-level Excite variants include most of the MG4’s available active safety assistance technologies as standard.

The Essence adds more tech to complete the safety assist package.

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How comfortable and practical is the MG4?

The MG4’s interior practicality is mixed depending on where you sit.

Front occupants benefit from an open passthrough with a good-sized centre bin down near the floor separating the driver and passenger, sliding centre armrest storage lid with a small net in front, and decent gripped cup holders and door pockets.

It even features an ergonomic pad to place your smartphone in the ‘floating’ centre console with two holes to feed a charging cable – handy given the electric hatch only offers wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

This doubles as a Qi wireless charging pad on top-spec Essence and Long Range variants.

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However, rear passengers have less foot room underneath the front seats and all models lack amenities, including rear air vents and a fold-down centre armrest.

It's still comfortable for four passengers, though, with the ground-up EV platform enabling an almost flat floor, as well as good legroom and headroom. For fitting child seats, two ISOFIX and three top-tether anchor points are standard.

Behind the centre console, there’s a small tray and USB-C charging port. Only the Essence and Long Range feature tinted rear glass.

Going on our first impressions with a pre-production MG4 Excite 51, the base fabric seats are well bolstered but look a bit plain. The synthetic leather seats on the Essence and Long Range are also well cushioned.

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How much boot space does the MG4 offer?

MG4 Excite variants have a 363-litre boot, while the Essence and Long Range drop that volume by 13 litres due to the two-level boot floor feature.

Cargo volume expands to 1177 litres and 1165 litres respectively when the rear seats fold down in a 60:40 split. Even on the base Excite, the boot has LED illumination with a small netted storage area on the side and bag hooks.

Despite the modern MSP underpinnings, it’s not a particularly large boot. For context, the petrol-engined Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai i30 Hatch are both larger at 374 litres and 395 litres respectively.

The MG4 is still better on paper than the Toyota Corolla hybrid hatch’s 333 litres, BYD Dolphin – its biggest EV rival – at 345 litres, and the GWM Ora’s small 228-litre boot.

It also doesn’t offer a frunk storage space under the bonnet, MG opting to cover it with plastic instead. That said, a frunk is not necessarily expected at this more affordable EV price point.

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I like driving, will I enjoy this car?

The MG4 will satisfy most drivers. The MSP architecture provides a claimed 50:50 weight distribution, a rear-wheel drive powertrain, and a generally comfortable ride.

Even on the pre-production base MG4 Excite 51 we tested, it was impressively comfortable and quiet at high speeds, with the rear-drive layout naturally giving the sensation of being pushed through a corner – aided by the light, smooth steering – and no torque steer.

It's generally comfortable, despite a somewhat firmer ride that can cause some fidgeting on poorly surfaced roads, some wind whistle from the driver’s side mirror above 100km/h, and a slightly under-damped rear axle.

Four regenerative braking intensity modes are available via the touchscreen settings or customisable steering wheel buttons if so configured.

The MG4 also offers a one-pedal driving setting, which is unique at this price point, given the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora rivals, nor the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV, offer intense regen braking.

We’re confident most buyers will find the base MG4 Excite 51 more than enough for everyday driving – with satisfying instant and linear 125kW power delivery.

With its larger 150kW motor, the mid-spec NMC-batteried 64kWh car is able to reach 100km/h half a second faster than the base model (7.7 seconds plays 7.2).

As well as upping power again by 30kW, the Long Range 77 introduces 100Nm more torque to compensate for the heavier NMC battery, with 0-100km/h acceleration cut by around one second compared to the base model.

For a true electric hot hatch, the X-Power will boast dual electric motors and all-wheel drive traction – with a rear bias – producing 320kW/600Nm combined and is claimed to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. It uses the same 61.7kWh NMC battery pack as the Excite 64 and Essence 64.

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Which version of the MG4 provides the longest range?

The MG4 Long Range 77 provides the greatest driving range, with up to 530 kilometres claimed from a full charge on the WLTP combined cycle.

However, the title of best value-for-range variant goes to the Excite 64. Interestingly, this model is also the most energy-efficient based on WLTP testing.

The Chinese electric hatch generally provides more driving range as the line-up steps up through the three battery sizes offered.

Only the lowest-range base Excite 51 uses the longer-lasting and safer lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, whereas all other variants adopt a more energy-dense nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion type battery.

The base 50.8kWh usable LFP battery is capped at a maximum of 88kW DC fast charging speeds, while the 62.1kWh and 74.4kWh usable NMC packs can respectively reach up to 140kW DC and 144kW DC when connected to a compatible public charging station under optimum conditions.

Peak charging speed capabilities also depend on the MG4’s battery size.

Most models are limited to a maximum of 6.6kW single-phase AC charging, which means the power input speed will be capped at 6.6kW even when plugging into a three-phase 11kW AC charging station. Only the Long Range 77 can completely take advantage of the latter.

The LFP-based Excite 51 is capped at a maximum of 88kW DC fast charging speeds, while all other NMC-based variants can reach up to 140kW DC (144kW DC for the Long Range 77) when connected to a compatible public charging station under optimum conditions.

Most public DC chargers in Australia are limited to 50kW power outputs, so MG claims a 10 to 80 per cent recharge would take around 40 minutes on the base Excite 51, 60 minutes on the Excite 64 and Essence 64, or 75 minutes on the Long Range 77.

Those times are cut to 37-, 28- and 38 minutes respectively if you plug in at a 150kW DC or faster charging station.

Charging at home is ideal. A standard home plug at around 1.8kW AC can take two to four full nights to go up to 80 per cent depending on the battery, while using an installed 7kW single-phase or 11kW three-phase AC wall box guarantees that within one night – keeping in mind the 6.6kW AC ceiling limit for all models, except the Long Range 77.

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What is the MG4’s towing capacity?

All MG4 variants are rated to tow up to 500kg with a braked or unbraked trailer.

Maximum payload is rated at 448kg for the Excite 51, 465kg for the Excite 64, 451kg for the Essence 64, and 461kg for the Long Range 77.

However, MG hasn’t specified the maximum tow ball download weight, which directly reduces the actual maximum payload.

As per all EVs, expect a significant driving range drop of up to 50 per cent when towing at the maximum capacity.

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How long is the warranty and what are the MG4’s servicing costs?

The MG 4 EV is covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle and battery warranty.

Roadside assistance is also included for that period, providing owners service with an MG dealer on time.

For commercial-use drivers, the vehicle and battery warranty coverage is limited to seven years/160,000km.

Unlike other car brands, the dedicated battery warranty is slightly less than the industry-standard eight-year/160,000km and doesn’t explicitly promise a degradation rate either.

MG also covers manufacturing defects for the 12-volt electronics battery (up to two years/unlimited kilometres), lamp and light bulbs (up to three months/5000km), car key battery) up to one year/unlimited kilometres), and wheel alignment and balance (up to six months/10,000km).

Servicing is only required every two years / 40,000km, with capped prices extending to 14 years / 280,000km.

Unfortunately, each second service is quite pricey, which overall makes it on par with servicing a regular internal combustion engine vehicle. After the first three visits, it averages $500 per checkup and totals $1499 over six years/120,000km.

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Which version of the MG4 does Wheels recommend?

Our pick is the entry-level MG4 Excite 51 since it has the most affordable price tag – in line with higher-spec petrol small hatches – with good standard features, enough power and range, and is the only variant with the longer-lasting, safer LFP battery.

However, while the 350km claimed driving range will suit most Australians (drivers commute 30 to 40km per day on average), the $6000 step up to an Excite 64 with a 450km claimed range would give more leeway and confidence while being able to accept a faster charging DC rate for those longer journeys.

However, all models except the base Excite 51 should be limited to an 80 per cent charge for everyday driving to protect the lithium-ion battery's health.

If you prioritise features, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, synthetic leather seats and electric folding wing mirrors, you’ll need to opt for the Essence 64 – which is still good value at under $50K and priced on par with the petrol-powered Honda Civic hatch.

Meanwhile, the Long Range 77 is an expensive $8000 further step up – targeted at regular long-distance drivers who need the increased 530km claimed range, three-phase 11kW AC charging capability, and Cupra Born warm hatch-rivalling power outputs.

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What are the MG4’s key rivals?

The MG 4 competes with a growing list of affordable small electric hatches, while pricier variants rival other similarly-priced EV models, including:

• BYD Dolphin
• GWM Ora
• MG ZS EV
• BYD Atto 3
• Nissan Leaf
• Cupra Born
• Tesla Model 3
• Volvo EX30 (coming soon)

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What might annoy me?

The MG4’s interior is short on physical buttons, which can be particularly annoying when trying to adjust the air-conditioning.

While there is a row of shortcut buttons below the touchscreen to turn on and off the air vents or quickly turn on the windscreen demisters, most climate controls need to be operated via the touchscreen – although drivers can customise the steering wheel buttons to change the temperature.

MG’s native infotainment software has smaller buttons and text, which can be harder to use and glance at while driving. Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone mirroring largely overcomes this.

The front centre cup holders are placed directly below the ‘floating’ centre console, making them difficult to use with taller vessels.

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Does any upgrade have a downside?

Opting for any model except the base Excite 51 means the use of an NMC lithium-ion battery pack, which restricts everyday charging to a recommended 80 per cent to maintain good health.

For example, despite the Excite 64’s larger battery, it would only provide 10km more claimed WLTP driving range than the base Excite 51 day-to-day due to the recommended charging limit.

The extra spend would only be useful for long-distance trips when you can fully charge, as it will quickly use up the last 20 per cent in highway driving.

An entry-level Excite 51 can be regularly charged to 100 per cent due to the LFP cathode being more stable, longer lasting and safer with less thermal runaway risk than regular lithium-ion batteries. However, LFP batteries do still naturally degrade – except the hit on health is less when fully charging and they can sustain more charging cycles.

Additionally, the high-spec Essence 64 has 15km less claimed range than the identical-battery Excite 64 due to its larger wheels and sportier rear spoiler.

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What might I miss that similar cars have?

While the MG4 has a good safety assist suite, no model is available with rear AEB, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, or a front-centre airbag.

Additionally, the top-spec Essence model offers an electrically-adjustable driver's seat, but no memory function.

The rear seats also lack rear air vents and a fold-down centre armrest, so passengers will need to rely on the leatherette door pads and bottle pockets for the latter.

Budget-orientated buyers who choose the base Excite variants don’t get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert – when it’s standard in key rivals including the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.

Granted, these rear radar-based safety assist features aren’t available on the similarly priced petrol-powered top-spec Hyundai i30 N-Line Premium either and MG argues the omission was needed to achieve a more affordable EV price tag.

No MG4 model can be had with a sunroof, which is standard on the Dolphin and available on the Ora.

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What’s the infotainment system like?

The MG4’s tablet-style 10.25-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch instrument display are reasonably responsive and well-presented, even though the text and buttons are on the smaller side.

Having few physical buttons is particularly annoying when adjusting the climate control. Drivers can customise the steering wheel buttons to change the temperature or drive modes, though.

Only the Essence and Long Range feature built-in maps with automatic EV charging stop planning and a native voice control system.

Wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto smartphone mirroring is standard, connected via the single USB-A port below the centre console.

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Where is the MG4 made?

The MG4 electric hatch is manufactured in Ningde, China.

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Are there plans to update the MG4 soon?

No. The MG4 was released overseas in 2022, as the Chinese carmaker’s first global product.

Judging by other MG models, they tend to have a longer shelf life than other car brands; it may be a while until we see an upgrade or facelift.

MG’s styling chief Oleg Son recently told WhichCar that SAIC Motor, its state-owned parent company, has an ultra-rapid turnaround of a new car going from design to production in just two years and emphasised that he preferred more physical buttons, so anything is possible in the future.

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