As the brand’s first electric model designed and engineered from the ground up, the MG4 EV represents a technical milestone for the Chinese-owned British marque.
First unveiled in June 2022 as the MG Mulan, the global-spec version remains at the core of MG’s European line-up, and is set to receive bigger screens, a new dashboard, and a revised centre console in global markets this year.
We recently had the opportunity to revisit the MG4 EV at a media event in Thailand to take a fresh look at its design, cabin, comfort, and overall execution. Here is what we found out from our experience:
Design
The MG4 EV features a bold exterior leveraging the advantages of the dedicated EV platform underneath. Its dynamic design immediately conveys a sense of sprightliness and forward motion.
At the front, the car features striking headlights, a sharply-angled, low-set nose, and slanted indicators located at the corners of the bumper, which carries a particularly sporty design.
From the sides, noticeably short overhangs, a visibly long wheelbase, a sleek greenhouse, and a swiftly sloping roofline give it the necessary zest. The prominent concave section in the tailgate and dual roof spoiler extend the sporty styling at the rear.
Interior
The dashboard is simple and horizontal, with a freestanding central touchscreen and a separate digital instrument display. Physical buttons remain for key functions, and the controls are placed within easy reach.
The centre console features a rotary drive selector, along with neatly integrated storage spaces and cupholders. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, but they do not support wireless operation.
Our experience in the MG4 EV
The MG4’s doors opened wide, and as a 5’7″ occupant, I found ingress and egress quick. I liked the sleek dashboard design with the 10.25-inch freestanding touchscreen and the 7-inch instrument cluster.
The floating centre console with the rotary gear selector also stood out. The flat-bottom steering wheel has a 6 o’clock marker, and the alloy pedals and blue stitching on the upholstery add a sporty feel.
I noticed that while the MG4 Electric’s interior looks modern and European in layout, it does not match Volkswagen’s material quality. I still observed clear progress in MG’s interior execution compared with earlier products.
In the rear, I noticed the floor is close to flat. When I sat in the centre rear position, the small hump was present but did not feel noticeably uncomfortable. I’d imagine that three average adults can travel in reasonable comfort within the city.
Specifications
Based on the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) which it shares with the MG S5, the 4 is predominantly a rear-wheel drive car. MG offers three variants in the UK, all with a single motor powering the rear wheels.
The base variant packs 125 kW (168 bhp) and 250 Nm (184 lb.-ft.) of torque, hits 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 7.7 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph). It has a 50.8 kWh (net) battery pack that supports charging at up to 117 kW and delivers a WLTP range of 350 kilometres (218 miles).
The middle variant, with 150 kW (201 bhp) and 250 Nm (184 lb.-ft.) of torque, reaches 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 7.9 seconds and maxes out at 160 km/h (100 mph). It has a 61.7 kWh (net) battery pack that can be charged at up to 135 kW and delivers a WLTP range of up to 450 kilometres (281 miles).
The top variant uses a much higher-output motor generating 180 kW (241 bhp) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of torque, cutting the 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) acceleration time to 6.5 seconds and increasing the top speed to 180 km/h (112 mph).
It has a 74.4 kWh (net) battery pack, which increases the maximum charging power to 144 kW and WLTP range to 520 kilometres (323 miles).
Price
Also Read: First Look Review: MG IM6 feels a class above its price segment
The MG4 EV’s prices in the UK start from GBP 27,245 and go up to GBP 36,745. The compact EV competes with models like the VW ID.3 and Vauxhall Astra Electric.
