2024 MG MG4 Review

The MG 4 range enters 2024 with no updates from its introduction last year, though there have been some price rises for most of the range.

To make things worse, a raft of affordable EVs are hitting the market in 2024, which means the MG 4 range has its work cut out to impress buyers.

Does the MG 4 still stack up as one of the best value picks in the battery-electric vehicle segment? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

MG 4 Competition

How Much Does the MG 4 Cost?

Drive-away prices for the MY24 MG 4 range kick off from $40,990 for the entry-level MG 4 Excite 51.

Stepping up to the MG 4 Excite 64 brings the price to $45,990 drive-away, while the MG 4 Essence 64 is priced at $47,990 drive-away.

Opting for MG’s MG 4 Long Range 77 brings the price to $53,990 drive-away, with the performance flagship MG 4 XPower priced at $59,990 drive-away.

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MG MG4 XPower Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the MG 4 Have?

MG’s entry-level MG 4 Excite variants come riding on a set of 17-inch alloys and receive LED headlights and daytime running lamps, keyless entry & start, cloth upholstery with a power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, rear-view camera with parking sensors, a regenerative braking system, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging.

Stepping up to the MG 4 Essence adds a set of 18-inch alloys, a rear light bar, cloth and leatherette upholstery with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charger, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, an active front grille, a two-tone finish with a black roof and a surround-view monitor.

Finally, the range-topping MG 4 XPower picks up 18-inch alloys, a dual-motor AWD system with a locking differential, Alcantara upholstery, orange brake calipers and an upgraded suspension package.

MG 4 Connectivity & Infotainment Features

All members of the MG 4 range, from the entry-level MG 4 Excite to the flagship MG 4 XPower come packaged with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display sitting atop the dashboard. 

The unit is bright and responsive to inputs and helps to give the cabin a more high-tech vibe, offering DAB+ digital radio as well as MG’s iSmart Lite connected services suite.

The entry-level MG 4 Excite receives a basic four-speaker sound system, while the Essence, Long Range and XPower pick up a six-speaker sound system, satellite navigation and upgraded iSmart connectivity.

Does the MG 4 have wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

While it might be a high-tech battery-electric vehicle, MG’s current-generation infotainment system requires you to connect your phone via a USB cable in order to access Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

This means that buyers looking for wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity may be a little disappointed, though this physical connection does at least provide a stable connection to your music, navigation and phone features on the move.

What is MG iSmart for the MG 4?

The MG 4 range is offered with a subscription to MG’s connected services system, dubbed the ‘iSmart’ system.

MG ‘iSmart’ offers vehicle location information, battery level info, vehicle diagnostic information, a Bluetooth key function that allows you to use your smartphone as a key, remote air conditioning controls, route planning with connected navigation and points of interest, remote locking, scheduled charging, an alarm and vehicle status checks.

Is the MG 4 Comfortable to Drive?

There’s a lot to like about the MG 4 range behind the wheel, offering a zippy and reasonably well-mannered drive around town, though things get a little bumpy on country roads.

With more than enough power on offer in the MG 4 for your daily drive, including in the base model, price-conscious buyers will be pleased with what’s lurking beneath its EV architecture.

The entry-level MG 4 Excite picks up a single, rear-mounted electric motor pushing out 125kW of power and 250Nm of torque, giving it modest but instant acceleration from the e-motor.

The Excite & Essence 64 pick up a power bump to 150kW, while the Long Range 77 pushes out 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque from its electric motor that adds a nice spring to its step off the line.

Around town, the MG 4 is extremely user-friendly thanks to its featherweight steering rack that makes turns and parking a simple task while offering some more feedback as you pick up the pace.

The MG 4 has a tonne of grip through the corners, while the firm suspension package can iron out some smaller bumps and imperfections in the road, but has its jolting moments.

With its low-slung centre of gravity, claimed 50:50 weight distribution and rear-wheel drive platform, the MG 4 feels like a breath of fresh air for the company, offering decent handling and balance on the road. 

Pick up the pace and the MG 4 remains quiet at highway speeds thanks to a great deal of attention to the noise, vibration and harshness entering the cabin.

The firm suspension doesn’t exactly love rougher country roads, far preferring silky smooth city streets, though the overall balance isn’t an issue - just comfort levels from the firm suspension.

As a complete package, the MG 4 range is impressive behind the wheel and while it errs on the firmer side, this at least, adds to stability in the corners where it remains one of the most entertaining MG vehicles when pushed.

Is the MG 4 XPower Fast?

You bet it is.

With a dual electric motor setup that pushes out a mighty impressive 320kW of power and monstrous 600Nm of torque, the MG4 XPower accelerates like a cheetah.

Off the line, you’ll hit 100km/h from a standstill in just 3.8 seconds, positioning it alongside purebed supercars in a sprint.

To match the immense power, MG gives the XPower a set of upgraded brake calipers measuring 345mm at the front and 340mm at the rear to help you wipe off speed.

In the corners, the MG 4 XPower is more agile and enthusiastic thanks to a special electronic limited-slip differential that helps it to carve through corners and makes it feel like a ballistic missile thanks to the immediate power delivery.

How Far Can You Drive the MG 4 on a Single Charge?

Driving ranges for the MG 4 range vary from 350km in the base model, which features a smaller 51kWh battery pack.

Stepping up to MG 4 Excite & Essence 64 adds a larger 64kWh battery pack that lifts driving range figures to between 435 - 450km.

Finally, the Essence Long Range adds the largest 77kWh battery pack in the MG 4 lineup, increasing range to 530km.

The performance-focussed MG 4 XPower receives a smaller 64kWh battery pack that offers 385km of range per charge.

• MG 4 Excite 51kWh: 350km 

• MG 4 Excite 64kWh: 450km 

• MG 4 Essence 64kWh: 435km

• MG 4 Essence 77kWh: 530km 

• MG 4 XPower: 385km

What are the Energy Consumption Figures of the MG 4 Range?

Energy consumption figures for the MG 4 range vary between 13.7 and 15.2kWh per 100km, depending on which variant you’re opting for, with the super-fast MG 4 XPower unsurprisingly the least efficient when it comes to energy consumption.

• MG 4 Excite 51kWh: 14.5kWh/100km 

• MG 4 Excite 64kWh: 13.7kWh/100km

• MG 4 Essence 64kWh: 14.2kWh/100km

• MG 4 Essence 77kWh: 14.0kWh/100km

• MG 4 XPower: 15.2kWh/100km

How Fast Can You Charge the MG 4’s Battery Pack?

MG’s fast-charging speeds for the MG 4 range are decent, but fail to match benchmarks in the EV segment.

The base MG 4 Excite 51, for example, has a 51kWh battery pack that can be charged at a maximum rate of 88kW.

The rest of the MG 4 range, thankfully, have battery packs that can be charged at nearly twice the speed, with power capped at 140kW with access to the right DC fast charger, while the 77 Long Range can be charged slightly faster at speeds of 144kW.

Charging at home with AC power is capped at 6.6kW for the majority of the range, while the 77 Long Range can be charged at speeds up to 11kW via a three-phase wall box.

Is the MG 4 Practical and Spacious?

With its bespoke electric vehicle platform, the MG 4 range is pretty impressive under the space and practicality test - though one part of the cabin fares worse than others.

Up front, the MG 4’s cabin offers a healthy amount of headroom for tall drivers and a great deal of space thanks to the unique dashboard and centre console that makes things feel airy.

The conventional dashboard design meets a raised centre console that juts out toward you, providing access to the rotary gear dial and a rubber-lined storage tray that doubles as a wireless smartphone charger.

Overall, the design is pleasing on the eyes and keeps things remarkably clean, though this has come at the expense of some physical inputs for the climate control system, for example.

While you’ll find some physical shortcuts below the display, in order to drop or raise the temperature, you’ll have to fiddle your way through the infotainment system which may be a turn-off for some buyers. 

Having said that, the MG 4’s front cabin is undeniably practical thanks to a clever storage area with cupholders and a retractable tray below the raised shelf, with added storage on offer inside the folding armrest and massive door bins on either side.

Move to the rear of the MG 4’s cabin and things are pretty spacious in the rear of the MG 4, though it lacks a few of the practical, family-friendly touches that parents might have on their hit list.

Legroom and headroom are adequate for adults, though the absence of a rear light can make installing a child seat at night a bit of a chore, as well as a noticeable lack of amenities like rear air vents or a folding armrest with cupholders.

Having said that, the second row picks up a USB-C charging port and door bins, though it’s fair to say that the first row of the cabin has received much, much more attention than the rear.

For the parents out there, the MG 4 is fitted with a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts to accommodate a variety of child seats, with easy access into the second row thanks to wide-aperture doors.

Overall, though, the MG 4’s clever designs in the front of the cabin make it an undeniably practical package that offers more interior space than you might expect while walking around the exterior.

How Big is the MG 4’s Boot?

Boot space in the MG 4 range is pretty decent for its size.

With the rear seats standing, the MG 4 Excite 51, 64 and XPower have a boot measuring 363L, effectively on par for a Golf or Corolla-sized hatchback, dropping slightly to 350L in other variants.

Fold down the rear seats and the MG 4 Excite 51, 64 and XPower have a boot that expands to a maximum of 1,177L when it’s time to lug around bulky cargo, or 1,165L in the case of the Essence 64 and Long Range 77.

Unfortunately, the MG 4 does not offer any storage underneath the bonnet like a number of comparative electric vehicles, with a tyre repair kit sitting beneath the boot floor.

Is the MG 4 Safe?

The MG 4 is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to active safety equipment, with the base model missing out on some key features that are reserved for more expensive members of the range.

The MG 4 in base form picks up autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, as well as adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, lane departure alerts, lane-keep assist, driver attention monitoring as well as traffic jam assist with sign recognition.

If you’re looking for must-have safety equipment like rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, emergency lane-keep assist and safe exit warnings, you’ll have to upgrade to the Essence or higher.

Does the MG 4 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The MG 4 has picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing conducted by its European-equivalent EuroNCAP in 2022.

In those tests, the MG 4 range, with the exception of the untested XPower, scored the following marks:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 83%

• Child Occupant Protection: 86%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 75%

• Safety Assist: 81% 

What Warranty Does the MG 4 Come With?

One of the MG 4’s trump cars is no doubt the long-term peace of mind offered by the company’s warranty.

The MG 4 range is backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

Buyers also pick up seven years’ worth of capped-price servicing that totals $3,905.

Service intervals for the MG 4 range stand at a particularly lengthy 24-months or 40,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the MG 4 Worth it?

The MG 4 is a mighty impressive package from almost every angle you cast the microscope.

While it’s not perfect, considering the value on offer, the MG 4 is a great option for buyers on a budget looking to make the switch to an EV that doesn’t offer any deal-breaking compromises.

What’s the pick of the MG 4 bunch? We’d be taking a closer look at the Essence 64 with its extra luxuries and added safety tech, and the Long Range 77 to alleviate any range anxiety.

If you’re looking to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle or any new car, be sure to get in contact with one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price. 

Five MG 4 Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on Euro NCAP testing

3. 350 - 530km driving range figures

4. 350 - 363L boot space expands to 1,177L with rear seats folded

5. Seven years of capped-price servicing