MG 4 review | setting a new standard for electric company cars

MG has gone from zero to hero in just a few short years. The MG4 is the most compelling vehicle MG has launched to date and sets a new benchmark for legacy car makers in the electric hatchback market.

With a longer range, more space and better specification than most of its rivals, the fact that the MG4 is the cheapest car in its segment but comparatively comes with no compromises makes it astonishingly good value.

It isn’t without flaws, however, and we do have a couple of frustrations that will hopefully be ironed out when the car is facelifted.

Overview

MG has taken the fleet market by storm with the MG4 electric hatchback. It has quickly become one of the UK’s best-selling electric cars and, more importantly, one of the most popular electric company cars.

As the cheapest model in its class, the MG4 sets a new benchmark in the fleet sector as a long-range, spacious and, crucially, attainable vehicle.

Short lead times, of just a few weeks, coupled with a high level of specification and strong residuals make it an even more compelling choice. These attributes helped the MG4 secure our EV Breakthrough of the Year Award at the 2023 Fleet News Awards.

The model range is spread across two trim levels and three powertrains. There’s also a performance focused XPower variant.

Prices start at £26,995, which makes the MG4 cheaper than even cars in the segment below. It’s key rivals are the Hyundai Kona Electric, Peugeot E-308, Vauxhall Astra Electric and the VW ID3.

The MG4’s distinctive styling sets it apart from some of its more conventional-looking rivals, especially when painted in one of the eye-catching colours MG offers.

Comfort and practicality

The MG4 is a spacious car, making use of its bespoke electric platform with a flat floor and clever packaging to maximise roominess.

Passenger space is impressive, with all seats offering ample head, knee and leg room. Useful storage solutions include multiple pockets on the backs of the front seats, as well as a large central armrest and storage bin.

A minimalist dashboard sees the majority of controls incorporated into the touchscreen, leaving space for a large and surprisingly tactile rotary gear selector that juts out from beneath.

We were impressed by the quality of the MG4’s interior, considering its price point. A combination of different plastics and trims are used throughout to give a premium feel.

The boot is spacious, offering 363 litres of space. It’s about the same as you’ll get in a Peugeot E-308 but slightly less than a VW ID3 provides. The boot lid is a bulky unit and is not powered, so opening and closing is bit awkward.

Safety and technology

MG has upped its game significantly with the MG4’s on-board technology. It utilises a 10.25-inch central touchscreen with crisp graphics and a high-resolution display. There’s a second, smaller screen in front of the driver.

The central screen is integral to the MG4’s operation, with the car’s climate controls, infotainment and settings all incorporated into the unit. There’s a row of physical buttons beneath the screen to adjust the audio volume and provide quick access to features like the demister.

While the operating system is slick and impressive, we found some of the on-screen buttons to be too small for safe operation while driving. To turn on the heated seats, for example, you must first press the very small climate control icons at the top of the screen then the equally tiny heated seat icon.

We had the same problem adjusting some of the MG’s driver aids. After finding the correct vehicle settings menu, you have to scroll through a list of functions that can be enabled or disabled by small toggles.

The neatly designed steering wheel features a pair of joystick-style controls for the audio system, trip computer and cruise control. The switched, which perform multiple functions, aren’t marked so working out which button does what function takes a bit of getting used to. Changing the trip computer readout, for example, uses the same controls as the volume.

More positively, the MG4 comes packed with functions that are often cost options on much more expensive cars. There’s MG Pilot, a package of driver aids that includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and automatic high beam activation.

You also get LED headlights, connected services including a mobile app, parking sensors and smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Opt for the Trophy variant, rather than the entry-level SE, and there’s leather upholstery with electrically adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system and blind spot monitoring.

Driveability and range

MG offers a total of four powertrain options across the MG4 line-up. The entry-level version uses a 51kWh battery and promises a range of 218 miles (WLTP). It uses a 170PS motor that powers the rear wheels and has a 0-60mph time of 7.5 seconds.

The MG4 Long Range uses a 64kWh battery, giving up to 281 miles (WLTP) of range. It has a more powerful motor, developing 203PS, but is slightly slower in the 0-60mph sprint, managing 7.7 seconds.

Offering the furthest range in the MG4 line-up is the Extended Range. It packs in a 77kWh battery, which enables up to 323 miles (WLTP) between charges. The car’s motor is also more powerful, this time developing 245PS. As a result, the 0-60mph time is just 6.1 seconds.

MG’s flagship offering is known as the MG4 XPower. This variant uses the Long Range 64kWh battery, but pairs it with two electric motors. Power output surges to 435PS, enabling the car to hit 60mph from rest in a frankly ludicrous 3.8 seconds.

The rear-driven MG4 models are smooth and refined, with comfortable ride quality. The Extended Range offers the best overall package for fleet customers, with impressive performance and capability.

During our testing, which included a lengthy motorway trip, we were achieving around 3.1mi/kWh from the Extended Range car, suggesting a range of 230 miles is possible in real-word driving. Sticking to lower speeds and urban roads sees an improvement to 3.7mi/kWh – giving a range closer to 275 miles.

Models with the smallest battery are lighter and therefore more efficient, managing to eke out around 190 miles from a charge. The Long Range is good for around 220 miles, as is the XPower model, although frequent use of the additional performance will see that range figure sink well below 200.

The MG4 is relatively fun to drive, with well-balanced handling and quick steering. Around town its light and easy to drive, while on country lanes it takes corners with ease. At motorway speeds the car becomes a little fidgety and feels less planted than some rival EVs.

While the XPower will embarrass a few supercars off the lights, it struggles to find traction in the wet and in the real world it doesn’t feel as rapid as the figures suggest. It handles more keenly than the other models, with better grip in the corners and firmer suspension, but isn’t a well-sorted hot-hatch.

Company car tax and running costs

When it comes to running costs the MG4 is simply unrivalled. It’s a truly compelling option that undercuts its rivals across the board. The entry-level SE, with a 51kWh battery is considerably cheaper than a Vauxhall Corsa Electric yet no less capable.

The Extended Range (£36,495) costs about the same as an entry-level ID3, while running costs are competitive at around 42p per mile.

Company car drivers will face benefit-in-kind tax bills of £10 - £12 per month, while salary sacrifice deals are equally enticing.

To compare company car tax rates for the MG4 and its rivals, visit the Fleet News Company Car Tax Calculator.

Charging times

(Extended Range)

3-pin plug: 38 hours

7kW wallbox: 12 hours

150kW DC rapid: 41 mins (10%-80%)

Click here for full real-world charging and range data

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