The MG4 Proved Cheap Electric Cars Didn't Have to Feel Cheap
All three reviews credit this car with a genuinely important market moment — showing budget-friendly pricing and a genuinely enjoyable drive weren't mutually exclusive in the electric car class.
The Car That Changed What "Affordable EV" Meant
Before this car arrived, cheaper electric options tended to feel like a compromise. Reviewers keep crediting this model specifically with breaking that pattern, and its continued popularity four years on suggests the impression stuck.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Electric hatchback |
|---|---|
| Battery options | 64kWh or 77kWh usable |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (single motor) or AWD (XPower) |
| 0–62mph | 7.5 sec (Long Range) to 3.8 sec (XPower) |
| Claimed range | Up to 323 miles (Extended Range) |
| Boot space | 363 litres |
Full Review Summary
Autocar
Autocar detailed the 2026 mid-life update's focus on cabin and battery changes, noting the entry-level 51kWh Standard Range has been discontinued entirely, leaving the Long Range as the new starting point. They measured genuinely spacious rear seating for the class thanks to a short bonnet and long wheelbase, finding it more comfortable for adult passengers than most electric rivals due to an upward-angled rear bench. The redesigned rear light treatment, replacing a previous split spoiler design, was noted as a deliberate visual differentiator from the newer, cheaper MG4 Urban.
What Car?
What Car? rated the ride as firmer than some rivals but still better at absorbing bigger bumps than the BYD Dolphin, though noted it doesn't settle as calmly as a Cupra Born or Renault Megane on undulating roads. They praised the standard versions' grip and steering conviction as genuinely nimble for the class, though found the performance-focused XPower's stiffer suspension only marginally improves cornering while noticeably increasing harshness. Their overall framing was "fine but unexceptional" — solid rather than class-leading on outright dynamics.
RAC Drive
RAC Drive rated the extended-range version's performance as genuinely brisk, with a 6.5-second 0-62mph time approaching a rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y, and called the range-topping XPower's 3.8-second time faster than some cars costing multiple times more. They praised the largely new interior following the 2026 facelift, singling out soft-touch faux leather and suede-effect trim as a significant step up from the previous generation's more basic cabin materials.
Strengths
- Strong value relative to the wider EV market
- Genuinely spacious, comfortable rear seating
- Significantly improved interior after the 2026 update
- Brisk performance, especially in Extended Range and XPower form
Weak points
- Ride doesn't settle as calmly as some rivals on undulating roads
- No physical climate controls beyond basic demist buttons
- XPower's firmer suspension adds harshness without a big handling gain
- Boot space merely average for the class
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want a genuinely engaging, keenly priced electric hatchback and don't need class-leading ride comfort or boot space. The standard Long Range or Extended Range versions make more sense for most buyers than the firmer-riding XPower.