We’re pushing the all-new, mid-spec MG 4 Essence with its 64kWh battery and 150kW motor by a sequence of comparatively difficult corners, and it’s not placing a foot flawed.
And that is simply the mid-spec model armed with a comparatively small battery, however it’s correctly enjoyable with rear-wheel drive and a really efficient chassis.
It’s arduous to imagine that is MG’s first crack an inexpensive electrical hatch, after launching in Australia simply six years in the past with some pretty common, finances choices.
The MG 4 remains to be an inexpensive proposition kicking off from beneath $40k.
Its design is a three-way collaboration between the SAIC Design Centre in London, The Royal School of Artwork, and SAIC headquarters in Shanghai. From any angle it’s a head-turner. There’s not a lot I don’t like about it; even the wheels are attention-grabbing.
Beneath the pores and skin is SAIC’s latest Modular Scalable Platform, which will probably be used to underpin a variety of electrical vehicles – together with the Cyberster sports activities automotive. Then there’s the posh vehicles MG has deliberate…
Earlier than we get there although, is the MG 4 the inexpensive EV to purchase in 2023?
How a lot does the MG 4 price?
The MG 4 vary presents three battery sizes and two trims, with costs ranging from $38,990 earlier than on-roads for the Excite 51. For that, you get a 51kWh battery and a 125kW motor, good for a WLTP vary of 350km.
Subsequent rung up is the MG 4 Excite 64 from $44,990 earlier than on-roads, with the identical gear however a 64kWh battery and 150kW motor, for a variety of as much as 450km.
Stepping as much as the highest trim stage however with the identical battery capability is the MG 4 Essence 64 priced at $47,990 earlier than on-roads, with a 150kW motor and a barely decrease 435km vary.
On the high of the pecking order (till the dual-motor MG 4 X-Energy arrives later in a couple of months) is the MG 4 Essence 77 from $55,990 earlier than on-roads, which advantages from a 77kWh battery and 180kW motor, for a 530km vary.
The MG 4 at present sits because the second-cheapest EV in Australia, behind the BYD Dolphin priced from $38,890 earlier than on-roads – however with a smaller 44.9kWh battery, and fewer energy and vary.
You possibly can order your MG 4 now with deliveries anticipated in the identical month, the place BYD is anticipating Dolphin orders to be delivered in September/October this yr.
Different inexpensive rivals are few and much between, aside from the Chinese language-made GWM Ora, which has seen a value drop to $39,990 earlier than on-roads however has a barely decrease EV driving vary (320km).
2023 MG 4 pricing:
MG 4 Excite 51: $38,990MG 4 Excite 64: $44,990 MG 4 Essence 64: $47,990MG 4 Essence 77: $55,990
All costs exclude on-road prices.
What’s the MG 4 like on the within?
One of many nicer options of electrical automotive cockpits is the minimalistic nature of the area, and the MG 4 is not any exception.
Some electrical vehicles have a cease/begin button, however not the MG 4. So long as the important thing fob is in your individual the automotive is sweet to go, when you’ve spun the tactile rotary dial round to ‘D’ and hit the throttle. It makes for fast (silent) getaways when you’re operating late.
It’s additionally splendidly easy, and fewer distracting than you discover in most combustion engine vehicles, however there’s one or two drawbacks.
Whereas there’s loads of performance on the flat-bottom steering wheel, there aren’t any dials for quantity management or air-conditioning operation on the dashboard. You’ll discover the latter within the climate-control menu on the ten.25-inch touchscreen, whereas quantity could be present in a row of shortcut buttons instantly beneath.
It’s a great measurement display with good readability and color, however we discovered it gradual to reply and sometimes requiring two agency presses until you labored out appropriate finger-pressing kind. That was a bit annoying, and certain one thing simply rectified some sensor recalibration.
Additional throughout, there’s a configurable 7.0-inch driver show providing the identical stage of crispness because the infotainment display, in addition to a stack of related data together with a big digital velocity readout. There’s no head-up show possibility obtainable.
I just like the floating console which homes the drive selector, electrical handbrake swap, and wi-fi smartphone cost pad. It’s a intelligent design, and is effectively positioned for simple entry.
Instantly beneath is massive storage compartment with a curler cowl that’s simply able to swallowing wallets, keys, telephones, and sunnies in a single area if want be. Ahead of which can be cupholders, together with a small console bin that doubles as a centre armrest.
The driving force’s ergonomics are wonderful within the comfortably cushioned seat with good bolster, upholstered together fake leather-based and cloth. They’re delicate however on the identical time supportive for longer stints behind the wheel.
However solely the driving force’s seat will get electrical adjustment even within the top-spec Lengthy Vary 77 variant, whereas the entrance passenger pew is an all-manual operation and is perched fairly a bit larger than the driving force. Taller passengers ought to take be aware if planning on being a daily within the seat.
Largely, there’s a great mixture of soft-touch supplies however with a great match and end, however it falls wanting feeling premium for my part given there are additionally loads of arduous plastics beneath the eye-line and on the door playing cards.
Then once more, it is a sub-$40k electrical hatch, so premium isn’t the purpose. It’s a sensible, attention-grabbing cockpit that’s not more likely to disappoint given the general value-for-money proposition.
It’s much less thrilling within the second row. MG says it’s sufficiently big for 3 good measurement adults – actually there’s respectable leg and headroom again there, however with no air vents and no rear-seat armrest, I’d counsel shorter journeys solely with 5 up.
Measuring simply 4287mm in size, boot area behind the rear seats is just ample at 363 litres for the Excite and 350 litres for the Essence. When the seats are folded the load area expands to 1177 litres and 1165 litres, respectively.
Charging cables might want to dwell within the comparatively shallow compartment beneath the boot ground as there’s no frunk as such.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Your complete MG 4 vary is rear-wheel drive, which might simply be billed as certainly one of its distinctive promoting factors in contrast with the front-wheel drive GWM Ora and BYD Dolphin.
Higher nonetheless, there’s an all-wheel drive hyper hatch coming in a couple of months within the MG 4 X-Energy. Learn our overview right here.
The MG 4 Excite 51 has a 51kWh battery pack, which is sweet for a claimed 350km of driving vary (WLTP). It has a single, rear-mounted electrical motor that produces 125kW of energy and 250Nm of torque, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.7 seconds.
Step as much as the Excite 64 or Essence 64 and you’ve got a bit extra poke from the motor, with 150kW and 250Nm. These fashions run a bigger 64kWh battery with claimed 450km WLTP (Excite) or 435km WLTP (Essence) driving vary.
Nevertheless, the 0-100km/h time is 7.9 seconds because the bigger battery pack provides extra weight.
Select the Lengthy Vary 77 and also you get a bigger 77kWh battery with a claimed WLTP vary of 530km, whereas energy is bumped to 180kW/350Nm. The claimed 0-100km/h time is 6.5 seconds.
The 51kWh battery could be charged utilizing AC and DC charging. DC quick charging is capped at 88kW whereas a 6.6 kW AC charging velocity can be obtainable.
The 64kWh battery could be charged at as much as 140kW utilizing a DC charger. It is going to take a claimed 26 minutes to cost from 10 to 80 per cent at its most DC charging price.
MG 4 vitality consumption:
Excite 51: 14.5kWh/100kmExcite 64: 13.7kWh/100kmEssence 64: 14.2kWh/100kmLong Vary: 14.0kWh/100km
On the best way down protecting a distance of round 125km, we noticed as little as 17.6kWh/100km for the 64 Essence –remembering it was pushed arduous.
Within the 77 Essence on the return journey vitality consumption measured 19kWh/100km with 90 per cent motorway driving.
How does the MG 4 drive?
For this particular launch program we centered solely on the MG 4 Essence 64 and Essence 77. Each really feel suitably fast off the road regardless of their various battery capacities.
Whereas it’s a tad disappointing there’s no full leather-based trim (man-made leather-based will do) within the high trim variants, I can’t complain concerning the assist and bolstering these entrance seats present.
The steering wheel is an uncommon two-spoke design with a flat backside. At first it seems a bit odd, however its tactile and feels nice within the palms.
Drivers can selected between a set of drive modes (Snow, Eco, Normal, Sport and Customized), so to make our method out of Sydney we kicked off in Normal for its linear energy supply. Even then, the 4 is able to leaving site visitors behind on the lights.
It feels agile within the metropolis and able to fast modifications of course with wonderful composure and physique management once you’re having some enjoyable. The steering is mild however companies up noticeably in Sport.
Yep, I’ve switched already and I’m solely 5 minutes in to a two-hour stint. Now we blasting by Ranger Raptors – a lot to the driving force’s disdain as we make our method south all the way down to the Nationwide Park.
The MG 4 presents nice all-round imaginative and prescient, too. I used to be bit apprehensive about rear imaginative and prescient with its tough spoiler again there, however it doesn’t impede issues one bit. Drivers will discover it one of many best vehicles to park in tight spots, given each optimum imaginative and prescient and the sunshine steering.
You possibly can entry a bunch of stuff by way of the four-way scroll buttons on the steering wheel, however for now we’ve modified drive modes and dialled up one-pedal driving by way of the touchscreen. It’s simple sufficient however a console button or two would certain make life simpler.
When you get to grasp one-pedal driving, you’ll in a short time get used to it and can doubtless grow to be the default within the metropolis, at the very least. There’s not a lot level to it on the open highway.
It’s quiet and clean at 110km/h on the motorway with loads of juice on faucet for high-speed overtakes. The one disturbance at this velocity is a few wind noise off the driving force’s aspect mirror. You’re not conscious of it from the passenger seat.
Even in suburbia you’re conscious it is a high-quality chassis with little or no physique roll even within the tighter turns however it’s not till you’re correctly pushing within the actually twisty stuff do you realise simply how good it truly is.
The tougher you push, the extra composed and keen it will get. Outstanding, as my co-driver for the day has actually upped the ante and there’s a couple of moist patches to cope with, too. By no means thoughts, the MG 4 Essence 64 barely flinches after which grips up and darts out and in of a string of corners.
We’re genuinely pushing this factor in the identical method you’d push any of the perfect sizzling hatches and it’s simply consuming it up. Outstanding stuff, actually. The consequences of a 50:50 weight distribution are correctly felt right here. Similar goes for the rear-wheel drive. It’s all fantastically balanced.
Right here I’m speaking about efficiency with one of many most cost-effective EVs on sale immediately, however it’s simply the actual fact its a lot enjoyable to drive, due to its fairly very good chassis.
Whereas the MG 4 positively skews on the firmer aspect with its suspension tune, the damping is tuned for a good stage of compliance, even over coarse chip surfaces and smaller potholes. There aren’t any huge hits felt within the cabin.
At first, I used to be considering it might do with barely extra compliance however ultimately, I believe the experience/dealing with stability is the place it needs to be given its inherently sporty traits.
What do you get?
Whereas it may be one of many least costly electrical vehicles in Australia, the MG 4 is loaded with a stack of normal options.
The Excite comes customary with the next gear:
One pedal functionalityFour-mode regenerative brakingFive-link independant rear suspension7.0-inch digital instrument cluster10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment systemKeyless entryAutomatic cease and startApple CarPlay and Android AutoFour-speaker sound systemBlack cloth upholstery17-inch alloy wheelsAutomatic high-beamElectric aspect mirrors with heating functionalitySix-way guide drivers adjustable seatingMG PilotiSmart Lite connectivity
The Essence provides:
18-inch alloy wheelsBlack roofRear mild bariSmart connectivitySix-speaker sound systemSatellite navigationWireless telephone chargerSynthetic leather-based/fabric upholsteryAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorHeight-adjustable load floorEV journey plannerHeated entrance seatsHeated steering wheel360 diploma view cameraTwo-tone roofActive grille shutters
MG 4 colors:
Dover WhiteBrixton BlueBlack Pearl metallicCamden Gray metallicDynamic Pink tri-coatVolcano Orange tri-coatSterling Silver
Is the MG 4 protected?
On the again of 2022 testing in Europe the place MG 4 obtained a five-star Euro NCAP security ranking, it’s been awarded the identical five-star ANCAP security ranking for Australia.
It scored 83 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 86 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 75 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 81 per cent for security help.
Normal security gear contains:
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)Lane departure warningLane preserve assistAdaptive cruise management with cease/goFront, rear parking sensorsTyre strain monitoringFront, rear seat belt remindersISOFIX youngster restraint anchorage factors (outer rear seats)Entrance, entrance aspect, full-length curtain airbags (6 in whole)
MG 4 Essence provides:
Encompass-view camerasBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic help
How a lot does the MG 4 price to run?
The MG 4 vary is roofed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee encompassing the automotive and battery.
There’s additionally seven years of roadside help included. Uber or different experience share/industrial drivers additionally get a seven-year guarantee, however it’s capped at 160,000km.
Upkeep is required each two years or 20,000 kilometres with the next pricing:
40,000km/24 months: $296.0080,000km/48 months: $886.00120,000km/72 months: $296.00160,000km/96 months: $886.00200,000km/120 months: $296.00
CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 4
It may be certainly one of Australia’s finest electrical automotive bargains, however the MG 4 is a correct looker that’s packed to the rafters with the newest tech and options – and a genuinely rewarding drive in addition.
There’s sound engineering and knowhow behind this automotive and it reveals in so some ways, from the design to the chassis.
Maybe the cabin might be a tad extra thrilling, and the contact display extra responsive, however none of that basically dulls the enchantment right here.
And that is only the start of contemporary MG’s rebirth. Now, deliver on the MG 4 X-Energy and MG Cyberster.
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