We highway take a look at the distinctive MG4 hatchback – not solely is it an ideal worth electrical car, nevertheless it delivers a surprisingly partaking drive…
You’ve obtained handy it to MG Motor – a automotive maker that continues to defy the cynics with its mix of award-winning, cheap fashions that provide peace of thoughts due to a beneficiant seven-year/80,000-mile guarantee as normal.
The result’s that the now Chinese language-owned firm is having fun with record-breaking gross sales and is the “UK’s fastest-growing mainstream automotive model”.
Simply to place that into perspective, MG’s 51,050 gross sales in 2022 had been up practically 67% year-on-year and a way forward of established manufacturers together with Renault, Mazda, Honda, Citroen, Suzuki, Dacia and Fiat.
I’m already a fan of the MG ZS EV crossover and MG5 EV property, however the brand new MG4 EV is one thing else, including severe fashion and spectacular driveability to the combo.
For me, the MG4 is a breath of contemporary air in an automotive world dominated by high-riding SUVs. I choose to sit down decrease within the cabin. I wish to really feel extra concerned and luxuriate in additional agility.
Within the EV world, there aren’t many hatchbacks on supply. At present, the MG4’s most evident rivals embrace the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID.3, the Cupra Born and the ORA Funky Cat.
You solely have to have a look at the image of the automotive (right here in signature Volcano Orange) to see that it’s no odd hatchback.
Up entrance there’s a swooping nostril, sculpted bonnet, angular LED headlights and aggressive air intakes. The profile is aerodynamic and crisp, whereas the rear contains a advanced two-part roof spoiler, a full-width LED taillight bar topped with distinctive, inset zig-zag traces.
Competitively priced from simply £26,995, vary will depend upon the battery measurement chosen – so it’s as much as 218 miles with the 51kWh, or a potential 281 miles if you happen to go for the 64kWh battery.
Each battery items energy an electrical motor, producing 168bhp with the smaller battery or 200bhp (bigger one). As with most EVs, there’s a single-speed automated gearbox, whereas drive is by way of the rear wheels.
The 51kW Commonplace Vary battery model accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds, whereas the 64kWh Lengthy Vary unit is barely slower (7.9 seconds). So, whichever you select, the MG4 isn’t any slouch.
There are two trims ranges (SE and Trophy), with the latter unique to the larger battery.
All MG4 EVs are generously outfitted with a ten.25-inch touchscreen (fortunately together with bodily short-cut buttons beneath) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus an extra 7.0-inch digital driver’s show as normal, together with local weather management, rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloys.
Different goodies embrace keyless entry, automated headlights, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and a top and reach-adjustable steering wheel.
The MG4 is wider than you assume with an extended wheelbase, so there’s loads of house for passengers, entrance and rear. And, regardless of the sporty roofline, there’s ample head and legroom within the again.
There’s additionally an honest baggage capability of 363 litres, rising to 1,177 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Driving an MG4 couldn’t be simpler. When you’re inside, merely put your foot on the brake, choose D for Drive by way of the rotary gear selector within the centre console, launch the parking brake and also you’re away.
On the highway, the MG4 delivers simply what you’d count on from an EV – and extra. The trip is snug and refined. There’s a bit of highway and wind noise, nevertheless it’s on no account extreme, whereas the engineers have carried out an ideal job of insulating you from lumps and bumps within the highway.
The steering is mild and there’s good ahead visibility. Nevertheless, the slim tailgate window makes backing into areas barely trickier, however there’s a helpful reversing digicam and the top-of-the-range Trophy model I examined is blessed comes with a 360-degree digicam.
The revelation with the MG4 is that it’s one of many few moderately priced electrical vehicles to deal with house owners to a genuinely dynamic drive (the MINI Electrical is one other instance).
Hustle it by way of more difficult corners and it stays flat and planted, helped by a low centre of gravity from the batteries mounted far down within the chassis and 50:50 weight distribution.
It feels agile and vigorous, and it will probably even get playful within the moist or on looser surfaces, due to the rear-wheel drive set-up. Not like many opponents, the brakes are nicely judged, inspiring confidence and including to an total smoothness.
The MG4 options three driving modes (Eco, Regular and Sport) plus 4 completely different ranges of brake regeneration (Low, Medium, Robust and Adaptive). Regular/Medium labored finest for me in on a regular basis driving, although Sport/Low spice issues up for overtaking and the odd blast.
If you’ll find a speedy 150kW connection, a 10-80% cost can take as little as 35 minutes and, in case you have a wallbox, it’s going to additionally cost in a single day at house.
All in all, the MG4 is a implausible EV. Positive, the infotainment touchscreen isn’t cutting-edge and it’s a tad sluggish to energy up, whereas the steering wheel controls are fiddly. Moreover, rear visibility isn’t ultimate and the boot could possibly be greater, however total it’s a fab automotive at an ideal worth.
Verdict: Inexpensive, distinctive, nicely outfitted and sensible, the MG4 delivers the type of driving dynamics that’s streets forward of many EVs twice the worth. Add MG’s beneficiant seven-year guarantee, and it it’s a no brainer if you happen to’re prepared to modify to 100% electrical motoring.
