- The MG4 is among the top favorite electric vehicles in the UK.
- The domestically produced vehicle from China is fashionable, lavishly equipped, and competitively priced, posing a threat to Tesla.
- The XPower model I tried was remarkably swift and had several appealing features, yet it did not manage to stir my interest.
For quite some time now, one of Britain’s most iconic sports car marques has been under Chinese ownership. After getting behind the wheel of their top-selling model, it became clear why this brand worries Western automakers, thanks to its innovative features paired with prices that offer strong competition.
MG was established in Oxford back in 1924, and its vehicles have made numerous appearances in movies and television series, with celebrities like Elvis and Audrey Hepburn behind the wheel.
MG vehicles were available in the U.S. up until 1980, however, the company’s owner at that time pulled out of the market due to financial struggles. The situation did not improve much over the years, leading to MG Rover being acquired by someone else in 2005. China's SAIC , although production continued in the UK until 2016.
MG’s presence has always been maintained in British dealerships, and their China-produced models have gained significant traction there. Last year marked a high point with more than 81,000 units sold, securing MG the tenth spot in registration numbers and giving them nearly a 4.2% slice of the market pie. Approximately every fourth car sold was an electric model.
The MG4 hatchback was the fourth best-selling EV in the UK last year and was the second most popular model with private (as opposed to fleet) buyers.
The attraction likely stems partly from the pricing, which starts at £27,000 (approximately $35,000) — roughly £13,000 less than the lowest-priced option. Tesla in the UK and approximately the same as a BYD Dolphin — up to £36,500 (approximately $47,000).
What’s the experience of driving the MG4 like? I previously owned the high-end XPower version, which boasts achieving 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds thanks to its 64 kWh battery—this is nearly twice as fast as the long-range model. (According to tests conducted by What Car?, the XPower reached 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, outpacing even a Porsche Taycan 4S, as they claim.)
It includes all-wheel drive, improved brakes, and launch control, with a stated top driving range of 239 miles according to WLTP standards and up to 328 miles when driven in urban areas.
I quite enjoyed the matte green finish, though the style might not receive any design accolades. In terms of Chinese EVs proceed, things could definitely be worse. The vibrant aluminum rims paired with orange brake calipers add a great detail.
Within, the seven-inch display situated behind the leather-covered steering wheel is enhanced by a more extensive, broader center screen offering entertainment and navigation features.
I was happy to discover a series of reliable, classic physical buttons for adjusting the volume, fan, and hazard lights. Nonetheless, linking my iPhone with the audio system proved more complicated than it should have been.
I drove the MG4 south of London on a dreary Sunday to a picturesque location known as Box Hill. In contrast to other vehicles I've operated for BIIntialized It didn’t chastise me for going just one mile per hour over the speed limit—a welcome reprieve considering numerous roads have a 20 mph restriction. This earned it some additional praise. The car is easy to handle, and as mentioned earlier, it performs impressively when needed (such as on the highway).
Apart from offering the kind of rapid acceleration associated with hot hatches favored by young drivers, this vehicle shares little resemblance with the classic MG models of old. It’s challenging to work up much enthusiasm for it. Considering its unlikelihood of ever being sold in the U.S., you likely won’t face the predicament of deciding whether to purchase one.
If I were shopping for an electric vehicle of this size, the XPower probably wouldn’t make my list (and that opinion was formed even before hearing about how badly the MG4 fared in What Car?'s yearly reliability survey).
Regardless of my thoughts, the MG is probably going to draw in some purchasers who may have formerly looked into a Tesla Model Y , which is nearly £18k higher.
The MG4 boasts an impressive range and offers ample trunk space. Additionally, three adults can squeeze into the rear seat without issue, provided they have a strong affinity for one another.
The MG's European lineup might truly shine with the striking Cyberster roadster, even though it begins around £56,000 and offers seating for just two people.
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