MG4 EV: Is it the best affordable electric car yet?

Meet the MG4 EV. But is it the best affordable all-electric hatchback?

Who'd have thought MG would be the brand to crack the affordable electric car puzzle?

But they've done just that with the MG4 EV – a car that's turning heads and changing minds faster than you can say "range anxiety."

Badge snobbery? That's so last decade.

Today's MG is on a roll, delivering electric cars that are genuinely exciting to drive and packed with tech that would make premium brands blush.

With lease prices starting at a wallet-friendly £265*, the MG4 proves you don't need to break the bank to go electric. And with the 2030 petrol and diesel ban on the horizon, timing couldn't be better.

Jump in an MG4 and you'll wonder why you ever doubted – this little electric hatchback delivers big on performance, range, and that all-important fun factor.

*Prices correct at time of publication. Please enquire for our latest offers.

The basics

MG aren’t new to the EV world. In fact, they have six other EVs and four hybrids.

Here is their current EV lineup:

• IM5
• IM6
• Cyberster
• MGS5
• MG4 EV XPOWER
• MG4

The MG4 EV was the first to be built on MG’s Modular Scalable Platform (MSP). 

Basically, this means that MG can build all sorts of cars off the same basic ‘skateboard’ and can easily accommodate different battery sizes and motor setups. It’s the same thing that VW have done with their MEB platform – it makes it a lot easier to launch a number of EVs off the same basic underpinnings.

The basic setup to the MG4 is rear-wheel drive, rear-motor, with two battery sizes on offer initially: the 50.8kWh battery with a claimed 217-mile (WLTP Comb) range, and the bigger 61.6kWh battery with around 280 miles (WLTP Comb) between charges.

They’ve also released a Trophy Extended Range with the 77kWh battery which can reach up to 323 miles of WLTP Comb range.

Not bad numbers that.

Looks-wise, the MG4 is quite the beauty, and it doesn’t fade into the crowd with its sharp lines and angular headlights (and bold colour options!).

But if you’re after something futuristic, something like the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 wouldn’t look out of place in actual space. But you’ll be paying a premium for them. 

What the MG4 lacks in sci-fi styling, it more than makes up for in substance. It's the classic case of not judging a book by its cover – except in this case, the cover is actually quite decent.

With its competitive range, sensible pricing, and growing EV lineup to show MG's commitment to electrification, the MG4 represents their most convincing argument yet that going electric doesn't require a premium badge or an eye-watering monthly payment.

It's the practical choice that doesn't feel like a compromise – and in today's market, that's refreshingly honest.

After all, wouldn't you rather spend your money on weekend getaways than just looking flash at the traffic lights?

The interior

The interior showcases a thoughtfully designed approach that feels familiar yet effective. The minimalist, tech-forward design strikes a perfect balance between form and function, creating a space that's both intuitive and comfortable.

Button aficionados will be glad to see that MG haven’t gotten rid of them completely; there’s a row of physical buttons underneath the touchscreen, so you can avoid having to take your eyes off the road for too long just to turn the aircon down.

The 10.25in floating touchscreen itself is good. The screen is crisp, the navigation intuitive, and there’s easy access to the major functions, with on-screen shortcuts for music, phone, satnav, and car settings permanently on the right-hand side.

Space-wise, there’s a surprising amount of it in the cabin.

Despite the low roofline, there’s plenty of room for four adults to stretch out and enjoy, even on those longer journeys up and down the country.

If you need to pack five adults in, you can. It’ll be a bit like a can of sardines in the back, but for shorter journeys, it’s more than doable. The rear three seats are brilliant for three children, with the low central hump minimising arguments about where people’s feet are going.

When it comes to storage, there’s plenty of space for all your odds and ends.

Glovebox in the front, a cubby with a sliding lid sat just behind the two cup holders, a deep bin in the central armrest, and space in the front doors for bottles or tall thermos flasks.

Some of the materials do feel a little plasticky – but then, for the price, there had to be some compromise. And it’s not a compromise that takes away from the performance or the overall finish of the car.

The boot comes in at 363L, which isn’t the biggest, or the smallest. It’s nothing to write home about, but spacious enough to cope with daily life and the odd weekend away.

Practical, spacious and stylish, there’s not much more you could ask for from the interior.

The drive

If you've never experienced an electric car, buckle up – you're in for a treat with the MG4's instant torque.

While a petrol car needs to burn fuel, create combustion, and transfer that power to the wheels (a process with a noticeable delay), an electric motor delivers power to the wheels almost instantly.

The result? Acceleration that feels immediate and exhilarating from the moment you press the pedal.

MG has cleverly balanced the MG4's performance, giving it enough zip to hit 62mph in just under eight seconds without the neck-snapping intensity of some premium EVs. It's the perfect middle ground – punchy enough to put a smile on your face but not so aggressive that your passengers spill their coffee.

Where the MG4 really shines is in its overall driving dynamics. With balanced weight distribution and responsive steering, it feels nimble and engaging through corners.

For anyone worried that going electric means sacrificing driving pleasure, the MG4 offers reassuring proof that you can make the switch without losing that connection to the road.

It's exactly what you want from a compact hatchback – regardless of what's powering it.

The equipment

Another tick in the box for MG – the standard equipment is very generous. 

All models come with 17in alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and a 10.25in infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Upgrade to the top-of-the-range Trophy spec, and you’ll enjoy heated seats, wireless smartphone charging and an upgraded audio system on top of everything else.

But if those little luxuries aren’t a must-have for you, then the MG4 SE Long Range is the model to go for, with a maximum 281 mile WLTP Comb range and plenty of kit and caboodle to keep you going. 

The MG4’s 150kW charging ability means you can get from flat to (nearly) full in around 35 minutes with a public rapid charger, while an at-home charger is a smart investment for saving money in the long-term.

You’ll be able to take advantage of cheaper night-time tariffs, and if you do plug in your car in the evening, it’ll be juiced up and ready to go by the time you wake up.

Euro NCAP safety tested the MG4, awarding it with the full five-star safety rating.

All versions come with six airbags, active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and a driver attention alert system.

If you want more than this, upgrading to the Trophy spec gets you blind-spot detection, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. 

MG really have knocked it out of the park with the MG4. It's an impressive achievement that showcases exactly what the brand is capable of.

The verdict: MG's electric revolution

The MG4 EV isn't just a good affordable electric car – it's a game changer. It delivers where it matters most: practical range, enjoyable driving dynamics, and wallet-friendly pricing.

What MG has achieved here deserves genuine applause.

They've created an EV that doesn't feel like a compromise, despite its remarkably accessible price point. The combination of rear-wheel drive handling, impressive range options up to 323 miles (WLTP Comb), and generous equipment levels makes the MG4 an easy car to recommend.

In a market full of promises about tomorrow's technology, the MG4 delivers today – and that's exactly what the EV revolution needs.