Introduction and model history
The MG4 EV arrived in Europe in 2022, and was an instant hit. It brought longer range and better value than any competitor, and became the poster child affordable EVs. The electric car landscape has changed a lot since then, with a wave of new competitors arriving to challenge the MG4, ranging from the Renault 4, Cupra Born and Skoda Elroq and Epiq, through to rivals from new brands like the Jaecoo E5, Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 2.
So it’s about time that the MG4 had a bit of a shake up, isn’t it? And that’s just what MG has done by taking its popular electric hatchback and giving it a new dash layout with physical control and an improved infotainment system. It’s also lowered list prices and dropped the smaller battery model from the lineup; as of 2026, the Standard Range MG4 has been replaced with the cheaper MG4 Urban model that offers a new entry point to the electric MG range.
You can read our full review of the MG4 Urban here, or you we’ve got all the advice you need on buying a used MG4 EV if you’re considering a pre-loved example, but suffice to say that a new MG4 remains a seriously compelling option if you’re after a long-range EV at a great price.
Range, battery and charging
Battery options in the 2026 MG4 EV range are either a 62kWh (usable capacity) NMC in the XPower, a 62kWh LFP in the Long Range or a 74kWh NMC in the Extended Range. That’s good for WLTP range of 251-, 280- and 338 miles respectively. That makes the MG4 very competitive on range next to those rivals that we’ve already mentioned. If you do want more range than that, then you check out the Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq or Nissan Leaf, all of which go further in their long range versions – albeit I suspect you’ll pay more on your monthly finance for those than you will for the MG4.
Charging speeds are good, if not class leading. The new LFP battery in the 2026 MG4 Long Range allows for faster charging speeds of up to 154kW, while the Extended Range and XPower models manage around 140kW. That’s good for a 10-80% rapid charge in around 25-40 minutes depending on which model you’ve got and how powerful the charging station is. Sometimes it’s easier to think of it in terms of a 100 mile top-up of range, which will take roughly 15 minutes in any MG4 model. You don’t get a heat pump with the MG4, sadly, but you do get vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging on every model as standard, so that you can power any electric device from the car’s high voltage battery.
Practicality and boot space
Nothing has really changed for the MG4 in terms of its practicality, but that’s okay as it was already pretty good for space and practicality. The flat floor and lack of an engine bay means that there’s plenty of legroom all round, although you do get a bit more passenger space in the Skoda Elroq. There’s no rear cabin light in the MG4, though, which I found to be really annoying when I lived an MG4 for six months or so. It sounds like such an insignificant thing, but if you’ve got kids and car seats to worry about then having a light over the rear seats is pretty important. My daughter hated not having her own light to turn on in the back, too.
Still, rear passengers have plenty of head and legroom and there’s space to fit three (at a squeeze) thanks to a wide back seat and a flat floor. Further back, the boot is a good shape. It’s got 363 litres of space, which is actually less than you get in the cheaper MG4 EV Urban model, but the floor is wide and you’ll get a chunky single buggy in there without any problem.
With all the seats down there’s 1,177 litres (1,165 litres in the Extended Range and XPower models) which is roomy, but don’t expect a flat floor. There are areas where the cost cutting is evident when you open the tailgate too, with bare metal and dull paint but, at this price, would you care about that kind of detail? I certainly don’t.
Interior, design/styling and technology
The driving position in the MG4 feels natural and more like a traditional hatchback than an SUV. You do sit a little higher than you would in, say, a Volkswagen Golf, but thanks to plenty of adjustment on the steering column and seat, it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. The seats themselves are sharply sculpted and offer plenty of side and under-thigh support (you get proper sports seats in the MG4 XPower hot hatch). You’ll notice some scratch plastics and slightly cheap-feeling finishes in some areas around the cabin, but nothing that’s going to bother you given how affordable the car is.
The dash and infotainment is where the real changes have been made with the 2026 facelift. Now, the MG4 EV gets much the same interior as we’ve already seen in the MGS5 and MGS6. That’s no bad thing as it includes a perfectly decent 12.8-inch touchscreen and 10-inch driver’s display, plus physical controls for the air-con and audio volume. It’s taken a few years, but manufacturers seem to finally be giving buyers what they want with a nice combination of ‘proper’ physical buttons an touchscreen usability. I find that the Renault 4 and Kia EV3’s systems are a bit more intuitive than the MG4’s, but this new infotainment setup is still a big improvement for MG.
The screen has decent graphics and responds quickly, and the icons are big enough to prod easily. There’s also a swipe-down shortcut menu that makes it easy to turn on (or off) your chosen driver assistance systems – which makes it really quick to turn the lane-keep assistance on- or off. There’s also in-built satnav on every model, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so while some other family EVs have sharper and slicker infotainment setups, the MG’s is now very easy to use and get along with.
And you get so much equipment as standard! Even the entry level MG4 EV Premium Long Range gets heated seats and steering wheel, as well as part-leatherette upholstery, climate control, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree parking camera… That’s for under £30,000 with a 280 mile range. Hard to argue with that, isn’t it? Personally, I’d take this option over the top-spec MG4 EV Urban, but that may well come down to your lifestyle and how you’re paying for the car.
The Extended Range adds a contrast roof and a bit more power, as well as the bigger battery, while the XPower obviously gets all-wheel drive and an abundance of performance as well as sports seats, suede style upholstery and various style upgrades. The only significant omission on the MG4’s kit list is a sunroof or pano roof, neither of which are available.
Motors, performance and handling
There are no significant changes to the dynamics and performance of the 2026 MG4 EV, but that’s fine as it’s always been a really fun, confident car to drive. One of the best in the class, actually! That rear-wheel drive layout helps it to feel keen through corners, the steering is predictable and nicely weighted, and you can opt for the frothing lunacy of the MG4 XPower all-wheel drive if you want huge 0-62mph potential of 3.8 seconds. That Porsche 911 pace in a family EV for around £34,000 – without even factoring in the discounts that MG routinely runs. I know the MG4 isn’t flawless, but that’s hard to complain about, isn’t it?!
Having said that, I am a professional complainer and I would put it out there that the more affordable, rear-wheel drive MG4 EV models are nicer to drive. The 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds for the Long Range and 6.2 seconds for the Extended Range still makes them feel really punchy, and there’s a more natural, slick feel to the steering and handling that’s properly satisfying on a good road while also calm and surefooted in any other situation.
There are four brake regen modes to play with, including an adaptive mode that I find a bit unpredictable and intrusive. I prefer the fixed levels, which are moderate but smooth and easy to get along with. The one-pedal mode has to be activated on the touchscreen rather than using the shortcut button on the steering wheel, which is annoying, but it’s good to have it for maximum efficiency about town.
Running costs and pricing
I’ve already gushed about how affordable the MG4 EV is, but given that it was already pretty well priced and then MG has cut the price by over £2,000 for this facelift, it really is one of the best value EVs out there. There’s nearly always further money off with dealer-backed money off contributions, and monthly PCP finance or lease deals also tend to be tempting and are often offered with zero interest. You’ll struggle to find a more mature-feeling family EV with this level of equipment for a better price. There are others that have better interiors, or more space and longer range, but the MG4 remains a benchmark for value.
There’s also a seven year, 80,000 mile warranty, which embarrasses VW, Skoda and Cupra, even if Peugeot and Toyota offer even longer standard warranties.
Verdict
If you hadn’t guessed, I’m a fan of the MG4 EV. It’s not the best family EV you can buy for a number of reasons but it is hugely recommendable given the range, equipment and all-round competence that it offers for such a great price. If you like the edgy looks, the fun colours, the sharp handling and the idea of an EV that’s got all the latest tech and comforts for less than you’ll pay on almost any rival, the MG4 could well be the car for you.
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