Electric vehicles are no longer the domain of the luxury car market. For Australians looking to make the switch to greener motoring, cost and practicality are often the biggest hurdles. Enter the MG4. Over the past few years, MG has quietly built a reputation for offering some of the cheapest new cars in the market without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality.

With the launch of the MG4, this small electric hatchback pushes that philosophy further. Starting at just $30,990 drive-away, the MG4 undercuts even entry-level hybrids like the Toyota Corolla while packing features and space that feel well above its price point. But is it really as good as it sounds? I spent a week behind the wheel of the MG4 Excite 51 and here’s my in-depth take on what makes this EV special.

MG4 Pricing: Exceptional Value That Turns Heads

When it comes to affordability, the MG4 is hard to beat. Between September 20 and October 31, 2024, MG slashed the base Excite 51 price from $40,990 to just $30,990 drive-away. From November, this climbs slightly to $32,990, but even at that figure, the MG4 is cheaper than the GWM Ora and BYD Dolphin, two Chinese EV hatchbacks that are arguably less practical and fun to drive.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the lineup:

Model	Price Before On-Road Costs	Drive-Away Offer
MG4 Excite 51	$37,990	$32,990
MG4 Excite 64	$41,990	$8,000 factory bonus
MG4 Essence 64	$44,990	$8,000 factory bonus
MG4 Long Range 77	$50,990	$8,000 factory bonus
MG4 XPower	$55,990	$8,000 factory bonus

Even with higher variants, MG manages to keep things competitive while offering more features and a larger battery. For someone dipping their toes into EV ownership for the first time, the base MG4 is a particularly compelling choice.

MG4 Interior: Simple, Spacious and Smartly Designed

Cabin Layout That Feels Bigger Than It Is

Inside, the MG4 doesn’t try to over-impress. Its design is straightforward but purposeful. There’s a certain elegance in the simplicity: nothing feels overcrowded, nothing feels missing. You get a two-spoke steering wheel with a thin rim for excellent visibility of the 7-inch digital instrument cluster.

To the left sits a floating 10.25-inch touchscreen that handles infotainment duties. It’s not the slickest on the market—wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are missing—but it’s clear, easy to use, and responsive. For those who care more about practicality than flashy tech, it ticks the right boxes.

Comfort and Practicality for Everyday Life

Despite its compact dimensions, the MG’s model 4 surprises with space. Rear-seat passengers, even tall adults, will find plenty of room—something that Mazda 3 or Corolla owners might envy. The rear floor is nearly flat, offering better comfort for three passengers than many small hatchbacks, though the centre seat is narrow, making it more of a “4+1” setup for adults.

Storage is also well thought out thanks to the electric vehicle architecture. There’s a large drawer in the centre console, cupholders, and a rubber-lined phone holder, although there’s no wireless charging at this trim level. Boot space measures 363 liters with seats up and 1,177 liters with the seats folded—plenty for shopping, weekend gear, or light road trips.

MG4 Performance: Punchy, Smooth and Enjoyable

Powertrain That Delivers Real-World Fun

Under the bonnet, the base MG4 Excite 51 packs a 51kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a 125kW rear-mounted motor, delivering 250Nm of torque. This might sound modest, but in practice, it feels lively.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is claimed at 7.7 seconds and it genuinely feels quick around town and on the freeway. The immediate torque makes city driving enjoyable and the car never feels strained at higher speeds—a rare trait in entry-level EVs.

Driving Dynamics That Make EVs Exciting

The MG4 is quiet on the road, with minimal noise from the wind or the road itself to get in the way of the driving experience. The suspension strikes a decent balance between comfort and control. It absorbs bumps well and keeps the body from rolling over when you turn.

The steering is light but precise, which makes it easy to get around in traffic and parking lots. Driving with one pedal and adjustable regenerative braking makes it more fun and more efficient. In general, it’s one of the most sophisticated drives in the low-cost EV market.

MG4 Features: Packed With Surprising Tech

Even at its entry-level price, the MG4 comes with features that elevate it above typical budget cars:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Keyless entry and push-start
• Automatic LED headlights with high beam assist
• 7-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Four-speaker sound system

Higher variants add extras like 18-inch wheels, black roof, satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, leather upholstery and a six-way power driver’s seat. Even the XPower model includes premium touches like Alcantara trim and polished accents. For a vehicle in this price bracket, the level of standard equipment is impressive.

MG4 Safety: Confidence Behind the Wheel

The MG4 comes with a five-star ANCAP rating for rear-wheel-drive models and a robust suite of standard safety features, including:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering
• Lane departure warning and lane-keep assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear parking sensors and reversing camera

Essence and higher trims add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and a surround-view camera. For a small EV, the MG4 offers peace of mind on par with larger, more expensive vehicles.

MG4 Ownership Costs: Stress-Free and Affordable

Warranty and Servicing

MG’s long-term warranty is a standout. A 10-year, 250,000-kilometer warranty covers the MG4, including its high-voltage battery. Service intervals are 24 months or 40,000 kilometers, with capped-price servicing extending to 14 years or 280,000 kilometers. The total cost for this capped servicing is just $3,905, making long-term ownership predictable as well as affordable.

Energy Efficiency

The MG4 Excite 51 consumes 18.4kWh/100km (claimed) and 18.8kWh/100km (tested), placing it among the more efficient small EVs in the market. No spare wheel is included, which is common for EVs and helps reduce weight and running costs.

MG4 vs. Competitors: Standing Out in a Crowded Market

The market for tiny electric vehicle hatchbacks in Australia is getting more and more crowded. Chinese companies like BYD and GWM have made a significant push by making electric cars that are affordable, like the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora. These cars are all good in their own ways, but this electric hatchback stands out because it offers a better combination of price, usefulness and fun to drive.

It feels more sophisticated on the road than the GWM Ora. The suspension is better calibrated, which makes the ride smoother and the handling more stable. The inside is also more capacious and useful for regular use. Even little things, like the floating infotainment screen and the almost flat rear floor, make a big difference in how easy it is to use in real life.

It also performs better than the BYD Dolphin. The rear-wheel-drive layout and 250Nm of torque make driving more fun than with many of its competitors, which are often too weak. The Dolphin may have a same range, but this hatchback feels more responsive, especially in city traffic and while merging onto the motorway. This gives the driver a sense of control and confidence that most cars in this class can’t equal.

It even does well against regular hatchbacks that run on petrol, such the Kia Cerato and the Toyota Corolla. The Corolla may look nicer at first, but when you think about things such as running costs, interior room and technology, the electric option is just as good. It is a good choice for daily driving because it has lower energy expenses, smart use of cabin space as well as a sophisticated entertainment system.

It also does well in the field of after-sales service. The long warranty—10 years or 250,000 kilometres, including the battery—gives you piece of mind that is hard to beat, whether you’re thinking about an electric vehicle (EV) or a regular hatchback.

In short, there are a lot of options in the entry-level EV market, but this hatchback finds a good mix between price, usefulness and performance. It’s not enough to just be cheap; you also need to provide a full, useful and fun driving experience every day.

Conclusion: Why the MG4 Is Worth Considering

The MG4 shows that electric vehicles that are cheap don’t have to feel cheap. It stands out in the entry-level EV market because of its low price, roomy interior, powerful performance and long list of features. The MG4 is a simple, useful, and fun way for anyone who wants to transition to electric to do so.

The standard model doesn’t have some high-end features like wireless smartphone mirroring and blind-spot monitoring, but it has more than enough for everyday use. If you pay a little more for a higher trim or a cool colour, you’ll receive an EV that feels even more complete and pleasant to drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the real-world range of the MG4?
The MG4 Excite 51 delivers around 350 kilometers on a single charge under WLTP standards, making it ideal for both city and suburban driving.

2. Does the MG4 come with a warranty?
Yes, MG provides a 10-year, 250,000-kilometer warranty, which includes the high-voltage battery.

3. How safe is the MG4?
The MG4 has a five-star ANCAP rating and includes features like adaptive cruise, lane keeping, traffic sign recognition, and AEB.

4. How much does the MG4 cost to buy and run?
The base MG4 Excite 51 is priced at $32,990 drive-away, with energy consumption of roughly 18.8kWh/100km and affordable capped-price servicing.

5. Is the MG4 a good family car?
Yes. With a roomy rear seat, nearly flat floor, and 1,177 liters of boot space, the MG4 comfortably fits families or weekend gear.