MG4 gains Range & Performance variants; interior upgrade to follow in 2024

  • MG4 EV getting some significant interior improvements next year
  • New long-range variant released in Summer 2023 for anxiety-free highway driving
  • Performance variant (XPower) to rival VW ID.3 GTX also announced in Summer 2023
  • Regular MG4 EV priced from GBP 26,995 in the UK

Update: ‘MG4 interior revisions planned in 2024’ section added.

SAIC-owned MG Motor has developed an electric vehicle that is more advanced and premium than the MG ZS EV, despite the car’s lower price positioning—the MG Mulan. The company offers the new electric hatchback as the MG4 EV in the UK and Ireland and as the MG4 Electric in other overseas markets.

The MG4 EV inducted an extended-range variant and a high-performance variant in the Summer of 2023. Next, it will receive comprehensive interior changes. Here’s what we know about the upcoming refresh for the MG4 EV:

MG4 interior revisions planned in 2024

The MG4 EV might still be fresh, but MG is already working on an update for it. Lu Jiajun, the general manager of MG’s business unit, said at a recent event that the company is preparing a “big upgrade” for the interior of the electric hatchback, with a plan to introduce it in the second half of 2024, Autocar reported on December 7, 2023.

Currently, the infotainment system of the MG4 EV isn’t very responsive, so MG may release a big software update for it to make it snappy. The company may also improve the quality of materials in the cabin and introduce new color schemes.

MG4 EV interior right hand drive UK
The MG4 interior has minimalist vibes and looks equally appealing as the ID.3 and the Megane E-Tech. Image Source: SAIC

The MG4 features a simplistic yet contemporary interior featuring a sleek dashboard with slim AC vents, a floating center console with the drive mode selector and electric parking brake, a compact, two-spoke steering with flattened top and bottom, and a light white and gray two-tone upholstery. The instrument cluster is a 7-inch compact display attached to the dashboard. A 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display sits atop the center of the dashboard.

MG4 EV Extended Range (Range variant)

The MG4 EV Extended Range is targeted at customers who frequently do inter-city journeys, as well as those seeking worry-free long-distance preparedness. It has a 77 kWh battery pack that gives the car a WLTP range of up to 323 miles (520 km), making it the first MG that can travel over 300 miles. Charging from 10 to 80% using a 150 kW DC fast-charger takes 39 minutes, or 10.3 hours if using a 7 kW AC charger.

Power comes from a new motor that generates 180 kW (241 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of torque and gives the car a 0-62 mph sprint time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph. Thus, the Extended Range variant is suitable for customers who want better acceleration and more speed than the Standard Range and Long Range variants but not necessarily something extreme like the XPower variant, which we’ve detailed below.

In our experience, extended-range variants are more for psychological comfort than addressing a real need, as most trips in a compact car are completed within the city, and charging infrastructure is ever-improving in the areas where the MG4 will gain popularity. That said, the performance gains from the punchier motor would surely be welcomed by many customers who frequently drive on highways.

The MG4 EV Extended Range retails at GBP 36,495 (USD 45,810) in the UK.

MG4 EV XPower (Performance variant)

MG4 EV XPower
The MG4 EV XPower will be available in an exclusive new Racing Green color. Image Source: SAIC

The MG4 EV XPower brings more power, style, and capability with comprehensive technical and aesthetic upgrades over the standard car. The talking point is a dual-motor powertrain that produces a whopping 320 kW PS (429 hp) and up to 600 Nm (443 lb.-ft.) of torque. A 150 kW motor powers the front wheels and a 170 kW motor drives the rear wheels, meaning this EV has an AWD layout and offers more grip than the standard car.

A 0-62 mph sprint in the MG4 EV XPower takes just 3.8 seconds. So, did MG engineers just pour cold water over the Volkswagen’s Golf R 333 Limited Edition announcement in May 2023? You bet. The most powerful Golf to date, with 333 PS (328 hp) and 420 Nm (310 lb.-ft.) of torque, takes 4.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph. 1.2 seconds is a day and night difference on the track. It’ll all come down to how well the EV handles around the corners and how exciting it is through the twists, but hopes are high.

MG4 EV XPower rear
The MG4 EV XPower sports a two-tone roof, new 18-inch wheels, orange brake calipers, and a twin aero spoiler. Image Source: SAIC

SAIC has used Bridgestone Turanza tires for more grip in the MG4 EV XPower. Recalibrated spring and damper tuning, stiffer anti-roll bars, and sharper steering should lead to better handling. Overall, suspension stiffness is up to 25% higher in the electric hot hatch. The regenerative braking software has been adjusted to allow one-pedal driving.

Uprated, ventilated 345 mm disc brakes on all four corners give the MG4 EV XPower more stopping power. The car can come to a stop from 62 mph in just 33.9 meters. It has a 64 kWh battery pack and can cover a distance of 239 miles on a full charge, as per WLTP.

MG4 EV XPower interior dashboard
The MG4 EV XPower has a WLTP range of 239 miles. Image Source: SAIC

The MG4 EV XPower has been priced at just GBP 36,495 (USD 45,810). That makes it approximately USD 37,000 cheaper than the VW Golf R 333 Limited Edition, which retails at EUR 76,410 (USD 82,435) in Germany. With those savings, you could purchase a regular Golf for extended travel backup and still have some leftover change!

Here’s more on the current MG4 variants:

MG4 Design

The MG4 is a result of joint efforts of London-based SAIC Design Advanced London and Royal College of Art, and the SAIC Motor Design Center in Shanghai. To stay true to the MG legacy, sporty styling is a must-have for every vehicle it makes, and the MG4 is no exception. It has a clean and fluid design, and it looks sporty, too, especially at the front, the company’s chief designer Oleg Son said, as per an article on Auto&Design.

Euro-spec MG4 Electric rear three quarter
The MG4 is an SUV-style aggressive hatchback that could comfortably take on the VW ID.3 and Nissan Leaf in Europe. Image Source: SAIC

SAIC says it’s the first truly global car from the MG brand, and the design is such that it appeals the Chinese and global customers alike. At the front, the MG4 features a shark-like nose section, petal-shaped, three-eyed headlamps, a muscular bumper with vertical side air intakes, a split lower air intake, and a lip spoiler.

The MG4 Electric has a sporty appearance on the sides with a rising beltline, sharp creases on the door panels and shoulders, orange brake calipers, and two-tone black and silver alloy wheels in an EV-typical aerodynamic design. The charging port is on the quarter panel above the left wheel arch.

At the rear, the MG4 Electric features a hunkered-down stance, a large, almost full-width tail light (featuring the SAIC Vision LED Lighting System), a clean bumper, a split rear spoiler, and an SUV-style large skid plate. With the exception of the low ride height, it resembles a crossover in many ways.

In the UK, the MG4 EV is available in Volcano Orange (new), Camden Grey (new), Holborn Blue, Dynamic Red, Black Pearl, and Arctic White colors. MG offers a two-tone black roof option as well.

Specifications

Nebula Platform (MSP)

While the ZS EV came off a combustion engine model (ZS), the MG4 Electric is a bespoke EV based on the Nebula platform. That’s what MG is calling its new platform back home. In Europe, the branding used is Modular Scalable Platform or MSP in short. In a report that it published on June 26, 2022, autohome.com.cn called this a “super platform” developed from the ground up exclusively for electric vehicles. ‘E2’ is the internal codename as per the Chinese report, meaning it’s the successor to the MG Marvel‘s E1 platform.

The MSP’s scalable design allows developing EVs with a wheelbase of between 2,650 to 3,100 mm. It’s possible to design EVs with various body styles on the new platform: hatchback, notchback, saloon, SUV, and van. If you ask us, it will have a key role in the growth of MG in Europe.

Euro-spec MG4 Electric drivetrain layout
MG has secured a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP for the MSP-based MG4 Electric. Image Source: SAIC

When the development of the Marvel X was completed, work on the Nebula platform (MSP) began immediately, according to Kang Huaping, Vice President of SAIC Innovation Research and Development Institute. SAIC spent a lot on this platform to achieve standardization, modularization, integration, and intelligence. In the future, the Roewe, Feifan (formerly called R), and Zhiji brands will also get models based on this dedicated EV platform.

Dimensions

MG’s electric model measures 4,287 mm in length, 1,836 mm in width, and 1,504 mm/1,516 mm in height. The compact electric car has a generous 2,705 mm wheelbase. Thus, it competes with the VW ID.3, Cupra Born, Renault Megane E-Tech, and the Nissan Leaf.

Performance & Range

In the UK, the MG4 EV is available in two more variants in addition to Extended Range and XPower: Standard Range and Long Range. The Standard Range variant’s motor generates 125 kW (168 hp) and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, while the Long Range variant’s motor produces 150 kW (201 hp) and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. The former has a 50.8 kWh battery pack that delivers a WLTP range of 218 miles, while the latter has a 61.7 kWh battery that returns a WLTP range of up to 281 miles.

The MG4 EV can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.7 seconds (Standard Range)/7.9 seconds (Long Range) and achieve a top speed of 100 mph. We have mentioned the charging times and other specifications in a table at the end of this section.

DP-EPS

The MG4 Electric has a 50:50 weight distribution, which should make it better at handling. Plus, at least in China, it gets a Dual Pinion-Assist Electric Power Steering (DP-EPS) instead of a conventional Rack-Assist Electric Power Steering (REPS). The new technology has come to the auto industry just in time when customers around the world have started increasingly preferring the SUV body style and electric powertrains. Steering loads are higher in EVs compared to ICE vehicles because of the weight of heavy batteries. They require a different steering system to handle the additional weight. In DP-EPS, the primary pinion is optimized for vehicle dynamics and performance and the secondary pinion is optimized for assist.

One Pack battery

MG says it was able to keep the car’s height so low because of its exceptionally flat battery, which belongs to the “One Pack” battery system (called Rubik’s Cube battery system in China). This is the flattest battery that the parent company SAIC has developed.

One Pack battery system, with its recumbent cell arrangement, allows an industry-leading 110 mm minimum battery height. The battery’s length and width are 1,690 mm and 1,300 mm, respectively. SAIC has used the new cell-to-pack or CTP technology, which makes the MG4 Electric one of the brand’s most advanced EVs to date.

With the One Pack battery system, it’s possible to design battery packs with energy storage capacities ranging from 40 kWh to 150 kWh. Battery swapping is also possible, meaning SAIC will be able to sell MSP-based EVs with BaaS (Battery as a Service). Zhu Jun, Deputy Chief Engineer, SAIC, says that users can upgrade and even shift to a smaller battery when needed. Ningde E-CON Power System, a Shanghai E-CON Power System company, in which SAIC has a 30% ownership through Ningde Jiaocheng SAIC Industry Upgrade Equity Investment Partnership (LP), makes the battery pack of the MG4 Electric.

Charging

The MSP platform enables 800-volt charging technology as well. The models equipped with 800-volt charging technology will get a range of 200 km (124 miles) with just five minutes of charging and take only 15 minutes to charge to 80% level. The models equipped with the regular 400-volt charging technology will get a range of 100 km (62 miles) with five minutes of charging and take 30 minutes to charge to 80% level. The Autohome report suggests that bidirectional charging will also be possible in the Nebula platform (MSP)-based models.

AspectMG4 EV Standard Range SpecificationMG4 EV Long Range Specification
Length4,287 mm4,287 mm
Width1,836 mm1,836 mm
Height1,504 mm1,516 mm
Wheelbase2,705 mm2,705 mm
Front Track1,552 mm1,552 mm
Rear Track1,562 mm1,562 mm
Boot Capacity (rear seats up)363 liters363 liters
Boot Capacity (rear seats folded)1,177 liters1,177 liters/1,165 liters
Wheels17-inch17-inch/18-inch
Curb Weight1,655 kg1,685 kg
Gross Weight2,103 kg2,133 kg
System Power168 hp201 hp
System Torque184 lb.-ft.184 lb.-ft.
Acceleration (0-62 mph)7.7 seconds7.9 seconds
Top Speed100 mph100 mph
Battery Pack Capacity (Net)50.8 kWh61.7 kWh
Combined Range (WLTP)218 miles281 miles (SE)/270 miles (Trophy)
City Range (WLTP)305 miles360 miles (SE)/358 miles (Trophy)
Charging Time (7 kW AC fast-charger)7.9 hours8.5 hours
Charging Time (50 kW DC fast-charger)52 minutes60 minutes
Charging Time (150 kW DC fast-charger)39 minutes35 minutes
Current MG4 Electric specifications (Source: mg.co.uk)

Trims

MG offers the 4 EV in the UK in three configurations: SE Standard Range, SE Long Range, and Trophy Long Range. The base configuration includes automatic LED headlights and rear lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, the MG Pilot ADAS suite, adaptive cruise control, etc. The Long Range SE configuration adds an Active Grille Shutter (AGS) system that improves the EV’s aerodynamic efficiency by up to 30% and can increase range by up to 10% by regulating the airflow.

The Trophy Long Range configuration adds a rear privacy glass, twin aero rear spoiler, front seat heating with 6-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charger, a six-speaker audio system, and more. Moreover, with a 360-degree camera and additional MG Pilot features (Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Door Opening Warning), the range-topping configuration is safer.

Price

MG4 EV TrimMG4 EV Price
SE Standard RangeGBP 26,995
SE Long RangeGBP 29,495
Trophy Long RangeGBP 32,495
Trophy Extended RangeGBP 36,495
XPowerGBP 36,495
MG4 EV prices in the UK

In the UK, the prices of the MG4 EV start at GBP 26,995 (USD 33,885). Production takes place at SAIC’s Ningde factory in China, which is Asia’s largest automobile plant. The MG4 has proved to be a big hit in the UK. In Q1 2023, it was the second-best-selling electric car, with over 5,200 units delivered during the three-month period.

Safety

In its press release on December 7, 2022, the automaker announced that the MG4 Hatchback has been awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The MG4 scored 83% for Adult Occupant protection and 80% for Child Occupant protection, in the safety tests. Euro NCAP also mentioned this rating is valid for both RHD and LHD versions of the MG4.

The automaker noted that this was the first test result to involve its new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), which will underpin several next-generation MG models. We can expect those cars, besides future MG4 variants, to score a similarly satisfactory safety rating as well.

MG Mulan rear three quarter
The MG4 Electric (MG Mulan in China) is a model designed as per the preferences of global customers. Image Source: SAIC

TopElectricSUV says

We remember the time when brand MG was lost in the crowd and wasn’t being considered by those on the hunt for a new car. Today, however, with the release of their reasonably priced EVs like the MG5 and the ZS EV, this is no longer true.

If you’re looking for a compact electric car that’s packed with high-end features but won’t break the bank, then take a close look at the MG4. On paper, it’s better than the VW ID.3 in many ways and leaps ahead of the Nissan Leaf, which created this segment. Plus, with the range- and performance-focused variants en route, the MG4 will offer something for almost every potential family hatchback buyer.

MG4 EV FAQs

What is the MG4 Electric release date?

The MG4 Electric has been launched in the UK.

What is the MG4 Electric price?

The MG4 Electric costs GBP 26,995 onwards in the UK and EUR 32,312.50 in Germany.

Which models are MG4 EV rivals?

Alternatives include the likes of Opel Astra-e, VW ID.3, Cupra Born, and Nissan Leaf.

Featured Image Source: SAIC