MG 4: Five reasons why we love it...and five why we loathe it

It might come as a surprise to some readers that the plucky little MG 4 outsold the Tesla Model 3 saloon in 2023 – and by a fair margin, too. 

21,715 MG 4s left the showroom in 2023 compared to 13,536 Tesla Model 3s, a clear showing of just how far MG has come in such a short space of time and proof that its small electric hatchback has a lot to offer.

But why does the MG 4 standout in the electric C-segment class? Join us as we highlight the MG 4’s most appealing attributes, while also sharing some of its less commendable features. 

We LOVE the MG 4 because…

It presents almost unrivalled value for money across the whole model line-up. Prices for the entry-level SE start from £26,995 and for that you get a 218-mile range, 7in infotainment display and MG Pilot, the firm’s suite of driver assistance systems. 

That makes it cheaper than both the Fiat 500e and GWM Ora 03 (formerly Ora Funky Cat) - and the MG can travel further on a charge too. Move up to the SE Long Range and you get even more range (281 miles) for £29,495; that makes it cheaper than European rivals from Mini and Vauxhall. 

We LOATHE the MG 4 because…

While its cabin is robust and well screwed together, there is heavy use of scratchy plastics throughout. Granted, such use of cheaper materials has helped to keep the cost of the MG 4 down, but the textured plastic appears a little too much for our liking. 

Take the door cars, for example: it uses some soft-touch vinyl here and there, but the top of the door is covered with scratchy plastics which makes it less comfortable should you wish to rest your elbow. The part-leatherette seats are also less appealing on the more expensive variants compared to the cloth seats in the SE model. 

We LOVE the MG 4 because…

Its rear-wheel drive layout affords a fun and entertaining driving experience that puts it ahead of rivals like the Volkswagen ID 3 and Mini Electric. By moving the power to the rear, the MG 4’s handling isn’t manipulated by the instant torque of an electric motor, allowing it to flow nicely through bends.  

We LOATHE the MG 4 because…

The infotainment system is fiddly to use on the move and a lack of physical buttons means almost all functions are operated through the screen. Most of the climate control settings are adjusted using the 10.25in screen which means changing something simple, such as the temperature, is frustratingly awkward. 

You can save the temperature control using the steering wheel but it's a convoluted process to set up. Adjusting other functions like the regenerative braking and driving modes is fiddly, too, as most of these are buried in sub menus in the infotainment screen. 

We LOVE the MG 4 because…

While all models offer an excellent range, the Trophy Extended Range model is a cut above. Opt for this variant and the MG 4 should be able to cover up to 323 miles on a charge; or around the 290-300-mile mark in real-world conditions. 

And while it can’t travel as far as the Cupra Born (342 miles) and Volkswagen ID 3 (356 miles), the MG is much cheaper, costing from £36,495. 

We LOATHE the MG 4 because…

Despite packing serious performance, the XPower model isn’t a true hot hatch. The XPower gets an extra motor on the front axle developing 201bhp, while the one at the rear produces 228bhp, for a total of 429bhp.With such performance on tap, the XPower can get from standstill to 62mph in a mere 3.8sec. 

MG has tweaked the steering and suspension to improve the 4’s dynamics, but it doesn't quite hit the mark. The additional motor on the front axle means the XPower doesn’t handle quite as sweetly as the standard MG 4, while the firmer suspension set up has made the car busier over consistent road imperfections. 

We LOVE the MG 4 because…

There is plenty of room inside for you and the family. There’s a good amount of room for passengers in the front, as well as some useful cubby holes for storing smaller items. 

Move to the rear and head and leg room is generous, meaning six-footers can sit comfortably without feeling cramped. 

We LOATHE the MG 4 because…

The driver assistance systems lack refinement. All models get the firm’s MG Pilot assistance systems which include lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The adaptive cruise with lane following isn't great: it's jerky and will drift to the edge of the lane meaning you have to fight for control.

The lane keeping assist is better, as is the emergency braking, but the cruise control lacks quality and it's annoying you can’t use standard cruise control.

We LOVE the MG 4 because…

It can be charged up relatively quickly if you find the right device. Granted, it can’t quite match the maximum charging rate of the Volkswagen ID 3 and Cupra Born, but the Extended Range and XPower models can both accept speeds of up to 140kW. This means that a full charge should take around 35 to 40 minutes.

Standard Range models can be charged at just 117kW, while the Long Range models can accept up to 135kW. The latter takes around 35 minutes to charge from 10-80%. 

We LOATHE the MG 4 because…

Even though front visibility is good, the same can't be said for the view out the back. The rear windscreen is quite shallow which means you don't get that much of a view out, and if it gets dirty, there's no rear wiper to remove muck and grime, meaning your view is worsened. 

We'd argue going for a higher specification so you benefit from a 360 degree rear camera, which helps to assuage the rear visibility issue.