MG has been making quite the splash, aiming to please the budget-conscious car buyer with a lineup of attractive offerings. And the MG4 did not disappoint. Its fun-to-drive demeanour and stylish looks previously bagged one of our AutoApp Car Of The Year awards in 2023. Well earned.

Now, MG has released a new Cat-A friendly 99kW variant, with its sights firmly on the BYD Dolphin and ORA Good Cat. The competition is getting hotter, but can the MG4 still edge out on top?

Externally, the MG4 trades cute looks for an aesthetic that is more sleek and futuristic.  This is characterised by sharp, angular headlights and a dual aero rear spoiler that injects a dose of aggressiveness into its profile.

This car looks like it belongs on a racetrack rather than stuck in city traffic, and the dynamic creases catch the eye from every angle. 

This attack-chihuahua facade really turns heads, and for those who really want their MG4 to pop, colour options like Volcano Orange, Dynamic Red, or Holborn Blue are available to make a vibrant statement.

The MG4’s interior, while utilitarian with some budget-conscious materials, manages to deliver a rather tech-forward ambience. This is no small feat for a car that’s easy on the wallet.

For those of us who have been around the block with budget-friendly rides, you’d expect the infotainment system to be a bit of an afterthought. But, the MG4 surprises with a generous 10.25-inch display that’s crisp and clear.

However, it’s not without its quirks. While the physical shortcut keys are a thoughtful touch, making quick adjustments on the fly (especially to the climate controls) can feel like a game of precision you didn’t sign up to play, thanks to some finicky on-screen icons.

This can sometimes cause you to miss a beat with touch inputs, which might leave you tapping away in mild frustration.

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, though you’ll need to plug in as there’s no wireless option just yet.

Creature comforts-wise, the MG4 isn’t skimping. The Trophy trim comes with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and a wireless smartphone charger. It’s the small things that make life much easier when you’re getting around.

Space-wise, MG has done a commendable job. The interior feels roomy, and storage solutions are smartly integrated, like the sliding-lid cubby and deep central armrest bin.

Rear passengers aren’t left out either, enjoying ample legroom and a floor that’s nearly flat.

As for the boot, it’s a practical space with 363 litres of capacity, expandable to 1,177 litres with the rear seats down.

And while you won’t find any storage under the ‘frunk’, the underfloor storage in the boot makes for a neat spot to stash those charging cables.

The biggest standout on the MG4 is its rear-wheel drive single motor setup. A recent revision has dialled back the power to a more paper-friendly 133bhp and 250Nm of torque, fitting snugly into the Cat A COE bracket without sacrificing the MG’s charming efficiency.

Navigating around in the MG4 is as pleasant as a morning walk in the park, thanks to its light, precise steering and panoramic forward visibility. Its dexterity makes it a breeze to manoeuvre through tight urban spaces, and for those of us who find parallel parking daunting, the 360-degree camera provides a much-needed safety net.

Don’t think the MG4 is just a city slicker, though. It’s equally at home on curvier terrains where it invites a bit more zeal behind the wheel.

Despite its slightly front-heavy demeanour, the rear-wheel drive and adjustable chassis encourage a bit of playfulness, making those spirited drives on twisty B-roads surprisingly engaging.

But, adjusting settings like regenerative braking and drive modes can feel a tad laborious, involving a few too many taps on the touchscreen or a fiddle with the programmatically elusive star buttons on the steering wheel. Since the settings reset each time you shut down the car, each journey starts with what feels akin to setting up for takeoff.

Efficiency remains one of MG’s selling points, and the MG4 doesn’t disappoint. Testing revealed a commendable consumption rate of about 14.5kWh/100km, pushing the practical range to an impressive 440km off the 64kWh battery.

And when you do need to juice up, the MG4 supports a brisk charging pace of up to 135kW, which means you can recharge from 20% to 80% in just about 30 minutes.

In the arena of budget-friendly EVs, the MG4 emerges as a dark horse. It’s the kind of car that brings a smirk to your face not just for the money it saves you, but for the spark it brings to every journey.

While the MG 4 might ask you to overlook a few peccadillos, its overall value proposition is hard to beat. A reminder that sometimes, the best value comes wrapped up in an economically sound package.

Technical Specifications

MG 4 Trophy (Cat A)

Engine: Single Asynchronous Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 99kW (133bhp)
Torque: 250Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 8.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 160km/h
Battery Capacity: 64 kWh
Drive Range: 450 km
Energy Consumption: 5.9 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$162,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: MG Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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MG is on the rise lately, bringing in a medley of vehicles that satisfy customers’ needs whilst on a tight budget. But, their existing range, while practical, doesn’t accentuate the word ‘fun’. 

Well, they’ve heard, went to the drawing board, and out comes this – the MG 4. An EV that’s perfectly pitched to steal customers away from other mainstream EV manufacturers. Bold claims, so how have they gotten on?

Sharply dressed

Unlike the MG ZS EV, which is based on an internal combustion (ICE) platform, the MG 4 benefits from the manufacturer’s new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP). That allowed the designers to go ham with the design, and so they did.

No doubt, the exterior of the MG 4 will polarise opinion, but its sleek, dramatic lines, angular headlights and twin aero rear spoiler mean it won’t get lost in the mundane commuter car crowd.

The overall facade is reminiscent of a typical hot hatchback, and the closer you look, the more obvious the dynamic creases are to the human eye. Plus, if you really want to make a statement, opt for the Volcano Orange, Dynamic Red or Holborn Blue colour options. 

Minimalist

MG has made a solid attempt to create a modern and up-to-date interior with the MG 4. While some materials may reflect the car’s affordable price point, overall impressions remain positive, and the cabin exudes a smart tech-focused vibe.

Budget-friendly vehicles often skimp on the infotainment system, but the MG 4 boldly breaks that trend. A 10.25-inch display sits proudly in the centre, boasting crisp resolution. The main menu features handy widgets that grant easy access to major functions, while on-screen shortcuts for music, phone, navigation, and car settings are permanently on the right-hand side of the display.

Physical shortcut keys along the bottom, including those for the home page and climate controls, provide convenient alternatives. However, adjusting air-con settings on-screen can be a tad fiddly, requiring precision and patience to toggle the tiny icons on-screen.

While the display boasts crisp visuals, it can occasionally be a little truant, missing certain inputs. This does make it frustrating at times while on the move. On the bright side, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, bar wireless connectivity.

Standard features abound in the MG 4 include keyless entry, automatic headlights, electrically-adjustable heated door mirrors, and a height and reach-adjustable steering wheel.

The Trophy designation adds even more, with extras like front seat and steering wheel heating, a six-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, an adjustable boot floor, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Decently large to boot

Despite the MG 4’s relatively low roofline, it offers a decent amount of cabin space. Upfront, a cubby with a sliding lid resides just behind two cup holders, while lifting the top of the central armrest reveals a deep bin for larger items. The glove box may not be the most practical in terms of size or shape, but each front door bin offers ample space for bottles and other essentials.

Rear passengers get to enjoy a decent amount of legroom. The knee room is also satisfactory, although the space underneath the front seats for your feet is somewhat limited. Thanks to the EV powertrain, the central hump in the floor is relatively low, allowing for comfortable seating of three passengers in the rear and no awkward leg jousting.

With a capacity of 363 litres, the MG 4’s boot may not be the largest in its class, but it gets the job done. Plus, there’s no load lip to hinder your loading and unloading endeavours. You’ll also find extra storage space under the boot floor, perfect for keeping your charging cables organised. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no “frunk” or storage space under the bonnet.

Should you need to carry more stuff, the MG4’s rear seats do fold flat in a 60:40 split, opening up 1,177 litres of cargo space for you to play with.

Hot on your heels

The MG 4 differs from most single-motor EVs, where instead of a typical front-mounted set-up, it has a rear-mounted electric motor producing 200hp and 250Nm of torque. This setup focuses on practical range rather than sheer speed, keeping efficiency as a top priority. Additionally, features like the active aero grille, which only opens when the electrical systems require cooling, contribute to maximising efficiency.

On shorter journeys, such as school runs and urban commutes, it’s crucial that the driving experience is hassle-free and comfortable. MG has certainly delivered on this front, with the MG 4 offering a relaxed ride, light and accurate steering, and excellent forward visibility. Its nimble manoeuvrability through busy streets is further enhanced by its short overhangs. And if parking isn’t your forte, fear not – the 360-degree camera is your trusty ally.

But the MG 4 isn’t just built for city life. It shines on twisty B-roads, and is a hoon to operate should you wish to take your journeys with a little more enthusiasm. Although a touch nose-heavy, its adjustable chassis and rear-wheel drive setup make it a delight for those who crave a bit of spirited driving.

However, it’s important to note that configuring settings like the regenerative braking and drive modes can be a bit cumbersome, requiring a dive into the touchscreen menus or programming the star buttons on the steering wheel. Plus, these settings reset each time the car is switched off, so each startup configuration feels like a long takeoff procedure.

Efficiency is the name of the game, and the MG 4 does well in this department. Our own testing has revealed consumption figures of about 14.5kWh/100km, translating to a real-world range of approximately 440km – just 10km shy of the car’s official range.

And should you need a quick top-up, the MG 4 boasts a maximum charging speed of 135kW, allowing a 20 to 80 per cent top-up in a little over half an hour. 

It brings fun to the table

There are often sacrifices to be made when hunting for the best-value bargain in any market segment, but in the case of the MG 4, you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised. 

This is a pretty competent bang-for-your-buck competitor, and as a bonus, it even presents itself as a fun-to-drive roundabout hatchback.

Sure, there are teething troubles that exist, such as the screen UI and start/stop procedure. But, as an overall package, you’ll struggle to beat the MG 4 EV on the dollar.

Technical Specifications

MG 4 Trophy Sport LR

Engine: Single Asynchronous Motor
Power: 150kw (201bhp)
Torque: 250Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 160km/h
Battery Capacity: 64 kWh
Drive Range: 450 km
Energy Consumption: 6.25 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$82,888 without COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: MG Singapore

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