The MG 4 returns with a completely revamped design inside and out, but does the now-renamed MG 4 Urban deliver the same joyful experience as the car it replaces?
One of the most surprising cars that I’ve driven in recent years was the first-generation MG 4. It was a sharp-looking electric hatchback seemingly designed to function as a mundane everyday runabout, but it turned out to be one of the most entertaining EVs to drive, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive setup and sophisticated handling prowess.
Sadly, that car is no more, in Singapore at least, and it has been replaced by this new, softer-looking successor, now called the MG 4 Urban. MG says that it is a completely different car from the MG 4 that came before it, with a totally new platform that has been optimised for EVs. Does that actually make it better though?
Handsomely Soft
Compared with its predecessor, whose styling was all angry sharp edges, the new MG 4 Urban takes a softer tone in its design. There are plenty of curves to evoke a gentler look, and it gives the car a friendly vibe that feels a bit more welcoming.
There’s still some room for design flair, such as the rather interesting taillight design, but on the whole, the MG 4 Urban is decidedly less polarising in its design than the previous car.
As a whole, I do think that it looks rather handsome, in a sort of understated, well-mannered way, sorta like a humble family man who dresses well but is not too showy.
It also does well to hide the car’s size, because the MG 4 Urban is actually quite a fair bit bigger than before. At 4,395mm long, the car is 108mm longer than the car it replaces, and MG claims that it is the biggest hatchback in its segment.
It certainly doesn’t feel like it, with the curvy shape probably helping it look like a smaller car than it is.
Well Thought Out
Where it matters though is the increase in wheelbase, and in the MG 4 Urban, this has been lengthened by 39mm. This translates into slightly more legroom for rear passengers, which has always been a weak point of the old car.
The switch from rear-wheel-drive to front-wheel-drive also means there is now a completely flat floor, while the cell-to-body battery construction of the new platform, which integrates the battery cells directly with the body structure, serves to free up interior space even further.
Up front, the dashboard bears a similar look to most of the recently-launched MG models, with a large 12.8-inch touchscreen taking centre stage. Just below it sits a row of buttons and switches for the audio volume and air con controls, which is a simple but great piece of design that more carmakers should emulate.
Notably absent now is the rotary gearshift selector sitting on the high-mounted ‘platform’ of the previous car, which looked a bit unusual in my opinion. Instead, now you get a steering-column-mounted gear shifter on the new car. Neither is better or worse, but at least the previous version stood out for its quirkiness.
In general though, the MG 4 Urban’s cabin feels like a pretty straightforward place to be. The controls are accessible and easy to understand, and there are neat bits like the small storage space just in front of the cupholders which I found incredibly handy for loose items like keys or cards.
There’s also a good amount of standard equipment, such as front ventilated seats, a wireless smartphone charger, and a panoramic sunroof. It’s not lavishly equipped, but the stuff that it does come with are actually useful. It’s as though MG has given a lot of thought about what drivers need instead of festooning the car with lots of features that often go unused.
In terms of cargo storage, the MG 4 now offers 480 litres worth of boot space, which is a pretty generous amount, and a significant improvement over the previous car’s 398 litres.
It also has a handy double floor design for greater versatility, and a deep under floor section if you need to hide more stuff. There’s no frunk though, but I guess the bigger boot compartment does make up for it.
An Average Drive
So, while the MG 4 Urban excels in overall practicality, it unfortunately falls down a bit in the driving enjoyment stakes. It is a mild disappointment, especially when compared to its predecessor, but MG emphasises that the two cars should be viewed as very different products.
The switch to front-wheel drive means that the car has lost some of the sharpness of the old car. While it remains fairly agile given that it is still a relatively compact car after all, it doesn’t have quite the same lively energy as before. Instead, you just feel like you’re going through the motions, like someone giving you a nodding “Orh” instead of an enthusiastic “Yes!” In response to your question.
The steering in particular has a heavy and dull feel, and the tyres could do with offering more grip. It does have a fairly small turning circle though, which makes executing U-turns a cinch, while the manageable dimensions mean that parking and manoeuvring around carparks is a truly effortless and stress-free affair.
Ride quality is not much to fuss about either. It rides decently over smooth tarmac, but you feel the bumps once you run through uneven surfaces. It’s not jarring enough to be a ruinous experience, and the best way I could describe it would be that it copes adequately, and it shouldn’t pose much of a problem for the vast majority of drivers.
Being a Cat A model, the MG 4 Urban’s power output is rated at 99kW/133bhp. Again, those aren’t exactly trailblazing figures, but the 250Nm of torque on hand does give it some lively behaviour upon acceleration. It picks up speed relatively well, up to a point, and you get the sense that it can more than hold its own against an impatient private hire vehicle driver rushing to his next destination.
The 54kWh battery gives the car a claimed range of 405km, which in the real world would probably be more like 380km or so. It’s not an outstanding figure by today’s standards, but you have to remember that this is a car designed primarily for urban use (it’s even in the name), so it should be more than enough for its intended use case.
Not As Fun, But Still Much To Enjoy
While it is a pity that the new MG 4 Urban has lost some of the driving spark of its predecessor, there are still plenty of things going for it. It is immensely practical for a small hatchback, with lots of space and a very well-designed interior. The styling is also probably more palatable to a wider audience too, without being too boring.
It should be noted that the older MG 4 is being continued to be sold in other countries alongside this car, so the MG 4 Urban’s sole availability here is down to a choice by the local dealer to offer a more affordable and user-friendly option for those who want an MG hatchback.
Its asking price of $188,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article) does seem a bit high, but a lot of that could be down to our exorbitant taxes. It is still kinda within the ballpark of other similar Chinese EV hatchbacks however, although there are a handful that do undercut it on the retail floor.
The MG 4 Urban does have its work cut out then in the face of some rather stiff competition in this arena. However, if you simply want something simple to drive with minimal fuss, then the MG 4 Urban is very much worthy of your consideration.
Technical Specifications
MG 4 Urban
Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Front Wheel Drive
Power: 99 kW (133bhp)
Torque: 250 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 9.6 Seconds
Top Speed: 160 km/h
Battery Capacity: 54 kWh
Drive Range: 405 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 6.5km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$188,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Article and photos by: Ben Chia (@benchiacars)
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