Think electric cars are prohibitively expensive? The MG4 might change your mind.
Starting at just £26,000, it’s much cheaper than any other electric car of a comparable size and range.
It’s also practical, good to drive and has most of the kit you’d need. At a time of spiralling living costs, it’s well placed to tempt buyers away from more expensive mainstream manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen and Kia.
MG also offers the MG5 electric estate car and the MG ZS, an electric SUV. Both offer similarly good value.
The MG4 range starts at £25,995. That buys you the Standard Range model which has a 51kWh battery and can cover 218 miles when fully charged. In comparison, a similarly sized Volkswagen ID.3 costs £36,000 for an entry level model with a 170 mile range.
For its size, range and specification the MG4 is far and away the best value electric car in the UK. Its price tag even undercuts much smaller EVs such as the Renault Zoe and Peugeot e-208.
I spent a week with the middle of the three MG4 spec levels, the SE Long Range. With a 64kW battery this, as its title suggests, has the longest range and is capable of travelling 281 miles on a full battery.
It also gets a power upgrade from 170 to 200hp. With a price tag under £30,000 it still won’t break the bank.
Fun to drive
So what’s it like to drive? Surprisingly impressive, is the short answer. The car starts up automatically when you get in.
Need to nip out of a junction quickly or overtake a lorry? With a 0-62mph time of under eight seconds the MG4 has you covered. Its instantaneous power delivery makes it feel even quicker as there’s zero lag when you put your foot down.
The steering is light and accurate and ride quality is relaxed and comfortable. A rear wheel drive set up and five driving modes – eco, sport, snow, custom and standard – make it fun to drive too.
Most of my journeys with the MG were around Dundee and Angus, but I had one longer tour up to Highland Perthshire. The 280 mile range meant I could easily complete the round-trip without needing to stop and charge.
When you do need to plug in, charging is straightforward. A 50kW charger will take it from 10-80% in an hour, while a 150kW charger will do it in just 35 minutes.
There are 50kW chargers across the road from my local Lidl in Dundee. I found plugging it in every time I did a bit of grocery shopping provided enough charge for my needs.
The larger battery in the Long Range version gives you confidence on extended trips. If you do a long journey in winter with the heater and lights on range does diminish, however.
Spacious interior
The MG4 is practical as well. Head and leg room front and rear are generous and there’s easily space for four adults. At 363 litres the boot is reasonable but offers slightly less space than the 380 litres in a VW ID.3. There’s no front boot either.
So why does it cost so much less than many rivals? Surely there must be compromises somewhere? Well, not really. If I was nit-picking I would say the interior trim is more hard wearing than high quality but nothing you’d really notice. And the touchscreen infotainment system isn’t quite as responsive as in some of the best EVs.
And…that’s it. Standard equipment is excellent, with climate control, adaptive cruise control and (on higher spec versions) heated seats and steering wheel.
For the money the MG4 is an exceptionally good car. Spacious enough for four people (or five at a pinch), can cover long distances on a single charge, and it’s fun and easy to drive. I liked it a lot.
Facts
Price: £29,440
0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 100mph
Range: 281 miles
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
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