“What do you think of MG, are they good electric cars?”. I was asked that question by an acquaintance who was looking for a new car.

Hmmm… ZS EV is ok, but with a lot of flaws. Marvel R is not worth its price and MG5 is really budget. So, my answer to the question of whether MGs were good EVs was no – with the explanation that I find the substandard bits a little too hard to swallow.

MG takes a new approach

But now, in the fall of 2022, the MG4 has landed and it’s a completely different creation. Here it is a new platform, new technology and a markedly more cocky appearance – could this be what makes me change my mind?

Is this the model for those who want a capable electric car, without having to pay more than half a million? Ny Teknik has tested.

Design MG4

It’s fun to see that MG chooses to highlight that the MG4 is something new… and that too in terms of design. Where EHS, ZS and even MG5 were very generically boring in design, MG4 stands out. They have made a cocky design that in the orange car we have on loan is not anonymous.

The front has sharp headlights, a substantial air intake with active dampers and vertical air intakes in front of the wheels. The design team has also made a hollow out of the bonnet, which gives a more interesting look.

At the back, they have chosen to use two solid roof rails that stick out like “ears” at the back, and the taillights also stick out like a small shelf.

The rims look sharp, but on closer inspection they are actually plastic casings that are supposed to provide better aerodynamics – behind are the slightly more everyday wheels.

“MG has listened to me”

On the inside, it is more toned down in dark colors. Behind the slightly square steering wheel, the driver has a driver’s display to fix their eyes on as well as a center screen for all infotainment. Under the center screen there are some physical buttons, but the most important ones – such as quick button for butt/steering wheel heating are missing, unfortunately that’s in the world of screens.

I have complained about the seat and the driving position in most of MG’s models. The seats have been bad and lack of possibilities to adjust the steering wheel has made, in my opinion, the cars really bad in terms of driving comfort.

But MG has listened to me, or at least its customers – because now it’s something completely different. The seats are really comfortable and the steering wheel adjustment is clearly sufficient.

The view to the front is good, to the rear it is ok, but the large c-pillars in the back give a very large blind spot obliquely to the rear.

Low seats in the cabin

There is good space in the back seat. As normal length, it is no problem to sit behind myself and still have some space for the pompadour. What is a little troublesome for adults is that the seat is low, which gives poor thigh support, which becomes difficult during longer journeys.

The rear floor isn’t quite flat either, and while there isn’t a huge rise in the middle, it’s a bit odd considering it’s a pure electric car platform the MG4 is built on.

However, it is very rare that you travel with five adults in this type of car – instead it is the children who have to compete for space in the back.

Shallow luggage space

When we’re talking about children anyway, you can fold down a small flap to access the Isofix mounts, and even if your child may lack a little legroom – you can fit a rear-facing child seat here.

The luggage space is 350 litres, which compared to competitors is smaller. If you have to tow, you can hang 500 kg on the tow hook.

The technology of the MG4

Behind the MG is the giant SAIC and under the MG4 is their dedicated electric car platform. And this is a big difference from previous models. Where the ZS and MG5 were built on the same base that also needed to accommodate petrol cars – it is now fully focused.

The platform goes by the name MSP (Modular Scalable Platform) and in addition to being able to house different sized cars, it must also support 800 volt technology and the possibility of changing batteries. Technically, it should also be possible to scale down substantial batteries of up to 150 kWh as well as electric motors that together can provide as much as 600 kW.

Charges up to 135 kW

In MG4, however, they have, so far, stayed more down-to-earth. Here sits a 64 kWh battery which, under good conditions, can provide up to 435 km of range. The car, which is rear-wheel drive, has an electric motor of 150 kW /204 horsepower and if you exercise it fully, it should be possible to get from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds.

After running out of battery and it’s time to charge, it can be done in 11 kW with a charging box or in up to 135 kW with a fast charger. This is finally competitive. In future models, when the 800-volt technology is used, it should be possible to significantly increase the speed of charging.

According to SAIC, the battery pack in the car is extremely compact and with a height of 110 mm, the interior space should be disturbed as little as possible

So the MG4 is on the way

Since its re-introduction, MG in Sweden has become synonymous with budget-focused electrified cars. Ok from A to B, but nothing you find particularly exciting. So how is the new “dedicated” electric car to drive?

As I said, the MG4 is rear-wheel drive, and in a freezing cold and snow-covered Stockholm it is immediately noticeable. When you want to get away in a turn when you’re slippery, the car dances a little lightly in the rear. The electronic systems keep it in check, but it gives the feeling “as it was before”.

“Fun on curvy roads”

It makes us want to test how playable MG4 is pretty soon, and I’m not disappointed. If you switch off the anti-discharge system, it is really switched off and you can do joyful pirouettes until the battery gives up.

On slightly curvy roads you can still have fun because the car is well balanced. The weight is distributed 50:50 and the steering is linear and pleasant. And when you overextend the grip, the car pulls away in a manageable understeer.

All in all, the car is easy to understand and fun to drive. For those who want a real GTI variant, MG will also release a dual-engine version – and then it will really take off.

Investing in new functions

In more everyday conditions, with commuting and motorway on the schedule, the car behaves perfectly ok. The comfort is a bit on the harder side, which is appreciated when turning around, but which makes snow drifts and unevenness felt more. Here, too, you are on par with what you can expect.

With the new platform, MG has also invested in new functions and technologies. Like buttonless start.

Buttonless start is wonderful… when it works. But in the MG4 they have lost it and it takes several stomps on the pedals and annoying turns of the gear knob for the system to understand that I want to drive away.

It’s even worse when you go out. It does not turn itself off, no matter how long you wait. No, it stands and hums with full ac and headlights. Then you have to pull out the key and press the lock.

Which engineer let this through, what’s the reasoning behind it?

“Damn crap system”

It becomes doubly annoying when I get teased by the car on short exits and exits (such as entering a tollbooth code). First, it doesn’t turn off when I get out, which is ok. But when I get in the car again to drive away, it shuts off.

To put it bluntly – a damn crap system that rather upsets than helps.

Something that also needs to be added to the list of things that need polishing is the file holder. In my opinion, it is too sensitive and jerks the steering wheel very often. In winter conditions it is extremely nervous in that it seems to perceive snowdrifts on the road as lines – with the result that it warns and jerks even more.

Very high electricity consumption

But turning it off is not safe while driving, a procedure you partly have to go into on-screen menus to do – and partly you have to do it every time you travel. Then you have to stop, or alternatively ask the passenger to do so.

When we tested the car, it was below freezing temperatures, which had a significant impact on consumption.

During a week’s testing, the MG4 ended up at a high 26.9 kWh/mile. This meant that we ate through the battery quickly and compared to other cars in its class, the consumption is quite high.

Summarized: That’s how good MG4 is

The MG4 is the British-Chinese marque’s best yet, and it’s hugely exciting to see what steps are taken with each new model. The things that have received complaints have been replaced and the technology has been upgraded – and for the first time it is a car that is pleasant to drive.

That said, it still lags in some respects. What makes the 4 stumble is the digital. I’m beyond maddened by the keyless start. When I jump in and have to wait, hit the brakes, wait, turn the shifter, hit the brakes – and then be able to drive away is pure bad engineering. Likewise, the very annoying lane keeping assistant that jerks and tears the steering wheel in a way that makes it unusable. I’ve tested just about every car you can drive – and this is beyond criticism.

A lot of electric car for the money

But, and this is the most important thing, the model starts at 414,900 and in the well-sized test example (orange exterior color) I’m driving, the price has increased to 421,740 SEK. Take and compare it with a Cupra Born or a VW ID3, which start at around SEK 60-70,000 more and then go much further.

Sure, it’s a lot of money for a car, but in the electric car segment, it’s a lot of car for the money. And this means MG might be the catalyst we need to get more affordable electric cars.