MG4 EV review: performance, motor & drive

The MG4 manages to make up for any shortcomings with the way it drives. Its soft and forgiving ride means it is just as comfortable around town as it is on country roads and motorways. Meanwhile, the quick steering allows the family hatchback to dart through corners, so when face-to-face with a twisty British b-road the MG4 is supremely fun to drive. There is some noticeable road noise at higher speeds; it’s by no means a dealbreaker, but we prefer the more refined VW ID.3 for motorway cruising. 

MG4 EV 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration

MG says 0-62mph takes around eight seconds for all the MG4s available at launch, and we have no reason to doubt that. Floor it from a standstill and the MG4 doesn’t feel that fast, though power delivery from the electric motor is linear even up past 60mph. But once you’re on the move, it’s just point and squirt, and you’ll be surprised how fast the MG4 gains speed. There’s plenty of poke for getting around town and overtaking on the motorway. Top speed stands at 100mph for all MG4s.

However, if you’re after an electric hot hatch, a high-performance version of the MG4 has been confirmed for 2023. The brand’s rival to the forthcoming VW ID.3 GTX will feature an additional electric motor on the front axle for all-wheel drive, not to mention over 400bhp. MG says this particular version will go from 0-62mph in less than four seconds, or about the same time the 537bhp BMW i4 M50 takes to do the same sprint. 

Handling

The MG4 lives up to its looks on the road; it’s fun to drive, but still very comfortable. The steering is quick and nicely weighted in Sport mode, becoming lighter in Normal, and more dull if you switch to Eco for maximum efficiency. But still, because it’s so light and direct it offers a nice sense of agility that’s definitely useful around town and on twister roads, too. And for a car of this size, it’s easy to place on the road. Visibility is also good, and the car’s turning circle is tight, which should help parking and manoeuvring in tight spots.

Unlike the ID.3 or Cupra Born, the MG4’s regenerative braking system has four levels to choose from: Low, Medium, Strong and Apative. The Strong regen mode was by far our favourite as it meant we hardly ever touched the brake pedal. Although it's not quite capable of full one-pedal driving, like a Nissan Leaf. 

The regeneration settings are also buried within the infotainment screen and the on-screen toggles for the different levels are quite small, so it can be hard to hit them while on the move. Alternatively, you can programme one of the star buttons on the steering wheel to adjust the regen strength, but you have to cycle through the different levels every time and the only indication you've changed settings is a very small icon on the driver’s display. Rivals like the Kia Niro EV use paddles mounted on the steering wheel, which is a much easier setup to use.