The MG4 is a small electric car that takes on rivals from big names including Kia, Nissan and Volkswagen – and it wins, especially when it comes to practicality, performance and value for money. Electric cars are known for being somewhat expensive, but the MG4 proves that you can get good value for money, even with an EV. It’s also available with some excellent finance deals, too.

While the interior doesn’t have the quality to match what you’ll find in rivals from Hyundai or Kia, and the boot is a little small, the MG4 is more than just a budget EV. It’s good to drive, has a decent electric range and is comfortable too. If you’re looking for a stylish small car with ultra-low running costs, it’s well worth a look.

Our choice: MG4 SE Long Range

About the MG4 EV

Generally, even a small electric car such as the Fiat 500, MINI Electric and Peugeot e-208 will cost around £30,000, which is about the same as a much larger petrol-engined family hatchback or crossover SUV. If you want to drive an all-electric family SUV, it’s even more expensive.

There are exceptions to the rule of course, and the MG4 hatchback is one of them. It starts from around £27,000, making it one of the cheapest electric cars on sale. That’s an impressive feat considering the MG4 has a much more spacious interior than those rivals mentioned above, plus it offers a similar range and extensive standard equipment list as far pricier EVs such as the Cupra Born, Renault Megane E-Tech and Volkswagen ID.3. It’s not as practical as SUVs such as the Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and MG’s own ZS EV but the MG4 is still a capable family car and the eye-catching looks could easily tempt buyers away from these trendy models. ​

So, what do you get with MG’s first from the ground up electric car? The MG4 is built on the manufacturer’s Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), which will underpin a range of MG EVs, including the MG Cyberster. The MG4 is available with three different battery sizes (51kWh, 64kWh, or 77kWh), and four different power outputs ranging from the least expensive SE with rear-wheel drive and a 168bhp motor, to the performance-oriented MG4 XPower with four-wheel drive and 429bhp.

Depending on which model you choose, the electric driving range goes from 218 miles for the 51kWh SE to 323 miles for the 77kWh Extended Range. All versions have rapid-charging capability, allowing for speedy top-ups for those looking to embark on longer journeys.

Standard equipment is generous, including the novel touch of a rear windscreen wiper to keep the back window clean, which seems to have gone missing from some EVs we could mention (we’re looking at you Ora Funky Cat). Entry-level SE cars come with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A large rear wing is fitted to higher-specced Trophy models to differentiate them from the rest of the range and includes luxuries such as heated seats, wireless smartphone charging and an upgraded audio system. The range-topping XPower boasts all of the goodies from the Trophy model but comes with distinctive 18-inch alloys and (mercifully) bigger brakes to handle all its extra performance.

We find that the MG4 makes much more sense as a value proposition, which is why we recommend then the SE Long Range model as the pick of the lineup, because you get everything you’ll need with a respectable electric range.

For an alternative review of the MG4 EV, visit our sister site drivingelectric.com…