MG4 review (UK): price, range, charging, verdict

The MG4 is a rear-wheel-drive electric hatchback that costs from £29,995 in November 2026, with 280 miles of WLTP range in Premium Long Range form and 338 miles as the £32,995 Premium Extended Range. UK testers praise its handling, value and new interior, but its boot is mid-sized, its ride is firm, and a Renault Megane now offers more than 300 miles for less money.

The MG4 is the rear-wheel-drive electric hatchback in the MG range, updated for 2026 with a new interior, a single Premium trim level and lower prices. MG dropped the smallest battery, so there are now three versions: Premium Long Range, Premium Extended Range and the four-wheel-drive XPOWER.

EV Compared has not driven the updated MG4. This review rests on published specifications, government tax and grant rules, Euro NCAP’s results, DVSA recall data and the findings of named UK road tests.

Verdict: who should buy the MG4, and who should not?

The MG4 suits a buyer who wants a roomy electric hatchback that is fun to drive, with 280 to 338 miles of range and a seven-year warranty for about £30,000 to £33,000. Its rear-wheel-drive chassis is the main reason testers like it, and the 2026 update fixed the cheap-feeling cabin that held the old car back.

It does not suit a driver who needs a large boot, wants a soft, quiet ride or has three-phase power for faster home charging. Auto Express and The Car Expert found the ride choppy or firm on rough roads, the 388-litre boot is smaller than the Renault Megane’s, and the MG4 is not on the government’s Electric Car Grant list. Buyers who rank reliability above all should note MG’s mixed record: Autotrader scored it 3 out of 5 for reliability.

How much is the MG4, and what do you get?

The MG4 costs £29,995 for the Premium Long Range, £32,995 for the Premium Extended Range and £33,995 for the XPOWER in November 2026. Just Auto reported when the update arrived in February 2026 that the Premium Long Range was £2,750 cheaper than the outgoing equivalent.

Version	List price (Nov 2026)	Usable battery	WLTP range	Power and drive	0 to 62mph
Premium Long Range	£29,995	61.7 kWh	280 miles	140 kW, rear-wheel drive	7.5 seconds
Premium Extended Range	£32,995	74.4 kWh	338 miles	180 kW, rear-wheel drive	6.2 seconds
XPOWER	£33,995	61.7 kWh	251 miles	320 kW, four-wheel drive	3.8 seconds

Every version gets the same Premium equipment. Autotrader and RAC Drive list a 12.8-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree camera, keyless entry, 18-inch alloy wheels and vehicle-to-load as standard. The driver assistance suite includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

On our own measure of value, the Premium Extended Range costs £98 of list price per mile of WLTP range, against £107 for the Premium Long Range and £135 for the XPOWER: the list price divided by the WLTP range. Our methodology explains how we work out every figure on this page.

The MG4 is not eligible for the government’s Electric Car Grant: no MG model appears in either band on gov.uk. Our page on MG4 prices, specs and trims breaks the line-up down further.

What is the MG4 like inside?

The new interior is the biggest change for 2026, and every UK tester we read rates it a clear improvement. The Car Expert says the cabin is borrowed from the MG S5 and feels more sorted, and Autotrader found soft-touch surfaces replacing some of the old car’s scratchier plastics, though the cabin is still “very grey-scale”.

Physical buttons for the climate control return, which Auto Express counted as a plus. Its testers “often had to tap the touchscreen two or three times” before it responded. The Car Expert, by contrast, wrote that the touchscreen “now feels quick and easy to use”, and Autotrader noted that the newer software from the MG S5 and S6 may help with the glitches MG has been criticised for.

Not every change is welcome. The Car Expert found the new octagonal steering wheel uncomfortable, and judged the seats better than before but still not great. Auto Express called the cabin “not the most interesting interior in the small EV class”.

How does the MG4 drive?

The MG4 is an engaging small electric car to drive, testers agree, because its motor drives the rear wheels. Auto Express found it “surprisingly fun and engaging to drive on twisty roads”. The Car Expert praised balanced handling and listed “still enjoyable to drive for the price” among its plus points.

The Premium Long Range has a 140 kW motor and reaches 62mph in 7.5 seconds. The Extended Range has 180 kW and takes 6.2 seconds, and the XPOWER adds a second motor for four-wheel drive and 320 kW, cutting the time to 3.8 seconds. Autotrader, which drove the entry version, found it had enough power for town and faster traffic, with light steering and adjustable regenerative braking.

The ride is the weak point. Auto Express listed a “choppy ride on uneven roads” as a con, and The Car Expert found it firm over rough surfaces. Autotrader noticed road noise and motor whine at times, and Auto Express said motorway refinement still trails some rivals.

How far does the MG4 go: WLTP versus real world?

The MG4 Premium Long Range has an official WLTP range of 280 miles from 61.7 kWh of usable battery, and the Premium Extended Range has 338 miles from 74.4 kWh. The XPOWER, with the smaller battery and two motors, is rated at 251 miles.

That works out at 4.54 miles per kWh for both Premium versions on the WLTP test, and 4.07 for the XPOWER, on our sums: the WLTP range divided by the usable battery. RAC Drive notes the two batteries use different chemistry, LFP in the Long Range and NMC in the Extended Range.

The UK reviews of the updated car do not report a measured real-world range; Autotrader found its own efficiency calculations matched the car’s displayed figures. Our page on the MG4’s real-world range and charging times goes into more detail.

Expect less range and slower charging in winter. Our guide to why an EV charges more slowly in cold weather explains the effect of low temperatures on the battery.

How long does the MG4 take to charge?

The MG4 Premium Long Range charges at up to 154 kW on a DC rapid charger and goes from 10 to 80% in 25 minutes. The Premium Extended Range peaks at 144 kW and takes 40 minutes, so the bigger battery charges more slowly; RAC Drive puts it at about 41 minutes.

On our figures, the first 10 minutes on a rapid charger add about 78 miles of WLTP range to the Long Range and about 59 miles to the Extended Range. We assume 70% of the battery goes in during the 10 to 80% time.

MG4 charging	Premium Long Range	Premium Extended Range
DC rapid maximum	154 kW	144 kW
DC, 10 to 80%	25 minutes	40 minutes
AC maximum	7 kW	7 kW
Empty to full at 7 kW, EV Compared	8.8 hours	10.6 hours
Empty to full at 7 kW, RAC Drive	about 11 hours	about 13 hours 15 minutes
Full charge at home, 6.5p/kWh	£4.01	£4.84
Full charge on the price cap, 26.32p/kWh	£16.24	£19.58
Full charge on a rapid charger, 82p/kWh	£50.59	£61.01

Our wallbox times divide the usable battery by 7 kW and ignore charging losses and the slower final stage, which is why RAC Drive’s estimates are longer. Charging costs multiply the usable battery by the price per kWh: Intelligent Octopus Go’s 6.5p/kWh off-peak rate, Ofgem’s 26.32p/kWh price cap for October to December 2026 and Zapmap’s October 2026 rapid average of 82p/kWh.

There is no 11 kW three-phase AC charging, RAC Drive points out, and the charging port sits on the left rear quarter, so The Car Expert warns you may need to reverse into some public bays. Vehicle-to-load is standard, letting the car power other electrical devices. Best Chargers covers choosing a home charger.

What does the MG4 cost to run?

The MG4 Premium Long Range costs 1.4p per mile charged at home on a 6.5p/kWh off-peak tariff, 5.8p per mile on the price cap rate and 18.1p per mile on a public rapid charger, on our figures. Driving 8,000 miles a year would cost about £115 at home off-peak, £464 at the price cap rate and £1,446 if every mile came from rapid chargers.

The Extended Range costs almost the same per mile, at 1.4p, 5.8p and 18.0p, or £114, £463 and £1,444 over 8,000 miles. The XPOWER costs 1.6p, 6.5p and 20.2p per mile, or £128, £518 and £1,613 a year.

Vehicle tax. As an electric car, the MG4 pays the £10 first-year rate and the £200 standard rate from the second year. Every version is well below the £50,000 threshold for the £440 expensive car supplement.

Company car tax. The MG4 falls in the 4% benefit-in-kind band for 2026/27, HMRC’s tables show.

Insurance. RAC Drive gives insurance group 29 for the Premium Long Range, 32 for the Extended Range and 40 for the XPOWER.

Warranty. Every MG4 has a seven-year or 80,000-mile warranty, with eight years or 100,000 miles on the battery.

MG4 boot, space and dimensions

The MG4’s boot holds 388 litres with the rear seats up and 1,164 litres with the 60:40 split seats folded, Auto Express reports, and there is no load lip. Auto Express called it adequate for a family hatchback but far from the biggest in its class, and RAC Drive listed “boot could be bigger” among its cons.

The car is 4,287 mm long, 1,836 mm wide and 1,516 mm tall, with a 2,705 mm wheelbase. Autotrader found the rear floor nearly flat, with decent legroom for three passengers.

Both Auto Express and Autotrader point out that the cheaper MG4 Urban has a bigger boot, which matters if luggage space is the priority.

What the testers say

Auto Express gave the updated MG4 4 out of 5 in Ellis Hyde and Max Adams’s review of 24 February 2026. They found the “new interior offers big improvements in quality and tech” and the car still fun to drive, criticised the choppy ride and slow-responding touchscreen, picked the Premium Extended Range as the best buy, and concluded that “the MG4 remains an appealing choice for those in the market for a small electric car”.

Autotrader also gave it 4 out of 5, in Catherine Kent’s review of 25 February 2026. She called it a “very compelling package”, praised the improved materials and standard kit, scored reliability 3 out of 5 because of MG’s software glitches, and suggested many buyers may prefer the MG4 Urban.

RAC Drive reviewed it in Lawrence Allan’s review of 15 April 2026. Its pros were “enjoyable to drive”, “excellent value” and “greatly improved interior”; its cons were the boot, the lack of three-phase charging and an XPOWER it called “a bit unnecessary”. It said the update “banishes our main gripes with the old version”.

The Car Expert reviewed it in Stuart Masson’s review of 17 February 2026, scoring value for money highest of all its categories. He found it still good value and engaging to drive, criticised the firm ride and steering wheel, and summed up the update: “It just needed polishing.”

The four agree on the handling, value and better interior, and on the modest boot and firm ride. These are their findings, not EV Compared’s; we have not driven the car.

Is the MG4 safe and reliable?

The MG4 has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, published in December 2022, with 83% for adult occupant protection. The rating was awarded to the original car, before the 2026 update.

The DVSA lists one recall for 2022 MG4s: R/2022/355, dated 7 January 2023, for a fault that could let the car superlock while still in running mode, locking the doors from inside and out and disabling the windows. It affected 1,960 cars and was fixed with a free software update. To check a specific car, enter its registration on the DVSA recall checker.

Which? reported in February 2025 that the earlier MG4’s lane-keep assist steered its test car towards oncoming traffic in 2024. MG worked with the Vehicle Certification Agency on a software update, fitted at servicing. Anyone shopping for an older car should read our used MG4 buying guide on what to check.

On reliability, Autotrader scored the MG4 3 out of 5, citing software glitches on MG models, and the seven-year warranty covers faults for longer than many buyers keep a car. Buyers have not been put off: our report on MG’s record UK sales in September shows the brand passing 18,000 cars in a month for the first time.

How does the MG4 compare with its rivals?

The MG4’s toughest rival on paper is the updated Renault Megane E-Tech, which costs £28,445 with 306 miles of WLTP range, 165 kW charging and a 440-litre boot. That puts it below the MG4 on price and ahead on boot space, and it is in Band 1 of the Electric Car Grant, worth up to £3,750. On our measure it costs £93 of list price per mile of range, against £98 for the MG4 Extended Range.

Model and version	List price (Nov 2026)	Range (WLTP)	DC charging	Boot
BYD Dolphin Active 44.9 kWh	£26,195	211 miles	65 kW	345 litres
MINI Cooper E	£26,905	190 miles	75 kW	210 litres
Vauxhall Corsa Electric YES 50 kWh	£27,505	221 miles	100 kW	267 litres
Renault Megane E-Tech Techno Comfort Range 67 kWh	£28,445	306 miles	165 kW	440 litres
MG4 Premium Long Range	£29,995	280 miles	154 kW	388 litres
MG4 Premium Extended Range	£32,995	338 miles	144 kW	388 litres
Volkswagen ID.3 Neo Life 50 kWh	£33,080	258 miles	105 kW	383 litres
MG4 XPOWER	£33,995	251 miles	140 kW	388 litres
Alpine A290 GT+	£33,995	235 miles	100 kW	326 litres

Autotrader called the MG4 the “cheapest EV with over 300 miles” of range in February 2026. Against this list in November 2026 that no longer holds: the Megane has more than 300 miles for £28,445. The MG4 Extended Range still has the longest WLTP range in the table, at 338 miles.

BYD or MG? The BYD Dolphin costs £26,195, £3,800 less than the MG4 Long Range, but has 211 miles of range, 65 kW charging and a 345-litre boot. Neither car gets the Electric Car Grant. On our figures the Dolphin costs £124 of list price per mile of range, against £107 for the MG4 Long Range, so the MG4 gives more range and much faster charging for the money.

The Volkswagen ID.3 Neo Life costs £85 more than the MG4 Extended Range for 80 fewer miles of range and 105 kW charging, though it is in Band 2 of the grant, worth up to £1,500. The Vauxhall Corsa Electric, MINI Cooper E and Alpine A290 are shorter cars with smaller boots and less range; the A290 costs the same as the XPOWER and suits a buyer who wants a compact car with a sporting badge.

MG4 or MG4 Urban?

The MG4 Urban is a different car, not a version of the MG4. It sits on MG’s E3 platform with front-wheel drive and costs from £23,495, with up to 258 miles of range, Just Auto reported in February 2026. Auto Express and Autotrader both say it has a bigger boot, and Auto Express judged it the better value. Choose the MG4 if you want rear-wheel-drive handling, more range or faster charging.

Should you buy an MG4?

Buy an MG4 if you want an electric hatchback that is enjoyable to drive, can charge at home, and value range and kit for the money. The Premium Extended Range is the pick: 338 miles of WLTP range for £32,995, the lowest list price per mile of range of the three versions, and the version Auto Express recommends. Running costs are 1.4p a mile on an off-peak home tariff, and the seven-year warranty adds reassurance.

Do not buy one if boot space or ride comfort matter most, because the Renault Megane has a bigger boot, more range than the Long Range for less money and the government grant, and testers found the MG4’s ride firm. Skip the XPOWER unless you want its pace: it costs £1,000 more than the Extended Range and gives 87 fewer miles. Buyers on a tighter budget should look at the MG4 Urban first.

Our verdict rests on published data and the named reviews above: the MG4 remains a strong, enjoyable electric hatchback for the money, but it no longer has the field to itself.