MG MG4 Review Australia: Is This $38k Electric Hatch the Real Deal?

What Does the MG4 Cost in Australia?

MG keeps the lineup simple. Three variants, all rear-wheel drive, and a price spread that makes the decision pretty straightforward depending on how much range you need.

Driveaway, the base Excite 51 lands somewhere around $39,500-$41,000 depending on your state. That's genuinely remarkable when you remember this is a brand-new electric car with a factory warranty that stretches to 2036. Victoria's EV tax adds a bit of sting if you're doing decent kilometres, but the overall cost of ownership still undercuts most petrol hatchbacks.

The $3,000 jump from the Excite to the Essence 51 gets you a larger touchscreen, a 360-degree camera, heated front seats, and a power tailgate. It's a solid upgrade for the money. But the real question is whether to spend another $5,000 to step up to the 64kWh Long Range. That extra 100km of WLTP range (roughly 70-80km in real-world terms) is meaningful if you commute more than 60km a day round trip or regularly drive between cities. For most buyers doing the typical Australian average of 35km per day, the 51kWh base model is plenty.

Running Costs Compared to Petrol

Here's where any EV makes its strongest argument, and the MG4 is no exception. Charging the 51kWh battery at home on off-peak electricity (roughly $0.30/kWh) costs about $15 for a full charge. That gives you around 280-310km of real-world range. At 15,000km per year, you're looking at annual electricity costs of around $700-$800.

Compare that to a petrol hatchback like a Mazda3 or Corolla doing 6.5L/100km at $2.00/litre. that's roughly $1,950 in fuel per year. The MG4 saves you $1,100-1,250 annually just on energy costs. Over the life of that 10-year warranty, that's north of $11,000 in fuel savings alone.

Servicing is similarly cheap. No oil changes, no spark plugs, no exhaust system to rust. MG's capped-price servicing runs about $200-300 per year. A petrol hatch will set you back $400-700 depending on the brand. Factor in brake pad longevity (regenerative braking does most of the work, so pads last a very long time) and you're looking at total running costs roughly $1,800-2,200 less per year than a comparable petrol car. Check our cheapest cars to run in Australia breakdown for the full picture.

Design: Better Looking Than It Needs to Be

Credit where it's due — MG has designed a genuinely attractive car here. The MG4 looks sharp in person. The low nose, sharp headlights with LED daytime running lights, and the slightly wedge-shaped profile give it a sporty stance that punches well above its price point. It doesn't look like a $38,000 car. It looks like something that costs ten grand more.

The rear end is probably the most polarising angle. The full-width light bar across the tailgate is on-trend, but the bumper design is a touch busy with its faux diffuser elements. From the side, though, the proportions are spot-on. At 4,287mm long, it's shorter than a Golf but sits on a generous 2,705mm wheelbase, which means the wheels are pushed right to the corners. It looks planted and wide, even standing still.

Ground clearance is 150mm, which is adequate for speed bumps and gravel driveways but not enough for any serious off-road adventures. Not that you'd be taking a hatchback off-road anyway. The drag coefficient is a respectable 0.287 — not class-leading, but decent for a hatchback shape that prioritises interior space over aero.

Colour options are reasonable. The blue and white look great, the grey is inoffensive, and MG doesn't charge extra for different colours, which is a refreshing change from brands that want $2,000 for anything other than white.

Interior: Honest, Not Flashy

Let's be upfront: you're not getting a premium interior at this price. The MG4's cabin is functional and well-organised, but the materials are clearly from the "we had to hit a price point" school of design. Hard plastics dominate the lower dashboard and door cards. The seats are comfortable enough for daily use but lack the bolstering you'd get in something like a Golf.

That said, MG has been smart about where they spent the money. The 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Excite is responsive and runs a clean interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless on the Essence). The 7-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is clear and easy to read at a glance. You get all the information you need without fuss.

The driving position is good. The seat goes low enough for taller drivers, the steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake, and visibility out the front is excellent thanks to relatively thin A-pillars. The rear three-quarter view is a bit compromised by the rising beltline, but the standard reversing camera (and 360-degree camera on Essence) covers that gap.

Storage is acceptable. There's a small tray ahead of the gear selector, cupholders in the centre console, and door pockets that fit a water bottle. The wireless phone charging pad on the Essence works reliably and sits in a sensible spot. The glovebox is a decent size. Nothing to write home about, but nothing missing either.

One gripe: the climate controls are buried in the touchscreen. There are no physical buttons for temperature or fan speed. It's the same complaint people have with the Tesla Model 3 and plenty of modern cars, but at least Tesla's screen is fast. The MG4's system occasionally has a half-second delay that's mildly annoying when you're trying to de-fog the windscreen in a hurry.

Practicality: Proper Hatchback Versatility

This is where the MG4 quietly impresses. The boot measures 363 litres with the rear seats up, which is competitive with the Mazda3 (295L) and Corolla hatch (217L). Fold the 60/40 split rear seats down and you get a flat load floor with around 1,177 litres of space. That's enough for a flat-pack bookshelf, a couple of suitcases, or a week's worth of Bunnings runs.

The boot opening is wide and the load lip is reasonably low, so you're not hoisting heavy items over a high sill. There's no frunk (front boot) — the motor and electronics live under the bonnet — so the boot is your only cargo option. A minor drawback compared to the Tesla Model 3's 88-litre frunk, but the hatchback tailgate more than compensates with its versatility.

Rear seat space is surprisingly generous for a car this size. The flat floor (a benefit of the skateboard EV platform with the battery underneath) means three adults can sit across the back without the middle passenger straddling a transmission tunnel. Legroom is adequate for anyone under about 185cm. Headroom is fine thanks to the relatively upright roofline compared to a sedan.

ISOFIX points are present on the two outer rear seats. Child seat installation is straightforward, and the rear doors open wide enough that you're not doing gymnastics getting a baby capsule in and out. For young families, the MG4 is a very practical daily proposition.

Towing capacity is rated at 500kg braked, which is enough for a small box trailer or jet ski but not much more. If you need to tow anything substantial, you'll need to look at an SUV. Most buyers in this segment aren't towing regularly, but it's worth noting.

Driving: The Pleasant Surprise

Honestly, the MG4 is more fun to drive than it has any right to be at this price. The rear-wheel-drive layout (unusual in this segment — most affordable EVs are front-wheel drive) gives it a playful character that you don't expect from a budget hatchback. Turn-in is sharp, the rear end rotates willingly, and the low centre of gravity from the underfloor battery pack means body roll is minimal.

The base 125kW motor produces 250Nm of torque, available instantly from a standstill. It's not going to pin you to the seat — 0-100km/h takes around 7.7 seconds — but it feels quicker than the numbers suggest because there's no waiting for a turbo to spool or a gearbox to kick down. Put your foot down at 60km/h to merge onto a freeway and the response is immediate. That's the EV advantage in everyday driving.

The steering is well-weighted and gives reasonable feedback. It's not Mazda3-good (nothing in this price bracket is), but it's significantly better than the numb electric power steering you find in many budget cars. You can actually feel what the front tyres are doing through fast corners, which makes country road driving genuinely enjoyable rather than just something you endure.

Ride comfort is the one area where the price shows. The suspension is tuned firmly — possibly a touch too firmly for Australian conditions. Expansion joints on highways produce a definite thud, and coarse-chip bitumen generates noticeable tyre roar above 80km/h. It's not uncomfortable, but it's noticeably less refined than a BYD Dolphin or Hyundai Ioniq 6, both of which ride more smoothly over broken surfaces. On smooth roads, though, the MG4 is genuinely composed and confidence-inspiring.

Regenerative braking has three settings and they're well-calibrated. The strongest setting allows for proper one-pedal driving in the city — lift off the accelerator and the car decelerates smoothly enough that you rarely touch the brake pedal. Most owners adapt within a day and find it hard to go back to a conventional car. It also means your brake pads will last an extremely long time.

Efficiency and Range: Honest Numbers

Let's talk real-world range, because the WLTP number on the brochure and what you'll actually get are two different conversations entirely. The base 51kWh MG4 is rated at 350km WLTP. Here's what you'll see in practice:

• Urban driving (30-60km/h): 140-155 Wh/km, translating to roughly 280-310km real range
• Suburban mixed (60-80km/h): 155-170 Wh/km, giving you 260-290km
• Highway cruising (100-110km/h): 175-195 Wh/km, delivering 230-260km
• Highway fast (120km/h+): 200-220 Wh/km, reducing range to 200-230km

For the daily commute (average Australian drives 35km/day), you're charging the base model once a week at most. That's perfectly liveable. Where the 51kWh battery shows its limitations is on longer trips. Sydney to Canberra (280km) is doable in mild weather but you'll arrive on fumes. Melbourne to Ballarat (115km) and back is fine with room to spare. The point is: the MG4 is a brilliant city and suburban car with occasional longer trip capability, not a cross-country tourer.

If you regularly do longer drives, the 64kWh Long Range variant adds roughly 70-80km of real-world range, which makes a meaningful difference to your planning flexibility. For an extra $8,000 over the base model, it's a worthwhile upgrade if your commute is on the longer side or you frequently drive between cities.

DC fast charging supports up to 150kW on both variants. In practice, peak rates sit around 120-140kW when the battery is between 10-30%, tapering as it fills. A 10-80% charge takes approximately 35 minutes on a capable fast charger. That's longer than the Tesla Model 3 on a Supercharger (25 minutes) but competitive with most other affordable EVs. Home charging on a 7kW wall charger takes about 7.5 hours for the 51kWh battery — plug in at 10pm, full by morning.

Safety: Five Stars, Fully Loaded

The MG4 scored a full 5-star ANCAP safety rating, which is based on the Euro NCAP assessment. For a car at this price point, the safety equipment list is genuinely impressive:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane Keep Assist and lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control (Essence only)
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• 360-degree camera (Essence variants)
• Speed Assist with traffic sign recognition
• Driver attention monitoring

Six airbags are standard across the range, including front, side, and curtain bags. All five seats get three-point seatbelts with pretensioners. The battery skateboard platform provides excellent structural rigidity in side impacts, with the battery casing acting as a reinforcement layer across the floor.

The AEB system works well at urban speeds and scored highly in Euro NCAP testing for vulnerable road user protection. Lane Keep Assist is a touch overzealous on some roads — it can ping-pong between lane markings if the road is narrow — but it's effective on highways and can be dialled back or switched off if it annoys you.

One note: the base Excite misses out on adaptive cruise control, which is a shame given that it's standard on the BYD Dolphin at a similar price. If you do a lot of highway driving, the $3,000 upgrade to the Essence is worth it just for adaptive cruise alone.

Rivals: What Else Should You Cross-Shop?

BYD Dolphin (from $38,890)

The Dolphin is the MG4's most direct rival. Similar price, similar size, similar range. The Dolphin's interior feels a touch more refined, with better material quality and that clever rotating centre screen. It also comes standard with adaptive cruise control across the range. Where the MG4 fights back: the 10-year warranty vs BYD's 6-year coverage, a more engaging driving experience thanks to the rear-wheel-drive layout, and a slightly larger boot (363L vs 345L). They're both excellent choices. Read our full MG4 vs Dolphin head-to-head for the detailed breakdown.

Tesla Model 3 (from $54,900)

A different class in many ways — $17,000 more expensive, significantly longer range (520-750km WLTP), and access to the Supercharger network. If you can stretch the budget, the Model 3 is the better long-distance car by a wide margin. But for city-focused buyers, the MG4 delivers the core EV benefits (instant torque, cheap running costs, quiet cabin) at a much more accessible price. The MG4 also gives you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which Tesla stubbornly refuses to offer. See how all three compare in our Model 3 vs Dolphin vs MG4 triple comparison.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 (from $74,000)

Significantly more expensive, but worth mentioning because it shows what the EV hatchback/sedan segment looks like at the premium end. The Ioniq 6 offers 800V architecture, 350kW charging, and a significantly more refined interior. If your budget stretches that far, it's a different league. But for most buyers looking at the $35-45k bracket, the MG4 represents vastly better value. The Ioniq 6 costs nearly double for an experience that's perhaps 30-40% better. The maths don't favour it unless money isn't a concern.

Should You Buy the MG MG4?

Yes, if:

• You want the cheapest entry point into a brand-new EV in Australia without sacrificing safety or warranty coverage
• Your daily commute is under 100km round trip — the 51kWh base model handles that with room to spare
• You can charge at home overnight, which is where the cost savings really stack up
• You value driving fun — the rear-wheel-drive layout makes this genuinely enjoyable on a twisty road
• The 10-year/250,000km warranty gives you peace of mind — no other EV in Australia comes close
• You need hatchback versatility with 363L of boot space and fold-flat rear seats
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto matter to you (looking at you, Tesla holdouts)

Maybe not, if:

• You regularly drive more than 250km in a day — the base model's range will require more planning than you'd like
• You need a premium interior with soft-touch materials everywhere — the MG4's cabin is functional, not flashy
• Highway refinement is a priority — tyre noise and the firm ride are noticeable at speed
• You tow anything heavier than a small trailer — the 500kg braked towing capacity is limiting
• You can't charge at home — relying on public charging erodes the cost advantage and adds inconvenience
• You want the fastest DC charging — the 150kW maximum is decent but not class-leading

The MG MG4 at $37,990 is the proof that affordable electric cars have properly arrived in Australia. It's not perfect — the interior materials are basic, the ride is firm for Australian roads, and the range on the base model means you won't be doing Melbourne to Sydney without stops. But for the vast majority of Australian drivers who commute under 50km a day and can charge at home, the MG4 offers a genuinely compelling case. A 5-star ANCAP safety rating, a 10-year warranty that no rival can match, running costs roughly half those of a petrol hatchback, and a driving experience that's actually fun — not just adequate. That's a lot of car for the money.

If you're cross-shopping, start with our MG4 vs BYD Dolphin comparison — those two are the obvious head-to-head at this price point. Or browse the full best electric cars in Australia list to see where the MG4 stacks up against the entire EV market.

→ Compare all MG MG4 variants on CarSorted (200+ specs)