MG MG4 XPOWER

The MG4 is proven to be a hit on British roads and because it's more fun and more affordable to own than the Nissan Leaf, it really is the biggest upset in the electric car market. Such upset prompted MG to create their first-ever electric hot hatch; the MG4 XPOWER.

2024 MG MG4 XPOWER

Starting at 36,495 British Pounds plus additional costs, the first-ever MG4 XPOWER brings performance back to MG in the age of the new normal and such pricing means it's more affordable than the Civic Type R. It's the high-performance bargain of the decade.

2024 MG MG4 XPOWER interior

At first glance, it looks and works just like a normal MG4 judging by its sharp-looking exterior design, 10.25-inch touch screen with smartphone connectivity, Rotary Gear Selector, wireless charging pad, heated front seats, and steering wheel, among many others. However, the only way to differentiate the XPOWER from the normal MG4 is the XPOWER badge behind as well as the 18" Cyclone alloy wheels with orange calipers, and the added Track Mode display on the touchscreen.

Unlike the normal MG4, which is rear-wheel-drive only, the MG4 XPOWER is the first MG car to be all-wheel-drive, meaning there should be an additional motor somewhere. Anyway, because of its AWD layout and the 64kWh battery, the power output got juiced up to produce 435PS of power output and 600Nm of torque. 

Because being the first MG car to have launch control, the MG4 XPOWER has a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. You can kiss your Nissan Leaf NISMO goodbye with this one.

In terms of range, the MG4 XPOWER is good for 239 miles combined based on the WLTP scale and it takes up to 35 minutes to charge the batteries from 10% to 80% is 35 minutes when charged at the 150kW public rapid charger, the length of watching an episode of your favorite cartoon and some Hail Marys to spare. At home, it takes 5.1 hours to charge the batteries from 10% to 100%.

Of course, being AWD, the 1800kg kerb weight spells more weight compared to the normal MG4, meaning it feels somewhat mild and tangy to drive even on the track. Arm-breaking is such when you try to turn sharp and thanks to its sport-tuned brakes, it feels dramatic when you hit the brakes.

Like the normal MG4, the XPOWER is nothing short of safety features including the MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance System.

The MG4 XPOWER signals MG's return to the performance business and because of its pricing that's cheaper to own than the Civic Type R, the performance to devour the Leaf NISMO, and the AWD system unheard of for an MG car, this juiced up electric hatchback is ready for prime time.

Photo: MG Motor UK

MG MG4

The first-ever MG4 electric hatchback is by no means one of the most affordable electric vehicles on sale in Britain and with prices starting at 25,995 Pounds plus additional costs, it's cheaper to own than the Nissan Leaf by a razor-thin margin but there's a lot more to it than that...

2023 MG MG4

Fresh from the People's Republic of China, the MG4 electric hatchback is the biggest upset in the electric car market, probably because of the pricing that beats the Nissan Leaf by a knife edge. While the pricing is the MG4's top trump, there are plenty of reasons to buy one; starting with the design.

The MG4's design is by no means the sharpest-looking for a city car of such size judging by the front face that delivered its first impression, although the rear view can be visibly mistaken for a Kia EV6 when you squint your eyes further. Either way, the MG4's exterior design is nearly exceptional for an electric car made for the British masses.

2023 MG MG4 interior

On the inside, the MG4 has plenty of toys to play around with such as its 10.25-inch touch screen with smartphone connectivity, the Rotary Gear Selector, the wireless charging pad available on the Trophy Long Range variant, and heated front seats and steering wheel, among many others. Talking about space, this five-seater's modest space feels just right when you step inside. In terms of boot space, with the rear seats present, it's less spacious than the Nissan Leaf...that is until you fold the rear seats down. With nearly 300 liters more than the Nissan Leaf of total boot space with the rear seats down, it's another top trump for the MG4.

2023 MG MG4

The MG4 features two kinds of battery capacities. The SE model features a 51kWh battery capacity that produces 170PS of power, 250Nm of torque, a 0-60mph time of 7.5 seconds, 100mph of top speed, and up to 218 miles of driving range combined. The Long Range variant runs on the 64kWh battery pack which bumps the power output to 203PS power, which is a tad less compared to the Nissan Leaf e+, and with 281 miles of driving range, a tad less efficient as well but whatever.

Because the MG4 weighs less than the Nissan Leaf and because it's rear-wheel-drive unlike the Nissan Leaf, which is front-wheel-drive, you will find that it's a lot more enjoyable to drive as well. Although spartan because it has the same layout as a Porsche 911, it feels rather unique to drive one even beyond city limits, not to mention the fact that it comes with MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for a safer driving experience.

With the first-ever MG4, it looks like the Nissan Leaf has completely lost it because of such pricing which made the MG4 the electric bargain of the new normal, not to mention the dynamics and the styling that delivered the biggest upset in the electric car market. Looks like this Sino-British marque is on the roll.

Photo: MG Motor UK