When you think of MG nowadays, it’s no longer the British legend its name used to carry. Sure, the new Cyberster harkens back to the glory days of roadsters with the electric flair, but the money speaks for passenger vehicles that everyone can afford and live with.
That being said, the Chinese marque has made its mark in the EV sector with the MG 4 as it won awards left and right from its nameplate’s hometown while also making a high-performance version.
On the outside, the Standard base model still carries the sharp, futuristic design that is also present in the Lux and the XPower. The MG 4 carries a busy front and rear end, giving off a sporty motif that you could mistake for a C8 Corvette from afar.
Around the sides are flowy, clean lines on the top half, while the bottom tries to be athletic-looking by almost mimicking the Adidas logo. The rear hatch is going for a double-decker style with a small lip wing to complement its shape, giving off the same vibes as the MG Maestro Turbo.
Aesthetically, the major difference from its upper trims is that some black areas that would be glossy are plastic, which is not a major deal-breaker for those not caring too much about looks. Also, instead of the larger 18-inch wheels, you get 16-inch steel wheels with aerodynamic hubcaps.
Under the hood isn’t something to blow your pants off, but maybe your neck might break at its initial torque (a staple in any EV). The Standard offers a 51kWh single battery motor producing 168hp and 250Nm, a humble figure comparable with other crossovers.
The MG 4 supports the Type 2 DC connector, the European-standard charger port used in most, if not all, mall charging stations. I tested it at Uptown Mall BGC, and its battery gained 17% in 95 minutes. Its fully charged range is up to 350km in brochures.
However, the estimated range significantly changes when its drive modes are switched between Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, which was put to the test from Makati to Tagaytay. Starting at 326km and traversing about 170km while carrying passengers through dry and misty conditions, I ended the day with 55% and about 255km left.
Inside, the fabric seats aren’t in your face, but are comfortably snug for tall occupants, especially on long drives. The seven-inch instrument cluster and the 10.25-inch instrument cluster are victims of generic layouts that feel too close to the Chinese competition.
However, its simplistic design won’t stun first-time users, who would connect and switch to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto anyway. What might need tweaking for personal preference is the four-speaker system where the default equalizer isn’t tuned well enough for everyday listening.
Operating its steering wheel feels light and responsive, but some might find its 380mm diameter too jarring, especially compared to those of similar hatchbacks with smaller circumferences. Speaking of large, its rear legroom almost feels executive for its size. I’m surprised—especially with my tall stature—that it has the real estate for 363L of trunk space.
To no one’s surprise, the MG 4 Standard sheds its safety suite for a basic but necessary selection to drive down cost. Nevertheless, it’s still packed with front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and cruise control, all of which are enough for daily use.
The fanfare for the MG 4 seems warranted, even in bare-bones form. A compact hatchback with usable ride height, a decent long range, and enough safety and entertainment tech for contemporary drivers sounds enticing for P1,468,888.
Taking a step back to find its Chinese car tropes—like the overstyled exterior and the uninspiring interface design—is fun to bring up for those who care. However, returning from out of town with not even half of its battery drained can brush those nitpicks aside.
MG 4 STANDARD
Engine | Single permanent magnet electric motor |
Transmission | Single-speed fixed-ratio automatic |
Power | 168hp |
Torque | 250Nm |
Dimensions | 4,287mm x 1,836mm x 1,504mm |
Drive layout | RWD |
Seating | 5 |
Price | P1,468,888 |
Upside | Humongous space for rear passengers and cargo. Simple and clear infotainment layout. Decent power delivery and range for city and out-of-town trips. |
Downside | Design leaves a lot to be desired, especially with the black plastic trim. Digital interfaces and the typeface don't feel different from any other Chinese car. Audio equalizer needs to be adjusted from default. |
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