MG4 Urban 2026 review

Yes, this is a new MG4, though it’s not a radical facelift of the electric hatchback of the same name that launched a few years ago as the first properly good car to come out of China.

This is the MG4 Urban – a quite different EV hatch: different platform, different styling, and different pricing. Read cheaper.

Priced from $31,990 drive-away, the Urban starts $8000 lower than its rear-drive namesake that has also just arrived in facelifted form.

Crucially, that makes the Urban one of the cheapest EVs you can buy in the current global oil crisis. It undercuts two direct rivals: the BYD Dolphin (from about $33K DA) and the GWM Ora (from about $34K DA).

BYD’s Atto 1 remains the cheapest EV – from about $27K drive-away – but it’s a sub-4.0-metre ‘micro’ car.

To make this review easier to follow, we’ll simply call the most affordable MG4 the ‘Urban’, using MG4 to describe the pricier RWD/AWD model.

The Urban’s platform is a front-drive architecture called E3, where the MG4 – and its S5 SUV spin-off – use MG’s Scalable Modular Platform (SMP). Another key distinction is that the Urban features a lower-cost torsion beam rear suspension in contrast to the independent multilink arrangement on the MG4/S5 twins.

And an interesting tech point: the Urban’s battery is properly integrated into the chassis rather than bolted in as per MG4 and most other EVs. MG says this helps reduce vehicle weight, lowers the centre of gravity slightly, and adds some extra cabin height.

If the presence of two MG4 models could be potentially confusing for buyers, the hatchbacks at least look quite different.

The Urban is more rounded than the sharply designed MG4, with styling apparently inspired by the company’s Cyberster electric roadster. There are common features such as the rear lightbar arch and ‘arrow’ tail-lights, while the ‘Starburst’ rim design for the Urban’s 17-inch wheels are also borrowed from the Cyberster.

Urban is also the bigger car: about 11cm longer, a touch wider, about 5cm taller, and with 4.5cm extra in the wheelbase.

What are the MG4 Urban’s features and options for the price?

The Urban is offered as a single Essence grade, though with two LFP battery options: a 43kWh (gross) with a 316km WLTP rating or – for a $3000 premium – a 54kWh (gross) with a 405km WLTP, our test subject.

Standard equipment includes a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, navigation, wireless charging pad, seven-inch digital driver cluster, surround-view camera, electric driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and rear privacy glass.

Climate control is single zone only, while the upholstery is PVC. MG Australia is expected to introduce a grey/white interior colour combination as an alternative to the all-black.

Stone Green metallic is the only no-cost exterior paint, with a $700 charge for other colours such as our test car’s Diamond Red.

How does the MG4 Urban drive?

The original MG4 was the first properly good car to come out of China, surprising with its entertaining rear-wheel-drive dynamics.

We were never expecting the same from the Urban that powers its front wheels and features a less sophisticated rear suspension, and so it proves – though the cheaper model’s handling certainly doesn’t disgrace itself.

The ride could be more compliant, and sharp joins tend to send a thump through the cabin. The suspension is softer than the pre-facelifted MG4’s but excellent rebound control ensures things never get bouncy.

If the steering isn’t entirely naturally weighted, its lightness contributes to the Urban’s sense of nimbleness – as does its tight turning circle.

Then there’s the Urban’s turn of speed, with strong acceleration off the mark and from low speed more relevant than its official 0-100km/h times that aren’t anything remarkable – 8.7 seconds for the Essence 54 and 9.0sec for the Essence 43.

There are four regen modes selectable via the touchscreen – or steering wheel ‘star’ button if set up that way. And beyond Light, Medium, Strong and Adaptive is the fifth option of One-Pedal driving for drivers who like to roll to a stop without touching the brake pedal.

We also like the Strong mode for slightly less aggressive deceleration when lifting off the accelerator pedal, especially as the brake pedal is uncommonly nice to modulate for an EV.

Only one driver assistance system is annoying. The Overspeed Audible Warning not only beeps away if you stray just one or two kays over a posted limit, but also when it detects 25km/h speed humps and school zones for the 21 hours of a weekend when they’re not in operation.

It can be turned off in the touchscreen but is a distraction when you inevitably forget to turn it off before you start your drive.

That and other drive assist functions can also be tailored by the MG Pilot Custom set up page, though again this has to be pressed and confirmed every time you start the car.

What is the MG4 Urban’s interior and tech like?

Plenty of scratchy plastics aren’t unexpected for a price-leader type of EV like the Urban, yet softer materials are in all the right places for regular touchpoints and the fit and finish looks good.

There’s also some pleasant tactility, such as the smooth-sliding metal-effect air vent controls and matching physical control panel for climate control, fan speed, audio volume and window-heating adjustment. But there are still more functions than is ideal in the touchscreen, including headlight controls in lieu of a steering wheel stalk.

There is a transmission stalk – where the MG4 and S5 feature a transmission dial – though it doesn’t really free up much extra space on the centre console as there’s still only a single charging pad.

The generously sized touchscreen is shared with the MG4 and S5, and is better presented, less glitchy and less laggy than the system found in the pre-facelifted MG4. Response time could still be a touch quicker, though the graphics and text are well sized for legibility

A 7.0-inch digital cluster is smaller than the 10.25in version found in its EV relatives, and there’s minimal customisation.

An electric driver’s seat comes with heating (as does the steering wheel), though hot days will leave occupants pining for ventilation because the PVC upholstery gets very sticky.

Jump into the rear seat and you have remind yourself this car is only 4.3 metres long, because rear legroom is palatial. There’s also good foot space and decent headroom, and all round making it possible for one of our 6ft 5in team members to sit behind their driving position in adequate comfort.

Rear vents are included, sitting above a single USB port. There’s no centre armrest but there are good-size door pockets and convenient seatback pouches for storage.

There’s no auto tailgates here, of course, the boot opening via the rear MG badge, a la Volkswagen Golf.

MG quotes 382 litres, with another 98 litres available under the boot floor. This trumps the Dolphin (345L), Ora (228L) and even the MG4 (364L).

The floor also has two height options – lower for deeper storage or higher for a more convenient load height or flatter extended cargo section when the 60-40 rear seats are folded down.

There’s a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel, which is common in electric and hybrid vehicles. It’s a very basic boot that doesn’t even include a light. The Urban doesn’t feature a frunk up front.

What are the MG4 Urban’s ownership costs?

MG passenger vehicles are covered for seven years, unlimited kilometres as standard, with up to 10 years with a 250,000km mileage cap if owners continue servicing with MG dealers. The Urban’s batteries are covered for seven years.

Service intervals are a long 25,000km or every 12 months, with pricing ranging between $150 and $400.

Connectivity for MG’s iSmart app that offers various telematics services is complimentary for 12 months before a subscription is required.

Verdict

MG’s latest electric car could ride more smoothly in the environment it’s named after, and ideally there’d be a permanent off switch for its annoying speed limit warning.

But neither are necessarily deal-breakers for buyers, because the Urban is another MG4 that has surprised us in the most positive ways.