2023 MG4 price and specs: Affordable electric hatch gets cheaper

The MG electric hatch is the first model to ride on SAIC Motor’s Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) dedicated EV platform, with a claimed 50-50 weight distribution, and all confirmed model grades are rear-wheel drive. The MG4 model line-up is separated by two model grades and three battery sizes:

51kWh usable lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP)

• Longer-lasting, safer and budget-friendly cathode battery type
• Up to 350km claimed WLTP range
• Standard 6.6kW AC/88kW DC charging capabilities

61.7kWh usable (64kWh gross) nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC)

• More energy dense lithium-ion battery type
• Offers 450km claimed range on Excite or 435km on Essence variant
• Increased peak fast charging speed to 140kW DC with 25kW more electric motor power

77kWh gross (usable unknown)

• Range boosted to 530km claimed
• Adds 11kW AC three-phase charging capability and 30kW more power

Additionally, the high-performance dual-motor, all-wheel-drive MG4 X-Power with a 51kWh battery is also under 'strong' consideration to launch in Australia later this year.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The actual usable capacity for the MG4 77kWh Long Range is still unknown, but it's likely to be an NMC type. Zecar has contacted MG Motor Australia for clarification.

The MG4 EV Australian line-up is separated by two model grades – Excite and Essence.

• The smallest 51kWh battery is Excite only;
• The mid-sized 64kWh is in Excite and Essence flavours; and
• The 77kWh long range is an Essence only.

EDITOR'S NOTE: MG has elected to name most of its variants by the total gross battery size, instead of the actual usable capacity (as detailed above).

MG4 51kWh Excite price: $38,990 before on-road costs

The MG4 electric hatch starts from $38,990 before on-road costs for the 51kWh Excite. Key features include a 10.25-inch tablet-style touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, select active safety assistance technologies, and 17-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels.

51kWh Excite features:

MG4 64kWh Excite price: $44,990 before on-road costs

Stepping up to the 64kWh Excite costs $6000 more and provides more range, power, and faster DC charging capability. There are no additional features compared to the 51kWh Excite.

64kWh Excite adds:

MG4 64kWh Essence price: $47,990 before on-road costs

Meanwhile, the 64kWh Essence is $3000 pricier and gains all available features, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, synthetic leather and fabric seats, 18-inch wheels, electric folding mirrors, and a two-tone black roof.

64kWh Essence features:

MG4 77kWh Long Range price: $55,990 before on-road costs

The 77kWh Long Range is an additional $8000 for the best driving range in the MG4 line-up, even more power, and a three-phase AC onboard charger. There are no additional features compared to the 64kWh Essence.

77kWh Long Range features:

MG4 Options

Standard paint – no cost: Dover White

Metallic paint – $700:

• Black Pearl
• Dynamic Red
• Camden Grey
• Sterling Silver
• Brixton Blue
• Volcano Orange

NOTE: Essence and Long Range models include a no-cost black two-tone roof to all exterior colours.

The MG4 electric car is covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle and battery warranty. The same period also applies to its roadside assistance and capped-price servicing coverage.

The Chinese automaker hasn't detailed servicing costs and intervals yet, but for reference, the ZS EV small SUV only requires maintenance every 24 months/40,000km.

The MG 4 directly competes with the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and MG ZS EV affordable electric cars, alongside the pricier BYD Atto 3 and Nissan Leaf.

MG4 51 kWh spec comparison

Despite the cheap electric car entry price, the base MG4 51kWh Excite has a larger battery, more driving range and faster acceleration than the quirkier GWM Ora. However, it is limited by its single-phase AC charging capability.

MG4 64 kWh spec comparison

The mid-sized battery MG4 64kWh Excite is more affordable than its EV rivals, with a faster DC charging peak capability. It is on par with the GWM Ora Extended Range, BYD Atto 3 Extended Range, and MG ZS EV Long Range in terms of battery size and claimed WLTP range.

MG4 77kWh Long Range spec comparison

The MG4 77kWh Long Range competes directly with the sporty Cupra Born electric hatch and have closely matched specs. Both have identical claimed 0-100km/h acceleration times, but the MG EV has the edge for range and efficiency under the combined WLTP test.