As the world of electric vehicles charges forward, China’s automotive landscape is a hotbed of innovation and shifting priorities. Take the 2025 MG4 hatchback, for instance. This isn’t just another EV; it’s a bold statement from SAIC’s MG brand, purposefully pivot toward the booming domestic market. While earlier MG models charmed European buyers with their rear-wheel drive antics and sharp handling, the latest MG4 embraces a front-wheel drive setup, prioritizing practicality, efficiency, and space for the everyday driver. It’s a move that firmly plants the MG4 in the competitive compact electric hatchback segment, with an enticing starting price around 68,800 yuan—that’s roughly $9,560 USD.
A New Chapter for MG: Designed for the Daily Drive
Forget what you thought you knew about MG. The 2025 MG4 was conceived with the Chinese buyer in mind, a clear departure from its export-focused predecessors. This iteration emphasizes usability, clever packaging, and an affordability that’s hard to ignore. In a market where rivals like the BYD Dolphin and Wuling Binguo S vie for attention, the MG4 stands out with its distinctive design and the legendary MG badge—a nod to its rich heritage that still resonates deeply with enthusiasts.
Our test car, the entry-level model, came equipped with a 42.8 kWh battery and a 437 km CLTC range, making it a compelling package for the budget-conscious EV buyer. It’s a clear signal that MG is serious about capturing the hearts of everyday commuters.
Exterior: Modern Lines Meet Compact Agility
The MG4’s exterior design is both contemporary and purposeful. Upfront, projector-style headlamps flank a segmented honeycomb grille motif. Higher trims even boast an illuminated MG badge, adding a touch of class. The prominent front corners cleverly integrate side air ducts, enhancing the car’s visual width and giving it a grounded, athletic stance.
Measuring 4,395 mm long, 1,842 mm wide, and 1,551 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the MG4 strikes a balanced profile. Our test car rode on practical 16-inch wheels. The rear of the car features a continuous light signature and a tapered tailgate that helps manage airflow and reduce drag. Wheel and tire choices across the range are carefully selected to strike a sweet spot between rolling resistance and grip, ensuring efficient, confident motoring. Overall, the fit and finish are precisely what you’d expect in this segment—tight panel gaps and a well-assembled body show attention to detail.
Interior: A Digital Hub for the Modern Driver
Slide inside the MG4, and you’re greeted by a cabin that’s right in step with current EV trends, especially in the sub-100,000-yuan segment. The minimalist dashboard creates an airy feel, dominated by dual screens that seamlessly integrate digital functionality. A crisp 10.25-inch central touchscreen handles most functions, while a separate digital instrument cluster keeps essential driving data front and center. Physical buttons are kept to a minimum, preserving the clean aesthetic.
Material quality comfortably meets expectations for its price point. You’ll find soft-touch surfaces on the mid-dashboard and door caps, providing a pleasant tactile experience, though harder plastics fill the other areas. Practicality hasn’t been overlooked, with a generous 471 liters of trunk space and an additional 98-liter sub-trunk. The rear seatbacks recline slightly, a thoughtful touch that enhances comfort on longer journeys.
Ergonomically, the driving position is intuitive, with ample adjustability for the steering wheel and seats. Underpinning the infotainment experience is the capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. This powerhouse enables over-the-air updates and smartphone connectivity through the Oppo Smart Mobility System, ensuring the MG4 stays current and connected. The interior really shines in its blend of perceived modernity and digital convenience, stepping away from traditional luxury in favor of smart, user-friendly tech.
Driving Experience: A Smooth Operator with a Practical Edge
The move to a front-wheel drive configuration in the new MG4 marks a significant engineering shift. It now features MacPherson struts up front and a torsion-beam axle at the rear, a departure from the earlier rear-wheel drive, five-link setup. This change isn’t about outright sportiness, but about maximizing space and efficiency. The suspension is calibrated for a softer ride, prioritizing impact absorption. While this means decent comfort over minor road imperfections, some vertical motion and pitch are noticeable over rougher surfaces compared to the previous rear-driven platform. However, at higher speeds, the car settles nicely, offering a stable cruising experience.
The electric power steering is tuned for light effort, particularly in Normal and Eco modes, which makes urban maneuvering a breeze. You might find feedback a bit artificial, but it’s designed for ease of use rather than razor-sharp precision. Switching to Sport mode tightens up the throttle response and adds a bit more weight to the steering, giving you a slightly more engaged feel. It’s clear this car is built for predictable control and daily usability.
With a 120 kW front-mounted electric motor, theMG4 delivers instant torque, a characteristic thrill of EVs. On wet roads, those front tires might momentarily lose traction under hard acceleration, but that’s typical for single-motor FWD EVs running efficiency-focused tires. The traction control system, however, quickly and smoothly intervenes to maintain stability.
Interior noise levels are well-managed for the segment. The electric motor hums quietly at lower speeds, though wind and tire noise become more noticeable past 80 km/h. Overall, the MG4’s ride character offers a blend of lightness and compliance, perfectly suited for the daily grind rather than spirited track days. This shift to front-wheel drive underscores a strategic decision focused on packaging and cost-efficiency. By placing the motor forward, MG has created more cabin and luggage volume, simplifying production while delivering a practical, spacious solution for the modern driver.
The Verdict: MG4, A Smart Bet for the Chinese Market
The latest MG4 is a thoughtful repositioning of a classic nameplate. While some enthusiasts might miss the rear-wheel drive dynamics that once defined MG’s European appeal, this new iteration is a triumph of practicality and value. It’s a technically competent, practical compact EV that excels in range efficiency, ease of use, and intelligent interior packaging. This approach perfectly aligns with the realities of China’s current EV market.
Chinese buyers in this price range are looking for digital features, usable space, and affordability above all else. On these fronts, the MG4 delivers, offering a solid daily driver for those transitioning from traditional petrol hatchbacks to their first EV. The market’s response speaks volumes: the MG4 reportedly racked up over 30,000 orders within 24 days of its launch, showcasing strong consumer interest in a value-focused compact EV.
So, while it might not rekindle MG’s performance heritage in the way some purists desire, the new MG4 is a smart, market-savvy electric hatchback designed to meet the real-world needs and economic realities of Chinese consumers. It’s a car that proves “practical” can still be exciting.
