In Motor.es we have been able to get on and have some first impressions of the MG4 Electric, the most affordable electric compact on the current market. This arrives with up to 450 kilometers of autonomy and 29,000 euros of initial price, without counting aid or discounts. Is this car the eternal promise of affordable electric vehicles? Let’s see it.
We’ve been waiting years for that hypothetical and promised truly affordable electric car to arrive. Most of the brands that today already market “zero emission” vehicles started out on the basis that in a few years price comparison between thermal and electric models would arrive. However, this equalization is becoming more and more difficult… until now. The new MG4 Electric is presented as the authentic “popular electric”, with an access price well below its main competitors and with specifications that make it one of the most promising models on the current electrical market.
The MG4 Electric sits on the new exclusive MSP platform for electric vehicles. On it will settle many others that will arrive later, such as the expected two-seater convertible, the MG Cyberster. The MG4 has two alternatives of electrical mechanics. The first with a 51 kWh battery, 170 CV of power and 250 Nm of maximum torque; as a second option is the 64 kWh capacity battery, 200 hp and 250 Nm of maximum torque. Its approved consumption according to the WLTP cycle is 16 kWh/100 km.
Its battery can be recharged up to 135 kW of maximum power, in the case of the component with the highest capacity. This generates that the waiting time between 10 and 80% is only 35 minutes. In the case of the most accessible variant, the maximum power will be 117 kW and the recharge time between 10 and 80% will be 40 minutes.
As for finishes, the MG4 has three levels: Standard, Comfort and Luxury. The first is detailed by the Standard, which makes use of the battery and the starting mechanics with up to 350 kilometers of autonomy. One step above is the Comfort finish, where its higher capacity mechanics and up to 450 kilometers of autonomy. Finally, the Luxury finish houses, in the same way, the largest battery, but it reduces its autonomy slightly to 435 km. A more capable alternative with 450 hp and a battery of up to 77 kWh will arrive later.
In MG they do not want to hear about “access finish” or “basic finish”, therefore, from the first of them, the equipment is more than generous with accessories such as access and keyless start, V2L upload to external devices or the interior of good qualities in black and with the double digital screen, instrumentation and infotainment, 7 and 10.25 inches, respectively.
A step above, in the Comfort finish, we find a higher mechanical dose, active AGS grille, leather steering wheel, darkened rear windows and 17-inch wheels. Finally, Luxury has been dedicated to customers who want it all, and includes heated seats and steering wheel, double rear spoiler, electric seats, 360º camera or connectivity functions; additionally it also gives the option to choose the black or light gray leather interior. In any case, regardless of the chosen finish, its color palette will consist of 7 shades and will have an added cost of 650 euros to the base price.
However, where the MG4 Electric breaks all the molds known so far is in its starting price. East, without discounts or state aid, part of the 29,490 euros for the Standard finish. A step above, in the Comfort, it reaches 33,490 euros, while at the top of the range is the Luxury for 35,490 euros. If we include the aforementioned discounts and all possible state aid, the initial price could even drop below 21,000 euros. Today, with its features and specifications, it has no possible rival in the market, in terms of price. But how does the MG4 Electric look live?
External contact with the MG4
Aesthetically, the MG4 powerfully draws attention for some sharp features that can fully penetrate the potential customer of this type of vehicle. On the front, its straight but slightly overloaded shapes make the model really eye-catching as it appears to have much higher dimensions than what it actually presents. Its width is 1,836 millimeters, its height is 1,504 mm and its length is 4,287 mm.; However, the highlight of the model is its battle height or wheelbase, which is set at 2,705 millimeters. This leads directly to very good interior habitability data.
Additionally, in the frontal area, there is a active grill with which the electrical mechanics can be cooled when necessary, as well as a series of decorative slits on the hood, which gives them that touch of aggressiveness and sportsmanship in equal parts.
Its front optical groups are of the latest LED technology and it has, among other elements, up to 36 diodes to signal your indicators. Its headlights have sharp shapes and a great prominence on the hood. The profile is dominated by very marked and muscular lines, with predominant taillights on the side itself and wheels between 16 inches (for Standard finish) and 17 inches (for Comfort and Luxury).
The rear, meanwhile, is designed in three volumes. A higher one that is where the moon is located and its double split spoiler with the third brake light inserted in the center. A second block presents the middle area of this part, with LED lights that cross the entire width of the model and are made up of a total of 172 diodes; in parallel, incorporates a total of 10 decorative lights in its upper part. The lower -and last- part belongs to the bumper where a decorative diffuser and the fog light are located in the center of it.
In general terms, and in my strict personal opinion, the MG4 Electric will draw powerful attention due to its neat shapes and its very personal appearance. For these reasons, in addition to those that we have already listed previously, this model has all the signs of becoming one of the biggest best sellers in the electricity sector.
first view inside
Inside, the perceived quality is remarkable. The steering wheel presents a flattening at the top and bottom, and the 7-inch instrument panel has a more than correct illumination for cases in which strong sunlight falls. The same happens with the central panel, which has a very good and quite fluid handling. In another term of things, the holes to store objects are more than generous throughout the cabin.
Under the central screen there is a protruding module where the the gear selector, in the form of a spinner, or the handbrake button. Below are the aforementioned storage compartments and several USB sockets to recharge different devices. In general terms, the habitability and feeling of quality in the front area is more than goodat the height of a car in this segment, but well above what is expected for a model with this starting price.
Moving on to the rear seats, the space for the legs and for the head is more than correct for the vast majority of sizes; people up to 1.85 tall, approximately, will not have habitability problems here. However, at least in the units that we have been able to see and touch during its static presentation, the absence of a central head restraint has drawn my attention -since it is an approved vehicle for three passengers in the second row- and the lack of a central armrest for when only two people travel and thus gain comfort.
In the rest of the elements, the perceived quality is very good and, for an electric model, you don’t feel like you’re sitting too low. In alternative models, as the battery is located under the floor, it makes it higher than normal, thus giving the sensation of sitting lower. Here, that perception is barely felt.
In the case of cargo space, its minimum capacity will be 363 liters in a space with very square shapes and, therefore, usable. In case you need more storage, its second row of seats is folding in a 60:40 ratio, which leaves us with a completely flat floor and a maximum capacity of 1,177 liters.
conclusion
Is the MG4 Electric the car that will really start the electric market in Spain? I have no doubt about it. Its characteristics of a practical and usable car on a day-to-day basis go hand in hand with more than good technical specifications and a price directly without competition.. In the coming weeks we will be able to test what the most affordable electric compact on the market is capable of and we will be able to fully and accurately confirm whether the long-awaited and long-awaited eternal promise of the electric automotive industry has finally arrived.