First drive – MG4 Urban refreshes EV hatch offering

MG New Zealand is bolstering its affordable EV ranks with the introduction of the MG4 Urban and also a timely update for the popular MG4. Interest in battery electric vehicles is up, with the market share for BEVs tracking at 14 per cent of the passenger car market. In 2025, its share was seven per cent. So people are clearly interested in EVs at present. 

The MG4 Urban model is something quite different from the MG4 you know however. While they share a 4 badge, they are not the same. 

So why use the MG4 badge? Well, it’s about leverage. The MG4 nameplate is well known and we guess there’s not much scope left with MG’s naming strategy, MG3 already in use. 

Same badge, but very different 

The MG4 Urban and MG4 don’t use the same platform. The Urban is a FWD hatch, and it wears quite a different look. MG says the Urban is more about value and interior space, with safety and technology key characteristics. Compared with the rear-drive MG4, it’s not as driver focused, but benefits from added passenger and luggage space. And you’re getting over 400 kilometers of range for under $40k. MG NZ thinks it’ll be a good fit for first-time EV buyers.

Sitting on a new generation E3 platform, the Urban has a longer wheelbase than the rear-drive MG4, which translates to more interior passenger space. It’s 4.4 meters long, 1.8 meters wide with a wheelbase of 2.75 meters. It’s pitched as a city car (a compact 10.5m turning circle helps there) with lots of space. It has a 480 litre boot (when the variable boot floor is set low) and underneath that is another 98 litres of storage. Fold the seats flat and you can expect up to 1200 litres of stowage.

Inside, we like the smattering of physical buttons on the dash for easier control of the AC, while the rest of the show is run by a 12.8-inch touchscreen. There is a seven-inch display in front of the driver. It has an easy-to-use column shifter which frees up console space for important things like the device charge pad. 

Underneath the Urban has Mac struts upfront and a torsion beam rear end. Energy is stored in a 52.8kWh LFP battery, giving a WLTP range of 405km. That’s thanks to efficiency being rated at 16.1kWh/100km. It can recharge at 87kW (10 to 80 in 28m) while they say a 7kW wall box will give you a full charge overnight. 

While there are two models offered in Australia, there’s only one for New Zealand, the one with the bigger battery because they say Kiwis tend to gravitate to something with a range figure starting with a four.

It has a five star ANCAP rating and we like how the MG Pilot custom setting, that first debuted on the S5, is present here so you can set the beeps and bongs to your liking.

MG4 updated (inside mainly)

MG has also introduced a revised MG4. It looks the same, and is the same underneath, but inside is where they have made great strides. Where hard plastic used to dominate, the cabin is now lined with soft touch materials. It’s been transformed from quite horrid to quite nice. They’ve also added some buttons to the dash and they’ve given it the bigger 12.8-inch screen with more connectivity options and there’s a 10.25-inch driver display. The phone charger has been repositioned, and there’s a better centre console cover.

Urban vs Essence

Comparing the two MG4 models, the Urban has a 54kWh LFP battery for a 405km range. It has a 118kW/250Nm motor upfront and hits 100 in 8.7s.  The MG4 Essence has a 64kWh LFP battery, has a 140kW/350Nm motor on the rear and can do 450km to a charge. It has a max DC charge rate of 154kW and hits 100 in 7.5s. MG will also have the XPower AWD MG4 on sale again soon, with its 320kW/600Nm output and a 0-100 time of 3.8s.  

MG4 Urban NZ price 

The Urban is $38,990, the MG4 is $44,990 and the XPower is $55,990. 

The revised MG4 has enjoyed a $4k price reduction, which MG NZ says is due to the competitive market place at present, repositioning it to make it more compelling. MG NZ sees the Urban competing with other EVs at this price point, and that it also gives the brand the opportunity at converting people from ICE-powered hatches. 

Drive okay?

We had a brief drive of the Urban. It’s not as well finished as the more expensive MG4, there being a bit more hard plastic on display in the cabin. While it’s a bit easier to get into, the seat is set quite high. The power delivery is fine, a touch of torque steer when flooring it reminds you it is a front driver. Riding in the rear, we enjoyed the room on offer, though the torsion beam suspension can send a few bumps into the cabin also.  

The (real) MG4 is still a solid package, its dynamics and a bit more power make it more likable from the driver’s seat.

One final point, MG NZ is introducing service plans for all its models to give customers clarity on overall costs. And for the next few months, this will be included in the price, before becoming an optional extra.