MG4 Urban gets smaller 43kWh battery and $34,990 price

The new MG4 Urban Essence 43 has a 43kWh LFP battery and 316km WLTP range, and costs $34,990 plus ORC, $4000 less than the Essence 54.

Richard Edwards November 12, 2026 · 2 min read

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MG4 Urban Essence 43 electric hatchback front three-quarter view

MG has added a smaller-battery version of its MG4 Urban electric hatchback in New Zealand. The new Essence 43 has a 43kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, 11kWh less than the existing Essence 54, and costs $34,990 plus on-road costs.

That is $4000 less than the Essence 54 at $38,990.

The smaller battery gives a WLTP range of up to 316km, against 405km for the Essence 54. MG quotes a 10-80% DC charge in about 28 minutes, and a heat pump is standard to help efficiency in cold weather. The front motor makes 110kW and 250Nm, compared with 118kW and 250Nm.

When the MG4 Urban launched here, MG skipped the 43kWh version sold in other markets and brought in only the 54kWh car. In our video review of the MG4 Urban, Richard Edwards encouraged MG to add the smaller battery.

The Essence 43 rides on the same 17-inch alloys as the Essence 54. Image: MG

What you get

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, roof rails, a 12.8-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch driver display, satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The front seats and the leather-wrapped steering wheel are heated, and there is ambient lighting and a six-speaker stereo.

It has seven airbags, a 360-degree camera and MG Pilot driver assistance. Boot space is 382 litres, or 1266 litres with the rear seats folded.

MG4 Urban Essence 43 dashboard with 12.8-inch touchscreen — The 12.8-inch touchscreen and 7-inch driver display are standard. Image: MG

“The MG4 EV Urban has a compelling combination of design, technology, practicality and value. By introducing the Essence 43 at $34,990, we’re opening the door to more New Zealanders looking to make the switch to an electric vehicle without compromising on the features and equipment they expect from a modern car,” says Dean Sheed, country business manager for MG Motor New Zealand.

The warranty runs to 10 years or 250,000km when the car is serviced with MG. That is made up of seven years of unlimited-kilometre cover plus a three-year extension activated by servicing.