mg4 ev – Pulpaddict

MG4 EV XPower review

We get to grips with the affordable EV hot hatch that is the MG4 XPower…

Full disclosure. I’m a big fan of the standard MG4 EV family hatchback. Not only is it a great value electric car (the range starts at just £26,995), but it’s well packaged, sharply styled and delivers a surprisingly engaging drive.

Add MG Motor UK’s generous seven-year warranty, and it’s a no-brainer if you’re ready to switch to 100% electric motoring.

The XPower is a sporty version of the MG4 – the second biggest-selling EV of 2023.

Unlike hot versions of standard cars from most other manufacturers, MG has decided to play it subtle with the XPower, so there’s no garish body kit.

It does get larger wheels, Bridgestone Turanza tyres, bigger brake discs, orange brake calipers, a contrasting black roof, and a new Racing Green colour option.

Inside, there’s red stitching, Alcantara trim on the seats and metal pedals. Otherwise, it seems much the same, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen (thankfully including physical short-cut buttons below), plus an additional 7.0-inch digital driver’s display.

Build quality in the cabin is fine, though there are a few too many scratchy plastic surfaces, while the infotainment system is on the basic side.

Of course, the big difference between the basic MG4 EV and the XPower is hidden from view. Whereas the regular car has a single rear motor with three battery options and power outputs of up to 243bhp, the XPower gets one battery choice, but gains a second 201bhp motor at the front, making it all-wheel drive.

With the rear motor at 228bhp, that equates to a remarkable 429bhp with 443lb of torque, delivering a blistering 0-62mph acceleration time of just 3.8 seconds – all for a still-competitive price of £36,495.

Crucially, MG’s engineers have also upgraded the XPower so that all that oomph (it’s the most potent MG ever made) can be distributed more effectively.

The new Dynamic Cornering Control System features a locking electronic differential and Intelligent Motor Control to allow torque vectoring between all four wheels.

There’s also revised spring and damper tuning, stiffer anti-roll bars and sharper steering, with MG claiming overall suspension stiffness has been increased by up to 25%.

The car’s 64kWh battery is good for a relatively modest official 239 miles on a single charge. However, the reality is likely to be well shy of 200 miles, especially if it’s cold outside and you’re heavy with your right foot.

The good news is that it has a maximum DC rapid charging rate of 150kW, which should deliver a 10% to 80% charge in 35 minutes via a 150kW public rapid charger, while a 10 -100% charge takes 8.5 hours using a 7kW home wall box.

On the road, the impressive instant torque is immediately obvious, especially in Sport mode with launch control activated.

It’s gut-wrenchingly fast in a straight line, but this novelty wears off a little when you watch your miles/kwh indicator sink to closer to 2 than 3. Oh, and a special button on the steering wheel to activate launch control would be welcome, rather than having to delve into the touchscreen.

Despite lugging around an extra electric motor, at 1,800kg, it’s still relatively light for an EV, which makes it feel agile.

One of the joys of the regular rear-wheel drive MG4 EV is it’s handling, which is more dynamic than most electric cars – especially in the affordable price range.

The XPower is much the same, but given the power on tap, it could do with a bit more fettling for it to be considered a true, all-round hot hatch. It still manages to stay flat in challenging corners, but a little more composure wouldn’t go amiss.

The ride feels slightly firmer than an MG4 EV, but it’s still decent, and there’s ample grip and stopping power on offer.

Like the regular MG4 EV, the XPower is wider than you think with a long wheelbase, so there’s plenty of space for passengers, front and rear. And, despite the sporty roofline, there’s good head and legroom in the back.

There’s also a healthy luggage capacity of 363 litres, rising to 1,165 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Given the performance boost, our only suggestion would be the addition of more figure-hugging sports seats up front.

Ultimately, the MG4 EV XPower is an impressive package, and as long as you can live with the range hit (the cheaper MG4 EV Trophy Extended Range can go 323 miles), its supercar-like acceleration and dynamic ride will never fail to put a smile on your face.

Verdict: The MG4 EV XPower is an all-electric five-door family hatch with a dark side. Should you choose to unleash the 429bhp on tap, it’s capable of competing with performance models two or three times the price. Sharply-styled, safe, great value for money and practical, it also offers peace of mind, courtesy of a seven-year warranty.

MG Motor UK

Citroen e-C4 X review

We road test the stylish new four-door version of the pure electric Citroen e-C4…

The “affordable” end of the EV market is becoming extremely competitive – and Citroen is up for the fight.

Starting with the bargain basement Ami city runabout, through to the e-C4 hatchback, and up to the e-Berlingo and e-SpaceTourer people carriers, there’s plenty of choice from the French manufacturer in the sub-£40,000 category.

The latest model is the new e-C4 X, which isn’t just a saloon version of the e-C4. Sure, there’s some déjà vu initially because it looks identical from the front.

However, it’s new from the rear doors back, and unlike its sibling, it’s only available as an EV (no petrol or diesel engines).

And rather than just stick the boot in (remember the Vauxhall Belmont, Ford Orion and Volkswagen Jetta?), Citroen has given the e-C4 X a sleek derriere that’s much sexier than the hatchback.

The marketing blurb claims it “combines the elegant silhouette of a fastback with the modern look of an SUV”. I wouldn’t go that far, but it certainly has added kerb appeal.

The Citroen e-C4 X is around 240mm longer than the e-C4 cargo space is larger too (up from 380 litres to 510 litres). There’s also a decent amount of room for passengers in the rear seats, and if you need more load space, the rear seats can be folded flat to create an area of 1,360 litres.

Other than that, the e-C4 and e-C4 X are very similar, in terms of spec and driving experience.

Both are only available with a 50kWh battery mated to a 134bhp electric motor with drive via the front wheels. In theory this provides a range of up to 222 miles and delivers a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds.

You get 100kW DC rapid charging, meaning a 10-80% top-up can be completed in 30 minutes when connected to a compatible public rapid charger. Or to put it another way, hook it up to a 100kW charger and it will add 59 miles of range in 10 minutes.

Naturally, it will also fully charge overnight at home using a wallbox, and regenerative braking will recover energy otherwise wasted when slowing down or coasting.

There are three trim level available – Sense, Sense Plus and Shine.

Starting at £31,995, Sense kicks off the e-C4 X line-up. Offering the best value for money, it comes as standard with LED exterior lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a 5.0-inch digital driver’s cluster, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors, plus safety essentials such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keep assist.

Next up is the mid-spec Shine (£33,995) which adds built-in sat nav, a head-up display, heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and a reversing camera.

Finally, range-topping Shine Plus (£34,495) gets Alcantara and leather effect upholstery, heated front seats and Safety Pack Plus with Highway Driver Assist (semi-autonomous driving capability).

Inside, the e-C4 X is comfortable, thanks to Citroen’s famed Advanced Comfort padded seats. Elsewhere, apart from the odd hard surface, the cabin is a pleasant place to be with a logical layout.

Thankfully, up front it hasn’t gone completely minimalist and still retains some buttons and dials for essentials. The infotainment touchscreen is much improved, but it still isn’t the slickest system out there.

I also wasn’t keen on the old school head-up display which projects info onto a plastic panel above the dashboard. It works well enough, but it was right in my line of vision.

Oh, and a special mention for a clever storage solution above the glovebox which allows your front-seat passenger to view a tablet device via a retractable holder fully integrated into the dashboard.

On the road, the Citroen e-C4 X is much the same as its hatchback sibling. In other words, it won’t put a smile on your face, but it delivers a smooth ride (though “magic carpet” is pushing it) and impressive cabin refinement.

It doesn’t offer gut-wrenchingly fast acceleration like some EVs, but it’s eager enough for everyday driving.

There are three drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport), but frankly Normal hits the spot. Eco is fine for pottering around town, while Sport adds a little zip. However, push it on more challenging corners and there’s a fair amount of body roll, so the e-C4 is best enjoyed at a more leisurely pace.

Elsewhere, light steering and a relatively high driving position add to the easy on-the-road experience. It would just be nice if the brakes were a little more progressive.

Real-world range is likely to be closer to 200 miles, but if you can live with that then the e-C4 X is a welcome addition to the affordable EV scene.

I suspect it may prove to be popular with taxi drivers too, because that boot can consume a serious amount of luggage. However, families might prefer the wider hatchback opening of the e-C4.

Rivals include the MG4 EV, Peugeot e-2008, Kia Niro EV, Ora Funky Cat and Renault Megane E-Tech.

Verdict: Sensible, smooth, safe, comfortable and practical, the all-electric Citroen e-C4 X’s distinctive design delivers a fastback-style rear end with the boot of a large saloon.

Citroen UK

MG4 EV review

We road test the distinctive MG4 hatchback – not only is it a great value electric vehicle, but it delivers a surprisingly engaging drive…

You’ve got to hand it to MG Motor – a car maker that continues to defy the cynics with its blend of award-winning, reasonably-priced models that offer peace of mind thanks to a generous seven-year/80,000-mile warranty as standard.

The result is that the now Chinese-owned company is enjoying record-breaking sales and is the “UK’s fastest-growing mainstream car brand”.

Just to put that into perspective, MG’s 51,050 sales in 2022 were up nearly 67% year-on-year and some way ahead of established brands including Renault, Mazda, Honda, Citroen, Suzuki, Dacia and Fiat.

I’m already a fan of the MG ZS EV crossover and MG5 EV estate, but the new MG4 EV is something else, adding serious style and impressive driveability to the mix.

For me, the MG4 is a breath of fresh air in an automotive world dominated by high-riding SUVs. I prefer to sit lower in the cabin. I want to feel more involved and enjoy extra agility.

In the EV world, there aren’t many hatchbacks on offer. Currently, the MG4’s most obvious rivals include the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID.3, the Cupra Born and the ORA Funky Cat.

You only have to look at the picture of the car (here in signature Volcano Orange) to see that it’s no ordinary hatchback.

Up front there’s a swooping nose, sculpted bonnet, angular LED headlights and aggressive air intakes. The profile is aerodynamic and crisp, while the rear features a complex two-part roof spoiler, a full-width LED taillight bar topped with unique, inset zig-zag lines.

Competitively priced from just £26,995, range will depend on the battery size chosen – so it’s up to 218 miles with the 51kWh, or a possible 281 miles if you opt for the 64kWh battery.

Both battery units power an electric motor, producing 168bhp with the smaller battery or 200bhp (larger one). As with most EVs, there’s a single-speed automatic gearbox, while drive is via the rear wheels.

The 51kW Standard Range battery version accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds, while the 64kWh Long Range unit is slightly slower (7.9 seconds). So, whichever you choose, the MG4 is no slouch.

There are two trims levels (SE and Trophy), with the latter exclusive to the bigger battery.

All MG4 EVs are generously equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen (thankfully including physical short-cut buttons below) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus an additional 7.0-inch digital driver’s display as standard, along with climate control, rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloys.

Other goodies include keyless entry, automatic headlights, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and a height and reach-adjustable steering wheel.

The MG4 is wider than you think with a long wheelbase, so there’s plenty of space for passengers, front and rear. And, despite the sporty roofline, there’s ample head and legroom in the back.

There’s also a decent luggage capacity of 363 litres, rising to 1,177 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Driving an MG4 couldn’t be easier. Once you’re inside, simply put your foot on the brake, select D for Drive via the rotary gear selector in the centre console, release the parking brake and you’re away.

On the road, the MG4 delivers just what you’d expect from an EV – and more. The ride is comfortable and refined. There’s a little road and wind noise, but it’s in no way excessive, while the engineers have done a great job of insulating you from lumps and bumps in the road.

The steering is light and there’s good forward visibility. However, the slim tailgate window makes backing into spaces slightly trickier, but there is a useful reversing camera and the top-of-the-range Trophy version I tested is blessed comes with a 360-degree camera.

The revelation with the MG4 is that it’s one of the few reasonably priced electric cars to treat owners to a genuinely dynamic drive (the MINI Electric is another example).

Hustle it through more challenging corners and it stays flat and planted, helped by a low centre of gravity from the batteries mounted far down in the chassis and 50:50 weight distribution.

It feels agile and lively, and it can even get playful in the wet or on looser surfaces, thanks to the rear-wheel drive set-up. Unlike many competitors, the brakes are well judged, inspiring confidence and adding to an overall smoothness.

The MG4 features three driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) plus four different levels of brake regeneration (Low, Medium, Strong and Adaptive). Normal/Medium worked best for me in everyday driving, though Sport/Low spice things up for overtaking and the odd blast.

If you can find a rapid 150kW connection, a 10-80% charge can take as little as 35 minutes and, if you have a wallbox, it will also charge overnight at home.

All in all, the MG4 is a fantastic EV. Sure, the infotainment touchscreen isn’t state of the art and it’s a tad slow to power up, while the steering wheel controls are fiddly. Additionally, rear visibility isn’t ideal and the boot could be bigger, but overall it’s a fab car at a great price.

Verdict: Affordable, distinctive, well equipped and practical, the MG4 delivers the kind of driving dynamics that’s streets ahead of many EVs twice the price. Add MG’s generous seven-year warranty, and it it’s a no-brainer if you’re ready to switch to 100% electric motoring.

MG Motor