BMW 120i vs MG Mg4 Urban
What's the difference?

BMW 120i

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2018 price

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MG Mg4 Urban

$29,990 - $32,990

2026 price

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Summary

2018 BMW 120i

2026 MG Mg4 Urban

By Laura Berry

By Stephen Ottley

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 3, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Rear-wheel drive
Great engines
Fun to drive

Good value small car
Stylish and spacious interior
Return of physical buttons

Dislikes

Low on standard features
Run-flat tyres
Limited rear legroom

Active safety tech still needs work
Ride feels too firm at times
Cheap but not the cheapest EV

2018 BMW 120i Summary

If you think it’s a Mercedes-Benz A-Class you want or maybe an Audi A3 Sportback or even a Volkswagen Golf, then stop and read this first before making a purchase.

The BMW 1 Series alternative isn’t just another prestige little car, because there are some fundamental differences between this 1 and those others, and they could cause you to totally rethink your decision.

If you’re already keen on getting a 1 Series then you need to read this, too, not only to help you find the right one, but also to alert you to what might be a couple of uncomfortable truths.

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2026 MG Mg4 Urban Summary

MG needs a win, and the MG4 Urban may be the right car at the right time to give the Chinese brand a major boost.

It has been a rough few years for MG, with sales in decline for the past two years, which has seen it tumble from Australia’s favourite Chinese car maker to a distant fourth place behind BYD, GWM and Chery.

Part of that could be because of its rapid expansion, both in terms of its total number of models but also the size of the vehicles it’s offering. The larger QS SUV and U9 ute have both received underwhelming responses from the car-buying public.

So, MG has returned to its roots - small, affordable cars. The MG4 Urban, not to be confused with the MG4 Hatch, is its new price-leading electric car and the company’s new management hopes it leads a sales revival.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 BMW 120i 2026 MG Mg4 Urban

Verdict

I’m the first to say the 1 Series is kind of the ugly duckling of the BMW family, but those looks grow on you, especially when you consider that this is exactly what a BMW hatch should look like. That this is one of the only rear-wheel-drive hatches left on the planet makes it even more special – and of course engaging to pilot. The downside is the price and the lack of value from a features perspective, plus safety could be bolstered with more technology. Still, anybody who likes to drive will commend you on your choice of a BMW.

Verdict

The MG4 Urban is not only the right car at the right time, perfectly catering to buyers looking to avoid rising petrol prices, it’s also a welcome return-to-form for MG as a brand.

MG is seemingly at its best when it sticks to small cars. It has traditionally excelled with the MG3 and ZS, smaller, more affordable products that keep expectations in check and can win over customers looking for the best bang-for-their-buck rather than simply the best car.

That’s not to say the MG4 Urban isn’t a good car. It offers tremendous value for money, excellent interior space and drives nicely, so anyone who has been considering making the switch to an EV should seriously consider this new arrival.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

BMW 120i vs MG Mg4 Urban What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BMW 120i vs MG Mg4 Urban
What's the difference?