MG MG4 EV 2026 review: Essence 64 | BYD Dolphin rival tested

Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?

8 / 10

There are two variants in the MG4 range, the Essence 64 and the more powerful Urban XPower. For this review, we're in the Essence 64, which carries a sharp $39,990 drive-away price.

That puts it firmly in the conversation with affordable EV rivals such as the BYD Dolphin Premium, priced from $36,990, before on-road costs, and the GAC Aion UT Luxury, which starts at $35,990, before on-road costs.

While the MG4 isn't the outright cheapest option here, its combination of driving range and access to MG's established dealer and service network could make it a more compelling proposition for buyers looking beyond the initial purchase price.

You miss out on a panoramic sunroof offered by some rivals, but otherwise the standard equipment list is broadly competitive, with the usual mix of technology, convenience and EV-specific features. Standard gear includes:

• Keyless entry
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Electric driver's seat
• 360-degree camera
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 12.8-inch multimedia display
• 10.25-inch instrument cluster
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Digital radio
• Wireless phone charging - 15W
• Three USB-C ports
• One 12-volt socket
• Satellite navigation
• Full suite of LED lighting (external)
• Electric and heated side mirrors
• Synthetic leather/fabric upholstery
• Single-zone climate control
• Electric windows with one-touch up/down (all)
• V2L (Vehicle to Load) capability

Related cars for sale on CarsGuide

See more MG MG4s for sale View cars for sale

Design – Is there anything interesting about its design?

8 / 10

The MG4 hasn't seen major changes on the exterior, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It remains one of the more distinctive options in the affordable EV segment, with sharp styling and compact dimensions that don't come at the expense of interior space.

There's a full suite of LED lighting front and rear, with the tail-light treatment remaining one of the more interesting design details I've seen of late.

The bigger changes are inside, where the updated MG4 gets a fresher, more polished cabin. Synthetic leather and fabric upholstery, large digital displays and a cleaner dashboard give it a more upmarket feel for the price, while thankfully retaining something that is becoming increasingly rare in new cars - physical buttons.

Hurrah! Not every function needs to be buried in a touchscreen and the MG4's mix of physical controls and digital interfaces offers a sensible balance.

Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside?

7 / 10

The front seats get the best of the MG4's cabin, with a decent amount of space between driver and passenger and enough room that you don't feel like you're sitting on top of your co-pilot. The seats are comfortable enough for everyday driving, particularly with the benefit of heating, although the lack of lumbar support becomes noticeable on a longer trip.

Storage is also well considered up front. There's a good-sized glove box, a deeper centre console than you might expect in this class, large door bins, and a couple of cup- and drink-holders. I particularly like the shelf underneath the centre console, which is a handy spot for a handbag or takeaway lunch and the sunglasses holder.

The 12.8-inch multimedia display dominates the dashboard and offers sharp graphics, good resolution and a reasonably responsive touchscreen. It's easy enough to navigate, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. However, my Apple CarPlay connection hasn't automatically connected at all during my week with the car, meaning I've had to re-pair it each time. That might not a deal-breaker per se, but it's certainly annoying.

Charging provisions are decent with a wireless charging pad, a 12-volt socket and two USB-C ports. The catch is that all three of those additional connections are tucked inside the centre console which could get fiddly once you start connecting multiple devices.

Move into the back and the story changes somewhat. Legroom is a little tight behind my driving position, and for reference, I'm only 168cm tall. It's been perfectly comfortable for my nine-year-old, but I'd be more inclined to reserve the rear seats for shorter trips if you're carrying adults.

Rear-seat amenities are also fairly sparse. There are no directional air vents, centre armrest or cupholders, although each door gets a small storage bin and there's a USB-C port to keep a device charged on longer journeys. For occasional family use, it's workable, but this isn't an especially generous second row.

The boot offers 350L of space with all seats in use. That's not class-leading, but it's enough for a decent grocery shop and has been sufficient for my needs during the week. Larger items will require a little more planning, though, so you'll need to be strategic about how you load it.

There's no powered tailgate, but I don't consider that much of a drawback given the hatch door isn't particularly heavy to lift. Like many EVs, there's also no spare wheel, with a tyre repair kit supplied instead.

Overall, the MG4 is at its most practical up front, with useful storage and a good range of everyday conveniences. The rear seat is more compromised, but for a small hatchback, it remains usable provided you're realistic about how much you're asking of it.

Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its motor?

8 / 10

The MG4 Essence 64 is a rear-wheel-drive EV powered by a single electric motor, producing up to 140kW and 350Nm.

Those are healthy outputs for a small hatchback, and there's plenty of pep on hand for everything from urban traffic to overtaking on the open road. As you'd expect from an EV, that torque is almost immediately available, giving the MG4 a responsive feel when you need to get moving.

The 0-100km/h sprint is covered in a reasonably rapid 7.5 seconds.

Efficiency – What is its driving range? What is its charging time?

8 / 10

The MG4 Essence 64 is fitted with a 64kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery and has a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 452km. That's a useful amount of range for a small EV and gives the MG4 enough breathing room for longer trips, particularly when starting out with a full charge.

MG quotes energy consumption of 17.6kWh/100km, and my average for the week is 16.4kWh after a mix of longer highway stints and city driving. As always, real-world efficiency will vary depending on driving conditions, traffic, temperature and how much time you're spending at higher speeds. Around town, the MG4 hits all the right notes.

For charging, the MG4 uses a Type 2 CCS charging port, supporting DC fast-charging at up to 154kW. It can accept up to 6.6kW from an AC charger. MG claims a 10 to 80 per cent charge can take as little as 25 minutes when connected to a suitably powerful DC charger.

That means the MG4 is reasonably well equipped for overnight home charging and the occasional longer-distance trip, where a relatively short stop can add a substantial amount of range.

Driving – What's it like to drive?

8 / 10

The MG4 Essence 64 is a well-rounded package when it comes to driving. It's responsive off the mark, with enough performance that there's always a sense of power in reserve when you need it. That makes it well suited to urban driving, but it's equally comfortable stretching its legs on the open road.

The steering is light but responsive for a car of this size, helping the MG4 feel nimble through corners and around suburban streets. The rear-wheel drive powertrain adds a degree of stability and composure, while also making the MG4 feel a little more engaging to drive than you might expect from an affordable electric hatch.

Visibility is good all around and the cabin remains impressively quiet, even at higher speeds.

There are five levels of regenerative braking to choose from, with the strongest setting providing a reassuring amount of deceleration without becoming too aggressive in stop-start traffic. It's easy enough to tailor the system to your preference, although drivers coming from a one-pedal driving EV may still find themselves using the brake pedal more often than expected.

The MG4 is also easy to manoeuvre and park, helped by a decent 360-degree camera system and an excellent turning circle. It's the sort of car that feels just as comfortable squeezing into a suburban parking spot as it does settling into a longer highway drive.

Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating?

7 / 10

The MG 4 Essence 64 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022. It scored 83 per cent on adult occupant protection, 86 per cent on child occupant protection, 75 per cent on vulnerable road user protection and 81 per cent on its safety assist systems.

It features six airbags, but you miss out on a front-centre airbag and emergency phone call capability.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) - car, pedestrian, cyclist, and backover. Operational from 4.0-150km/h.
• Lane keeping aid
• Lane departure warning
• Emergency lane keeping assist
• Blind-spot detection
• Driver monitoring
• Forward collision warning
• Rear collision warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Tyre-pressure monitoring
• Seatbelt reminder
• 360-degree camera

Families can also make use of the two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tether anchor points, but two seats will fit best.

Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs?

8 / 10

The MG 4 Essence 64 comes with MG's seven-year/unlimited-km warranty, which is a solid offering for the class. Buyers can also extend the coverage to up to 10 years or 250,000km, but it is service activated.

Servicing is reasonably priced, with five scheduled services costing $1380. Service intervals are also relatively generous at 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first.

MG has around 95 dealerships across Australia, giving the brand a relatively broad service network and making it easier to access servicing and support outside the major metropolitan areas.

Taken together, the lengthy warranty, reasonable servicing costs and established dealer network give the MG4 a fairly straightforward ownership proposition, particularly for buyers making the switch to an EV for the first time.

Verdict