Ford Maverick vs MG MG4 Urban

What's the difference?

Potential is the key word when it comes to the Maverick. It has loads of potential to be a sales hit in Australia, provided Ford can get it in at the right price and specification level. In many ways, for all the success the Ranger has had for the company, the Maverick is the closest thing Ford has built to the Falcon Ute since its demise.

There’s obviously no guarantees in the automotive business, but if Ford could add the Maverick as a would-be Escape replacement it clearly has the potential (there’s that word again) to do a much better job for a brand known for its adventurous models. Whereas the Escape struggled to attract attention in a crowded SUV market alongside the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and others, that wouldn’t be the case for the Maverick.

It’s been a hit for the Blue Oval in the US, with more than 22,000 examples sold in the first three months of 2023 and the company hiring more workers to try and keep up with demand. Which will only delay any plans to bring it to Australia, as the US market clearly has priority.

Which is a shame, because it would appeal to the large number of Australians who live in urban centres but have an active lifestyle. Especially the hybrid model, which would be ideal for weekday use while allowing owners to chuck their mountain bike or surfboard in the tray and head for adventure on the weekends.

Maybe that’s an idealistic view, but the Maverick left a strong impression and would fit so neatly into Ford Australia’s line-up it would be a waste if it never made its way Down Under.

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.

The design of the Maverick is one of its standout features, because it looks like a proper Ford truck, with elements in common with the Ranger and the F-150.

That’s despite the fact that underneath it actually has more in common with an SUV, sharing Ford’s ‘C2’ platform with the Escape and Bronco Sport.

It has the same ‘C-clamp’ lights that are a signature of the F-150 and have since found their way onto the Ranger.

It also has the same boxy design as its bigger siblings with a very upright front end and cut-off tail, giving it the ‘tough truck’ look popular amongst modern ute/pickup buyers in Australia and the US.

Other noticeable design elements include the Ranger-style grille treatment, slightly flared wheel arches and the ‘Maverick’ name stamped into the tailgate.

The Maverick is also available with exposed tow hooks as optional extras on the standard XLT, but they are included on the Tremor package, and add to the ‘rugged’ look of the Maverick.

Inside the Maverick looks less and feels like a pick-up and more like an SUV, with elements like the steering wheel and media system seemingly coming straight from the Escape.

But there are a number of small details in the interior design that impress, like the unique door designs and the texture finishes to some of the inlays on the dashboard and door pocket.

MG says the design inspiration for the MG4 Urban came from the $100,000 Cyberster. While there are certainly a lot of differences between that roadster and this hatchback, the air-intakes and wheel design are indeed very similar. And I guess the badge is the same too, so there’s that…

But, comparing it to the Cyberster misses the point. What makes the MG4 Urban’s design more interesting is the bits you can’t see. While it shares the same name as the MG4 Hatch, this car has almost nothing in common with it. That’s because this new MG4 Urban is based on the brand’s newer EV underpinnings that debuted on the MGS5 EV.

That means the MG4 Urban is front-wheel drive, whereas the hatch is rear-wheel drive, and because of the way the battery is integrated into the chassis, it creates not only a bigger hatchback but also one with a different shape.

The Urban is more ‘cab forward’ (to use design parlance) meaning a shorter bonnet, which creates more cabin room. It also means there is more boot space because the powertrain is located up front.

MG does a good job with cabin presentation too. It’s another step forward for the brand, improving the overall level of fit and finish from its earlier models, to create a cabin that looks modern and doesn’t feel like it has been built to a price.

Again, in terms of size and use you’ll feel more like you’re in an SUV than a ute when you jump inside a Maverick. It definitely feels more like an Escape than a Ranger, even down to the basic layout of all the controls, air conditioning vents and storage spots.

But there are some unique elements, like the previously mentioned interior door trims, and there are some handy storage spots in the centre console along with a pair of cupholders.

There’s respectable space in the back for what is ultimately a small vehicle, but it could do with some extra amenities for the rear seat passengers. There’s a power outlet and some under seat storage space but no rear air con vents or cupholders. 

As for luggage space, this is where the Maverick diverges from the SUV script by adding its ute-style tray.

It’s a good sized bed, as the Americans call it, measuring 1381mm long and 1353mm wide, but with the tailgate able to be set a floor height it can accommodate eight-feet by four-feet wooden sheets (2400mm x 1200mm). Our test car came with the optional spray-in liner.

The tray features what Ford calls its ‘Flexbed’, which describes a variety of in-built functionality including pre-stamped slots in the side of the tray so you can insert timber as dividers, depending on what you want to use it for. There’s also a 12-volt outlet and 10 tie-down points to lean into its practical nature. 

It may be small in stature compared to the Ranger and F-150 but the Maverick isn’t a show pony. In the years since it arrived we’ve seen multiple examples of the Maverick being used as a working truck in the US, with plumbers and builders who don’t need a bigger model opting for the practical small ute and it’s easy to see it filling a similar role here.

As I just mentioned, the cabin is bigger than the other MG4, which creates good space in both seating rows. 

Up front they’ve placed the gear selector on the steering column to create space for more storage in the centre of the car. That means there’s plenty of shelves, cubbies and cup holders to take care of your small (and not so small) items, spread across the cabin.

As for the boot, the switch to a front motor and a smaller rear suspension means a 382-litre boot with all seats up and 1266L if you drop the back seats. Plus there’s a 98L underfloor storage spot, in place of a spare wheel (with a puncture repair kit included instead).

The design of the key controls are simple and easy to use, with a digital display for the instruments ahead of the driver and a 12.8-inch multimedia screen in the centre of the dashboard.

Navigating the menus is relatively straightforward but in a victory for user-friendliness, MG has listened to feedback (and incoming Chinese government regulations) and added some physical controls. There are buttons and a dial for the air-conditioning system and a volume knob for the sound system.

MG made its reputation in Australia by selling some of the most-affordable models on the market, filling the hole left by mainstream brands like Toyota, Hyundai and Mazda as they increased the entry-level prices in their respective line-ups. Something MG itself tried with the HS, QS and U9, as it expanded beyond the once-popular MG3, MG5 and ZS.

The MG4 Urban is a return to form in that sense for MG, with this new small car starting at just $31,990 drive-away. For context, the MG4 Hatch starts at $37,990 drive-away, so this is a much cheaper proposition. That starting price is for the MG4 Urban Standard Range, the Extended Range variant is priced from $34,990 drive-away.

That pricing does not feel accidental from MG Australia, despite what they may suggest when pressed. That’s because the new BYD Atto 2, the direct rival to the Urban, starts at $31,990 plus on-road costs. Even so, BYD has the last laugh, because it offers both the BYD Atto 1, which starts at $23,990, and the Dolphin, which is priced from $29,990 - to undercut the MG4 Urban, even if neither are considered direct competitors.

In terms of specification, both the Standard Range and Extended Range have the same equipment with the exception of the obvious - a bigger battery, and more power from the motor.

Standard equipment highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, PVC seat upholstery, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in-built navigation and a six-speaker stereo.

Ford offers two engine choices in the USA - a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol ‘EcoBoost’ option.

The hybrid powertrain makes a modest 120kW/210Nm and is only available in front-wheel drive, in an obvious nod to this ute’s shared DNA with an urban SUV. 

The EcoBoost fitted to our test car packs more punch, with 186kW/375Nm on tap and it’s paired to an all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

The MG4 Urban Standard Range is powered by a 110kW/250Nm electric motor that drives the front-wheels via a single-speed transmission. The Extended Range has slightly more performance, 118kW and 250Nm, but aside from that they are the same motor.

Ford claims the Maverick Hybrid is capable of hitting a fuel economy figure of 6.3L/100km, which is a lot more efficient than its bigger ute siblings can manage and on par with consumption the Escape Hybrid manages in the US market.

The more powerful EcoBoost is obviously not quite as efficient, using 9.4L/100km on the combined urban/highway cycle. Although this turned out to be pessimistic, as we saw returns of around 9.0L/100km in our LA test drive.

The biggest difference between the two MG4 Urban variants is the battery. The Standard Range has a 43kWh battery good for 316km of driving between charging, while the Extended Range gets a bigger 54kWh battery to make it capable of up to 405km.

We didn’t drive the car long enough to get a clear indication of real-world efficiency and range, but it performed well during our drive in suburban Sydney. The steady stop-start traffic gave the battery its best chance to perform well and the early indications are its range is close to claim, at least under the right circumstances. We’ll have to reserve definitive judgement until we’ve had a longer test drive.

What MG was very keen to highlight are the cost savings of buying an EV at a time of sky-high petrol prices. The company made a point that using off-peak electricity, which can be had for just 6c per kW from certain providers, means you can replenish the battery of the MG4 Urban Standard for just $3.44. 

As you approach the Maverick your brain tells you it’s a ute, but once you hope inside and start driving that idea quickly vanishes and you realise this is an SUV in disguise.

And that’s not a criticism, because Ford offers the Ranger and F-150 for people who do want a ute/pick-up that looks and drives like a ute/pick-up, so that’s not the role of the Maverick.

This is designed to be an urban-friendly vehicle for those who may want a ute but need something smaller and more efficient.

The EcoBoost performs admirably on the road, with decent low speed response and enough grunt when you stand on the accelerator and rev it hard. The Maverick isn’t a big vehicle, so it doesn’t need a particularly big engine to get the job done. 

The eight-speed auto is well-suited to the EcoBoost, able to get the most out of the engine when needed but also returning that strong fuel figure. 

It’s not meek, though, the Maverick EcoBoost has a standard towing capacity of 900kg but can be upgraded to pull up to 1800kg with the 'Tow Package'.

Unfortunately, the Los Angeles landscape didn’t give us a chance to test the Maverick’s off-road credentials, because it does have good on-paper capabilities.

Particularly the Tremor, which has specific drive modes for 'Normal', 'Sand', 'Mud', 'Slippery' and 'Towing', as well as the ability to switch the traction control off with the press of a button so you can let the wheels slip on loose surfaces.

But around the streets and freeways of LA it did impress with its on-road manners. The steering is nicely weighted and direct, and when paired with the compact dimensions of the Maverick it reacts and drives much more SUV-like which means it feels at home in the city.

What really stood out about the MG4 Hatch is its rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive layout, which made it a very dynamic and almost sporty car. In my 2023 review I called it “a genuinely enjoyable small car to drive".

The MG4 Urban doesn’t quite leave the same impression. Again, we had only a brief and (appropriately) urban test drive around Sydney’s beachside suburbs, but the MG4 Urban proved competent rather than commendable.

But, let’s be honest, unless you’re looking for driving thrills in the wrong place (affordable, city-focused hatchbacks) the MG4 Urban does the job it is required to do. It’s as nice as any other mainstream hatch to drive from Point A to Point B.

The ride could be a little softer and more compliant, with the suspension feeling too firm at times, but with its electric motor it’s a quiet and relaxed driving experience. The electric motor provides adequate performance too, certainly more torque in less time than you’ll get in a petrol-powered hatch.

Curiously, MG Australia executives said the MG4 Urban was locally evaluated and tuned but could only offer a vague mention of ‘holistic’ changes to better suit it to local conditions, rather than pointing to any specific Australia-developed changes to the suspension, steering or powertrain.

It may be small and cheap, but that doesn’t mean MG has cut corners on safety. The MG4 Urban comes equipped with the MG Pilot and a suite of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring and speed limit notification.

The latter two are the most evident, as they provide a steady soundtrack of beeps as you drive along. Take your eyes off the road for more than a few seconds as the driver attention system fires up, while the speed sign recognition gets busy in Australia’s ever-changing speed limits.

While MG has undoubtedly improved the sensitivity of some of these systems compared to other models, they are still more active than rival products. Perhaps more concerning, the speed limit recognition repeatedly beeped to tell me I was in a ‘25km/h’ zone, which is simply not a recognised speed limit on Sydney roads.

Like so many other brands, MG needs to further refine these active safety systems in order to make the driving experience more relaxed and less distracting.

MG says the MG4 Urban has secured a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, which is expected to be carried over by ANCAP. 

It’s also much too early to speculate on ownership and warranty details.

Ford hasn’t made any official commitment to bringing the Maverick to Australia but if it does it would be logical to expect it to mirror what we already expect in terms of warranty and the ownership experience.

That means five-years/unlimited kilometres of coverage and Ford’s capped price servicing plan.

The MG4 Urban is covered by the brand’s 10-year/250,000km warranty, as long as you service it at an official MG service centre. If you don’t get your car serviced with the company directly, your warranty reverts to seven-year/unlimited km coverage.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 25,000km and will cost you $1366 over the first five years. The cheapest visit is just $149 but the major service, after four years, is a pricey $472, which does push against the idea that EVs are cheaper to service due to less moving parts.