Volkswagen Polo vs MG MG4

What's the difference?

The Volkswagen Polo is about to turn 30 in Australia but, by 1996, it was already 21-years and three generations old in Europe.

As the least-expensive jumping-on point for the brand here today (RIP VW Up!), the Polo has deftly juggled affordability with the premium pricing that its German engineering demands.

But, at nine-years old, and in an era of newer, hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) and often cheaper alternatives from China and elsewhere, is the ageing Polo as convincing?

We test the mid-spec CityLife to find out.

The small BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) sedan segment of Australia’s new car market is logically where those looking for the lowest priced entry point to EV ownership go shopping.

Chinese manufacturer MG has focused on value-for-money in a practical city-based BEV with the release of its front-wheel drive (FWD) MG4 EV Urban, which offers a lower priced alternative to the premium rear-wheel drive/all-wheel drive (RWD/AWD) MG4 EV range with which it shares showrooms. 

We recently spent a week aboard this well-equipped five-door hatch to see if it's well suited to city living.