2024 MG4 EXTD Range Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's B-segment electric vehicle market has gradually intensified. Consumers are pursuing long driving range for intercity travel while also valuing practicality to meet family needs. The 2024 MG4 EXTD Range is specifically targeted at this niche market. As the long-range version of the MG4 series, it not only features a 77kWh high-capacity battery but also retains the sporty attributes of rear-wheel drive and a multi-link rear suspension. Its core selling points directly address users' demand for a "balance of range and handling." The main purpose of this test drive is to verify the car's actual performance in daily commuting, highway driving, and family usage scenarios to see whether it can outshine competitors in the same price range.

From the exterior, the MG4 EXTD Range continues the family-style "Quantum Rhythm" design language, with a clean and sporty overall look. The front adopts a closed grille design paired with sharp LED headlamps on both sides. The angular patterns inside the light group enhance its recognition, with a clear visual effect when illuminated. The side profile features a smooth line that slightly rises from the front fender to the rear, paired with 18-inch alloy wheels to create a low-center-of-gravity stance. At the rear, the highlight is the full-width LED tail light, with the MG logo embedded in the middle of the light strip, offering high recognizability when lit at night. The black diffuser design under the rear bumper further enhances its sporty appeal. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 4287mm in length, 1836mm in width, and has a wheelbase of 2705mm, which positions it in the higher mainstream range for B-segment vehicles and lays a solid foundation for interior space.

Stepping inside, the interior features a simple T-shaped layout, with a predominantly black color scheme complemented by silver accents that align with the price range of approximately RM150,000. The most prominent feature in the center console area is the 10.25-inch floating touchscreen, which has clear screen resolution and decent operating fluidity, supporting Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Below the screen, some physical buttons remain for controlling the air conditioning temperature and volume, making blind operation more convenient. The instrument panel is a 7-inch full LCD display, showing information such as range, speed, and driving mode in an intuitive layout. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, and the inner sides of the door panels are covered in leather, giving a good tactile experience. Configurations include standard features such as keyless entry, one-button start, automatic air conditioning, and rear air vents, offering strong practicality. The seats are made of a combination of fabric and leather, with the driver's seat supporting six-way manual adjustment. They provide moderate support and do not feel too tiring during long-distance drives.

Space performance is one of the advantages of the MG4 EXTD Range. The 2705mm wheelbase provides spacious rear legroom. A passenger with a height of 175cm can sit in the back with two fists' distance between their knees and the back of the front seat, and there is also a fist's worth of headroom, ensuring no sense of confinement. The middle rear seat is equipped with a seatbelt, and the relatively low floor bump allows for comfortable temporary seating for a third person. As for storage space, the front central armrest box has moderate capacity, door panel storage compartments can hold two bottles of mineral water, and the trunk offers a standard capacity of 363L that expands to 1177L after folding down the rear seats. It can accommodate a stroller or a large suitcase, meeting the needs of family travel.

Dynamic driving section: This car is equipped with a rear-mounted single electric motor, with a maximum power of 180kW (245PS) and a maximum torque of 350N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 6.1 seconds, providing ample power reserves. During daily commutes, starting in standard mode is smooth, and the throttle (accelerator) response is linear. Pressing down one-third of the throttle delivers sufficient acceleration, and when overtaking, pressing the accelerator deeply gives a noticeable push-back feeling, easily coping with highway conditions. Switching to sport mode makes the power response more aggressive, which is suitable for users who seek driving pleasure. The rear-wheel-drive layout ensures more balanced vehicle weight distribution. The steering wheel is precise with minimal play, and body roll is well-controlled during cornering, giving reassurance to the driver. The chassis features a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension, with tuning leaning towards sportiness while balancing comfort. When passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most of the minor vibrations, without any harsh jolts. At high speeds, the chassis feels stable without any floating sensation.

In terms of range and charging, the official range is 520km (NEDC standard). In practical tests under urban conditions (air conditioning set at 24°C), the range achievement rate is about 85%, allowing a range of approximately 440km. On highways at 110km/h, the range decreases to about 380km, with performance being average. The charging efficiency is commendable; in fast charging mode (150kW charging station), it takes only 38 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. Using slow charging (7kW home charger), a full charge requires 10 hours, meeting daily energy replenishment needs. Regarding energy consumption, the urban commuting energy consumption is about 15kWh/100km, and highway energy consumption is around 18kWh/100km, which is in line with other electric vehicles in the same class.

In terms of driving comfort details, the noise control inside the car is decent. At speeds below 60km/h, the electric motor noise is almost inaudible. At 120km/h on the highway, wind and tire noise are slightly more pronounced but do not affect normal conversation. The energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels. At the highest level, releasing the accelerator provides a noticeable drag effect, similar to the braking effect of a gasoline car, which can slightly improve the range. At the lowest level, it feels closer to coasting, suitable for users accustomed to driving gasoline cars. The seat comfort is good, with ample cushion length providing adequate thigh support, making long-distance travel less tiring.

For safety configurations, the MG4 EXTD Range comes standard with 6 airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), lane change assist, lane departure warning, ACC (adaptive cruise control), and a 360-degree panoramic camera, making its safety performance comprehensive. During the test drive, ACC adaptive cruise control performed well on highways by maintaining stable following distance, while the lane departure warning responded promptly, enhancing driving safety.

In summary, the core strengths of the 2024 MG4 EXTD Range are its long range, spacious interior, and sporty driving experience. The configuration level is outstanding among competitors in the same price range (e.g., 10.25-inch central control screen and 360-degree panoramic camera are standard). Its price-to-performance ratio is quite advantageous. Compared to competitors in the same class like the BYD Dolphin (long-range version), the MG4 EXTD Range's rear-wheel-drive layout and multi-link suspension provide better handling. Compared to the Volkswagen ID.3, it is more affordable and offers a longer range.

This car is suitable for: family users who value range and space, for daily commuting and weekend family outings; young consumers who pursue driving pleasure, as the rear-wheel-drive layout and strong power meet their needs; users with a budget of around 150,000 MYR who want a well-equipped, cost-effective electric vehicle.

Overall, the 2024 MG4 EXTD Range is a highly balanced B-segment electric vehicle, finding a good balance between range, space, handling, and features, with no significant shortcomings. If you are looking for an electric vehicle suitable for daily use and offering driving fun, the MG4 EXTD Range is worth considering.