2024 MG4 XPOWER Review

In Malaysia's B-segment electric vehicle market, striking a balance between cost-effectiveness and performance has always been a core concern for consumers—especially for users with a budget of around RM160,000, who want enough power to handle daily commuting and weekend trips, without compromising on features and space. The arrival of the 2024 MG4 XPOWER hits the sweet spot of this demand: as the performance version of the MG4 series, it not only retains the practicality and space of the standard version but also upgrades to a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, achieving an official 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.8 seconds, a rare "performance hot hatch" in this price range. In this test drive, we focus on validating two questions: Is this performance setup truly suitable for daily use? And can the 385km range meet the regular travel needs of Malaysian users?

The exterior of the MG4 XPOWER continues the coupe SUV silhouette of the standard version but with more aggressive details. The front fascia features a smoked closed grille design, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, making it visually sportier than the standard version. The body side profile is sleek, with 18-inch alloy wheels (featuring a smoked design) and red brake calipers creating a contrasting look that enhances the performance feel; the side skirts along the doors also have a smoked design to further lower the visual center of gravity. At the rear, the continuous LED taillight maintains the family’s signature design, while the rear bumper incorporates a diffuser design, which, though providing limited aerodynamic effect, does enhance the performance positioning. The overall design is not overly exaggerated but still makes it clear to onlookers that it’s a special version, suitable for users who prefer a low-profile sporty style.

Stepping inside, the interior design is largely consistent with the standard MG4, focusing on practicality. The dashboard features a layered design, with a 10.25-inch floating touchscreen in the center, offering smooth operation and supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; below it, some physical buttons are retained for easier control of the air conditioning and volume while driving. In terms of materials, the top of the dashboard is covered in soft plastic, which feels decent; the inner side of the door panels combines fabric and plastic, meeting the standards of this price range. As for features, the standard equipment includes 6 airbags, a 360-degree panoramic camera, ACC adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, and other safety features, which are comprehensive and considered mainstream for cars in the same price range. The seats are made of faux leather, with the front seats offering 6-way manual adjustment and slightly enhanced side bolsters compared to the standard version for sufficient lumbar support during long drives. The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split and come equipped with a middle seatbelt and headrest, ensuring basic comfort even with five passengers aboard.

Space is one of the advantages of the MG4 XPOWER. The vehicle’s dimensions are 4287mm×1836mm×1504mm, with a 2705mm wheelbase, which is relatively long for a B-segment car. After adjusting the front seat to a comfortable driving position, the rear offers around two fist-widths of legroom and about one fist of headroom, ensuring that passengers up to 175cm tall won’t feel cramped. In terms of storage capabilities, the front center armrest box and door storage pockets can accommodate daily essentials, while the trunk has a regular capacity of 363L (expandable to 1177L by folding down the rear seats), enough to fit two 28-inch suitcases and one cabin-size suitcase, meeting the needs of family weekend trips. The rear seats are also equipped with independent air-conditioning vents and USB ports, showcasing attention to detail.

Performance is the core selling point of the MG4 XPOWER. It is equipped with front and rear dual motors, delivering a combined output of 320kW (435PS) and 600N·m of torque, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds. During actual driving, switching to Sport mode produces a strong push-back sensation at takeoff, while stepping on the accelerator deeply during overtaking allows for quick acceleration. The high-speed 100-140km/h acceleration is also very adequate. For daily commuting, Comfort mode will suffice as it provides more linear power output without abrupt surges. Regarding the chassis, the front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension have been sportily tuned, making it harder than the standard version. When driving over speed bumps, the suspension quickly absorbs the bumps, but rear passengers may feel slight vibration. While cornering at high speeds, the body lean is well-controlled, and the steering wheel is precise with minimal play, giving the driver confidence. However, the stiffer suspension may impact comfort on continuously bumpy urban roads, making it more suitable for users who prioritize handling performance.

Regarding range, we drove approximately half the distance in urban areas and half on the highway in Malaysia, with the air conditioning set at 24℃ and the car in Comfort mode. The final range achievement rate was about 80%—the indicated range dropped from 385km to 120km, while the actual distance traveled was 212km. This translates to an energy consumption of approximately 16.8kWh per 100km, meeting expectations. For fast charging, using a 150kW fast charging post, it takes about 30 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%. Slow charging (7kW) requires about 8.5 hours to fully charge, making it suitable for users with home charging stations. Noise control is decent—at speeds below 60km/h in urban areas, tire and wind noise are minimal; at 120km/h on the highway, wind noise can be heard coming from the A-pillar, though it doesn’t interfere with normal conversations. There are three levels of regenerative braking available. The highest level provides noticeable deceleration, suitable for single-pedal driving, while the lowest level mimics a fuel vehicle’s coasting feel, making it easier to adapt to.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 MG4 XPOWER are clear: rare dual-motor all-wheel-drive performance (0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds) at its price point, spacious rear seating, comprehensive safety features, and MG’s 7-year/150,000km vehicle warranty (8-year/180,000km battery warranty). Compared to the similarly priced BYD Atto 3 Standard Range version, the MG4 XPOWER offers stronger acceleration performance, though its range is slightly shorter. Against the Honda e:NP1, it provides better space and value for money.

This car is suitable for two types of users: first, young families who occasionally enjoy speed but also need a practical daily driver—the performance specs satisfy weekend driving joy, while the space and range meet family travel needs; second, cost-conscious performance enthusiasts—it’s hard to find another EV at this price point offering such fast acceleration, with configurations and warranty that ensure peace of mind for long-term use.

In summary, the MG4 XPOWER is a "balanced performance car": it’s not purely a track toy but rather a daily driver that combines performance, practicality, and value for money. If you’re looking for an EV that can occasionally go wild and also meet family needs, it’s a worthy option in its price range.