MG 4 2024 Review

As competition in the local B-segment electric vehicle market becomes increasingly fierce, consumers' demand for "high cost-performance ratio + practical range" has become increasingly clear - they want a car that can meet daily commuting and short weekend trips without paying a premium for excessive features. The 2024 MG4 Standard is here precisely to address this pain point. With a price of 103,990 MYR, a rear-wheel-drive layout, and an official range of 350 km, it has become a standout choice in its segment. In this test drive, our focus is to verify whether, as the entry-level model of the lineup, it can achieve "entry-level without compromise" in terms of features, space, and driving experience.

The exterior of the MG4 Standard continues the family design language of the model series, with simple and smooth overall lines and no overly complex decorations. The front face adopts a closed grille paired with slim LED headlamps, providing sufficient recognition; the trapezoidal air intake in the lower bumper is moderately sized, balancing visual layers and aerodynamics. The most prominent features on the side of the body are the hidden door handles and the waistline that extends from the front fenders to the taillights, combined with 17-inch wheels to maintain the sporty feel typical of compact electric vehicles. The full-width LED taillight at the rear is a design highlight with a clear illuminated effect, while the black cladding on the lower part of the rear bumper adds a touch of crossover vibe. Overall, the design leans toward a younger aesthetic without being overly ostentatious, ensuring it won't look out of place during daily commutes.

Sitting inside, the interior design of the MG4 Standard focuses on practicality. The dashboard adopts a symmetrical layout, with a floating 10.25-inch touch screen as the visual centerpiece, offering decent operating smoothness and supporting basic multimedia and Bluetooth connectivity. The multifunction steering wheel has a reasonable layout of physical buttons, making blind operation convenient. Regarding materials, most of the interior surfaces are hard plastic, but key areas like the armrests on door panels are covered with soft materials, providing a decent tactile feel. In terms of configuration, the entry-level model comes standard with automatic air conditioning, manually adjustable 6-way front seats, keyless entry/start, and electrically foldable rearview mirrors, all of which meet basic daily needs. However, compared to the Luxury version, it lacks a fully digital instrument cluster, instead using a combination of traditional mechanical dials and a small display screen. While the information is easy to read, the technology feel is somewhat diminished.

Space performance is one of the advantages of the MG4 Standard. The 2705mm wheelbase is considered top-tier among B-segment cars. When seated in the front, a passenger standing at 175cm will have about a fist's worth of headroom and ample legroom. The rear row is even more impressive, offering two fist-widths of legroom and a four-finger width of headroom for passengers of the same height, ensuring comfort even when three people are sitting in the back. Regarding storage capacity, the front center armrest box, door panel storage compartments, and cup holders are all rather practical in size. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-fold, and when folded, the trunk space can expand to 1177 liters, which is sufficient for strollers or large luggage. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with air conditioning vents and USB ports, reflecting thoughtful design details.

In terms of driving, the MG4 Standard is equipped with a rear-positioned motor with a maximum output of 125 kW (170 PS) and a peak torque of 250 Nm, achieving an official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. During actual driving, the response at start-up is very direct, with a noticeable sense of thrust even with light throttle pressure. Overtaking or changing lanes in urban traffic is easily managed. Switching to Sport mode makes the power output more aggressive, suitable for occasionally enjoying driving excitement, while Economy mode restrains the power output, making it more appropriate for daily commuting. The suspension system features a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent setup, tuned for comfort while retaining the characteristics of rear-wheel drive. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations, keeping the body stable. In turns, the lateral support is sufficient, with no significant body roll. The steering wheel offers decent precision and minimal play, boosting driver confidence.

In terms of range and charging, we tested it under mixed road conditions (60% urban roads, 40% highways) with the air conditioning set at 24°C. The final range achievement rate was approximately 80%, with an actual driving range close to 280 kilometers, fully covering a week's daily commute. In fast charging mode, it takes about 37 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. In slow charging mode, it takes 8 hours, making it suitable for overnight home charging. The energy consumption performance is average: around 15kWh/100km for urban road conditions, and rising to 18kWh/100km at a highway speed of 110km/h.

Regarding driving comfort, the MG4 Standard performs commendably. The tire noise and wind noise are at an average level among its class. It is very quiet inside the car below 60km/h, with slight wind noise near the A-pillar at highway speeds, though it does not affect normal conversations. The seat cushioning is moderately firm and soft, making long drives comfortable. The rear seat angle is reasonable, and the seating comfort is also good. The energy recovery system has two adjustable levels: low mode simulates the coasting feel of fuel cars, while high mode offers significant deceleration, reducing the frequency of brake usage.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 MG4 Standard are clear: a rear-wheel-drive electric car in the 100,000 RMB price range, spacious rear seating, and practical range performance. Compared to similar competitors like the BYD Dolphin Standard, its longer wheelbase gives it more space advantages. Against the Hyundai Kona Electric Essential, it is priced lower and offers better acceleration performance. However, its shortcomings are also evident, such as the abundant use of hard plastic in the interior and the lack of a fully digital instrument panel, indicating a more basic configuration.

If you're a young family or a commuter with a limited budget, focusing on practicality and maneuverability without requiring excessive luxury features, the MG4 Standard is a very suitable choice—it meets all the needs for daily commuting and short weekend trips while the rear-wheel-drive layout provides driving enjoyment that is hard to match by front-wheel-drive models in the same class. As an entry-level electric car, it achieves "sufficient and user-friendly" and is a highly cost-effective option in the 100,000 RMB price range.