I think the MG4 Urban will confuse and impress budget electric car buyers in equal measure

Introduction

I can see why the MG4 became such a big seller: it wasn’t ludicrously expensive yet was surprisingly fun to drive. Still is. A mid-life refresh with a slicker interior has only widened its appeal within its price bracket. Only now there’s a much bigger group of cheaper electric runabouts looking to supplant it as the best budget option. Enter the MG4 Urban.

Save for the name, this is a very different car from MG’s original electric family hatchback. It sits on a completely different platform – which offers front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive – and has a more upright body design, resulting in a rather roomier interior than that found in the MG4. MG deciding to call it the MG4 Urban might prove confusing to some, but with so many MG4s on the road, I don’t blame the Chinese owners of the brand for milking the most out of a tried and tested model.

Thankfully, while I’m still a big fan of the original MG4, my time behind the wheel of the MG4 Urban was super enjoyable too.

The styling

At almost 4.4 metres long, the MG4 Urban hatchback is actually slightly larger than a standard issue MG4, although it doesn’t look very big for some reason. The design is a lot more upright than the original car too, with the emphasis on family-friendly space levels. This it achieves with ease and the interior is deceptively (from the outside) cavernous. There’s space up front, plenty in the back and a boot that is way more accommodating than the ‘normal’ MG4. However, the car might be quite tall but the boot angles in quite a lot towards the roof, which might make moving something bulky a bit of a challenge.

I don’t think the MG4 Urban is as eye-catching as the regular MG4 though, with looks that are a little bit on the innocuous side. Sure, there are cool pointy headlights and my car, with its 17in alloys, had a little more identity. However, the colour schemes don’t seem to get the best from its curves. I bet the MG4 Urban would look great in that funky orange colour seen on many standard MG4’s seen on our roads. Overall, the looks are alright, which is something repeated for the interior layout too.

MG is offering three versions, starting with the Comfort Standard Range at £23,495, the Comfort Long Range at £25,495 and topping it off with the Premium Long Range. The latter is £27,995, so they’re all affordable for a brand new EV and, basically, cheaper than the regular MG4. All cars can be fizzed up a bit with some exterior paint options, but the bottom line here is value. Considering that, a walk around the outside and an inspection of the interior left me impressed with what is on offer for the money.

The drive

It would be easy for me to say the MG Urban doesn’t drive as nicely as the MG4, but that’s because it’s a different kind of car. I don’t think it liked pothole-strewn backroads as much as the MG4 and the ride felt a little harsher than its smooth-as-silk counterpart during my time with it whilst out in the sticks. However, the Urban really came together around town and on the motorway, where the drive was no-nonsense and totally acceptable. It can also be set up for one-pedal style driving, which is my preferred way to go.

I can see why this would make a brilliant car for a family, because it’ll get down a bypass or motorway without fuss or bother. And, thanks to all that room on the inside and a surprisingly low level of road noise, the atmosphere generated on a run is rewardingly serene. Overall handling isn’t bad either, since MG has used smarter design and manufacturing to keep the weight down. Around 200kg has been shaved off compared to a standard MG4.

Less weight means the MG4 Urban is nimble, if not fast, with enough torque to get me out at tricky junctions and into the flow of traffic at roundabouts without any hassle. 0-62 arrives in 9.6 seconds in the 148bhp model, with the Long Range edition being a second faster. All model variants top out at 99mph. Anyone with a shorter commute or less distance requirement will find the 201-mile range fine, but there’s potentially up to 258 miles available in the Long Range package.

The technology

While the original MG4 had its issues with the infotainment and average levels of tech, the new edition is way better. This has also made its way to the MG4 Urban too, so I think that’s a real step up for the brand, especially considering the affordable pricing.

The great thing with Chinese brands is you tell them what doesn’t work and they invariably go away and fix it. By the next time you get in the same car, the tech is usually better. This is definitely the case for the MG4 Urban. There’s an all-new 12.8in touchscreen in the centre of the dash that packs improved software, more intuitive menus and Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto for good measure.

I like MG’s Pilot Custom option too, which lets owners set and retain things the way they like them, so irritations such as lane-keep assist and what not are dealt with swiftly on your departure. In fact, the driving experience is now a much slicker operation with sensible steering wheel controls, an excellent 7in driver’s display and actual climate control buttons all adding bonus appeal.

Premium edition models get an electric driver’s seat adjustment, heated seats and steering wheel plus wireless phone charging. The 360-degree camera on my car came in handy as well.

MG4 Urban verdict

I drove the larger battery version of the MG4 Urban, but the smaller pack would be perfectly suited for anyone wanting this as a second car or for doing shorter commutes and shopping trips.

Either way, the MG4 Urban was better than expected considering that low price. The fit and finish was generally good, comfort levels were solid and performance was also capable. There’s the added bonus of more space, which the regular MG4 lacks, especially when it comes to the boot.

Granted, the styling isn’t going to set the world on fire, but all things considered, the MG4 Urban is perfect for its target market.

MG4 Urban technical specifications