People tend to focus on the numbers when they’re looking at an electric car. Range, battery capacity, charging speed and kilowatts dominate the conversation, often making an EV sound more like an electronic device rather than something you might actually enjoy driving.
The MG 4 EV Urban takes a refreshingly different approach. Yes, it has the numbers that matter. But after spending time behind the wheel, what I discovered about MG’s newest compact EV is something considerably simpler: it’s fun, easy to drive, surprisingly versatile and, perhaps most importantly, relatively affordable.
At P1,198,888 — or an introductory P1,148,888 — the MG 4 EV Urban brings full-electric motoring into a price bracket occupied by some of the most popular ICE vehicles. That immediately makes it an interesting proposition for motorists who have been curious about EV ownership but have been waiting for something practical and attainable.
The “Urban” in its name is appropriate. At 4,395mm long, 1,842mm wide and 1,549mm tall, the MG 4 EV Urban remains compact enough to feel at home in Metro Manila traffic and in our malls’ tight parking spaces. Yet its 2,750mm wheelbase helps give it the cabin space and legroom of something larger than its exterior dimensions suggest.
That combination becomes instantly obvious from behind the wheel. The MG 4 EV Urban is wonderfully unintimidating to drive. There is no complicated ritual required to get acquainted with it. Once you unlock the door and sit on the driver’s seat, it’s already powered on and ready to go with a flick of the stalk-mounted gear lever. Its controls are light, responses are predictable, and the instant delivery of electric power makes slipping into gaps in traffic or accelerating away from an intersection delightfully effortless.
The electric motor, powered by a 42.8kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, delivers 150ps and 250Nm to the front wheels. The MG 4 EV Urban offers four driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, Custom), allowing the driver to alter the vehicle’s character according to his or her preference.
There is something intrinsically fun and addictive about silently darting through urban traffic, easing off the accelerator and using the regenerative braking (which can be set to Low, Medium or High) to slow down without using the brake pedal, then calling upon the electric motor’s instant response again when an opening appears. The compact dimensions add to the feeling of agility, while the straightforward controls mean you quickly stop thinking about operating an electric vehicle and simply start enjoying the drive.
NVH is impressively low, with very little wind and road noise infiltrating the cabin. Ride quality is very good, with responsive handling and spring/shock damping that gives an impressively comfortable ride. The MG 4 EV Urban rides on 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped by comfort-oriented 195/60R-16 rubber.
For motorists considering their first EV, the MG 4 EV Urban doesn’t feel like something that requires you to change the way you drive. If anything, the electric drivetrain makes everyday driving easier.
MG quotes a 403-kilometer range (under the NEDC testing standard), a figure that gives the MG 4 EV Urban more flexibility than something designed purely for short city hops. DC charging can replenish the battery from 20 to 80 percent in about 35 minutes (7 hours from 20 to 100 percent using AC charging). For a daily driver with access to charging at home or work, that means most trips can be accomplished without constantly thinking about where the next charge will come from.
The interior of the MG 4 EV Urban is a minimalist affair with a straightforward 7-inch digital instrument panel, a flat-bottom tilt-and-telescope steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons, and synthetic leather upholstery with manual adjustment for the front seats. A 12.8-inch touchscreen serves as the centerpiece, accompanied by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling the car to be immediately familiar to any smartphone user.
Build quality and fit and finish are solid. The interior uses lots of differently textured plastics that manage to avoid giving the MG 4 EV Urban’s cabin a plasticky feel. Legroom, headroom and elbow room are generous and there are multiple storage areas, while automatic climate control and rear air AC vents are welcome in our hot climate. The middle back seat passenger won’t have to sit with legs splayed thanks to the fully flat floor. The MG 4 EV Urban offers 480 liters of luggage capacity, including a useful 98-liter underfloor storage compartment. Fold the 60:40-split-folding rear seats and cargo capacity expands to an impressive 1,364 liters. There are two Type C ports and a 12V outlet up front and one Type C port at the back.
The MG 4 EV Urban also offers V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability, allowing it to power external devices. It is one of those features that might seem like an EV novelty but can become genuinely useful for outdoor activities or emergencies (i.e. a blackout). Safety equipment includes Electronic Stability Program, front, side and curtain airbags, a rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines, and MG Pilot safety technology.
At its Php 1,198,888 SRP, the MG 4 EV Urban has the exact same price as the Toyota Ativ Hybrid (among the legacy brands) and is lower priced than the slightly smaller and less spacious BYD Atto 2 EV (SRP Php 1,338,000).
This is important as it changes the conversation surrounding electric cars. At this price point, choosing an EV no longer means paying a premium to enjoy the benefits of pure electric mobility. The MG 4 EV Urban competes against mainstream cars and crossovers based not simply on the novelty of being electric, but on what it offers as an everyday vehicle. You get a compact footprint, roomy cabin, substantial cargo versatility, modern connectivity, a 403-km range, fast-charging capability and the smooth, quiet and instant response of an electric car.
The MG 4 EV Urban works because it doesn’t try too hard to tell you that you are driving the future. Instead, it concentrates on being a solid day-to-day car in the present. And when the road opens up, there is that instant electric response to put a smile on your face.
For those considering going full electric, the MG 4 EV Urban makes it a very easy decision. The driving fun is just the icing on the cake.
