MG has been striving to be synonymous with value ever since they set foot in the Philippines back in 2018. Remember the MG ZS? This crossover put them on the automotive map of the country and gained fame because of its features that were unseen at its price point. Now, they’re doing the same with electrified mobility.
I got lucky to have been assigned 2 of their attainable cars for the “Next Wave” drive. They gave me the keys to the MG G50 Plug-in Hybrid priced at PHP 1,398,888 and the MG4 Urban EV that costs PHP 1,198,888. The drive might have been short but it was certainly a nod-in-approval moment for me.
MG G50 PHEV
The G50 and I go back a couple of years. I first met it when it was still from another brand, then when it became an MG locally but without the hybrid pack, and now with its plug-in hybrid nature. In all its iterations, it remains true to its ethos in providing space for all its occupants wherever they may be in the cabin. There’s a lot of space, a good amount of adjustment, and there’s generous cargo space for the belongings of all occupants.
There’s an accompanying update in cosmetics with the new powertrain. The headlights have become sleek lines of LED, and there’s more variation on the grille than before. Beauty is subjective but in all its iterations, the G50 has always been apt for the red carpet and that continues to this model.
The cabin got a few revisions as well. There’s now a digital gauge cluster for the driver that is now paired to the touchscreen for a twin-panoramic layout – and that’s it. The other “edits” were minor like the flattening of the side mirror controls. It still has the ceiling-mounted vents that I like, the rear air controls behind the center console, and the wood veneers on key areas of the interior.
There’s no reading for the fuel economy since the drive was too short for it. What I can tell you is we drove from BGC to Bacolor, Pampanga and the G50 PHEV only lost 1 tick of fuel. That includes traffic, slowing down because of the rain, and running at the speed limit.
Another notable thing about the G50 PHEV is the ride quality. It’s very planted and not floaty or bouncy. The electric power also doesn’t come too eager at the blip of the throttle, and the cabin noise isolation is very good.
The MG G50 PHEV is enjoying a unique position right now. There are other 7 seater hybrids in the market but they are at a much higher price point. I will have to spend a few days solely on the G50 to know its fuel efficiency but as it stands right now, it’s worth a consideration in your list. It has the space, power, and comfort that your family needs especially in this hot country.
MG4 Urban EV
The universe granted me my wish and I was assigned this car during the drive. It immediately caught my attention during its launch at the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show. Sleek contours, right sizing, and its eye-widening price make it really interesting to me.
First, I checked the rear. I had a bone to pick with MG because the MG3 Hybrid hatchback was fitted with bench-seats at the rear. A bench seat has no place for any hatchback post pandemic. Thankfully, the MG4 Urban has a split-folding rear seat, and has a generous 480L of cargo space. It even has an additional 98L “underfloor” storage for more room for the smaller stuff.
MG carefully picked what to retain when it came to the second row. There’s no center armrest, and only one USB port – but that’s a Type C. The center console is also slimmer and yet they were able to fit in 2 Rear Air Vents for more ventilation.
Where the MG4 Urban EV really shines is the familiarity of the dashboard layout. It’s modern, but it didn’t forget the old standards that long-time drivers have. There’s physical buttons and rotary dials for the aircon controls, a neat center console, a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, and a high-rise center console for resting your arm (and things). It gives you control and grip on the car while not taking away information from you.
Again, there’s no fuel efficiency readings for now. What impressed me with the MG4 Urban EV is its cabin treatment. It’s very quiet save for the bad diesel engines of a truck beside you, or those open-pipe modifications some sweet potato rides do. This is complemented by a good ride quality, intuitive controls, and obedient powertrain that’s not too eager, but can be brash if you floor the throttle.
It’s not the cheapest EV at this size, but the MG4 Urban EV will certainly strike a conversation to anyone who takes a look. It’s a sporty EV hatch with the right calls to make it practical and attainable. For PHP 1,198,888 it’s stepping into the arena of ICE-only crossovers but does so with confidence. It’s composed at the center of the segment because it knows, it won’t be hard to find the right audience.
