MG4 EV Urban review: Budget electric family hatchback is surprisingly spacious

The successful MG4 EV gets a new sibling – the even more affordable and spacious MG4 EV Urban

Since its launch in 2022, the MG4 EV hatchback has been a huge success with nearly 50,000 sold, accounting for about half of MG’s UK electric car sales.

Its combination of value for money, sharp handling and seven-year warranty got the thumbs up from motorists.

MG has given the MG4 EV a mid-life facelift for 2026, and it’s better than ever, thanks to a subtle makeover, new infotainment system, and price cut.

However, a lot has changed in the EV small family hatchback sector with the arrival of the Skoda Elroq, Ford Puma Gen-E, Hyundai Inster, Nissan Micra and Citroen e-C3, Renault 5 and 4, and Kia EV4, so MG has gone on the offensive and decided to also launch the all-new MG4 Urban.

It’s not simply a cheaper version of the MG4 EV, it’s a completely new car that focuses more on practicality. At this stage, I might as well admit that I get the rationale for the car, I just think calling it an MG4 is confusing, but there you go!

Priced from just £23,495 (MG will also apply a £1,500 discount designed to match the government’s Electric Car Grant), the MG4 Urban is right on the money.

They may look similar, but the newcomer is slightly longer, taller and wider than its older brother, resulting in more space for passengers and luggage, but it differs technically too.

For starters, the MG4 Urban is front-wheel drive (the MG4 EV can be specified with rear or all-wheel drive). Secondly, it’s offered with two smaller batteries (43kWh or 54kWh).

The clue to the market for this car is in the name, so don’t go expecting a range north of 300 miles.

The entry-level model (Comfort Standard Range) is good for a claimed 201 miles, while the Comfort Long Range (bigger battery) has a range of up to 258 miles.

And when you do need to charge, 10–80% takes 28 minutes via a 150kW rapid charger.

The MG4 Urban Comfort Standard Range’s battery is paired with a 148bhp motor, delivering a 0-62mph time of 9.6 seconds.

The Comfort Long Range and range-topping Premium Long Range both get a 158bhp motor, resulting in a 9.5-second 0-62mph dash. Maximum torque is 250Nm (184lb-ft) in both models.

Inside, the immediate impression is one of space. There’s more than enough head and legroom for rear passengers, and the back doors open nice and wide.

The boot is 479 litres, plus an additional 98 litres under the floor, giving a generous total of 577 litres.

With the rear seats folded, space rises to 1,364 litres, and MG reckons there are also more than 30 storage areas dotted around the cabin.

The cabin itself is more functional than special, but perfectly acceptable for a car in this price range.

It’s well enough put together, and the doors close with a solid clunk, but the interior is not well endowed with soft-touch surfaces.

That said, it’s comfortable, and I even got used to the driving position, which is a tad higher than I would like.

As standard, Comfort models come with a seven-inch digital driver display, a 12.8-inch central touch-screen, climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat-nav, and a reversing camera.

The more adventurous might like to know that vehicle-to-load (V2L) is also standard, so you can use the car’s battery to charge other devices when you’re out and about.

The Premium version gains ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats.

Thankfully, there are a few physical controls for essentials such as audio volume and climate basics, rather than everything going through the touchscreen, which does the job, but there are slicker infotainment systems out there.

On the road, it’s easy to drive, with light steering and a tight turning circle. It’s refined for the most part too, though – unusually these days – an electric motor whine is audible at low speeds.

The suspension is on the stiff side, but it soaks up lumps and bumps surprisingly well, and it manages to stay fairly flat in faster corners.

The brakes are progressive (not a given in an EV), while grip levels are good for the most part, though the front wheels lose traction in the wet under heavy acceleration.

The MG4 Urban isn’t one of the fastest EVs out there, but swift enough for everyday use. Ultimately, it’s not as much fun to drive as the rear-wheel drive MG4 EV, but then it’s more about practicality than performance.

I managed an efficiency of around 3.4 miles/kWh in mixed driving, which is pretty average. I’d need to test it for a week or so to assess it properly, but I’d estimate real-world ranges of 160 miles (201 miles claimed) and 200 miles (258 miles), which is fine for shorter journeys.

What’s more if the MG4 Urban spends most of its time at low speeds in built-up areas, the real-world range will end up closer to the claimed figures.

Finally, if you’re after some peace of mind, all MGs get a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first), and the MG4 Urban achieved a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, partly down to the comprehensive MG Pilot ADAS suite, which includes Active Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Verdict: The all-new MG4 EV Urban may not be as cool as some of its rivals, but it’s easy to drive and pretty much top of its class when it comes to value for money, interior space, safety and equipment levels.

Review in association with AutomotiveBlog