MG4 EV Premium Long Range review: Impressive facelift leaves lot to smile about

Externally little has changed, bar the addition of a new rear wing and some paint options. But significantly, because the company has invested so little on cosmetic and mechanical improvements, the money spent has given the 2026 model a brand new interior, improving what was one of the original’s weal spots. There are also additional battery options, plus it builds on the level of standard kit and the sharp-looking, angular lines which set it apart from its opposition back in 2022. The MG4 EV’s marginal move upmarket has though seen its price increase, with the range now starting at £29,995. But that’s softened by the fact its new ‘budget’ sibling, the MG4 Urban, which I drove earlier this year, undercuts it significantly starting at £23,495.

What are the primary changes?

Inspired by the more expensive MGS5 EV, the facelifted MG4 range sees the elimination of the previous entry-level model. When it was launched in ’22, the MG4 was available with a choice of two trim levels and two powertrains. We had the Standard range MG4 EV fitted with a 51kWh battery and 168bhp, plus the Long Range model, boasting 201bhp with a 64kWh battery. These were supplemented 12 months later with a 77kWh battery fitted into the Extended Range model with the dual-motor, four-wheel drive XPower. Now MG has simplified the range. Gone is the entry-level 51kWh Standard Range battery. In addition, the entry-level SE version of the 64kWh Long Range model has also been chopped. There’s simple logic in this decision, as these two models would have competed directly with the new MG4 EV Urban. So, the 2026 MG4 EV range now starts with the 64kWh Premium Long Range delivering 188bhp, followed by the 77kWh Premium Extended Range with its 242bhp. The range-topper is the rather bonkers 429bhp 64kWh dual-motor XPower. Designed as a ground-up EV, the MG4 range was cleverly always given the option of being rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Chinese boffins also designed the battery to not only be just 110mm thick, but ensured it was positioned to form an integral part of the car’s structure while also making sure the hatchback feels like a low-sitting car thanks to its low centre of gravity. Clever.

What’s it like inside? The original MG4 EV certainly wasn’t a bad place to be; though it was the area which, if anything, let the car down. Basically, it felt cheap. But there’s no question the facelifted model lifts those standards to a higher level. Now they’re on a level equivalent to the likes of the cabin of a VW ID.3. Gone is the seven-inch driver’s display and 10.25in central touchscreen to be replaced by a 10.25in driver’s screen and a 12.8in touchscreen running MG’s latest infotainment system. The new system isn’t just simpler and easier to navigate, but there’s also a seriously handy pull-down menu which allows you to turn off some of the ADAS safety systems, removing some of the irritating bing-bongs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also both standard. There are now also physical buttons and dials for the climate control and other key functions, including volume, replacing the row of shortcut keys which ran along the bottom of the touchscreen of the original MG4 EV. Plus there are now toggle switches for the fan speed and fan direction. A newly-redesigned three-spoke steering wheel, which thankfully retains a number of physical buttons, has also been introduced. These include two programmable buttons which can be used to switch drive modes or adjust the strength of the regenerative braking while on the move. The centre console now has a new design, one which is a much more conventional. Gone is the rather bizarre podium-like thing which jutted out of the dashboard and incorporated the drive selector and smartphone tray. The sleek replacement not only accommodates cupholders, but houses the drive selector and wireless charging pad, while also building in a good-sized storage bin below it. Thankfully, gone too is the cheap-feel black plastic trim of the original model, replaced in the newcomer by much more soft-touch materials. There’s even some carbon-fibre effect trim on the dashboard. The seats now benefit from new grey cloth upholstery, with the XPower hothatch getting its own bespoke body-hugging sports seats. There’s loads of room for front occupants, while in the rear space is identical to the pre-facelift car. That means there’s not acres of space, but room enough for two adults.

How does it perform? Really well. None of the MG4 EVs you could call slow. The new entry-level Long Range 188bhp model will scamper from standstill to 62mph in just 7.5secs, which is perfectly competitive against rivals in its class. Step up to the 241bhp Extended Range model and that 0-62mph time drops to 6.2secs. As for the XPower model? It covers the sprint in a rather eye-watering 3.8secs. There are four levels of regenerative braking in the MG4 EV; low, medium and high, plus an adaptive mode. The latter uses the car’s sensors to determine the appropriate level of deceleration for the situation. Selection of the regeneration modes is via a menu in the infotainment system. Frustratingly you need to burrow a few layers into the system to access them. On the upside, you can thankfully also map one of the two configurable steering wheel buttons to cycle through regen settings. But be warned. Every time you restart the car you’ll find the system has automatically reset itself to the medium setting, meaning you have to reprogram your own preferred settings every time you set off. Annoying.

What’s it like to drive? It’s still great, and totally engaging. It retains the excellent 50:50 weight distribution and thankfully MG hasn’t tampered with the suspension. As a result it will give you a lot more satisfaction in a true driver’s sentiment than anything electric from the likes of Hyundai and Volkswagen, as well as a number of models from rival Chinese manufacturers. There’s also significant benefit in the fact the power is delivered to the rear wheels. We all know electric power is delivered essentially instantly to the tyres as soon as you dab the throttle, so ensuring you have as much tyre rubber in contact with the road surface is crucial. In front-wheel drive cars, that contact patch changes as you apply steering input and the tyre leans. Accelerate too hard and you generate wheelspin. In a rear-wheel drive car, the contact patch remains more consistent. The result, more often than not, is when you apply power it is then cleanly delivered to the road ensuring maximum grip. That makes the MG4 EV predictable and safer in a wider number of weather and road surfaces. The steering in the MG4 is light and precise, making it easy to place the car into corners, as well as coping with the daily demands of city driving. And here there’s a comparison to be made with the cheaper MG4 EV Urban. The Urban is meant to be the ‘comfortable’ EV for transporting the family. Having driven them back-to-back, there’s no question the ride in the MG4 EV is far superior. If it’s comfort you desire, this is the way to go.

Prices, trim and range details? The new entry-level Premium Long Range model, with its 188bhp electric motor and 64kWh battery, will give you a WLTP range of 280-miles. There’s plenty of standard kit too, including a 10.25in digital gauge cluster and 12.8in infotainment screen, plus a 360-degree parking camera, heated front seats, a wireless phone charger and vehicle to load charging. All for just £29,995. You get the same generous equipment list in the Premium Extended Range cars, but with the addition of the bigger 77kWh battery and 242bhp electric motor. Range also climbs to 338-miles. Prices start from £32,995. As for the lairy, ballistic MG4 XPower? Well, it’d be rude not to remind you of the figures. With its 64kWh battery paired to dual motors producing a whopping 429bhp, it’ll do 0-62mph in 3.8s, and has a maximum range of 251-miles. Price? £33,995.

Charging At a rate of 154kW, MG quotes you can charge from 10-80 per cent in 25-minutes.

Warranty MG provides a seven-year warranty on its cars.

Verdict The updates to the MG4 EV have improved what was already a class-leading car. With its new upmarket interior, allied to impressive driving dynamics, it remains a car deserving of consideration if you’re planning the switch to a small electric car. Price-wise it remains competitive when matched against its genuine rivals, and boasts both build quality and the WLTP range of many more expensive small EV rivals. Of course, its sibling MG4 Urban is cheaper and, for many, the more practical alternative. But on the road, in pure driving terms, the MG4 EV is the superior model. It’s certainly worth checking both MG4 models out to see which one best suits your needs.

The facts

​MG4 EV Premium Long Range Price: £29,995 Powertrain: 64kWh battery, with single motor Power: 188bhp Torque: 350Nm Driveline layout: Rear-wheel drive Top speed / 0-62mph: 112mph / 7.5sec Range: 280-miles Charging: Up to 154kW (10-80% in 25mins) Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4287 / 1836 / 1516mm On sale: Now