2024 MG4 EV Malaysian review – electric hatchback is a sporty but flawed alternative to the BYD Dolphin

2024 MG4 EV Malaysian review – electric hatchback is a sporty but flawed alternative to the BYD Dolphin

Ever since its launch almost exactly a year ago, the BYD Dolphin has pretty much had its way with the entry-level electric vehicle market, having seen off the Neta V. But the five-door hatchback has recently come under heavy fire from the MG4, introduced in March as a much sportier and sleeker alternative.

The more impressive of the two offerings from the Chinese-owned British brand, the MG4 starts from RM104,629 – just over RM4,000 more expensive than the base Dolphin. But the cars you see here are the mid-range RM129,629 Lux and the hot RM159,629 XPower, the latter being the undisputed performance bargain.

All regular MG4 models are rear-wheel drive, with motor outputs ranging from 170 PS to 245 PS; the grey Lux unit tested produces 203 PS. The XPower is the absolute scorcher, with dual-motor all-wheel drive and a sum total of 435 PS and 600 Nm. This gets the car from zero to 100 km/h in a scant 3.8 seconds, making it by far the quickest car in this price range.

2024 MG4 EV Malaysian review – electric hatchback is a sporty but flawed alternative to the BYD Dolphin

Range figures, um, range from 350 km on the Standard to 520 km on the Lux Extended. The Lux and XPower use the same 64 kWh battery that enables the two cars to travel up to 435 km and 385 km respectively. All but the base Standard can accept up to 135 kW of DC fast charging power, which will bring the Lux and XPower from 10 to 80% charge in 26 minutes.

The MG4’s wider, lower-slung look compared to the Dolphin is reflected in the dimensions. Despite the MG and the BYD being millimetres away in terms of length and wheelbase, the former is 66 mm lower and wider – an effect the car’s sharper, more aggressive design maximises.

Inside, however, the MG4 is cleaner and more businesslike, especially in its monochromatic colour palette. The tech consists of a seven-inch digital instrument display and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. Driver assists such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane centring assist come as standard.

2024 MG4 EV Malaysian review – electric hatchback is a sporty but flawed alternative to the BYD Dolphin

The MG4 sounds like it has all the ingredients to become an ideal sporty electric hatchback. But as Hafriz Shah found out, there are some pretty glaring flaws that take the shine off things. Watch his review below.

This video review is sponsored by RHB Green Financing, which offers a fixed rate equivalent as low as 2.10% per annum for plug-in hybrid and fully-electric vehicles. You’ll also get complimentary ChargEV credits worth RM210. Find out more here.


GALLERY: 2024 MG4 Luxury
GALLERY: 2024 MG4 XPower

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • ROTI CANAI on Jul 22, 2024 at 9:47 pm

    driving dynamics is spot on but the interior is like from 2005

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 8
    • NOT A TECH BRO on Jul 23, 2024 at 3:48 pm

      At least the interior looks like a car, not the insides of a spaceship.

      Nobody needs a 100% touch input when your eyes should be on the road.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 3
    • Only about RM80K (top specs RM119K)in China, so if you were to buy around that price, somehow it’s justifiable. But with the current price, meh especially the X version. Add a bit more, you’ll see Smart #1 is miles away in terms of interior.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 11
    • Lowpro on Jul 24, 2024 at 11:18 am

      True, the exterior looks more ‘normal’ like a normal hatchback. It does look pretty good though. But I think maybe their interior was based on earlier Lotus philosophy; ‘less is more’ which focusses more on the driving experience rather than the visual experience. So, for this model, the interior is spartan to allow the driver a focussed driver environment with less to distract the driver from really driving.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • James KWON on Jul 23, 2024 at 9:08 am

    its sad to see a legendary UK brand is diluted by Chinese as a cheap mass-produced crossover. Chinese OEM only and only think of quantity not quality. same they do to LOTUS now. learn how to manage prestige brand. learn from Tata and Jaguar. pity

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 25
  • TinKosong on Jul 23, 2024 at 12:59 pm

    less popular compare other EV brand

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
    • Aikon on Jul 24, 2024 at 11:10 am

      That is because they only started in end March this year and cars were only being delivered from mid April onwards. Need more time to see them on the road.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Agreed with most comments here. The interior material is subpar given its price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
  • But this car more beauty

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • driven this, the handling is superb but that is the only positive, exterior interior all fail miserably. maybe if they come out with this combination five years ago they can really eat the japs alive, but now they are lining up against the far more presentable chinese cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
 

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