When I first reviewed the MG4 EV back in 2022 the car I drove was a bright orange, all style swoops and edginess with which the Chinese owners of the brand were trying to indicate sporty heritage, writes Brian Byrne. It was indeed quite a sporty car, drove well, and felt good on the road. The interior was a bit old-fashioned and a tad tacky with too much shiny black. I was fairly OK with the value for money, though the lack of real buttons and a screen operation that was less than good was my personal dealbreaker.
Move on to 2026, and the replacement MG4 (in this market: the other is still sold alongside this one in other places) has a larger footprint, is given an Urban suffix to further distance it from the predecessor, and is the car that has surprised me most this year. The style has a cleaner shape that will definitely appeal more to European tastes. A bit generic, and that's a plus for a swathe of ordinary motorists who don't respond to performance and tech hype but value comfort, affordability, and reliability for their family motoring needs. A slightly old-school look reminds me of the Ford Focus in its best later years — a model gone that Ford hasn't replaced because of a mistaken belief that the compact family hatchback was no longer relevant. A mistake that has, in significant measure, diminished Ford's own relevance in Europe's car markets.
Inside the MG4 Urban, the driver information screen is the same as before, though the central infotainment one has a tidier design and improved graphics, and a much better operating system that integrates with all smartphone systems. Real controls for volume and temperature are small changes that make a big difference. The dashboard is a little restyled, and the centre console more so. The materials finish seems nicer.
The cloth and leatherette seat fabrics are par for the segment and there's decent leg room for the rear passengers, thanks to a longer wheelbase than before. Said passengers otherwise are best accommodated if they are not very tall. The boot capacity is more than the other MG4 at up to 577 litres.
Like many in this highly competitive segment, the MG4 Urban comes with two battery options, rated respectively at 325/416km ranges. It's worth noting here that the price difference between the batteries is €2,800, and in Ireland we do tend to go for the longer range offered.
As this car is FWD, unlike the RWD of the older model, the driving feel is closer to what family motorists in this segment have long been used to. The 149hp output is a bit down on that in the base motor in the other car, and that cuts the 0-100km/h by about two seconds to 9.5 s. That actually means that the simpler front suspension setup manages handling normal demands quite well. Enthusiastic drivers will find the MG4 Urban not as responsive or engaging as the older car, but for the vast bulk of buyers in this segment that's not an issue.
I suggest the MG4 Urban as a viable option for all those Ford Focus owners who have found themselves a bit homeless while trying to replace their beloved hatchbacks.
PRICE: From €23,695; review car €26,495. WHAT I LIKED: A compact family hatch for the everyday motorist.
