MG Motor Ireland prices new MG4 EV Urban from €22,995

MG Motor Ireland has announced the imminent arrival of the new MG4 EV Urban, a fully electric hatchback aimed at drivers seeking an affordable, practical EV for everyday use, writes Brian Byrne. The model will launch in Ireland in three variants, with prices starting from €22,995.

The line-up includes a 43kWh Standard Range Comfort model with up to 325km of WLTP range, a 54kWh Long Range Comfort offering up to 416km, and a 54kWh Long Range Premium with up to 405km of range. MG says the car can charge from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes.

Inside, the MG4 EV Urban features a dual-screen layout, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, MG iSMART connected services, and a range of driver assistance features. 

The launch comes as MG introduces 0% finance across its 262 range and new three-year service plans in Ireland, starting from €99 for EVs. The company has also expanded its Irish dealer network with the opening of O’Brien’s MG Tullamore. 

MG HS PHEV review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

MG Ireland have introduced an impressive range of seven new cars, both electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid forms since the brand’s relaunch in the Irish market in 2021. So far this year the Irish franchise - owned by Frank Keane - has sold 1,365 units, representing over a 36pc increase on the whole of 2024. The MG4 leads the way, followed by the ZS, HS and MG3. The brand’s latest arrival, the MGS5 EV, arrived here last June as ‘MG’s most advanced EV yet with up to 480km of range’. 

This Chinese-made HS Plug-in Hybrid SUV is a good option for families and eco-conscious drivers who appreciate good styling and strong performance in their cars, but who are not yet read to take plunge to go full-electric, as it combines the space and style of a full-size SUV with the efficiency and low running costs of electric driving. A big plus for many motorists. It competes in the all-important C-segment crossover-SUV. Although owned by the major Chinese SIAC Motor Company MG cars are produced with European drivers in mind and it shows in their excellent styling. 

This big SUV is wider than its predecessor and slightly longer. The updated design has a 45mm longer wheelbase at 2,765mm which allows for a more spacious cabin and more luggage capacity. The front’s diamond grille with the MG badge in the centre, certainly attracts plenty of attention. The MG badge is the largest yet in an MG. My car had side running boards to help get in and out, bright 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels that come as standard on all HS models, and roof rails. 

High-quality materials and premium finishes are evident throughout the cabin. Nicely designed soft leather sports seats offered big comfort and supported me up my back. Front seats in the top Exclusive trim come with integrated headrests.The driver’s seat has power 6-way adjustments but no memory settings while the front passenger’s seat has just 4-way adjustments. Both seats can be heated. However, the bright tan coloured upholstery in my car wouldn’t be my everyday choice. The non-curvy dash is dominated by the 10.1-inch floating infotainment touchscreen provides live navigation services that include weather updates, live traffic information, access to Amazon Music, and smartphone connectivity for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the customisable 12.3-inch virtual cluster shows your current speed in large white numbers and provides more information and a selection of drive modes of Comfort, Normal and Sport. There is a power source option of EV for emission-free driving or HEV for petrol hybrid. Cubbies included big front door bins, a decent bucket type glovebox, and a small area below the front armrest. 

Big side mirrors are set high and merge with the thickness of the A-Pillars which made me extra cautious especially when approaching roundabouts. Blind spot monitors helped a lot. The automatic gear lever is located on the flat of the central console with the electric brake, is easy to operate. Features include silver roof rails, keyless entry, push button engine start, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and rear wiper, dual zone auto air conditioning, ambient lighting, 12v power socket and USB port, an electric parking brake with Auto Hold, and Downhill Descent. The 360deg surround view camera allows great visibility all around the car and underneath your car in the top trim with a Panoramic sky roof, rear privacy glass, power tailgate, metal pedals and wireless smartphone charger. 

There’s no volume button on the dash, only on the steering wheel along with voice control and a ‘favourites’ star button that takes you to the driving assist screen where you can turn off all the annoying alert noises before you drive off. The rear provides good leg even behind a 6ft tall person in front, and good headroom for most adults. Rear seats split 60:40 and can incline for extra comfort. A very low tunnel won’t cause any feet problems for the person in the middle rear seat. Luggage space of 507 litres can extend to 1,484 litres with rear seats down so can accommodate a big amount of the ‘stuff’ a family needs to take along with them. The boot has a high floor and an area below for storage. 

The PHEV powertrain consists of a 142ps 1.5 petrol engine paired with a 154kW electric motor and 24.7kWh battery which make the car quite spritely and allows a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds and a fully electric range of up to 120km, ideal for urban commutes. The 258hp entry Excite model has an electric range of 52km. The combined petrol/EV driving range is over 1,000kms. When the electric range runs out, the car automatically switches to the petrol hybrid engine. This means considerably lower running costs. This is a frugal car returning 4.8 L/100km over a lengthy drive. 

I turned off the really annoying Driver Distraction Monitoring - the monitor is fitted on the lower part of the A-Pillar and scolds you with a vivid screen alert telling you ‘to focus on your driving’ if you glance away from the road for a few seconds but retained the Active Emergency Braking with pedestrian and bike detection, rear cross traffic assist, door opening warning, and rear collision warning, all excellent features to have in a family car. However, I believe it is high time the EU backtracked on making many of these distracting alerts compulsory in new cars. Other irks were how the voice control was unable to understand when I asked to change a radio station and how the big reversing camera decided not to cooperate on the first day, but returned fine the next morning. 

The model is one of the best-value large PHEVs on the Irish market. A lovely car to drive once you have turned off the distracting alerts. While MG was originally a British brand mostly known for its sports cars, it is now a subsidiary of the major SAIC Chinese automotive company with its vehicles currently produced in China. 

All models are backed by a manufacturer warranty of 7-year/150,000kms. Priced from €40,900; Exclusive from €43,995. Prices include VAT and VRT but not dealer delivery and related charges.

 

MG Cyberster review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

MG Motor Ireland’s seven-model range includes all-electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models, ensuring a model to suit every preference and pocket. So far this year, the Irish company has sold 924 passenger cars, representing an almost 29 percent increase on the whole of last year. I believe MG is among the best of the Chinese brands currently available here, and that’s not to downgrade the others, just to show how good I think MG cars are. 

My recent MG review car was the gorgeous Cyberster all-electric performance-focused open-top roadster, which marks the return of MG to the convertible market and is the marque’s new flagship and the most powerful production model in its 100-year history, with 503hp and a whopping 725Nm of torque. The model, a collaboration between MG’s design studios in London and Shanghai, represents a strategic shift towards a more premium brand positioning with the focus on desirability - the 'I want one' feeling - and high-end technology. Eight have been bought by Irish buyers this year. 

This two-seater certainly stands out with its beautiful, sleek design and the promise of the thrill of the open road. My car was in a dynamic red with 20-inch alloy wheels paired with eye-catching Brembo red callipers which are mostly used in high-performance vehicles. A standout feature is the two electric 'scissors' doors that open with the key fob or via the button on the door handle. They’re for making a dramatic impression as you enter or exit rather than being practical as they take a few seconds to open or close. The initial novelty factor soon wore off, and I found it quite tiresome having to go through the whole procedure every time I wanted to get in or get out - but opinions may vary. Other exterior features include Auto LED headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights/rear lights, follow-me-home headlights, and I really liked the arrow lights at the rear. 

The cabin is well-thought out. Gorgeous leather-style sports seats with integrated headrests are 6-way power adjustable and include two memory functions and lumbar support. The power seat adjustment controls are on the doors. Half the dash is taken up with a wraparound screen featuring a 10.25-inch digital driver display in the centre flanked by two 7-inch displays. Infotainment features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, and voice recognition. The left screen is for navigation, the one on the right for journey data including charging and energy consumption, phone, etc, and actually becomes the reversing camera. However, focusing on either outer display involved having to turn my head as my hands on the steering wheel blocked my view of part of each screen. 

A further colour display on the centre console slope provides touchscreen access to the dual-zone climate controls. Here too is the transmission selector and electric parking brake, with another such brake on the right lower dash. You can open the roof and each door with controls on the lower central console. The chunky steering wheel can be heated, is four-way adjustable, and paddles select three-level regenerative braking to help energy efficiency and extend the driving range. The volume control is on a silver circle on the right-hand side. 

A Super Sport mode button on the lower right of the wheel can be used to launch the car from 0-100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, and should be confined to a race track. The entry model does the same job in 5.0 seconds. Drive modes are Comfort, Custom, Sport, and Track. Boot space of 249 litres is average for a two-seater convertible, and there’s no frunk under the bonnet. In open-top motoring, a wind deflector between the front seats reduces buffeting to a minimum, and you can open or close the electric hood in 15 seconds at speeds up to 48km/h. 

Two models are offered: the Exclusive single motor (RWD) and the performance dual motor GT (AWD). Both variants feature a 77 kWh battery - the 340hp single motor version has a rated range of 509km while the 510hp GT dual motor has a range of 443 kms. 

I found the GT great fun to drive on motorways, along primary routes and on country roads. The steering is nicely balanced, the suspension on the stiff side, but you feel comfortable at all times. Rear visibility is limited due to the low style of the car and the small rear window. Fast charging on a DC charger at up to 150 kW enables a charge of 10-80 percent in 38 minutes. Road tax is €120 a year. 

Two roll bars behind the seats are for safety purposes. Cyberster has four airbags and a comprehensive list of driver-assist systems including Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Emergency Braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, and Traffic Jam Assist. The car hasn’t yet been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, but its closely related model, the MG4 electric hatch, has received a maximum five-star rating. All MG models carry a 7-year/150,000km warranty. Prices are from €69,900 to €75,500.

 

MG HS Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

This is the kind of car that's scaring the bejesus out of European carmakers, writes Brian Byrne. Slap between the VW Tiguan and Ford's Kuga at one end and the Mercedes GLC at the other, the MG HS plug-in hybrid is mixing it in the most important part of the overall car market, the C-segment crossover-SUV. None of those makers can afford to ignore the Chinese cars now putting up their dukes.

MG is a British heritage, comfortable on an absolutely Chinese frame. Owned by SAIC, the largest state-owned carmaker in China, the iconic to these islands brand now has no less than seven models selling in this country. In electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid guises. Targeting all segments, including the sports car one on which MG originally built its name. Currently number 21 on the Irish sales ladder, the brand is climbing fast, with already 30 per cent more units sold this year than in 2024. 

With its arrival in Ireland, the HS is fresh into its second generation. For anyone in the market for a crossover-SUV — and that's 55 per cent of car buyers here — the looks alone are going to make them take a good gander at this one. The lines are sophisticated, the details nicely toned to appeal to European taste. The front elements meld well with each other, and there’s a level of elegance about the rear design that suggests a sports tourer more than a boxy SUV. The whole style sense is 'ready to go' and 'go wherever'.

There's a bit of understyling about the interior, a straight dashboard rather than one with curvy bits. One wide panel combines infotainment and driving instruments, and it would benefit from having round rather than sharp-angled corners. But the graphics are pretty clear, if a bit muted in colours. There's a short line of real buttons, but most of the usual climate and radio management is by virtual ones on the screen. A 'favourites' star on the steering wheel can be set to bring you to the driving 'assistance' screen so you can turn off the noises that annoy you before you drive away.

It's a roomy car, with plenty of space behind me for full adult passengers. They'll ride in comfort, too; all fittings and trim materials are of a satisfying quality and style. Boot capacity is adequate rather than large, and I suspect the mission was to provide room overall in the car for people rather than stuff.

There's a real sense of solidity about the HS that makes it impossible for any competitor to sniff 'cheap build'. China has gone well beyond that — after all, they have landed a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon, built their own space station, and successfully placed a rover on Mars. My only sniff is that there's no Bluetooth Apple CarPlay link in the HS; you have to use a lead. There are two grades; my review car was the upper of these, which gave me heated front seats, more speakers, wireless phone charging, and a smart tailgate.

The PHEV powertrain is set around a 1.5 petrol and an electric motor system with a 24kWh battery that claims up to 120 km on EV driving. Take that with the usual caveat, but the car will still offer 1,000 km of travelling from a full petrol tank and a full battery charge. The driving experience tilts at the Merc end of the competitor range, and the comms tech includes an app that allows the owner to do a lot of stuff without touching the car.

Overall sense? Terrifying, if you're a competitor carmaker. Pretty fine, if you become an owner.

PRICE: From €40,995; review car €43,995. WHAT I LIKED: A definite Chinese takeaway. 

MG ZS Hybrid+ review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

This car is one of the reasons the car business in Europe is scared, writes Brian Byrne. The Chinese-owned MG brand is one of several such pushing their cars into European markets, and selling uncomfortably well. While the EU concerns include whether Chinese brands are being illegally subsidised by their state, a more tangible concern is the quality of the cars, both mass-market and premium. They're just very damned good. For the consumer, quality and value are not always match-fellows, but in cars coming out of China these days, the two characteristics are intimate.

The MG ZS Hybrid+ is a second generation of the original compact SUV model and went on sale towards the end of 2024, therefore is as fresh as anything in today's showrooms. It's sized a tad larger than Nissan's Qashqai and a little smaller than Toyota's Corolla Cross, but that bracketing puts it into a very competitive and busy segment here.

There's not a lot you can do to ring changes in the shape of a crossover in this space, and it's safe to say that the MG ZS will fit on any driveway without looking like a cuckoo in the nest. There's good strong thoroughly modern detailing in the front end, a pleasant profile, and smart looks about the rear, set off in the review car by some nice chrome-style elements around the tailpipes. The 18-inch alloys on the top Exclusive of three grades available are quite striking.

The same consideration to providing a car that will appeal to any buyer in the segment has been carried through to the interior. There's style to the dashboard design and its component elements. A good bright infotainment screen set down out of the way of glare has easily viewed and operated panels, with a row of switches underneath to manage defrost, emergency flasher, home and radio volumes. Even if the general climate controls are touchscreen, the graphics are big enough to operate handily enough. One downside is the lack of Bluetooth connection for CarPlay, but most can live with that. On the driver's side, the instrumentation is pretty clear and informative, though I could do without the brown stripes decorations.

The centre console has some things storage and a snazzy transmission shifter and big start-stop button. The steering wheel controls are OK, though I'm not a fan of the toggle bits. The MG motif in its octagon is a reminder of an automotive heritage that still twangs the memory strings even if it is owned by SAIC Automotive.

This top level version is only €5,000 more than the entry car, and for that you get a bigger infotainment screen, leather-style seats and trim that are well presented indeed, heated seats and steering wheel and electrically adjusted driver's seat, full LED lighting front and rear, a really good surround-view rear camera and inbuilt navigation that's quite a tidy system.

There's just the one powertrain, based on a 1.5 petrol unit and electric motor-battery setup that offers a total output of 196hp. Performance is adequately brisk and smooth, and given the size of the car a fuel consumption of around 6L/100km was satisfactory to me. I was impressed at how much on highway speeds that the car was travelling in electric mode.

The ZS Hybrid+ all looks good. It all feels good.The car is priced very well on the buyer side and comes with a 7-year warranty. Even though the ZS didn't quite make the five stars in the EuroENCAP, the competition in Europe is right to be scared.

PRICE: From €28,999; Review car €33,995. WHAT I LIKED: This is a real contender in an important buyer space.

 

MG announces Cyberster pricing

MG in Ireland are back in the sports car heritage of the marque with the pricing announcement for their all-electric Cyberster, writes Brian Byrne. Debuted in Europe at last year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 2-seater will be available with RWD and AWD powertrains.

Prices start at €69,000 for the single-motor car, and from €75,500 for the dual-motor AWD car. Power outputs range from 340ps to 503ps, with a claimed 3.2s sprint to 100km/h capability for the more powerful car.

A fully-electric fabric hood can be raised in 15 seconds while the car is moving at speeds of up to 48km/h.

MG Motor Ireland will be announcing selected Cyberster dealers in Ireland shortly. 

MG3 Hybrid review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

I remember the first time I saw a Chinese SUV at a European motor show, writes Brian Byrne. So forgettable that I can’t remember the year or the car brand. Or even at which of the three shows I regularly attended it was exhibited. But I do remember the unattractiveness of the materials and interior design, and the very iffy build quality compared to what we were even then used to from European carmakers. "Won't work here," I said to a colleague then. It didn't.

But China learns quickly. Anyone in the last few years who has gotten into the new cars from a variety of the Asian giant's carmakers will have been struck by the perceived quality, and the luxury intent of their higher-end cars. As well as in the originally European brands now owned by Chinese companies, such as Volvo. All have the tech, the style, and the quality.

None more so than MG Motor, the current iteration of the 1924-founded British sports car marque owned today by the Shanghai car giant SAIC Motor. This is China targeting not the luxury market, but the everyday mainstream. In 2013 some 513 Chinese MG cars were sold in Europe. Last year, a decade later, that figure hit 231,684 units. Much of that success has come from demand for the MG4 electric car, but now the MG3 Hybrid+ has arrived. "This will certainly work here," I said to that same colleague last week.

The B segment car is a tad larger than the now discontinued Ford Fiesta and the latest Suzuki Swift. It has an attractively lively design at the front, some good side sculpting, and a safe rear hatch style made distinctive by a large MG badge.

Where the model really scores is with the interior, featuring a tidily styled dashboard with separate infotainment and driver information screens, both well located and with intelligible graphics. The touchscreen seems to be a generation better than I remember in the MG4 EV I drove last year, and which was poor. China learns. Quickly. Underneath is a line of physical switches for some climate control and radio volume. Apple CarPlay had to be wire-connected, and created an issue that the switch to access the climate detail page then no longer worked, and I had to exit CarPlay to do anything with heat or cool. China will learn.

The hybrid powertrain means automatic, and transmission selection is via a big knob on the centre console. Visible and virtually impossible to do anything incorrectly, I like it. The hexagonal steering wheel feels good, though the remote toggles for navigating functions are not as clear as some. China will learn.

It's what we used to call the supermini segment, so in reality a 4-seater hatchback with room for an occasional fifth as long as all in the back are children. But every seat is comfortable. And everything looks good and feels solid. China has learned.

The hybrid powertrain is new to the brand, and in my experience with the car it works well. A larger than usual electric drive battery for the segment means a significant amount of town driving is done electrically. There's a 3-speed automatic rather than a CVT auto transmission, and when the 1.5 inline four cuts in, it does seem to be revving high, possibly because the Atkinson cycle it's set up for is more efficient for hybrids. No rev-counter, so I couldn't see visually what was happening. But the overall drive in whatever mode the system chose was good. An 8-second sprint to 100km/h is claimed, and without measuring that there was certainly a decent sense of push when accelerating to pass. I averaged 4.5L/100km through my time, and that's a decent economy.

All driver assist is part of the package, and the annoying alerts that we're all starting not to hear. Won't go there.

This car is going to do very well, everywhere. Especially priced as it is before that extra EU duty on Chinese-made cars arrives.

PRICE: From €23,995. WHAT I LIKED: China has learned.  

MG5 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

With sales of electric cars now approaching one in five of all registrations here, there's no longer a question of when the powertrain will be mainstream, writes Brian Byrne. The next question — what brands are winning the EV race? Probably no surprise that Volkswagen has the lion's share at 18.9pc of EVs sold year to date. Tesla is next at 13pc of EV market share while Hyundai and Kia at 10.5pc and 7.4pc each — in fact combined are snapping at the swishing wheels of the Wolfsburg leader. That the top five placing is filled out by Chinese marque MG and not by any of the mass-market and pioneer electric brands like Nissan and Renault must be a worry to those carmakers. As well as to a range of other European marques which have invested heavily in EVs.

Almost four out of five of those MG sales here are for the compact MG4 hatchback introduced earlier this year, and which I have already reviewed. This week it's the MG5, in Ireland since last year and billed as the first estate car EV to be sold in Europe. Which is maybe why sales haven't been stratospheric in Ireland, given the somewhat strange attitude we have to wagons.

To me, long an estate car fan, the MG5 looks really good. A smooth front, svelte profile lines and a smart rear tailgate where the iconic MG badge in chrome sat very well against the red colour of the review car. The overall looks rival my favourite in the format, Toyota's Corolla Touring Sports.

When Chinese cars first tested the motor show circuit some years ago, I remember the interior quality not being any way close to what would be acceptable by European drivers. That has changed utterly. Sitting into the MG5 is as good an experience as in any mid-range Korean or European car. Maybe a little heavy with the brushed aluminium effect trim on the dashboard and centre console, but nothing brash or off-putting. The style detailing is pleasant, there's good support and comfort in the seats, and even though the car bears no relation to the original sporty brand, there is still something interesting about that MG octagon gracing the steering wheel boss.

The driver's instrumentation is of the EV simple variety, there's not much needed to know apart from speed and range left. The central infotainment screen is probably of the right size and shape to suit most, and is Bluetooth connectible to smartphones. In my review of the MG4 earlier this year I railed against the poor sensitivity of the screen — though similar, this one seemed to be better in that department. There is still an issue in how far through menus you have to go to turn off the more annoying elements of the Advanced Driver Assist system, but this is also becoming an issue with other non-Chinese brands.

The simple concept also applies to the transmission selector, a rotary knob on the centre console. Ahead of it are two switches for drive mode and energy regeneration strength, pleasantly practical to use.

It's a roomy car in all spaces, including for rear headroom, while the longish wheelbase allows passengers there a decent stretch of the legs. The boot capacity of 479L with all seats up is good for most family use needs — you obviously get more with a retracted cover and more again with rear seats folded.

With those ADAS gizmos switched off, the driving experience is smooth and quiet as is the norm with EVs. The overall feel proved almost surprisingly enjoyable, and despite the inevitable heavier car because of the battery, the suspension handled the ride well even on iffy roads.

The electric motor offers 166hp, and the 7.7s acceleration from 0-100km/h is adequately quick, proving that the sometimes outlandish power and torque in many other EV cars is a completely wasted use of resources. The 61.1kWh battery gives the car a rated range of 379km, and over my time with the MG5 I found that to be reasonably close to real-world.

I don't mind saying that I didn't expect this car to be as pleasing as it turned out to be. Maybe that's also what established carmakers on this side of the world are thinking too. If they aren't worried, they should be.

PRICE: From €37,395; review car in Exclusive grade €41,545. WHAT I LIKED: Being surprised by the car's competence. 

MG5 EV Review: Trish Whelan - Irish Car

An interesting statistic is that the average Chinese man is 8.2cms shorter than the average European guy. That’s a full 3 inches shorter. This fact may not have been considered by Chinese car makers marketing their cars in Europe. Like the MG5, where tall men in my life found it excruciatingly difficult to get in and out of the front passenger seat. 

While MG is a British brand, the marque is now owned by Chinese automotive giant SAIC, the seventh largest car manufacturer in the world. All MG assembly plants and production facilities are based in China, India and Thailand. However, SAIC Motor say they plan to build their first factory in Europe after sales there have rocketed. Maybe they'll adjust designs to cater for taller Europeans. 

Meantime, the 2023 facelifted MG5 includes a redesigned front and rear, enhanced LED headlights, and new 16- and 17-inch wheel designs. An estate, the MG5 Sportwagon looks very attractive from the outside - especially in the Dynamic Red of my car - with long and sleek lines. The upgraded interior is simple and well designed. Five people can travel with good head room for all ... once in. Even with the front seat pushed back as far as it would go, legroom here wasn’t all that good either. 

At my side, the six-way adjustable driver’s seat has lumbar support and an extra layer of foam. Though in truth, I found my seat a bit too stiff. Technology enhancements include a 10.25-inch infotainment system that allows access to satellite navigation, air conditioning, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The software supports connected car functionality through MG’s dedicated smartphone app. It allows you stay connected to your car from anywhere. You can even locate it in the car park, check the health status and lock and unlock the car — all from your smartphone. 

Driver information is via a 7-inch digital cluster showing speed and the percentage of power being used as you drive. My car had a good reversing camera, and rear parking sensors, but no blind spot warning. The 360deg camera has three screens, the centre one showing what is in front of the car when parked up, the other two showing overhead views of the vehicle. Changing gears is via a rotary gear selector on the flat of the central console. There are two USB ports front and rear. The cabin has 27 storage spaces including a decent glovebox, good door bins, a deep area below the front armrest. 

Drop the rear seats to increase the boot volume from 578 to a very decent 1367 litres with an adjustable dual-height boot floor. But just a tyre repair kit. No spare. 

Excite Trim Long Range provides a 403km electric range, 61.1kWh battery, with MG Pilot driver assist systems, 16-ins alloys, six airbags, sat-nav, Hill Launch Assist, and silver roof rails. The Exclusive spec adds 17-inch alloys, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, rear privacy glass, leather style seats, auto air con, and the 360deg camera. 

This MG5's 61.1kWh battery and 156hp motor proved the rated range to be fairly accurate in my time with the car. It can improve with more city driving which helps regenerate the battery. Average combined energy consumption settled around 17.5kWh/100km. From 0-100km/h takes 8.3 seconds. The MG Pilot driver assistance technology is equipped with warning and alert features that includes Lane Departure Warning which constantly nudged the steering wheel to a very annoying degree even though I was driving in the middle of my lane. For me, this was not helped by the car’s very light steering. 

Driving modes are Eco, Normal, and Sport. You also get three regenerative braking modes in both trims and a KERS kinetic energy recovery system with levels from 1-3. The charging port is conveniently located just above the front number plate. You can charge from 10pc to 80pc in 61 minutes using a 50kW public rapid charger, or from 10pc to 80pc with a 150kW fast charger in around 35 mins. The MG5 has a 500kg approved towing capacity. 

The car has not yet been tested by Euro NCAP but has many of the safety features that gained its sibling MG4 a maximum 5-star safety rating. It comes with a 7-year manufacturer’s warranty. 

MG5 SW is priced from €34,645-€37,895. Prices include SEAI grant for electric vehicles and VRT relief for electric vehicles.

 

Review: MG 4 - Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The MG4 EV fully electric family hatchback arrived here in Q4 of last year joining the XS, MG5 and HS plug-in hybrid in the MG line-up, writes Trish Whelan. 

This compact car will help the brand to attract more Irish customers with its quite eye-catching exterior design, high-end technology and its value for money. Other key qualities are space, technology, and the car’s driving quality.

This is the first fully electric hatchback from MG; the first MG model to use the new MSP (Modular Scalable Platform) architecture developed by MG’s Chinese parent company SAIC Motor for all-electric vehicles. This platform will pave the way for future MG electric cars from hatchbacks to SUVs and even sports cars as it is suitable for wheelbases ranging from 2,650 to 3,100mm. MG4 EV has a wheelbase of 2,705mm. 

This advanced architecture also offers very good roadholding and engagement for the driver thanks to the car’s 50:50 weight distribution. It also means more direct steering movements and fast cornering. 

The exterior is a work of art with dynamic lines and sharp shapes. There’s nothing quite like it on our roads. The MG badge is proudly displayed front and back. Distinctive futuristic LED headlights look the business while there’s nothing quite like the rear design with its sporty dual-wing spoiler, horizontal taillight and the crisscross shaped decorative lights. 

My car was in urban grey colour but there are other choices including a very bright Volcano orange colour and an attractive blue. It’s not a high car and tall people will have to stoop their heads getting in or out.

The cabin is spacious and elegant focusing on simplicity, comfort, technology and good quality. 

A floating 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 7-inch driver display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are the main focus on the dash. The infotainment screen is divided into four sections but can be quite fiddly to use. In order to turn off the strong Lane Keeping Alert, you press on the Car icon on the screen, then hit MG Pilot on the next screen and scroll down to Lane Keeping Assist. Then you swipe across and hit ‘disable’ to turn it off. Some buttons required a few strong presses before they became active. You must plug in a lead to a USB port to be able to access AppleCarPlay. I had to exit the car to be able to reach a USB port located below the floating central console. 

On the plus side, I found the seats in leather style upholstery to be really comfy and nicely supportive. The driver’s had power seat adjustments which meant a good driving position for me. There’s also good room for three in the back. 

Cubbies include a compartment on the lower central console that takes a small handbag or iPad. 

While the 363 litre boot is on the small side, it can be expanded to 1177 litres. There’s a height adjustable boot floor and an area below for storing charging cables.   

Trims are Excite Standard Range, Excite Long Range, and Exclusive Long Range. Battery options are 51kWh and 64kWh. 

The Standard Range is capable of a 350km range; Long Range Excite and Exclusive Models are capable of 450km and 435km ranges respectively. I found the claimed range of my long range version to be totally accurate. The more powerful battery has a charge time of 35 minutes from 10pc - 80pc using a 150kW DC rapid charger. You can plug the car into a standard 7kW home charger overnight as it takes 7.5 hours to fully charge. 

Standard items on my car included six airbags, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, MG Pilot driver assistance system, 17-inch low resistance tyres, adaptive cruise control, auto climate control and MG iSmart app connectivity, good Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, sat navigation, and upgraded iSmart connectivity system. 

Drive modes are Snow, Eco, Normal, Custom, and Sport and there are four regenerative brake modes of Auto, 1, 2, and 3. 

On the road, I found the car to be a dynamic and fun drive with oodles of power from its 203ps that enables a decent 0-100km/h time of 7.9 secs. I liked its direct steering and the RWD system gives perfect front-to-rear weight distribution. I can also attest to the car’s very good handling as claimed and tight turning circle of 10.6m making it an ideal city car. All round visibility was good also. 

MG4 has received the maximum five-star safety rating in the Euro NCA safety test. All new MGs are backed by a comprehensive manufacturer’s 7-year / 150,000km warranty and 12 months MG Assistance.

PRICES: from €27,495 for entry level trim inclusive €5,000 SEAI grant for electric vehicles.  Annual road tax is €120.

Review: MG4 EV - Brian Byrne, Irish Car

MG have been the first in of a wave of Chinese brand electric cars coming down the road to Europe, and are making the most of their head start here, writes Brian Byrne. Their latest model is the MG4, the first EV hatchback from the marque, once a sporty iconic British one but now owned by the giant SAIC Motor Company in China.

Driving the MG4 was being very much in the public eye. It turned heads all the time, and not just because of the orange colour, appropriately named Volcano. The car is very smartly styled, and quite distinctive. The designers went for advanced-looking lights up front and a brace of spoilers at the back extending from the roof that reference some supercar styling motifs. The visual kink in the profile made by black colouring in the lower parts does its bit too. No question, here is something smart.

In size The MG4 sits between Renault's Megane E-Tech and Cupra's Born electric cars, but is wider than both. All three can be considered in the space where Volkswagen's Golf was long king of the compact hatch business.

The inside design of the MG4 is a simple and clean shape to the dash, with a high-set centre infotainment screen and a digital graphics setup for driver information in the usual place behind the steering wheel. The wheel itself is octagonal, reflecting the traditional MG logo surround. A jutting out section from the lower dash holds the circular knob transmission selector and a switch for the electronic brake operation, along with, in the top grade, a wireless pad for charging a smartphone.

The extra width of the car provides an airy interior, and the seats and door trim come in well on quality and fit scores. Despite its sleek appearance, the MG4 is also relatively easy to get in and out of even for this taller and older driver. Rear passengers have more knee room than might be expected. A 363-litre boot space is good.

The car comes with two battery options, the smaller one a 51kWh rated for 350km range, the larger with 64kWh and a claim of up to 450km. Drive is through the rear wheels. Two grades are offered, the upper one under review adding sat-nav, heated leather-style front seats, and a parking camera. All come with MG's version of Level 2 driver assistance tech. 

As is the norm, the lane assist function is a default. I'm not a fan generally, and will usually switch it off. If I don't remember to, it's not normally a big deal. But the 'assist' in the MG4 is quite brutally strong, and highly uncomfortable to drive with. The problem is compounded by having to go through what is quite the worst touchscreen system I have ever come across, in order to switch it off. The virtual 'buttons' almost require prodding a finger through the glass before they react. And that's after you have gone through a flick and two separate prods before achieving what you want. It was the same to get the seat heater working, or use the mechanical button for 'switch on/off' and tap the virtual one in the very short time the climate screen will be 'alive'. 

I've never made a secret of my general dislike of touchscreens. But none have raised my blood pressure as has this one. In the end, every time I went out in the car I spent time setting up what I wanted before I moved off so I wouldn't have to go near it while on my journey.

All that said, the MG4 drives very nicely. It's quiet, with little wind noise testifying to good aerodynamics, and road noise is well insulated too. It was comfortable, though the heating struggled in the not really very cold weather.

My review car claims 435km range, but was only offering 320km when fully charged. On one measured typical commute on motorway, dual carriageway and urban roads, average speed 66km/h, I achieved a notional 368km. But that included not using the heater for most of the drive, only seat heating that gradually cooled. Consumption was 17.4kWh/100km — that last would have been closer to 21kWh/100km had I used the car's heater all the way.

There was much about the MG4 that pleased, and with a starting price point that seems competitive, the MG4 is positioned to be a disruptor in the increasingly crowded EV compact family segment. But that infotainment screen would be a deal-breaker, for me.

PRICE: From €27,495; review car €34,495. WHAT I LIKED: The style and finish. 

Prices for 2023 MG5 EV Estate

The new MG5 EV Estate has a starting price of €34,645 and first deliveries in Ireland are expected in the new year, writes Brian Byrne.

The prices were announced today by MG Motor Ireland for the car, which will also be available in a higher trim level at €37,896. Pre-orders are being accepted now.

The rated range is 401km. 

Revised MG ZS has longer range

MG Motor Ireland has released prices and specifications for the new ZS EV due to arrive in dealerships in early January, writes Brian Byrne.

With a larger battery giving a range of up to 440km, the car has also new styling changes compared to its predecessor model. These include new LED lights, a side-located charging port, improved aerodynamics, and changes to the rear and wheels. A new connectivity system will operate via a smartphone app, and there's a new touchscreen and digital instrument panel.

Prices start at €31,995 after grants.

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MG production in UK to cease

Production of MG cars is to cease at its Longbridge plant in England later this year, writes Brian Byrne, ending a UK manufacturing of the brand that goes back to its inception in 1923.

The MG3, the only model now coming from Longbridge, will in future be built completely in China by the marque’s owner SAIC Motor. Current production of the car in the UK is limited to adding powertrains and lights to already-built cars brought in from China. None of the recent models from MG have been sold in Ireland.

Ownership of the MG brand went to China following the collapse of MG Rover in 2005.

A design and development centre will be retained in Longbridge.

MG Motor mulls SUV for Europe

A new SUV from MG Motor will go on sale in China shortly, and a version will be sold in the UK from next year, writes Brian Byrne.

It’s the first SUV from the iconic British brand now owned by ... MORE

MG rolls out Icon concept

A new concept from MG at the Beijing Motor Show debuted the thoughts for what might be the brand's first SUV.

The Icon was designed by the British-led global design team of the company, and is said to include themes and cues for the brand's famous MGA and MGB GT sports cars, the latter first launched 50 years ago.

MG is owned by Chinese carmaker SAIC, which has its European Technical Engineering Centre based in Birmingham, England.

MG5 breaks cover

This is the new MG5, a Focus/Golf sized car that will come to Europe next year.

The car debuts at next month's Beijing Auto Show and will go on sale in China in the summer.

Initial power will be a 1.5 petrol, but it is expected there will be a diesel when it gets to Europe.

MG's Chinese owners target Europe

The Chinese owners of the MG sports car brand plan to invest heavily and launch new models to grow MG around the world, with Europe being the main target market.

Shanghai-based parent, SAIC Motor Corp, owner of MG Motor UK, has already spent 1 billion pounds in resurrecting MG and its sister brand Roewe, formerly Rover, and will now spend another 2.2 billion pounds to boost MG and Roewe sales to 700,000 by 2015.

MG launched sales of the MG6 compact car in the UK, the first new car assembled at its Longbridge, England, plant in 16 years, in April. The model will go on sale in mainland Europe next year when a diesel engine is ready.

MG has a range of six new models at various stages of launch or development including the MG3 small hatchback, and the MG5 to compete against VW's Golf and Ford's Focus.