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2026 UPDATED MG4: THEY FIXED ALMOST EVERYTHING

Electrify This

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The MG4 has been one of Australia’s most interesting affordable electric cars — but for 2026, MG has given it an update. So what’s changed, and is the MG4 still one of the best-value EVs you can buy in Australia?

In this video, Sarah takes a closer look at the updated 2026 MG4 EV, including the changes to the design, interior, technology, battery, range and driving experience.

The MG4 remains a compact electric hatchback with rear-wheel drive, a low centre of gravity and the kind of handling that made the original MG4 such an interesting alternative to the usual small SUVs. The 2026 version also gets a more refined interior and updated technology, including a large 12.8-inch touchscreen, improved materials and MG Pilot Custom, which allows drivers to personalise their safety-assistance settings.

The MG4 Essence 64 uses a 64kWh LFP battery, produces 140kW and has a claimed WLTP range of up to 452km. MG says it can charge from 10–80% in around 25 minutes using DC fast charging.

And then there’s the MG4 XPOWER. With dual motors, all-wheel drive and 320kW of combined power, it can accelerate from 0–100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Yes, really — this is an electric hatchback with supercar levels of acceleration.

But numbers only tell part of the story.

What is the 2026 MG4 actually like to live with? Is the range realistic? How does it drive? Is the interior a big improvement? How useful is the technology? And, most importantly, does the MG4 still make sense when you compare it with the growing number of affordable EVs now available in Australia?

We take a closer look at all of that — and ask whether the MG4 remains one of the electric cars Australians should have on their shortlist.

🔌 2026 MG4 64 Essence EV at a glance:
$39,990 drive-away (down significantly from older list pricing).
AC Charging 6.6kW
DC Charging 154kW
452 km range
64kWh LFP battery
0-100km/h in 7.5s
Maximum Power - 140 kW
Maximum Torque - 350 Nm
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
18 inch Alloy rims
One Pedal Driving
360 camera
Rear-wheel drive
MG 10 year / 250,000km warranty included

The 2026 MG4 EV is available in Australia in Essence 64 and XPOWER variants, with the MG4 range starting at $39,990 drive-away in NSW at the time of filming. Pricing and specifications can change, so check with MG Australia for the latest information.

If you’re thinking about buying an electric car in Australia, subscribe to Electrify This for honest EV reviews, real-world electric car advice and practical guides to making the switch to electric.

#MG4 #MG4EV #MG4Australia #ElectricCarsAustralia #EV #ElectricVehicle #EVReview #ElectrifyThis #2026MG4

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20 Comments

@pspicerwensley 1 month ago

I have a 2025 MG4 Excite 51. I love how it drives and the boot space is what I need. It replaced a previous MG4 Excite 51 that was written off after a serious accident where a drunk driver crashed into the back of my car at high speed (130 kph) as I was driving off at traffic lights. I have no hesitation in recommending the MG4. I believe it saved my life. The Mazda MX5 that hit me went flying and ended up 100m down the road upside down with its front engine and transmission ripped out. I believe the five star safety rating and I am happy with the 10 year warranty. Mine expires in July 2035! It’s been my first new car and it has been great. Recommended.

@Mirya44 2 weeks ago

Wait, the indicators are still on the left hand stalk even though the MG4 has a dedicated knob for PND?? Damn it! I thought that would be one of the major advantages of the MG4 over the MG4 Urban. The Urban has PND on the right hand stalk, which I would grugingly tolerate as a cost saving measure given it's the cheaper car. But I thought since the MG4 still has a physical selector knob, they'd free up the right stalk and put the indicators back there like they should be. I guess no matter which model I pick I'll have to get used to left-hand indicators, ah well.

The only thing still holding me back is whether the Urban has the ability to tow, I know the MG4 can tow about 500kg (same as my hybrid Camry) but no indication that the Urban can tow so far.

Great review though, you did a good job highlighting all the improvements!

@chrisayles7694 1 month ago

We have had a LR 77 Essence for a year, agree with you about nice to drive, disagree about the comfort. After test driving the BYD Dolphin we sat in the MG4, looked at each other and said “Oohh, that’s comfortable”. No problem on long road trips either. I also like the small bin between the seats with the sliding cover, very handy for small items you don’t want on display. I’m glad the software has improved, ours is very glitchy.

@ElectrifiedCars 1 month ago

I love this car so much
I have the first gen XPOWER version of it currently .
I commit to only ever buying this car for the rest of my life for me and my family so we will collect MG4's

@MattyClivingthedream 1 month ago

I have a 2023 MG4 Essence. Such a fun car to drive. The updates that were installed at the start of the year have fixed nearly all of the software issues, and have totally fixed all of the safety drive assistance systems bugs. The car is now so good that I do not bother to turn any of the safety nannies off, just jump in and drive.
Really like the interior of the new model, but compared to my 2023 updated car, some of the safety tech in the new model needs further refinement.

@TerryHickey-xt4mf 2 weeks ago

It is great that MG listen to feedback. I have an MG series 2 zs ev, and to be quite frank it is terrific. The reason I say that is because even though it is over 3 years old now it has everything. An opening sunroof with a powered sunshade, all the safety tech you could dream of including cross traffic alert and a reversing camera etc. It is still in showroom condition and just such a joy to drive, ( I have a Wildtrak for work). Our business has 3 diesel vans and I can't wait for us to change to evs. At this stage the Staria looks good.

@Cured91 1 month ago

I snapped up an Iris Cyan model and it looks even better in person. It’s a near perfect car, and somehow even more practical than my parents SUV. Feels more luxurious and spacious inside too with MASSIVE drink holders

I can maybe nitpick (especially about the software and app), but there’s really not much bad I can say about it.

Lovely review!

@tayser82 1 month ago (edited)

New owner here (picked it up last week) - great review Sarah. You pointed out many of things I noted when comparing to the original specs - just sitting in it for the first time sealed the deal for me back in June.

You were almost touching on it in your review but I like to think this is a car for a single person or couple who want to get about both the city and go road tripping. The 154kW DC / 25 minute 10-80% DC charge time are key to the road trip part (and it's also amazing for those of us with no home charging but have good (150+ kW) DC chargers nearby) - it's a very good peak speed/fast charge time (only the new Atto 3 Evo matches it).

I, too, was just "meh/can live without them" to the lack of cup holders/lights/vents in the back - I don't plan on ever sitting back there (lol). The MG4 and MGS5 are cousins and I reckon singles/couples: look at the 4 RWD, families: look at the S5.

@seanmac3666 1 month ago

Looks good except for the large dark plastics on the sides and rear - MG appear to be slowly improving as time goes on..

@frankjames6276 1 month ago

The paint certainly look a bit brighter than the last lot

@jay6817 3 days ago (edited)

It looks so squishy compared to the sister, MG4 Urban. I think if I still wanted a Mazda 3 EV equivelant, 'Drivers car' then this is the way to go! Just my needs have changed. I have two wonderful Huskies to carry around these days ;-)
Oh and missing rear vents, lights on vanity mirrors ,and auto wippers in 2026 is a no no. Basically the price is on point though, but only in China. Here they add all the dealership charges, delivery etc, then some tidy extra fluff to line peoples pockets.

@masterofthepinkside 1 month ago

I'm picking mine up this weekend. it is much better than the old one, for sure. I liked the seats in the old one better, specially in the back, but I'm bigger than you and wear shorts so the pvc isn't great (covers will fix it). and I liked the little shelf with the gear selector and open floor storage bin on the old one. I also personally liked the instrument cluster on the steering wheel shaft, because you could always see all of it, but I can see why a lot of ppl like the new bigger one. Also the one I test drove has a fan icon on the temperature knob! I noticed that one in the video they're fixed that so I hope mine turns up with a proper icon lol.
There's no froot because hardly anyone uses them. Volvo (and therefore geely) did a bunch of research into it and made that all public.

The new one is so much quieter, which is weird considering how little they changed. The speakers are massively better. It's night and day. Like the old one I was looking at replacing them right away, this one they'll be fine... It's really a significant upgrade on the driving experience even if, like me, you ereally don't care about the hard plastics.

I still don't like the steering wheel, round with maybe a flat bottom would just be better. And I can't understand for the life of me why they got the xpower into australasia but not the hugely more popular essence 77 which is available in RHD overseas. I know I definitely would have bought the 77 if it was here, and surely in OZ with your distances that extra 85km is a big deal.

All that said, I'm in NZ and genuinely there's nothing better available here that isn't significantly bigger. (I would have loved a look at the renault megane e-tech, but we can't get that here.)

@jarrodf_ 7 days ago

Good uplift. Though, seems strange in a country like Australia to ditch the long-range variant

@StephenPowellebc 1 month ago

I started following you for your Brompton posts (quite niche) but found the EV posts a bonus (and all the other home electrification videos). Many thanks for all your posts!

@milenamckay3923 1 month ago

Starting to delve into the EVsphere and just found your channel, I usually listen to another YouTuber so it’s great to hear from a females perspective. After thinking YES I found my car, a few things deflated me immediately….no back seat aircon, my 6’3” hubby can’t fit in and the cup holders won’t fit fast food large drinks, plus none in the back 🙄 I’m your height so I’d fit just fine!

@DazVid70 1 month ago

Another awesome review as always Sarah. Enjoy learning about EVs and motoring from you.

@selldivision 1 month ago

Love your work Sarah. As always, an excellent review👍👍

@izmeergendoo2364 1 month ago

9:37 you are a car reviewer... don't let anyone say otherwise. very informative, thank you!! Looking forward to more of these.

@rob2020-wz6ru 3 weeks ago

There are obviously many upgrades to the new MG4. The presenter is a bit hostile to the prelift spoiler, which is on all other MG4's, than the entry level model. I love it. Love it to bits. In my head, it enhances the perception of it being a hot hatch. Sorry mate 😃

@johnnyonline 1 month ago

We ordered our MG4 nine months before the first ones arrived in Australia (off the back of Robert Llewellyn's review) and I'm so glad we did. Even with all the newer options it still feels like the perfect amount of electric car. Not too big, not too small, drives like it should cost twice as much and enough range in the base model to get from Melbourne to Sydney without much drama. So long as I ignore the terrible spoiler and flaky infotainment system, it's pretty much perfect. The MG4 Urban is fantastic but they really should've given it a new name, it's a different car. Whereas this update looks great without sacrificing any of the things that made the original MG4 amazing.