Introduction to the 2026 MG4
In 2022, Chinese-owned MG launched the 4 hatchback, an excellent value five-door model with loads of kit and sharp styling - with the added bonus that it was powered purely by electric drivetrains.
It has since proven itself a big hit with buyers for its appealing blend of practicality and affordability in an attractive zero-emission package, with a modest update in 2026 subtly altering the market position of the MG4 - allowing room for the MG4 Urban to join it in the line-up as the cheaper alternative.
Pros & cons of the 2026 MG4
Pros:
• Improved interior from 2026
• Long range on a charge
• Quietly satisfying to drive
Cons:
• Modestly sized boot
• No three-phase AC charging
• Average rear-seat space
Exterior & design of the 2026 MG4
• Sharp looks ageing well
• Slightly smaller than MG4 Urban
• Modest changes for midlife update
So confident was MG in its midsized hatchback proposition that, for the midlife update in 2026, the company barely changed anything visually about the 4. The manufacturer listened to its satisfied customers, who said the angular appearance of the MG4 was one of its big points of appeal.
Thus, all that altered from the original MG4 to the updated car was that a new body colour was introduced, as was a fresh design of 18-inch wheel for the regular, non-XPower variants, while the rear spoiler above the tailgate's screen became a one-piece item, rather than the double-hoop affair it was before.
Dimensions of the 2026 MG4
Length: 4,287mm
Width: 1,836mm (excluding mirrors)
Height: 1,516mm
Wheelbase: 2,705mm
Paint colours for the 2026 MG4
The update for the 2026 model year MG4 saw the addition of a new blue added to the EV's options list, where it joined Arctic White, Cosmic Silver, Urban Grey, Black Pearl, Ocean Blue and Dynamic Red in the palette.
In the UK it's called 'Piccadilly Blue metallic', but it's likely to be given a different title for the Irish market. The Volcano Orange that was a signature colour of early MG4s has been dropped. Shame.
Interior, practicality, tech & comfort of the 2026 MG4
• Significant upgrades from 2026
• Decent quality fittings and fixtures
• Not as roomy as the MG4 Urban
It's not hard to spot the interior alterations in the newer MG4 models, as a change to the main interface system - including both digital screens - has necessitated both a completely redesigned fascia and a reshaped central tunnel.
On the latter score, gone is the old 'floating' ledge that used to sit beneath the 10.25-inch infotainment screen, replaced instead by a plateau which joins the dashboard to the central armrest. There are also some physical shortcut buttons included on the main fascia, to improve the ergonomics.
Getting comfortable in the driver's seat
Due to the shift in the way the carmaker has positioned the MG4 in the market, we expect all versions to have electrically adjustable driving seats, plus a rake-and-reach steering column. As a result, the driving position attainable is great, mainly because the battery pack in the bottom of the EV is only 110mm thick, so the front-right chair can be lowered right down if so required
Infotainment and technology
The main area which differentiates the newer MG4 from the older model is the in-car technology, and indeed some of the items that monitor the outside of the vehicle too.
The principal updates are a larger 12.8-inch touchscreen, complete with the welcome addition of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, as well as an enlarged 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (the two screens previously measured 10.25 and seven inches accordingly).
Other items bundled into the 2026 MG4 include rear collision warning for the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), plus an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a Bluetooth key.
The wireless smartphone charging pad has been relocated to the upper console in the centre, which is an undoubted improvement on the old ledge mentioned earlier (as your phone used to just fly off into a footwell at the first moderately quickly taken corner), but the big plus point is the inclusion of MG Pilot Custom for the newer version of the MG4.
This allows you to tailor all the ADAS items to your preferred settings, then simply select that set-up every time you start the car by just swiping down from the top of the touchscreen and tapping the relevant MG Pilot Custom icon on the display. We approve.
Practicality around the cabin
The floating construct in the centre of the MG4 creates a better location for the smartphone charging pad, plus a couple of handy cupholders, though it does then create an under-dash area.
These are OK in principle, but they can be a bit awkward to reach into from a seated position.
Elsewhere, there's a lidded central cubby under the front armrest, a decent glovebox and sizeable door pockets.
Overall, the practicality of the MG4 has undoubtedly improved as part of the updates, thanks primarily to the better user interface and switchgear.
Rear-seat passenger space
While space in the second row of the MG4 is adequate, it suffers from comparison to the newer MG4 Urban which sits alongside it. That car is considerably roomier in the back.
Still, the MG4 should be fine for people of average height to sit back there, while a typical EV flat floor in the rear footwell means the idea of carrying three people on the bench isn't beyond reason.
Fitting child seats to the MG4
The MG4 has two ISOFIX positions on the outer seats of the second row, while the rear doors open nice and wide to make loading bulky child chairs as easy as possible. The EV picked up an 80 per cent rating for child occupant protection, as part of its 2022 five-star Euro NCAP rating, which parents will no doubt find reassuring.
Boot space in the MG4
The MG4's 363 litres of boot space is average for this size of car, about the same size as that of a Volkswagen Golf, while folding the rear seats down liberates up to 1,177 litres of space for larger items.
Towing with the MG4
All variants of the MG4 can tow 500kg of either braked or unbraked trailer if required.
Safety in the MG4
The MG4 has a five-star safety rating - but that was picked up in 2022, with a change to the way cars were assessed coming in for 2023. That said, obviously the MG is a safe car, with lots of ADAS as standard, while its scores of 83, 80, 75 and 78 per cent, for adult occupant, child occupant, vulnerable road users and safety assist categories, accordingly, remain impressive to this day.
Performance of the 2026 MG4
• Two rear-drive models to choose from
• XPower dual-motor flagship remains
• Beautiful and fluid chassis
There are now three powertrain choices for the MG4. The basic model has a 190hp/250Nm electric motor, good for a 0-100km/h time in 7.5 seconds.
Stepping up to the middle variant sees the peak power increase to 245hp, while an extra 100Nm brings peak torque to 350Nm - and the 0-100km/h time down to 6.2 seconds. Both of these MG4s are rear-wheel drive.
The performance flagship remains the XPower, which has two motors and goliath outputs of 435hp and 600Nm. With those figures and the traction advantages of all-wheel drive, it remains the cheapest way to get supercar-like acceleration on the new-car market: the 0-100km/h run is done and dusted in a searing 3.8 seconds.
Driving the MG4 EV 77kWh Extended Range in the UK - Matt Robinson
Every time we get in a regular, non-XPower MG4, having not driven one for a while, we're always reminded what a quietly lovely thing this is to drive. With its rear-drive set-up and MG's heritage for making sporty cars, you might be slightly underwhelmed if you're expecting thrill-a-minute stuff from the EV, but with its supple suspension tune, sweet balance, masses of grip and genuinely rich and detailed steering feel, it feels a natural and organic car to drive. It's really, really good.
Yet not without fault. Road roar can be elevated at higher speeds on poorer surfaces, you can hear the suspension of the MG4 doing its thing a little too much at times and while the traction control system is generally nicely judged, it can still cut the power just when you don't want it to while exiting a corner.
Of course, you can switch it off, but in streaming wet conditions, banging 350Nm of instant-access torque to the road surface through the rear tyres might not be the best idea without electronic assistance.
However, we still heartily approve of the way the MG4 goes down the road, as its ride and rolling refinement are broadly above reproach. It also cuts through the air neatly, so it's as quiet at high speed as it is creeping around town, and the fluid, effortless way you can quickly get into a flow and groove behind the MG4's steering wheel is what endears it to you so quickly.
Furthermore, having driven the 435hp XPower model, we know that this chassis is a law of diminishing returns: that dual-motor variant might be super-quick to accelerate in a straight line, but it actually serves up a less cohesive driving experience. Too much grunt, not enough kinematic finesse, essentially.
Better to stick with one of the single-motor rear-drive models and reap the dynamic benefits, then, because there's no way you'd ever think the 245hp RWD car, as we tested here, feels too slow on the road.
Range, battery, charging and running costs of the 2026 MG4
• Likely that the 49kWh battery will be dropped
• All models capable of 400km-plus on a charge
• Slow AC charging, decent DC rates
MG previously offered three distinct battery sizes for the 4, which were 49-, 64- and 77kWh - all gross capacity figures.
However, for 2026 and beyond, the role of the previous Standard Range 49kWh MG4 is now handled by the separate MG4 Urban. Beyond that, the MG4 has acceptably high DC-charging rates, but the only the most basic AC capability.
Battery options and official range
The MG4 is available with two battery sizes, but three different specifications. For the Long Range model, a 64kWh (61.7kWh net capacity) battery uses lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry.
However, the battery pack in the XPower range-topper - while being of the same size - is instead made up of nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), as is the 77kWh (74.4kWh usable) battery in the Extended Range model.
Officially, the least long-legged of the updated MG4s is the XPower, which can achieve up to 404km to a charge. The Long Range increases that figure to 451km, but the champion is obviously the 74.4kWh Extended Range, which will potentially do up to 545km at a time without needing top ups.
Real-world range and efficiency of the MG4
The MG4 Extended Range seems to be pretty good on electricity, as it achieved a commendable indicated consumption figure of 17.9kWh/100km in our hands. At that sort of level of consumption, the MG4 Extended Range should be capable of a real-world 415km, with the added caveat that our 50km test on mixed roads took place on a coolish day (9-10 degrees C) with the car's in-cabin climate control running permanently.
So in more favourable and economy-suited weather and driving conditions, that should increase to more than 450km.
Charging up the MG4
The 2026MY MG4 has impressive DC-charging speeds, with the NMC unit in the XPower topping out at 144kW. The largest battery of the Extended Range has a peak DC rate of 150kW, while the solitary LFP battery in the Long Range (64kWh) is the fastest charging, with a 154kW peak rate.
However, tempering all this is that every MG4 can only charge at 7kW on AC, when most cars - including the newer Urban - will charge at up to 11kW on three-phase connections. While most EV owners do most of their charging at home, it is useful to have more options.
Charging times are therefore varied. At their fastest DC rates, the Long Range car would need 25 minutes to go from 10-80 per cent charge, while the XPower is a little longer at 30 minutes for the same thing.
Due to its increased battery capacity, the Extended Range is the 'slowest' for rapid charging, needing 40 minutes to do the same top-up. For all three models on a 50kW DC charger, MG quotes around an hour for the 10-80 per cent cycle.
When it comes to AC charging on a typical 7.4kW domestic wallbox, the 64kWh units need around ten-and-a-half hours for a 10-100 per cent recharging session, that time increasing to 12 hours for the 77kWh Extended Range.
Servicing the MG4
MG's recommended servicing schedule for the MG4 hatchback is every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes sooner.
MG4 warranty
The MG4 comes under the company's seven-year warranty that is standard on all new cars sold in the country. This is unlimited distance for the first 12 months of the period, but a 150,000km cap comes into effect for years two to seven of the cover.
Irish pricing & rivals to the 2026 MG4
• Should remain affordable
• But model has pushed upmarket
• Grander electric hatches in its sights
While we don't know Irish prices for the updated MG4 as yet, it should continue to be a good-value EV - though the arrival of the Urban means the old 49kWh Standard Range, which was on sale from €30,995 as recently as MG's national 261-plate offers, may be canned.
And so prices of the MG4 will likely kick off in the mid-30s, given the smallest battery and power output will be the 190hp, 64kWh Long Range.
As a result, that throws the updated MG4 into a higher level of competition to include vehicles such as the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.3, as well as the Renault Megane E-Tech and even the aggressively priced Tesla Model 3.
Verdict - should you buy the 2026 MG4?
The MG4 remains a good-value and likeable way of getting into a long-range, practical EV for not a lot of cash. That it drives so sweetly is a delicious cherry on top of the appealing cake, while the improved interior is definitely easier to use, as well as being easier on the eye. Therefore, what was already an excellent compact EV is that tiny bit better still for 2026 and beyond.
FAQs about the 2026 MG4
Is the MG4 the same car as the MG4 Urban?
No, despite the similar badging they are completely different vehicles, but they compete in the same sector of the market. The Urban is the budget version, while the 'full' MG4 tested here is now considered the premium option instead. You can read our detailed review of the MG4 Urban here.
How many child seats can I fit in the MG4?
There are two ISOFIX positions in the outer chairs of the MG4's back bench, while its five-seat nature means a belt-restrained child seat might fit in the middle of the rear row too if it's compact enough.
Does the MG4 qualify for the SEAI grant?
All versions of the MG4 will be comfortably below the €60,000 barrier, so they should all qualify for the SEAI grant for EVs.
Has the MG4 been assessed for safety?
It was put through its paces by Euro NCAP back in 2022 and the MG4 picked up a full five-star rating then, with reasonably high scores in each of the four sub-sections of the assessment. However, Euro NCAP testing has got tougher during the intervening period, but with plenty of standard-fit safety gear, the MG4 remains a secure car. Its full report can be read here.
Want to know more about the 2026 MG4?
If there's anything about the new MG4 we've not covered, or you'd like help in choosing between it and other cars, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
