Rewind the clock a few years back and the EV offerings in Malaysia were scarce. We only had options like the Nissan Leaf and the Renault Zoe which were both hatchbacks. In recent years we have been barraged with various new EV SUVs in Malaysia, so something like the MG4 hatchback surely stands out. And what we have here is its hottest variant, the 2024 MG4 XPower.
Although the MG4’s proportions do look a bit weird, the fact that it is a hatchback means that it is an entirely different machine than the typical EV SUVs of today. And if you’re thinking of possible alternatives for the MG4, its dimensional rivals would be the BYD Dolphin and… the Nissan Leaf (although most of you may have forgotten about its existence).
If an EV is only perfect as a city runabout, a hatchback body should be big and capable enough to do the job, right?
The MG4 XPower at a glance:
| Electric drive | Dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Maximum power output | 435 hp metric |
| Maximum torque | 600 Nm |
| Transmission | Single-speed |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.8 seconds |
| Battery Capacity | 64 kWh |
| Electric Range (WLTP) | 385 km |
| Max. AC charging rate | 11 kW |
| Max. DC charging rate | 159 kW |
| Price | RM158,999 |
Exterior – dramatic styling with minivan-like proportions
MG is now owned by Chinese car manufacturer, SAIC and its current SUV and hatchback offerings are certainly a big departure from what the brand used to be (except for the Cyberster and Cyber GTS, perhaps). However, even with the Chinese ownership, it feels as if there is still a bit of Britishness to the exterior design of the MG4. Perhaps it’s the double-deck rear spoiler (which reminds me of the Escort Cosworth) or even the bland-ish front end of the car.
Its proportions are still somewhat questionable as it does sport a rather high belt line. So although the MG4 does have some sporty design elements like its wild taillights and a fancy aero kit, it still looks awkwardly tall and there’s not much you can do about it with aftermarket solutions. Just look at the MG EX4 that debuted at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed and you’ll get what I’m saying. It just looks like a minivan due to its high belt line.
What I do appreciate about the MG4 XPower is its subtle styling enhancements. Sure, there’s a big rear spoiler, bright orange calliper covers (yes, covers), and a slightly sportier all-around exterior kit, but there is no “XPower” badge at all on its body. That’s quite unique since most other cars would shout about their “performance-enhanced” nature, even if it was not a top-tier upgrade.
MG4 XPower Driving Experience – a video game-like experience
Perhaps my biggest surprise of the year is how the MG4 XPower drives. And that’s because I had zero expectations before getting into the car. Sure, I’ve seen it during its launch, but with all the new “affordable” EVs launched in Malaysia recently, I wasn’t really looking forward to anything.
The MG4’s hatchback body style is a game changer (if you’re only shopping for an EV). It is only when you drive it that you remember just how transformative a low centre of gravity can be (the MG4 weighs pretty much the same as the typical EV SUV at slightly below 2000 kg). It’s no sports car or supercar, but the responsiveness that it provides is not typical of an “affordable” EV. And I like that.
I would describe driving the MG4 XPower as feeling like driving a car in a video game with its performance enhanced to the max via cheat codes. It makes no sound, there is almost zero drama, yet you pull away from other cars so easily. It looks terribly unassuming too, thus further enhancing that “game cheat code” driving experience that I’m talking about. And this is all thanks to the dual-motor setup that it has that makes a bonkers 435 hp and 600 Nm.
And when you’re driving normally, the “high performance” nature of the MG4 XPower doesn’t even try to burst out of nowhere. Drive it calmly, and it behaves just like the regular “affordable EV” of today. There are no sudden jolts, whatsoever.
However, I would put out a word of caution for those of you considering the MG4 XPower – its power output is way beyond average. So be careful when you floor it while exiting a junction, when you’re cornering, or even when you try to speed up to merge on a ramp. The power that it makes can be overwhelming and you could lose control. The amount of power that it makes used to not be so accessible, but now, it is available at a sub-RM200k price.
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Interior – Bland as a Brit should be
The first time I hopped into the MG4, I was sceptical about its cabin design and overall ergonomics. The gear selector’s design and position are questionable and the floating digital instrument cluster feels like an afterthought (which is a common case these days). But having driven it for a week, the cabin did start to grow on me.
Firstly, it doesn’t feel like the typical Chinese EV on the inside. And that’s probably due to its more subtle overall interior design. You could call it sombre (which I’d say is a UK characteristic), and it appeals to a wider demographic. A car is a car, and it shouldn’t pretend to be a spaceship.
Sombre design aside, I’d say that the MG4 does come with some clever functions. The star button on the right side of the steering wheel can be set to prompt the air conditioning controls and with this, you can adjust your fan speed and temperature via the steering wheel buttons. This sure beats having to use voice commands or fiddling with the touchscreen head unit.
The seats are really comfortable and since this is the XPower variant, you get these microfibre suede-like trims in the cabin that feel nice to the touch. That said, the overall finish of the cabin isn’t exactly impressive, but feels fitting for the price point of the car.
What is perhaps unexpected is how comfortable the second-row seats are. While some more expensive cars have failed to make comfortable second-row seats (in bigger body styles), the MG4 does it quite nicely with a good supportive second-row arrangement. What is lacking here (as all hatchbacks do) are second-row air vents. Otherwise, it is a decent place to be in.
As for its boot space, the MG4 has a moderately sized boot which is decent for a hatchback. A powered tailgate could make the ownership experience better.
Battery and Charging – The XPower is not meant for long journeys, get the Lux Extended Range instead
It’s a bit of a shame that the MG4 XPower has comfortable seats, decent ergonomics, and decent power, but it doesn’t have a decent range. Even on paper, with the WLTP test cycle, it only has a range of 385 km. Yes, this means you should get the Lux Extended Range instead which has a range of 520km, but the XPower is what we were given.
So the XPower comes with a smaller 64 kWh battery (as opposed to the Extended Range’s 77 kWh battery), and starting from 93% state of charge (SoC), I managed to drive it for 254 km only to 26% SoC. So that’s 67% of the battery or 42.88 kWh used for a 254 km journey, translating to an energy consumption rate of 16.88kWh/100km. And with the carefree driving style that I used for this “energy test”, I could have probably travelled 379 km if I drove from 100% to 0 – pretty close to the 385 km WLTP range.
That said, I wish the XPower at least came with the 77 kWh battery pack, just to make it a bit more road trip-worthy. But you already know the sensible answer, and that is to get the Lux Extended Range variant instead.
MG4 XPower verdict
The MG4 hatchback is a pleasant surprise in the sea of affordable EVs offered in Malaysia right now. The XPower variant is borderline bonkers and doesn’t have enough range, so its sensible Extended Range alternative is the obvious choice you should go for instead.
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GALLERY
MG4 XPower at Malaysian launch event
