MG4 EV Urban Review – Same Name, Completely Different Car

MG launches the MG4 EV Urban alongside the existing MG4 EV, but this is no mere trim level – it’s a bigger, cheaper, more practical front-wheel drive electric hatch with a very different mission

The MG4 EV has, in a remarkably short period of time, become one of the most significant electric cars in the UK market. It accounts for a substantial chunk of MG’s sales, has won multiple awards, and proved that an affordable rear-wheel drive electric hatchback with genuine driver appeal could exist outside of premium price brackets. And now, MG has done something curious. It has launched another car… also called MG4 EV.

This is the MG4 EV Urban. At first glance, that sounds like a trim level. It isn’t. It sits alongside the existing MG4 EV, not beneath it, not above it, but parallel to it. It looks different, it rides on a completely different platform, it is front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, it is slightly larger in key areas, and crucially, it is cheaper. So what exactly is going on here? I’ve been driving the MG4 EV Urban at its UK launch to find out.

Where the MG4 EV Urban Fits in the MG Range

The MG4 EV Urban is positioned as what MG calls a “core electric hatchback” and effectively becomes the new entry point into MG’s electric car range. It is designed with towns, cities and everyday family use in mind, rather than the slightly sportier, more dynamic brief of the original MG4 EV.

Pricing starts at £23,495 for the Comfort Standard Range model, equipped with a 43kWh LFP battery offering up to 201 miles of WLTP range. Step up to the Comfort Long Range at £25,495 and you receive a 54kWh battery delivering up to 258 miles. At the top of the Urban line-up sits the Premium Long Range at £27,995, retaining the same battery and range but adding additional equipment and creature comforts.

With the current UK EV grant factored in, entry pricing drops to under £22,000, which in today’s market feels almost subversive. In a world where many electric vehicles now comfortably exceed £35,000, the MG4 EV Urban plants its flag firmly in the affordability camp without appearing stripped bare.

Power output ranges from 110kW to 118kW, translating to 147bhp and 158bhp respectively, with 0–62mph dispatched in a quoted 9.5 seconds across the range. On paper that sounds modest. In practice, as with most electric cars, the instant torque delivery makes it feel more than adequate for daily use.

A Different Platform, A Different Philosophy

The most important point to understand about the MG4 EV Urban is that it does not share the rear-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) of the standard MG4 EV. Instead, it sits on MG’s new E3 front-wheel drive architecture, developed to prioritise packaging efficiency, cost control and urban practicality.

That shift in drivetrain layout fundamentally changes the character of the car. The original MG4 EV earned praise for its 50:50 weight distribution and surprisingly playful rear-drive handling. The Urban, by contrast, is engineered to be stable, predictable and easy to drive in congested environments. It is less about country road blasts and more about supermarket car parks and school runs.

And yet, despite its more pragmatic brief, it is actually 110mm longer than the standard MG4 EV and fractionally taller, giving it a subtly more substantial stance. MG describes it as a compact hatchback, but it is best described as a large compact, with proportions that suggest genuine family usability.

Exterior Design – Subtle but Intentional

Visually, the MG4 EV Urban takes a calmer approach. Where the original MG4 EV wears sharp creases and a rakish profile, the Urban smooths out the aggression. The front end is softer, with slimmer LED headlights and cleaner surfacing, though MG insists there are design cues borrowed from the Cyberster, particularly in the lower front treatment and lighting signatures.

At the rear, a full-width light bar echoes modern EV trends, incorporating arrow motifs inspired by MG’s design language. It looks contemporary, tidy and deliberately less extrovert. I will admit a personal preference for the sharper stance of the original MG4 EV, but that is entirely subjective. The Urban’s restraint will likely appeal to buyers seeking understatement over theatrics.

Boot Space – The Party Piece

If the original MG4 EV was about accessible driver engagement, the MG4 EV Urban is about practicality, and nowhere is that clearer than in the boot. With 479 litres of luggage space as standard and an additional 98 litres hidden beneath the floor, total capacity stands at 577 litres. For a car in this segment, that figure is remarkable. It comfortably eclipses the boot space of the standard MG4 EV and rivals many larger hatchbacks.

The loading lip is sensible, the opening wide, and with split folding rear seats, this becomes a genuinely versatile family car. Weekly shops, airport runs and flat-pack furniture should present no meaningful difficulty.

Rear Space – A Genuine Surprise

Rear passenger accommodation is another highlight. At 6ft 1½ with longer legs, I set the driver’s seat to my own position and climbed into the back. Knee room remained generous, headroom plentiful, and while the foot space was fractionally tight, it was by no means uncomfortable.

Three seatbelts are fitted, ISOFIX anchor points are present, and while there is no fold-down armrest, the overall sense is one of usable, adult-friendly space. For a compact electric hatchback, this is impressive.

Cabin and Technology – Sensibly Executed

Up front, the MG4 EV Urban presents a clean, logically laid out interior. Twin screens dominate – a central infotainment display and a digital driver cluster – but crucially MG retains physical controls for temperature and volume. In an age where too many manufacturers bury basic functions within sub-menus, this remains refreshing.

The MG Pilot suite of driver assistance systems is present, offering adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and safety technologies that now form the baseline expectation in this class. Heated seats, wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available depending on trim.

Material quality is commendable for the price point. There are soft-touch elements where they matter, neatly finished toggles, and a general sense that while this is positioned as budget conscious, it is not cheapened.

Driving Impressions – Calm and Capable

On the road, the MG4 EV Urban immediately reveals its different character. Steering is light and easy, ideally suited to urban manoeuvres. Visibility is good, with an elevated seating position that lends a faint crossover feel without the associated bulk.

In normal driving, performance feels entirely sufficient. Switch into Sport mode and while this is no hot hatch, the instant torque provides brisk acceleration when required. Under enthusiastic throttle application on damp roads, the front-wheel drive layout becomes apparent, with the inside wheel occasionally scrabbling for grip, a reminder that this is not the rear-drive MG4.

Ride comfort is particularly noteworthy. Over broken British tarmac and pothole-scarred surfaces, the suspension copes admirably. Earlier generations of electric vehicles often felt overly firm due to battery weight, but the Urban feels well damped and composed. Road noise is present, as expected, but refinement overall is commendable for the segment.

So Why Call It an MG4?

This is the inevitable question. The MG4 EV has built a clear identity as a sporty, accessible rear-wheel drive electric hatchback. The Urban, while sharing a name, is a fundamentally different proposition: bigger, cheaper, more practical, front-wheel drive and less performance focused.

MG’s reasoning appears to be brand consolidation. The MG4 badge now represents MG’s core electric hatchback offering, with multiple personalities within it. One prioritises dynamic engagement, the other practicality and value. Whether this causes confusion or strengthens recognition remains to be seen.

Verdict – Different, But Not Inferior

The MG4 EV Urban is not a replacement for the original MG4 EV. It is an expansion of the idea. If you value rear-wheel drive balance, sharper styling and a slightly more engaging drive, the standard MG4 EV remains compelling. But if your priorities are affordability, space, everyday usability and strong equipment levels, the Urban makes enormous sense.

At under £22,000 with incentives, offering nearly 260 miles of range, generous rear accommodation and a 577-litre boot, the MG4 EV Urban positions itself as one of the most rational electric family hatchbacks currently available in the UK. It may share a name with its sibling, but in personality and purpose, it stands confidently on its own.

---

If you found this useful, interesting or fun, consider supporting me via Patreon, Ko-Fi, or even grabbing a copy of one of my books on Amazon. Every bit helps me keep creating independent automotive content that actually helps people.

BrownCarGuy Books!

Support independent car journalism 🙏🏽☺️ grab my books on Amazon, take up membership to BrownCarGuy on YouTube, or join me on Ko-Fi or Patreon.

👉🏽 Channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/browncarguy/join
👉🏽 Buy me a Coffee! https://ko-fi.com/browncarguy
👉🏽 Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/BrownCarGuy

MY BOOKS ON AMAZON!
📖 Want to become an automotive journalist, content creator, or car influencer? Check out my book: How to be an Automotive Content Creator 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/7VTs0ii
📖 Quantum Races – A collection of my best automotive sci-fi short stories! 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/0Y93s9g
📖 The ULEZ Files – Debut novel – all-action thriller! 👉🏽 https://amzn.eu/d/d1GXZkO