All-wheel drive, 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and hot hatch money – the updated MG4 EV XPower might just be the biggest performance bargain in Britain

There was a time when 0-62mph in under four seconds was the preserve of Italian exotics, Porsche Turbo badges and something with at least eight cylinders and a bank manager on speed dial. Now, apparently, it is the domain of a five-door electric hatchback wearing an MG badge and priced from £33,995. To put that 3.8-second sprint into context, the next closest mainstream EV to get you there as quickly is something like a Volvo EX30 Twin Motor at 3.6 seconds – and that will cost you roughly £10,000 more.