MG4 Urban review: don't mention the other 4

If you want a cheap and cheerful city EV, but don't want to join the hordes driving compact-SUVs, MG seems to be on a mission to make sure you get what you want.

First there was the excellent MG4 hatchback (our 2023 Car of the Year, no less), and now joining it in the brand's local lineup is the, um, MG4 hatchback. Oh sorry, MG4 Urban hatchback.

As previously reported, one of these MG4s really has nothing to do with the other: different platforms, FWD versus RWD, different styling. The new Urban is simply a way of introducing a cheaper, simpler EV while also capitalising on a well-respected name. So we need to approach this little car on its own terms.

On the outside: what are the MG4 Urban's main design features?

The Urban is city-sized at less than 4.4m in length, but it has quite a squat look because the wheels are pushed right out to the corners, with a long 2750mm wheelbase (significantly, 50mm longer than the MG4 that we're not talking about any more). A Toyota RAV4 wheelbase is 2690mm, for context.

The MG4 Urban is a way of introducing a cheaper, simpler EV while also capitalising on a well-respected name. We need to approach this little car on its own terms.

It's a bit more of a jelly-mould exterior design than most other MG product, although that seems to be the way the company is going; check out the MGS5 SUV, for example. 

The company says the Urban styling was inspired by the Cyberster sports car, which is a bit of a long bow; but you can sort of see it in the bumper shapes, particularly the centre-intake at the front, and most obviously in the tail-lights, which look like a Union Jack WIP.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the MG4 Urban cabin like?

First impressions are very positive: the cabin looks tidy and logically laid-out, with a row of physical controls for the climate functions on the centre console.

The standard-equipment list is staggering for the price, including power-adjustment for both driver and front-passenger seats, and a 360-degree camera system.

Get a bit touchy feely and you're struck by how much hard plastic there is, especially on the dashtop and door trims. Exactly what you'd expect from a sub-$40k car (the nice design does lull you into an expectation of a bit more luxury) and fine on the dash, but we'd happily swap the soft insert that runs across the fascia for something a bit much more cushy on the door cards - because they're what you touch all the time.

The infotainment OS is an improvement on older MGs for clarity and responsiveness, and there's wireless phone projection of both flavours.

The standard-equipment list is staggering for the price: we could do without the sticky faux-leather, but the Urban boasts the likes of power-adjustment for both driver and front-passenger seats with heating, heated steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system and full suite of safety features.

The Urban's real class USP is its vast cabin space, thanks to that long wheelbase. It's a city car that provides rear-seat space comparable to models the next size up, maybe two.

The boot is decent at 382 litres and there's nearly 100l more under the floor, for charging cables or valuables.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the MG4 Urban like to drive?

This is not an area where you'd expect the Urban to shine: it makes a modest 120kW, it's FWD (the "other" MG4 is RWD) and the rear suspension is a slightly crude torsion beam, fitted in the interests of packaging and cost.

With steering that's weightier than your average Chinese EV, the Urban can be hustled along a winding road with a surprising degree of enthusiasm.

But you'd be wrong. It's a fun little car to drive, both in the city and on the open road. It's suprisingly perky off the line, partly thanks to instant EV-torque, but also because it's relatively light. One area where the Urban leapfrogs the MG4 is its cell-to-body construction: the battery is basically part of the platform, rather than just bolted on top. So while the Urban is larger than the MG4, it's 100kg lighter.

Combine that with steering that's weightier than your average Chinese EV, and the Urban can be hustled along a winding road with a surprising degree of enthusiasm.

The range is also impressive. NZ gets the larger of two battery sizes available from the factory, but it's still only 54kWh. However, WLTP range is an impressive 416km.

Ironically, the Urban's dynamic weak point is its urban ride. While the torsion beam rear is fine at higher speeds, in town it thumps into surface imperfections and at times even wriggles its rear, 4x4-style. It's not absolutely terrible or a deal-breaker, but the unsettled ride is ever-present in urban driving.

Like the S5 EV and U9 ute, the MG4 Urban has the MG Pilot Custom function: this allows you to set and save your preferred driver-assistance settings in a special menu, and switch to those after startup via an infotainment shortcut.

It's especially welcome in the Urban, because the driver-distraction and lane-assist functions will drive you aboslutely bonkers otherwise.

There are also two favourites buttons on the steering wheel, which you can set to shortcut to often-used functions - like the drive modes or regen strength, for example, which are otherwise in infotainment menus. There's quite a bit of opportunity to set up the Urban the way you want it.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the MG4 Urban warranty and servicing situation?

MG NZ offers a 10-year/250,000km warranty, providing the vehicle is serviced at an official dealer (standard warranty 7 years).

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. At the time of writing, the company is also offering a free 3-year scheduled servicing plan (until June 30, 2026).

On the whole: what do we think of the MG Urban?

If a city EV is what you're after, the MG4 Urban's combination of standard equipment, space and sub-$40k price is impossible to go past. It's not necessarily limited to town driving, either: the generous range and surprisingly good high-speed dynamics mean it could certainly handle a road trip.

It's definitely built to a price (perhaps a higher price than this, though) and the urban ride is an issue, but overall the MG4 Urban is a budget car with quite a lot of character.

MG4 Urban FAQs

What kind of car is the MG4 Urban?

A small 5-door hatchback.

Does the MG4 Urban have hybrid or EV technology?

It's fully electric.

Is the MG4 Urban efficient?

MG claims 15.3kWh/100km. The 54kWh battery is good for an impressive 416km under the WLTP protocol.

Is the MG4 Urban safe?

The MG4 Urban has just been awarded 5 stars by ANCAP (May 2026), and the rating is good until December 2031.

What safety and assistance features does the MG4 Urban have?

What are the MG4 Urban's main rivals?

• BYD Atto 2 Essential ($39,990): Perhaps the closest rival, but sub-$40k only gets the entry Essential.
• Dongfeng Box ($29,990): A couple of false sales-starts for the Box, but it's proving popular.
• GWM Ora Lux ($37,990): The one and only Kiwi model from GWM's pure electric Ora brand. 
• Fiat 500e ($37,990): Pure city EV, assuming you don't need rear-seat space or a big range.
• Jaecoo J5 ($42,500): SUV-style and a bit more expensive, but NZ's most popular EV in April.