2026 (26) MG Mg4 Urban 110kW Comfort Standard Range 43kWh 5dr Auto

MG aimed to reinvent the hot hatch with this MG4 XPOWER EV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the latest version.

Ten Second Review

The MG4 XPOWER isn't your ordinary EV family hatchback. It accelerates like a Ferrari, yet costs about the same as an ordinary electric compact family five-door. It's got all-wheel drive, has all of the required sporty vibe and spoils you with equipment. There's a lot to like, especially with the updated version we look at here. But is this a real hot hatch? You'll need to decide.

Background

Back in 2023, Chinese conglomerate SAIC bought back the old MG Rover 'X POWER' badge for the dual motor performance version of their MG marque's MG4 EV. Off the line, this model really wouldn't be that much lower than an ultimate velocity six-figure luxury EV like the Audi RS e-tron GT. And it comfortably has the legs of a combustion-engined super hatch like, say, a Volkswagen Golf R. It's considerably cheaper than one of those too. 'Cheaper' is possibly not the right word to use for a compact family hatch priced well over £30,000, but the fact remains that this XPOWER model's asking price is still below what you'll probably pay for many very ordinary EV compact hatches. So what's served up here as well as extra power? Here, we'll check out the updated version of this model, introduced in early 2026, and find out.

Driving Experience

XPOWER versions of old Longbridge-era last century MGs were really all about straight line speed and not a lot else. Which, to some extent, is an observation you could level at this MG4 XPOWER, still marketed by its maker as 'pound for pound the fastest-accelerating car you can buy in the UK'. No mechnical changes have been made as part of this update, so it's still urged forward by a 201bhp motor on the front axle and a 228bhp motor on the rear axle. The resulting 429bhp total propels the car to 62mph in just 3.8s on the way to 124mph. You'll win virtually every traffic light Grand Prix. We're less sure that you'll triumph in back road brawling with more deeply developed conventional hot hatchbacks. But MG maintains a UK engineering team and they've done what they can here to keep all that power in check. Compared to an ordinary MG4 EV, the springs are 15% stiffer at the front and 10% stiffer at the rear, the steering's been re-tuned, you get launch control and there are ventilated 345mm disc brakes front and rear. There's also brake-based torque vectoring and MG has additionally fitted wider tyres, though not performance rubber. Sports seats and a limited slip differential are notable by their absence too. As with the ordinary MG4, there are five driving modes - 'Eco', 'Sport', 'Snow', 'Custom' and 'standard'. And four regenerative braking modes - 'Auto', '1', '2' and '3'. MG has also added a 'One Pedal Driving' brake regen setting which, when engaged, means you'll hardly ever need to use the actual brake pedal. The XPOWER uses the same 64kWh battery as the base 'Premium Long Range' version, but instead of the 280 mile range you get with that car, there's a 251 mile figure (though that's an improvement on the 239 mile stat quoted for the XPOWER in its original form).

Design and Build

There aren't many visual changes to set this XPOWER variant apart from lesser MG4 models. The XPOWER derivative gets specific 18-inch 'Cyclone' alloy wheels, a black roof, gloss black lower accents and, if you want it, a bespoke 'Racing Green' paint job. The main change made to the XPOWER as part of this update lies with the newly-redesigned two-tone grey leather-style and suede-style body-hugging sports seats that now mark out the cabin with their integrated headrests. As before, there are aluminium pedals too. Otherwise, the changes here are the same as those made to lesser MG4 models. The previous 7-inch instrument display and 10.25-inch central touchscreen have been ditched. Now through the new three-spoke wheel, you view a bigger 10.25-inch driver's screen, while to your left is a 12.8-inch central touchscreen with the brand's now-improved infotainment software. The latter now has a welcome row of physical shortcut keys added beneath it. The centre console's been redesigned too, now looking much more conventional, with cup holders, the drive sector and a wireless charging pad, along with a decently-sized stowage space underneath. MG has also given this cabin much more of a quality feel, replacing a lot of the previous cheap-looking piano black finishing with soft-touch materials and carbon fibre-effect surfaces. Rear seat space is fine by the standards of Golf-sized compact hatchbacks - couple of six-footers will just about fit. And there's a reasonably-sized 388-litre boot with a false floor, the area extendable to 1,164-litres by the usual split-folding rear bench.

Market and Model

You'll need around £34,000 for an MG4 XPOWER and from that, MG will deduct its own £1,500 MG Grant, since the MG4 EV doesn't qualify for any kind of government contribution. That asking figure is £1,000 more than the top model in the standard line-up, the 'Premium Extended Range' variant. Which, given that you're getting 435PS here, is exceptional value. It isn't as if MG has skimped on kit either. Expect a black contrast-coloured roof, rear privacy glass, a twin aero rear spoiler, a microsuede-upholstered interior with electric driver's seat, heated front seats, a Bluetooth key, a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging and an MG iSmart system compatible with live services. You can also tick off automatic LED headlights and rear lights, rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and automatic climate control. Along with power-folding mirrors, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a leather-covered heated steering wheel, metal sports pedals and a 6-speaker audio system with 3D sound. The 10.25-inch floating colour touchscreen has satellite navigation, along with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. A 7-inch digital driver information display, a wireless phone charger and a height-adjustable boot floor are also included. Plus there's the 'MG Pilot' portfolio of camera safety features, which include Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Cost of Ownership

Earlier we gave you the driving range figure: 251 miles from the 64kWh battery. For reference, the 'Premium Long Range' MG4 with the same 64kWh battery manages 280 miles. And the 'Premium Extended Range' version (which has a 77kWh battery) returns 338 miles. Combined efficiency is rated at 3.2m/kWh. As for charging, well this XPOWER variant accepts rates of up to 140kW. That's enough to replenish the battery from 10 to 80% at a DC charger in 35 minutes. A 50kW DC charger would require 52 minutes (10-80%). And a 7kW garage wallbox would need 5.1 hours - or 24.2 hours from a domestic socket. You might worry about depreciation from a budget brand like MG. Actually, the opposite is true. Industry experts CAP reckon that top 'Trophy' versions of this car will retain 61% of their original cost and this XPOWER variant should be similar. And if that doesn't convince you, then the comprehensive 7 year warranty just might. Insurance is rated at group 40D.

Summary

We like the MG4 and, judging by the sales figures, it looks like you do too. We're still not sure it needs this much power though. Nor are we quite sure what kind of car this is. At its original launch, it professed to be the market's first electric hot hatch, but around the twisty stuff, this XPOWER variant doesn't really deliver the immersive handling fluidity that a car of that sort would really need. It remains a very decent first stab at the genre though - at a very affordable price. In fact, we can't think of any other car under £35,000 that would hurl you at the horizon very much faster. If that's what you want from a small EV hatch, then by all means try one of these. It's a sign of this Chinese brand's growing ambition. And, in its own way, a quick, aspirational, very ambitious little EV.