MG4 Urban review

You’d be forgiven for thinking the MG4 Urban is a version of the MG4 aimed at buyers who mostly drive around town. Well, it isn’t – it’s actually a completely different car.

In fact, we’re not entirely sure why MG has plumped for a confusingly similar name, because just about the only thing the two models have in common is that they’re powered by electricity. With styling inspired by the MG Cyberster sports car (apparently), the MG4 Urban looks nothing like its namesake and it even sits on different underpinnings. 

MG4 Urban video review

It’s also bigger in every direction but much cheaper to buy – being priced in line with far smaller electric cars, such as the Hyundai Inster and Renault 5. So, on one hand it’s a bigger alternative to those aforementioned cars, and on the other it’s a cheaper rival for the similar-sized Kia EV3 and Nissan Leaf.

How fast is it and which motor is best?

The cheapest (Standard Range) version of the MG4 Urban has a 148bhp electric motor driving its front wheels. It isn’t quick by electric car standards, but acceleration is perfectly adequate (0-62mph takes 9.6 seconds).

The Long Range version has a slightly more powerful motor, but it also has a bigger battery, which means it’s heavier. The net result is almost identical performance to the Standard Range on paper. However, when we performance tested a Long Range against its rivals it managed 0-60mph in a sprightly 8.4sec, almost matching the equivalent Renault 5 and easily out-accelerating the Hyundai Inster.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

‘More than good enough’ is how we'd describe the MG4 Urban’s ride and handling. It leans more than a Renault 5 through faster corners, but it steers accurately through bends. The steering weights up a little unnaturally on faster roads, but around town it's light enough and the Urban’s relatively tight (10.5m) turning circle makes it easy to manoeuvre.

While the stiffer Renault 5 feels more tied down over undulations, the Urban's not as bouncy as the Hyundai Inster. And the Urban's softer set-up helps to soak up bumps adroitly, from sharp potholes to sizeable speed bumps. In essence, it's one of the more comfy small EVs at this end of the price range.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

The good news is that the accelerator response is well-judged and predictable, making it easy to pull away smoothly. It's the same story with the brake pedal, which is far less grabby than the Inster's and a little more progressive than the Renault 5's, so slowing down calmly is easy. 

The MG4 Urban isn’t the quietest of electric cars on the move. Tyre and wind noise levels are similar to its price rivals and far from overbearing at 70mph, but you do hear the suspension working away along pockmarked roads. The Citroen e-C3 is more hushed at higher speeds, as is the brilliant Kia EV3 (but that’s a lot more expensive).

What’s the range and efficiency like, and how quickly can it charge?

The Urban uses an LFP battery that MG says won't degrade as much as non-LFP batteries (as used in many of its rivals) when you charge it to 100%. That allows you to maximise the battery's range potential more often. The downside is you can't set a battery charging limit in the Urban, and while there's no problem with charging it to 100%, you might not want to if you're plugged into an expensive public charger.

The Standard Range has a battery with a (usable) capacity of 41.9kWh, and it can officially manage 201 miles. That’s a few miles farther than the entry-level Renault 5 Urban can travel.

Meanwhile, the Long Range has a bigger 52.8kWh battery, boosting its official range to a maximum of around 258 miles (it varies slightly depending on trim level). Again, that’s slightly better than the longest-range version of the Renault 5. Just bear in mind that you'll struggle to achieve the official ranges in any electric car, especially in colder weather. 

In our real-world testing, the Urban Long Range managed 3.6mi/kWh and 207 miles on a single charge in less than ideal conditions. If you need more range check out pricier alternatives like the Kia EV3 and Nissan Leaf.

A 10-80% top-up in the MG4 Urban takes around half an hour in ideal conditions, assuming you’re plugged into a fast enough charging point. That isn’t brilliant by modern electric car standards, although it’s roughly on a par with similar-priced alternatives, such as the Hyundai Inster. The Renault 5 charges quicker but not by enough enough to make a huge difference in its charging time.

“The MG4 Urban is a fine all-rounder when it comes to ride and handling, but the Renault 5 is definitely more fun to drive.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

The MG4 Urban is pretty cheap by electric car standards, so it would be unreasonable to expect it to have a swanky interior. And it doesn’t – but, at the same time, there’s nothing overly cheap or off-putting inside.

Sure, the dashboard plastics are hard – like they are in a Hyundai Inster or Renault 5 – but at least there’s some padding on the door armrests, as well as some stitched faux-suede on the dashboard. You do have to upgrade to Premium trim to get a faux-leather-wrapped steering wheel, though; the steering wheel in the entry-level Comfort is just moulded plastic.

As for the design, if you like a conservative-looking interior with a dark grey colour scheme, you’ll have no complaints. If you prefer a bit more colour and effusive style, then the Renault 5’s interior will appeal more.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

You sit slightly higher and farther from the road than you would in a conventional hatchback, like the VW ID3, and that helps give you a great view straight down the road. The windscreen pillars get in the way a bit at junctions and roundabouts, but not enough to cause any real problems.

The MG4 Urban is easy to manoeuvre in tight situations, too, not least because even the cheapest version comes with rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Upgrading to Premium trim gets you a more sophisticated 360-degree camera.

There’s plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel, and the seat (electrically adjustable as standard on the Premium trim) offers good side support and long-distance comfort. Crucially, lower back support isn’t lacking, despite there being no adjustable lumbar support in any version.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

Fortunately, you don’t need to use the infotainment touchscreen to control the air-conditioning because there are physical knobs on the dashboard for that. That makes it easy to adjust the temperature or fan speed when you’re on the move.

All versions of the MG4 Urban have a 12.8in touchscreen infotainment system, which is easy to reach with sharp graphics. It's not as responsive as the Renault 5's, though, and MG's ‘native’ operating system isn't as user-friendly as Renault's, either. But thanks to standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, you can bypass the car's software and use your phone's instead.

Upgrading from entry-level Comfort to Premium gets you an extra couple of speakers (six vs four), a wireless phone charging pad and some live services for the infotainment system, including weather updates, Amazon Music, TikTok and YouTube.

“I almost always use Apple CarPlay when driving – even in high-end luxury cars. So it’s great that MG offers smartphone mirroring as standard across the range.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

How much space does it have for people?

The MG4 Urban is longer and wider than a Nissan Leaf and it’s almost exactly the same height. So, although it’s priced in line with small hatchbacks like the Renault 5 and Hyundai Inster, it’s far roomier inside than they are.

That means there’s plenty of space for tall people in the front, plus lots of stowage for their odds and ends. There’s a huge tray under the ‘floating’ centre console that separates the driver from the front passenger, along with a decent-sized cubby under the centre armrest and another open tray at the base of the dashboard. That’s on top of a couple of cupholders and large, partitioned door pockets.

Things are even more impressive in the back, because while a six-footer will feel decidedly cramped in the rear of a Renault 5, the MG4 Urban offers them space to spare. Not as much as there is in the considerably pricier Kia EV3, admittedly, but it's about as roomy as a Leaf in the rear. 

There’s even a completely flat floor, so squeezing three people across the back seats won’t be too challenging when it comes to foot space for the middle passenger – and bear in mind that you can't get three in the back in an Inster because it has only two rear seats . In fact, the Urban's only real downside is that there’s no fold-down central armrest.

How much room does it have for luggage?

Look at the boot capacities in the table below and you might assume the MG4 Urban has an enormous boot that’s roughly the same size as the much larger Skoda Enyaq’s. That isn’t the case, though, and the confusion is because MG quotes the ‘minimum’ capacity measured all the way up to the ceiling; most manufacturers give the capacity up to the parcel shelf.

Still, the MG4 Urban has a vastly bigger boot than similar-priced alternatives, including the Hyundai Inster and Renault 5. So, while we managed to squeeze four carry-on cases into the Renault's boot and just three in the Inster’s (below the parcel shelf), we managed a heady total of eight in the MG4 Urban – six in its main boot area and two in the huge well under the boot floor.

Even the similar-sized but more premium Kia EV3 and Nissan Leaf could only manage six cases below their parcel shelves.

You can fold the rear seat back in a 60/40 split, although this does leave a big step in the floor of the extended load bay (there’s quite a big lip at the boot entrance too). At least that’s true in the entry-level Comfort version. Premium trim adds a height-adjustable boot floor to help mitigate the issue.

“The MG4 Urban has no storage under its bonnet, but I think the big main boot and generous underfloor storage offer more luggage space than most would expect from a car in this price range.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the MG4 Urban is its low price. At the moment, MG is even offering a £1,500 guaranteed saving off the list price to make up for the fact that its cars (built in China) don’t qualify for the UK Government’s EV grant.

When you factor in other discounts that are available (at the time of writing), the top-level Urban Long Range Premium will cost cash buyers less than a Renault 5 Comfort Range in mid-spec Techno+ trim, and roughly the same amount as a top-spec Hyundai Inster Long Range 02. There's very little difference in monthly PCP finance costs, too, although the Urban is expected to depreciate quicker than those key rivals. 

Entry-level Comfort trim gets you a respectable amount of standard equipment, including 16in wheels with plastic trims, heated door mirrors, climate control, adaptive cruise control, a heat pump (for more efficient warming of the interior in cooler weather), rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. If you want the Standard Range battery, it's the only trim available.

However, if you go for the Long Range battery you have the option of upgrading to Premium trim for an extra couple of grand. It adds 17in alloys, tinted rear windows, ambient interior lighting, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the electrically adjustable driver's seat, height-adjustable boot floor and 360-degree parking camera we mentioned earlier. And it still represents good value.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

We can’t give you much of a steer on reliability for the MG4 Urban yet, because it sits on new underpinnings and has little in common with the company’s other electric cars, including the MG4 and MG S5.

Still, MG’s reliability hasn’t impressed in the past. In fact, the brand finished rock bottom of the overall manufacturer league table in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey. More encouragingly, the MG4 Urban comes with a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty as standard. The high-voltage battery is covered separately for up to eight years or 100,000 miles, which is in line with many of its rivals. 

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

If you’re worried that the tempting price tag might mean compromised safety provisions, then there's good news: the MG4 Urban was awarded five stars (out of five) by Euro NCAP. A closer look at the crash test results reveals it does a brilliant job of protecting kids sitting in the back, and a pretty good job of keeping adult occupants safe, too.

Similar-priced fully electric alternatives, such as the Hyundai Inster and Renault 5, only scored four stars out of five for overall safety. And while the Kia EV3 matched the MG4 Urban’s score, it's a much more expensive car.

All versions of the MG4 Urban come with an alarm and immobiliser to help ward off thieves.

“The MG4 Urban won’t be eligible for the government’s official EV grant, so I think it’s great MG has decided to offer its own ‘grant’ with a guaranteed £1500 saving on the list price.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Buy it if…

– You want a well-priced EV that majors on space

– You've after a decent range for a low price

– You do most of your charging at home, because its fast-charging rate isn't great

Don’t it buy if…

– You want a car that’s fun to drive

– You crave a stylish and brightly finished interior

– You're worried about MG's currently dismal reliability record

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