I have the XPower in green here in the UK. True, you don't need the performance, but who ever needs performance? At this price it was an easy decision. The car is brilliant all round, as well.
@@RobertLund-d7d I mean what loser buys things worrying about the value it drops too? Man must suck being poor lad. I upgrade my computer almost yearly as well.... my 4090 will be replaced by the 5090 when that drops.. Should i be worried about the 50% value drop then too?
We've had our X-Power for a couple of months - it replaced an electric Mini Cooper S Level 3. Overall, we're delighted with (1) performance and power delivery (ride quality even on uneven roads, lack of body roll on the twisties); (2) ease of parking (visibility, 360-camera, turning circle, mirror placement); (3) seat comfort even on long journeys; (4) excellent audio quality and lack of road noise; (5) range (but still driving enthusiastically, so in these cold months 190-200 miles is a trade off we accept for all the fun. On the negative side: (1) the cabin is very dark at night (no ambient or switchable light in the rear seats); (2) infotainment screens are not intuitive or easy to use when driving and key driving settings are not retained when you switch off (actually the whole car stays electrically alive until you use the fob to lock it - so don't get out and walk away without locking it!); (3) no height adjustment on front passenger seat; (4) very little sideways illumination from front lights (makes turning L/R difficult in unlit country lanes; (5) no panoramic sunroof (expect that this will be a future option). Value for money and big smiles, this MG 4 X-Power is easy to love and easy to drive. A few wrinkles will get ironed out over future updates - hopefully early owners will get the benefit through Over-The-Air updates ...please?
Negatives the stereo is poor...not even average....seats are not great for bolster and no low lumber back support on them... interior is mehh...otherwise great value
The all wheel drive will greatly help me during winter. Not just because of the performance. It's a "cheapish" all wheel drive electric vehicle. I am ordering one.
Hy! I've tested the X-Power and... is like falling in love; Loved it: good power, good brakes, fair interior(for the price & category) and quasi comfortable; bit rough but ok; I drove a Dover white one & SHE looked just gorgeous. For me ... She's the one.
I have this on lease, so no issues with residual value as i simply hand it back. I went from a 400bhp BMW Z4 and needed something 4 seats for our new arrival. This met the criteria well as its fun when she's not in the car and safe and reliable when she is. The acceleration is great fun :D
Thanks for the review. Would like to see a comparison between this and the upcoming EX30 dual motor when it lands here. That car will cost about 10k more i think
The MG4 is an EV i could be tempted by, the boy racer in me says X Power but the sensible me would go rear wheel drive. As the short comings of EV,s for me are 1 range 2 recharging 3 no spare wheel, i consider them only suitable for a town car so probably the 64 essence.😊
I have test-driven both the 4 and the xpower. It's a trivial thing, but why oh why don't they have the alcantara seat option in the essence. 10k for calipers and seats... I still might do it though.
I cant believe this thing is just as fast as some of the top performing 100K plus performance vehicle's. I'm considering ordering the Golf R 8 but would you recommend this MG over a Mk 8 R?
It is fast but it’s not the same kind of machine as a Golf R. If you want to do more than just go fast in a straight line, then buy the Golf R, which is far more dynamic.
People choosing to mock the brake covers are probably unaware that spoilers and splitters on most vehicles don't do a damn thing other than make them look cool. At least the real callipers underneath the covers actually slow the MG4 down...
Great review and great information. Besides the dual motor there seems to be no other benefit for the 10k price hike. They should have improved the interior a little bit more
There's no real difference between the RWD and performance models of the Tesla M3 and MY in the interior, so I guess they're following suit. All the differences are under the "hood".
I test drove an MG4, great cars for the money, average in some respects and particularly IT and the screen, comfy and drives okay, but didn’t give me the driving experience other EV’s do. As for the Tesla screen, I used to use GPS’s for accurate speed readings. I like the Tesla screen and have absolutely no difficulty with the speedo location. No Frunk? Maybe in their next version. Well worth trying. My Tesla presses me back in the seat at 4.4 seconds to 100kph, that’s enough for me on my LR Michelin tyres which hold the road beautifully . Yes, I agree with you, 400KM WLTP is below what I’d expect for $60k expenditure. But a fast MG is sort of maybe possibly ‘fun’. Interesting and thorough review from you as always. I’d finish by saying balance between brakes and power is absolutely essential. Fake brake caliper covers? Shame oh shame.
I'll keep driving the 2002 Lancer coupe i bought for $1500 cash in 2015. Getting close to 500,000km. I want to get there first before looking for anything else.
I didn't want an XPower. I wanted an Essence 64, or maybe a LR. The 64 was much nicer than my Mazda CX3, but extra range was tempting. In the end, I recognised I didn't need the LR's range, and MG's runout sales (and 5k extra trade-in for my other ICE) reduced my changeover price for an XPower to less than I'd been willing to pay for an Essence 64 three months earlier - now also dramatically reduced. Then I realised I could also drive around in Eco or Normal modes, use less Es, still be quicker than the 64 and CX3, AND I have the lunacy of Sports mode! I thought very hard about being sensible, but, what can I say? LAUNCH CONTROL! 😂 I've never before had a car that can overtake like I'm on a quick motorbike. Astounding performance for the money. There are a few things I don't like so much (LKA defaulting on, and OPD defaulting off, screen sometimes needing double taps), but overall I'm very happy. I can be sensible next time... 😂
I've always kind of figured that if you're the kind of person who needs a spare tyre, you're probably not in the market for a small EV hatchback anyway. Of course reasoning that doesn't really hold up for something larger with longer range, or a hybrid like the Outlander PHEV, but, yeah.
I have a RAV4 spacesaver here that will fit under the floor of an ATTO 3. Had an XPower demo this week and it did not occur to me to see if the RAV4 spacesaver would fit in that boot. I reckon going out in the country without a spare wheel is a bit foolhardy myself.
@@YSA920 That's actually really good to know! About the RAV4 space-saver I mean. A blogger I follow actually took an Atto 3 on an interstate road trip, and if i recall correctly, with his family of four. So long trips are definitely doable in these sorts of vehicles.
I have not driven the X-Power , but also I am not a real rev head, so the Essence 64 is the one for me, though will test the Dolphin. I was considdering the Long Range but $8 grand for the extra 100k's , NAH.
This level of performance is perfect for the new 30kph speed zones introduced in the City of Yarra in Melbourne. Largely referred to the Nanny State of Australia, Victoria with its abundance of speed and red light cameras...this type of performance orientated vehicle is almost redundant unless you want to lose your licence in a day. It's a shame isn't it 😢
Great review. Enjoyed watching. It's a nice car, but some of those practicality and comfort misses (rear vents, etc.) as well as some of the interior cabin materials still makes this a hard buy at $60k. I also like the exterior styling of the Essence more than the Xpower.
No driver's seat setting memory is a big omission. If you can stretch your budget to a Volvo XC40 twin motor, then do it. It's a much better quality car and will do 0-100 in 4.8s.
It’s a rocket. Nicer to drive than my Tesla Model 3 Long Range. I sold that because it was falling apart. Awful car. I only worry about reliability and support. There have been lots of issues with them overseas. 7 year warranty is a saviour though. The software is bad. A lady in Melbourne had an automated braking incident where the car stopped for no reason. There’s dash cam footage. Find that on UA-cam. Lucky there was no one behind her. It doesn’t remember your settings either and the screen is unresponsive. The sound system is very average. The lane keep assist is awful. It tries to spear you into the other lane!! Two dangerous things that could result in a crash. But it’s fast and fun with its blistering performance. The assistance systems just need to be turned off. BYD Seal. I’d be wary of that. The car in the Alexandria showroom already has its driver’s seat clicking and moving on one side and all it’s done is sit in a showroom. I hear BYD are not great with after sales service either. So poor build quality. You also bump your head getting in and out of it. Those are my main issues. Cupra should have made the Born a 3.8 second sprinter for $60k. What a missed opportunity. That’s the one I’d be buying.
@@therightcarI hope that's a cryptic reference to a dual motor 428hp Born!!! Then again, there's the dual-motor Volvo EX30 which looks amazing. Who knows how much that will be!!
I have the XPower in green here in the UK. True, you don't need the performance, but who ever needs performance? At this price it was an easy decision. The car is brilliant all round, as well.
Pity it will lose 50% of its value in 12 months 😂
@@RobertLund-d7d Why would that be a pity?
@@RobertLund-d7dcan you name me an EV that currently loses 50% in a year? Because I just looked for second hand Teslas online as prices are still high
@@RobertLund-d7d I don't think it will TBH, they're not the cheaper/inferior petrol versions of MG so I think they will hold value quite well.
@@RobertLund-d7d I mean what loser buys things worrying about the value it drops too? Man must suck being poor lad.
I upgrade my computer almost yearly as well.... my 4090 will be replaced by the 5090 when that drops.. Should i be worried about the 50% value drop then too?
We've had our X-Power for a couple of months - it replaced an electric Mini Cooper S Level 3. Overall, we're delighted with (1) performance and power delivery (ride quality even on uneven roads, lack of body roll on the twisties); (2) ease of parking (visibility, 360-camera, turning circle, mirror placement); (3) seat comfort even on long journeys; (4) excellent audio quality and lack of road noise; (5) range (but still driving enthusiastically, so in these cold months 190-200 miles is a trade off we accept for all the fun. On the negative side: (1) the cabin is very dark at night (no ambient or switchable light in the rear seats); (2) infotainment screens are not intuitive or easy to use when driving and key driving settings are not retained when you switch off (actually the whole car stays electrically alive until you use the fob to lock it - so don't get out and walk away without locking it!); (3) no height adjustment on front passenger seat; (4) very little sideways illumination from front lights (makes turning L/R difficult in unlit country lanes; (5) no panoramic sunroof (expect that this will be a future option). Value for money and big smiles, this MG 4 X-Power is easy to love and easy to drive. A few wrinkles will get ironed out over future updates - hopefully early owners will get the benefit through Over-The-Air updates ...please?
Negatives the stereo is poor...not even average....seats are not great for bolster and no low lumber back support on them... interior is mehh...otherwise great value
received mine 10 days ago ..its mad 🙂
Glad you’re loving it!
haha first time you make that 0-100 the hair look like you profile pic. haha, i love my Xpower.
The all wheel drive will greatly help me during winter. Not just because of the performance. It's a "cheapish" all wheel drive electric vehicle. I am ordering one.
Hy! I've tested the X-Power and... is like falling in love; Loved it: good power, good brakes, fair interior(for the price & category) and quasi comfortable; bit rough but ok; I drove a Dover white one & SHE looked just gorgeous. For me ... She's the one.
Hey mate, any word when you’ll be able to review the BYD Seal?
Definitely a brand making cars people want.
Yep!
I have this on lease, so no issues with residual value as i simply hand it back. I went from a 400bhp BMW Z4 and needed something 4 seats for our new arrival. This met the criteria well as its fun when she's not in the car and safe and reliable when she is. The acceleration is great fun :D
Great review Matt ✌🏼
Thanks for the review. Would like to see a comparison between this and the upcoming EX30 dual motor when it lands here. That car will cost about 10k more i think
I got a green beast. It is awesome in every way.
The MG4 is an EV i could be tempted by, the boy racer in me says X Power but the sensible me would go rear wheel drive.
As the short comings of EV,s for me are 1 range 2 recharging 3 no spare wheel, i consider them only suitable for a town car so probably the 64 essence.😊
towing isn't that expensive, and it doesn't happen very often
Run-flats.
I got both the essence 64 and xpower😊
I have test-driven both the 4 and the xpower. It's a trivial thing, but why oh why don't they have the alcantara seat option in the essence. 10k for calipers and seats... I still might do it though.
Lots of energy (from you)
Great review.
Yes, you're a tight arse!
More tight arse reviews, please!😊
Hahahaha!
Glad you found it fun, and thanks for being honest about my tight-arsery.
I cant believe this thing is just as fast as some of the top performing 100K plus performance vehicle's. I'm considering ordering the Golf R 8 but would you recommend this MG over a Mk 8 R?
It is fast but it’s not the same kind of machine as a Golf R. If you want to do more than just go fast in a straight line, then buy the Golf R, which is far more dynamic.
People choosing to mock the brake covers are probably unaware that spoilers and splitters on most vehicles don't do a damn thing other than make them look cool. At least the real callipers underneath the covers actually slow the MG4 down...
Great review and great information.
Besides the dual motor there seems to be no other benefit for the 10k price hike. They should have improved the interior a little bit more
I think for those who just want the effortlessness of the performance it makes sense. Not sure it’s for everyone though.
Even in Normal mode it's very quick.
I have the car. And I agree. For 10k extra they should've done a little bit more.... But it's still a blast to drive.
There's no real difference between the RWD and performance models of the Tesla M3 and MY in the interior, so I guess they're following suit. All the differences are under the "hood".
I test drove an MG4, great cars for the money, average in some respects and particularly IT and the screen, comfy and drives okay, but didn’t give me the driving experience other EV’s do. As for the Tesla screen, I used to use GPS’s for accurate speed readings. I like the Tesla screen and have absolutely no difficulty with the speedo location. No Frunk? Maybe in their next version. Well worth trying. My Tesla presses me back in the seat at 4.4 seconds to 100kph, that’s enough for me on my LR Michelin tyres which hold the road beautifully . Yes, I agree with you, 400KM WLTP is below what I’d expect for $60k expenditure. But a fast MG is sort of maybe possibly ‘fun’. Interesting and thorough review from you as always. I’d finish by saying balance between brakes and power is absolutely essential. Fake brake caliper covers? Shame oh shame.
I'll keep driving the 2002 Lancer coupe i bought for $1500 cash in 2015. Getting close to 500,000km. I want to get there first before looking for anything else.
I didn't want an XPower. I wanted an Essence 64, or maybe a LR. The 64 was much nicer than my Mazda CX3, but extra range was tempting. In the end, I recognised I didn't need the LR's range, and MG's runout sales (and 5k extra trade-in for my other ICE) reduced my changeover price for an XPower to less than I'd been willing to pay for an Essence 64 three months earlier - now also dramatically reduced.
Then I realised I could also drive around in Eco or Normal modes, use less Es, still be quicker than the 64 and CX3, AND I have the lunacy of Sports mode! I thought very hard about being sensible, but, what can I say? LAUNCH CONTROL! 😂 I've never before had a car that can overtake like I'm on a quick motorbike. Astounding performance for the money.
There are a few things I don't like so much (LKA defaulting on, and OPD defaulting off, screen sometimes needing double taps), but overall I'm very happy.
I can be sensible next time... 😂
Thanks for this!👍 looking soo good in black paint🔥💪
Welcome!
Hey Matt did you manage to match the 3.8 seconds acceleration claim?
Not quite. 4.2.
@@therightcar Interesting, Brett Davis did a 3.82 in the green one.
Paul Maric on Car Expert matched it exactly 3.8secs 👍
@@53glowe I believe it was 3.92 lol
but the cupra is slow... sorry no way the same fun.
when is the xsr review coming out ?
I've always kind of figured that if you're the kind of person who needs a spare tyre, you're probably not in the market for a small EV hatchback anyway.
Of course reasoning that doesn't really hold up for something larger with longer range, or a hybrid like the Outlander PHEV, but, yeah.
I have a RAV4 spacesaver here that will fit under the floor of an ATTO 3. Had an XPower demo this week and it did not occur to me to see if the RAV4 spacesaver would fit in that boot. I reckon going out in the country without a spare wheel is a bit foolhardy myself.
@@YSA920 That's actually really good to know! About the RAV4 space-saver I mean.
A blogger I follow actually took an Atto 3 on an interstate road trip, and if i recall correctly, with his family of four. So long trips are definitely doable in these sorts of vehicles.
@@mighty_bunny the RAV4 spacesaver stud pattern is ok for the ATTO 3 as well.
Why for Australian climate there would not be ventilated seats but heated only?
Because cooling is harder, heating is simple.
That needs ducting from the AC system or fans, more complicated and expensive than putting heating elements under the upholstery
I personally prefer analogue speedometer.
Not many EVs have analogue dials.
I have not driven the X-Power , but also I am not a real rev head, so the Essence 64 is the one for me, though will test the Dolphin.
I was considdering the Long Range but $8 grand for the extra 100k's , NAH.
I hear you - the added range is not worth that much. If it was $4000, maybe...
for me.... i'll spend another $8k to get Seal performance... much better interior, maybe better handling, LFP battery, better tech...
I guess we'll see soon enough!
If i was a single man again. This car would be it.
It’s never too late for a divorce
It’s pretty versatile
@@therightcarSo Matt...you're a marriage counsellor as well now. Man you're versatile 😉
MG is in every model fantastc value.
Just wait for the upcoming insurance price hikes already hapoening in Europe
Cupra with the big battery is only four seats
No, in Australia, you can get the big battery with five seats - there’s an interior option package the limits the rear seat occupancy to two.
This level of performance is perfect for the new 30kph speed zones introduced in the City of Yarra in Melbourne. Largely referred to the Nanny State of Australia, Victoria with its abundance of speed and red light cameras...this type of performance orientated vehicle is almost redundant unless you want to lose your licence in a day. It's a shame isn't it 😢
It’s never too late to move
You shouldn't be "performance" driving on residential or city streets anyway.
All you need living in that are is tram ticket.
it is a shame indeed. Let us off the leash!!!!
the biggest problem is the new car smell. I don't like toxic fumes. I need a car to age for 10 or 15 years
Interior needs a refresh
Great review. Enjoyed watching. It's a nice car, but some of those practicality and comfort misses (rear vents, etc.) as well as some of the interior cabin materials still makes this a hard buy at $60k. I also like the exterior styling of the Essence more than the Xpower.
The Essence is also more fun with the RWD, even if it is slower
Thanks mate.
Yeah the Essence is arguably more appealing.
The stereo is dreadful 😅
No driver's seat setting memory is a big omission. If you can stretch your budget to a Volvo XC40 twin motor, then do it. It's a much better quality car and will do 0-100 in 4.8s.
It’s a rocket. Nicer to drive than my Tesla Model 3 Long Range. I sold that because it was falling apart. Awful car.
I only worry about reliability and support. There have been lots of issues with them overseas. 7 year warranty is a saviour though.
The software is bad. A lady in Melbourne had an automated braking incident where the car stopped for no reason. There’s dash cam footage. Find that on UA-cam. Lucky there was no one behind her.
It doesn’t remember your settings either and the screen is unresponsive. The sound system is very average.
The lane keep assist is awful. It tries to spear you into the other lane!!
Two dangerous things that could result in a crash.
But it’s fast and fun with its blistering performance. The assistance systems just need to be turned off.
BYD Seal. I’d be wary of that. The car in the Alexandria showroom already has its driver’s seat clicking and moving on one side and all it’s done is sit in a showroom. I hear BYD are not great with after sales service either. So poor build quality. You also bump your head getting in and out of it.
Those are my main issues.
Cupra should have made the Born a 3.8 second sprinter for $60k. What a missed opportunity. That’s the one I’d be buying.
Let’s see what else happens in the $60k space in the next 12 months. I think it’s going to be hectic!
The Cupra with the drum brakes?
@@therightcarI hope that's a cryptic reference to a dual motor 428hp Born!!! Then again, there's the dual-motor Volvo EX30 which looks amazing. Who knows how much that will be!!
Sometimes, in the real world of idiot drivers and piss takers, its better to just be very fast and not fun.
Hahahaha