2023 MG4 electric hatch pricing confirmed

The 2023 MG4 electric hatch will start from $44,990 plus on-road costs when it arrives here in the second half of the year.

The launch range and pricing has been confirmed today as MG Motor Australia opens up expressions of interest for the battery-electric small car, which kicks off with three model grades: the entry-level 64kWh Excite, mid-tier 64kWh Essence and flagship 77kWh Essence Long Range.

The 64kWh Essence is positioned $3000 upstream of the Excite, starting at $47,990 plus ORCs, while the bigger-battery 77kWh Essence Long Range is priced from $55,990 plus ORCs.

The sub-$45K opening salvo does not hand MG bragging rights for Australia’s cheapest EV – that’s currently held by the GWM Ora which starts from $43,990 plus ORCs.

The MG ZS EV also carries a sticker price of $43,990 plus ORCs, but when state and territory drive-away pricing is factored in the GWM Ora hatch trumps MG’s small SUV.

That said, MG Australia has flagged today that a price-leading MG4 model with a smaller 51kWh battery “is under consideration to join the rest of the range closer to launch”.

Also under study is an X-Power dual-motor all-wheel drive variant.

The MG4 is the first model from the Chinese brand to be underpinned by its new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), which is rear-drive-based and, according to the car-maker, allows for a perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

Both 64kWh MG4 models are powered by a 150kW single electric motor that can send the hatchback from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds.

The Excite has a WLTP-verified driving range of up to 450km, while the heavier Essence can manage up to 435km.

With its bigger 77kWh battery and a more powerful 180kW e-motor, the Essence Long Range is claimed to reach 100km/h in less than 7.0sec (no exact figure supplied) and travel up to 530km before needing to recharge.

The only recharging times supplied by MG to date relate to the 64kWh models. These can charge at a rate of up to 138kW DC, with the car-maker quoting 28min for a 10-80 per cent top-up using a 150kW fast-charger.

Equipment-wise, the Excite rides in 17-inch alloy wheels and features black fabric upholstery, MG iSMART connected car functions, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch floating infotainment screen, smartphone mirroring, four-speaker sound system, rotary gear selector and the MG Pilot safety suite.

The latter includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, intelligent speed limit assist with traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, driver attention alert and intelligent high beam assist.

The Essence model grade ups the ante with bigger 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a six-speaker audio system, satellite navigation, 360-degree camera, height-adjustable loading floor, wireless phone charging, Bluetooth and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The Essence models also have blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and a door opening warning.

There is a claimed 363 litres of cargo space behind the second row, which can be expanded up to 1177 litres when the split-folding rear seats are folded flat.

Six exterior colours are available: Dover White, Brixton Blue, Black Peal, Camden Grey, Dynamic Red, Volcano Orange and Sterling Silver.

The MG4 is covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

How much does the 2023 MG4 cost?
64kWh Excite – $44,990
64kWh Essence – $47,990
77kWh Essence Long Range – $55,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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