All-new 2026 MG4 outed

The all-new second-generation MG4 all-electric hatchback has been revealed in China, the newcomer introducing more generous dimensions, a significant reduction in weight and fresh styling.

Measuring in at 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and standing 1551mm tall, with a 2750mm wheelbase, the new MG4 is 108mm longer than before with a wheelbase that has been stretched by 45mm.

The reason for the size is that, as a rival for EVs like the GWM Ora and BYD Dolphin, it’s thought that the new MG will also act as an indirect replacement for the eight-year-old MG5 EV sold in some markets, suggesting an MG4 wagon might be in the works.

Full details have yet to be released but our initial look at the battery-powered hatch, outed by Chinese government patent filings, suggests it will pick up where the latest 2025 MG3 and Cyberster roadster left off, with thin headlamps up front and arrow-shaped rear graphics in the tail-lights.

Other revelations are the new MG4 will come with a new electric motor that will produce 120kW. That’s 5kW less than before but the new patent filings suggests the new MG4 will be much lighter than the current car, tipping the scales at 1485kg. That figure is 135kg less than the current car with a 49kWh battery.

Documents filed with the Chinese government by MG Motor also indicate the model will be powered by a new lithium-iron phosphate battery. No range figure is mentioned for the new power pack, but it’s expected to be around 350km – the same as for the entry-level MG4 Excite 51, which has a 51kWh battery.

Like before, we expect a larger battery of around 64kWh to be fitted to the mid-spec MG4. This will be combined with a beefier electric motor that should produce at least 150kW and offer a range of more than 450km.

A long-range version with a larger battery of around 77kWh should see a range of around 550km.

There’s no word on whether MG has any plans to replace the MG4 XPOWER. If it does, expect a dual-motor powertrain that will pump out at least 320kW, delivering a zero to 100km/h dash of around 3.5 seconds and a range of around 450km.

Set to arrive in the second half of 2025, the new MG4’s size means it might be sold alongside the existing smaller hatch in the short term.

If so, the two-pronged approach could see Australia’s third-best-selling EV leap above the Tesla Model 3 into second position behind the Tesla Model Y – if the US car brand’s sales don’t implode.

Last year MG sold 6934 MG4s, up 121.3 per cent on the previous year, although the electric hatch wasn’t on sale for the full 12 months in 2023.

In its first year on sale the MG4 was voted 2023 carsales Car of the Year, with judges praising both its value and its fine drive.

Currently, the cheapest MG4 Excite 51 is priced in Australia from $34,990 drive away.

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