All-new MG4 launches in China

UPDATED, 8 August 2025: MG Motor Australia is urging prospective buyers of the current MG4 electric hatchback to “snare their piece of history now” ahead of a new pricing strategy that will see more affordable front-wheel drive variants enter the range from 2026, while RWD and AWD options are set to increase in price.

MG says the all-new front-wheel drive MG4 range will arrive in the second quarter of 2026 with 43kWh and 54kWh battery pack options, while RWD and AWD versions will continue to be offered with a larger 64kWh battery pack but are expected to increase in price.

Pricing and full specifications for the 2026 MG4 range is yet to be revealed, however, the current line-up starts from $37,990 for the entry-level MG4 Excite 51 and tops out at $55,990 for the MG4 X-POWER AWD.

“The new for 2026 front wheel drive will be a completely different vehicle, perfect for the city,” said MG Motor Australia chief executive, Peter Ciao.

“Balancing driver usage needs and production cost considerations of rear wheel drive, we saw the opportunity for an affordable FWD vehicle to complement the MG4 RWD and AWD.”

ORIGINAL, 7 August 2025: SAIC Motor has unwrapped its larger 2026 MG4 in China and announced that local pricing there will start from just 73,800 yuan ($A16,000).

Four variants are available now, with the advanced semi-solid-state battery-powered version on sale before the end of this year.

MG previously announced it would be the first carmaker to offer the advanced new tech in a mainstream mass-produced model. The Chinese brand revealed that the battery had already passed three-direction needle penetration testing without issue.

The new batteries have also promised to perform better in low temperature conditions and blend its enhanced safety with a longer lifespan.

According to CarNewsChina, SAIC has invested 500 million yuan ($A108m) to develop a rare-earth alloy that incorporates the elements lanthanum and cerium for increased strength and better thermal resistance.

New details suggest the MG4 will feature a permanent magnet synchronous motor that will produce 120kW and 250Nm of torque, with top speed limited to 160km/h. Just two lithium-ion batteries will be offered – a 42.8kWh power pack that offers a range of up to 437km on China’s CLTC test cycle and a larger 53.9kWh battery that sees the MG4 drive up to 530km.

Charging speeds have not been disclosed, but a 30 to 80 per cent top up now takes around 20 minutes, while energy efficiency is claimed to improve to a remarkable 10.4kWh/100km.

Improving space within, saving weight and boosting rigidity, the new MG mounts its batteries using cell-to-body tech, with torsional stiffness said to now match some luxury SUVs.

Inside, MG is adopting a larger 15.6-inch touchscreen powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 chip. Over-the-air updates will unlock further functionality like remote parking and more sophisticated versions of the car’s sat-nav.

The front seats get both heating and ventilation, while the rear pews can now recline up to 27 degrees. Luggage space is 471 litres in the rear boot, with a further 98L found in the frunk.

Commenting ahead of its launch, MG’s local outfit told carsales: “MG Motor Australia is reviewing this new model and considering it for the Australian market.

“It is important to note this model is not built on the same platform as the existing MG4 and will not replace the current model.”

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au