2026 MG4 Urban review, quick drive

The MG4 Urban has officially landed in New Zealand and has taken up the mantle as the Chinese manufacturer’s most affordable EV on sale locally. Positioned as an accessible route to EV ownership, it offers a new, lower entry point into the electrified range of a brand that continues to build confidence among Kiwi buyers.

It’s worth clarifying up front that while the MG4 Urban shares a name with the 2023 Car of the Year-winning MG4, that’s effectively where the similarities end. In fact, the 12.8-inch infotainment display is about the only carryover. The two cars sit on different platforms, use different powertrains, and despite being pitched as the ‘city car’ of the pair, the Urban actually rides on a slightly longer wheelbase.

So why the shared name? Well, the Urban sits in an awkward space in the line-up between the MG3 and MG4, and it can’t exactly be called the MG3.5. More importantly though, it targets a similar buyer, so MG is clearly leaning on the strong reputation the MG4 has built.

MG is also keen to point out the Urban isn’t a downgrade on the MG4, but rather a different take on the formula, one designed with urban driving in mind. To test that theory, we were sent out for a brief drive… into the backroads of the Waitākere Ranges.

How much does the MG4 Urban cost?

MG is bringing just one trim level of the Urban to New Zealand: the Essence 54.

Pitched as the higher-spec variant in Australia, it’s priced at $38,990 before on-road costs locally. Standard equipment includes PVC upholstery, a 12.8 inch infotainment display, and wireless smartphone mirroring.

This pricing drops it smack-bang in the middle of a crowded segment that includes cars like the BYD Atto 2, GWM Ora, Donfeng Vigo and Fiat 500e, to name a few. Personally though, I think the MG4 Urban is the best looking of the bunch.

What is the MG4 Urban like inside? 

The MG4 Urban presents itself as an affordable hatch that’s trying to feel a bit more premium than its price tag suggests. A tidy design and some soft-touch materials up front do their best to distract from the widespread use of harder plastics throughout the cabin.

That’s to be expected at this price point, and importantly, the key touchpoints, like the sporty steering wheel and PVC seats, feel decently premium for a sub-$40k car.

MG continues to follow the “iPad glued to the dashboard” trend, with a 12.8-inch infotainment screen dominating the cabin. The software felt responsive, but with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on offer, you’ll likely default to those anyway. There’s also a 7-inch driver’s display, and a column-mounted gear selector that frees up space in the centre console for goodies like a wireless phone charger.

Something worth celebrating is that climate controls aren’t buried in the screen. MG bucks the trend here, with physical controls sitting on the dash.

The real standout though is space. Thanks to MG’s new E3 platform, the Urban actually has a slightly longer wheelbase than the MG4, which translates to impressive rear seat room. At 182cm, I’d usually dread sitting behind my own driving position in a car like this, but there’s a surprising amount of room back there. Pair that with the flat EV floor, and the rear seat is a genuinely comfortable place to spend time.

Boot space is passable at 382L, growing to 1,266L with the rear seats folded down.

The MG4 Urban has also achieved a 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating, utlising a high-strength steel frame and a full suite of ADAS systems, including Active Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Driver Monitoring.

What’s under the bonnet? 

The MG4 Urban is powered by a 54kWh battery, driving a single electric motor that produces 120kW and 250Nm, sent to the front wheels.

MG claims a WLTP driving range of 405km, along with a maximum DC charging speed of 87kW for quick top ups.

That range is down on the 452km offered by the MG4 Essence, reinforcing MG’s positioning of the Urban as a more city-focused alternative.

What’s it like to drive? 

For a car so firmly positioned as a ‘city car’, our brief stint behind the wheel took place out on rural backroads.

Out there, the torsion beam rear suspension and fairly lifeless steering make the Urban feel a bit out of its depth. It doesn’t particularly enjoy being pushed, and that feeling wasn’t helped by the fact we were jumping between this and the updated MG4, which feels noticeably sharper and more driver-focused on a twisty road.

But you don’t buy an MG4 Urban for the backroads.

On the motorway and during a cruise back to base in Ponsonby, the Urban felt much more at home. The ride is soft but not sloppy, and the 120kW motor provides enough punch to make it feel zippy around town. MG also claims a 10.5m turning circle, which should prove handy for manoeuvring around city streets.

The driving position is ok, with comfy seats that sit a bit high, and a telescoping steering wheel that offers plenty of adjustment. Visibility is a highlight though, especially out the front, with the sloping bonnet giving you a clear view and making it feel like you’re sitting right over the front axle.

It would’ve been nice to spend more time with the Urban in its natural habitat, but from what we experienced, it feels like a competent city hatch.

What do you get? 

The MG4 Urban feels well specced for the price, offering all of the features buyers have come to expect from affordable EVs in this segment.

Key features include:

• Up to 405km of WLTP Combined Range
• 54kWh LFP Battery
• 17" Starburst Alloy Wheels
• MG Pilot including MG Pilot Custom Function
• PVC Seat Upholstery
• Full LED Headlights & DRL & Rear Lights
• Automatic Headlamps
• Roof Rails & Rear Spoiler
• 7" HD Driver Display
• 12.8" Infotaiment Touchscreen
• Satellite Navigation
• Wireless Connection to Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• iSMART Connectivity
  

CarExpert’s take on the MG4 Urban

The MG4 Urban feels like a solid entry into an increasingly crowded EV hatchback segment. It doesn’t do anything particularly new or outstanding, and its place within the broader MG4 family can be a little confusing, but judged on its own merits, it works.

It’s spacious, offers a peppy enough powertrain, and comes with all the tech most buyers will need. In that sense, MG has achieved exactly what it set out to do - deliver a capable and accessible city-focused EV.

We’re looking forward to spending more time with it down the track, where we can better assess how its space and urban-focus translate to day-to-day living.