Crazy Fast, But Not Yet A Hot Hatch (MG4 XPower 2024 Review)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ค. 2024
- Detailed review and test of the MG4 XPower, including 0-100km/h test, EV range test, handling, ride quality, price, and features.
The MG4 XPower is incredibly quick. It beat its own 0-100km/h claim in our performance testing and is a hoot to accelerate, but it has poor compliance over mid-corner bumps which means it’s not a great hot hatch.
Still, the XPower is more powerful than an Audi RS3 for a cracking price of $59,990 before on-road costs.
Time codes:
0:00 - What is the MG4 XPower?
0:30 - In this video
1:02 - Interior
3:32 - Back seats
4:17 - Styling
4:30 - 363L boot space
4:58 - Running costs
5:23 - Driving dynamics
13:01 - Verdict
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Tom's take: the simpler, slower RWD MG4s ride and handle better: they're the true hot hatches in the classic sense of the word. The XPower is astonishingly quick, but loses that sweet balance in the process.
I’d buy just for the straight line speed. This isn’t a hyper hatch. It’s a muscle car haha
That’s closer to the mark, yes.
unless your taking it to the track which at best 10% of people do with any car ..
having straight line speed is more fun than the twisty stuff on public roads !!
@@volvot6rdesignawd702 I'd flat out disagree with you on that. The fun that can be had from showing owners of expensive muscle cars, hot hatches etc a clean exhaust pipe when driving something nobody would consider even remotely capable is immense.
There's one road near my house which has a long, almost continuous series of nadgery corners and curves which all string together fantastically, but you have to know them and know where the sight lines are. And those sight lines change depending on the season because of hedges etc. But I can't think of a single time when even seriously powerful cars (Beemer Ms, Audi RSs etc.) could keep up with my lowly 120bhp FWD van.
Power is one thing and, IMO, very overrated.
@@davidcolin6519 dont get me wrong i love my volvo and its a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing and i do love to drive fast and around corners but in fairness ive been driving fast and crazy for over 20 years now and at best i can accelerate fast in a straight line more than have real fun driving on twisty stuff on public roads there is just SOOO much more traffic than before than before ..
I pride my self on buying cars that can also go around a corner fast too and the volvo while not a track monster and isnt as balanced as a RWD merc or bmw it does well mainly due to computer aids and AWD !!
so if you you want real fun in a car with twisty stuff the track is always going to be better ..
not to mention with the limited EV charging stations in Australia and being so big of a country around town NAH outer suburbs Yeah maybe . some spririted country hooning NOT REALLY !!
@@volvot6rdesignawd702 Yeah, I know what you mean, On my visits to the UK, I find the traffic is absolutely horrendous, and the roads in such bad condition that you'd really need to be mentally unstable to want to go fast on them.And I haven't even mentioned the ludicrous number of speed cameras.
But the vast majority of my driving is in rural Spain which , admittedly, is in an area that is habituated by m/cycle riders at the w/e because the roads are fantastic around here. But I tend not to drive much at the w/e (or ride, for that matter) because that is when policing is heaviest:). The rest of the time we really don't have much in the way of traffic and I can punt along at a fair rate of knots:).
As for me; well, I'm not convinced by these performance mahines, any of them. i'll quite happily jog around at more normal speeds most of the time and use the bike for fun. But my next car will almost certainly be a hatchback EV with RWD. I simply do not understand why the legacy manufacturers will not produce dedicated EV architecture with RWD. That is their problem, and I have no intention of helping to protect an industry that will not learn from its mistakes.
BTW, it is looking increasingly likely that said hatch will be the MG4 estate (wagon to you Aussies) that is rumoured to be ready to replace the current MG5. I've always had a soft spot for the estate car form, and I positively love the fact that MG are continuing to support the form.
And a further BTW; Nice chatting to you.
It shows how far MG has developed in its comeback when you’re comparing it to the GTI and the A45.
That’s right!
It's half the price of A45 and goes faster in straight line, that will matter alot and I think they will have a good number of buyers
I don’t think it’s trying to be a hot hatch so it’s unfair to compare it ICE variants. Compare it to other EV cars at this price point with this performance. ..You can’t cos they don’t exist. This is why some reviews are raving about it and others not so much. It just depends where you’re coming from will determine what you think.
You're right, the car reviewer is purely judging the MG4 based on practicality and luxury, not what it's made for: performance.
Comparing cars that are 2 or almost 3 times the price of this car, is completely unfair. It's equivalate to comparing a RAV4 to a Range Rover, and as a result there's no meaningful value I can honestly take away from this review.
I see all the reviews and I have owned an MG4 trophy and now own the Xpower. For me and my day to day driving the Xpower is the better car.
I am getting my car in May. Cannot wait. I am not a crazy driver, so I should be fine
Cool what makes it the better car? Just power or something else?
@Longpigmss the interior is better than the trophy, I like the black roof with my white car and orange caliper covers. The speed is evident
Really happy that this ISN'T a focused hot-hatch like the Civic Type R. So, it's 100% comfortable for 3 hour+ treks, perfect for day-to-day use, but can overtake everything in site when you want to, and can make rapid (but sane) progress on twistier roads, if needed. Sounds perfect. If I want a fully focused beast, then I'd look for a weekend toy (thinking Caterham 7 here), or I'll just get my bike out of the garage.
Love that colour . Kudos to MG for sticking to the big guns.
The colour is rad
I really want Cupra to make thier version of this, they could absolutely do it. Maybe after the refresh (with the paddles)
I do believe that people buying this will be interested in straight line performance more than anything else. I think that MG will be taking note of reviews like this and a X POWER series 2 could be a much more complete hot hatch. By the way, did you say rattly A45 ?? . Thanks for the review.
Nah, it shall be MG4 X power 6R. Why get rid of this base perform trim while it is a crazy bang for the buck? It people bitching about the conering, well, get the 6R trim than. Just like Subaru with ordinary Imperza, than turn up a notch with an WRX. And then there are who seem the lamp time they can get WRX STi.
60k plus ORC to go 3.8. That is amazing. Who cares what it does on country roads. It's an urban drag car. It's a left lane set of lights warrior.
I would just drive around looking for red lights to embarrass all the Euros.
Your whole review should have been in the City dragging other cars off.
Sweet balance is great, if you’re a gymnast. I bought it for the power and daily laughs.
I think while its not a hot hatch its still priced at a price .. swap out the tyres with some better ones H&R lowered springs may liven it up on the twisty stuff !!
I understand that it has tires that are too small and is a little understeering: is that right? Did you say that anywhere in the video?
A weird take on it … standard MG4s are not really that fast. The xpower feels way better through the twisties with the stiffer setup than standard mg4 (although maybe I didn’t try push it as hard as it could go?). More power and ridiculous acceleration vs “balance” … umm … I’ll take more power please !
Clearly we’re approaching it from different angles. I found the XPower easily worse through the “twisties” than the better-suspended lower grades. Sure, it can accelerate out of corners fast, but the XPower deals with mid-corner bumps poorly, which reduces confidence, which in turn reduces how much you’re willing to deploy that power… the more compliant lower grades (or compliant hot hatches like the Golf R, A45, etc) don’t have this problem. If you’re not pushing the XPower hard, as you’ve suggested you don’t, you won’t suffer from these effects as greatly
Interesting car. Thanks, Tom
but you can self change the tyres, you do not expect to get Perrile P Zero for that price. give it a extra good tyre and you will se that performance.
You can, though the damping is probably the bigger issue.
I think a rwd MG4 51 fitted with the 180kw motor from the long range model would make a sweet warm hatch.
If they made a 51 essence model, that would be great. Add in the larger screen and better processor that just got added to the Chinese model and they’d have a killer product. I think the chances that this will happen are higher now that the BYD seal is price equivalent to the MG4 64 essence with higher spec
X-Power in Australia has a single phase 6.6 kW on board AC charger, not 11 kW as shown in the video at 8:55.
Do you think the Excite 51 is the best for handling because it's the least heaviest version?
That is the main reason. Least heavy, reasonably good tyres (not too sticky, not too slippery), RWD yet an adequate amount of power, which means you can really get stuck into it without breaking the speed limit on a good country road
Love my Blue 51 . Was wondering if the XP uses different springs and dampers and if these could be swapped out on the base ? took it for a good drive yday and its great, but a little underdamped when u push on i thought@@chasingcars
Excellent review Tom, as always. Wish we would get reasonably priced EVs like this MG4 here in the states. Unfortunately, the hostile trade and technology transfer policies between Washington and Beijing prevent that from happening.
Reasonably priced cars ? Are you kidding me. Our dollar buys 65 us cents. A base model 3 is around 65k on road where I live. All the Mercs and BMWs are way over priced. Porsche prices are crazy here. Trust me you have it good there.
I still can't get over the fact that they used orange brake calliper covers for their most expensive model
They reason the covers are for aero performance instead of covers on the rims.
Good info, thank you for the enlightenment @@simonwile5110
So Tom, would you spend say $15K more on suspension and tyres and wheel package to make it perform the same as an A45 AMG equivalent?
Possibly. It’s an option but not one I have the capacity to test at this stage. The best hot hatches FOR NOW are still ICE. But If I had decided on an MG4, what I would actually do is consider buying the cheapest, sweetest version for now, and then in a few years when undoubtedly the product has been honed further, see where the high performance iterations were up to. By then there will be even more competition in the mix too - be it a Mini JCW, Volkswagen ID GTI etc.
Be nice to see mg have its own identity seems to morph with every model that comes out.
Give me wired CarPlay any day of the week. More reliable, easy charging, phone doesn’t get super hot. Wireless is rubbish particularly in shared cars.
Id get one tomorrow, except for the deal breaker of no air in the back. This day and age in Queensland, that's a horrendous decision for them not to include.
It looks like a cooler Prius
Will be good when the MG4 gets the larger 12.3” screen and updated CPU of the Chinese model. Should really address the complaints of lag and small buttons on this model’s infotainment
Nope. Keep your eyes on the road and drive mate.
Simple - coil overs and performance summer tyre. Pretty much what i do to all my cars, factory is focused on a wide range of conditions.
Xpower is perfect. You can daily drive while having that power. Other hot hatch are too stiff...
it's crazy that something with so much power is only .5 seconds quicker in the quarter mile than my almost standard 300zx was a few years back, it must really drop off at the upper end
The XPower will run a 1/4 mile in about 12 secs flat. I had a twin turbo 300ZX, online they say the 300Zx runs about 13.8.
@@YSA920 yeah I ran a 12.5 in my manual TT, when I say almost standard it had minor mods but stock turbos and I had just bumped up the boost a bit, probably gained a bit from slicks too.
The thing is though I didn't feel it was that fast so unless most the XPower's quickness is at launch, I doubt I'd get much of a rush from it and would be inclined to go the base model with the better battery.
@@justice4gMG4 top speed is 200kmh / 124mph. It hits a brick-wall before the end of the 1/4 mile. Main difference is it's electric, so the shove is ALWAYS on tap. Like cruising around, permanently at 4,500rpm. Makes a huge difference in normal, day-to-day driving.
$8k more i can get BYD Seal performance.... better built, better interior, better equipment, better handling, better battery (LFP) and just as quick.... i'll take a longer loan on Seal than Xpower
Great review although disappointing to hear. I was hoping it was the whole package. 👍
Try driving one then see what you think. Its a hoot. And then compare what else you could get for the $
Change the tyres & pads . Name me a car for the same money that cuts it ! didnt think so
Hot hatch? It has near supercar performance...a true hot hatch would be lost in the MG's dust. Some cars at three or four times the cost would struggle with those 0 - 60 speeds.
You therefore don't get it.
This is more accurately described as a muscle car. They’ve optimised for straight line performance
Put this on a track against actual supercars and you’ll see how wrong you are. Supercars don’t handle like a boat.
@BennnWJK this thing is a rear wheel drive small hatch back. There's a video of someone slinging one around a track and it does well. Also, who cares? How often in real life does anyone get the chance to properly open up a supercar? On the road...nope, how often to most people go on a track? Hardly ever, most people on the plant will never drive on a track.
So. Day to day. On a motorway or winding road. When can you have a bit of fun? When accelerating up to 60 or 70. That's exactly what electric cars do best.
the only reason I didn't buy this car is due to the lack of sunroof
Fake brake covers on it looks cheap
MG4 xpower is not a hot hatch! Stop saying it.
Well, I actually said the opposite.
It can’t be a hot hatch. Way too tall. It’s bordering on crossover. Not too mention, EVs have no soul
A car for traffic light heroes. Not much else going for it
Completely agree 👍
Could you imagine the look on the face of the HSV driver you just destroyed
@@gdawwg1125 happened when i first got my Tesla, Numbnuts then tried to get out and fight me, he'd have lost that one too...
What we need is a dual electric motor Golf GTI, Golf R or Cupra Born with up to 430hp.
German engineering with a great chassis and great build quality from a company that knows how to build a car properly.
Please Wolfsburg!!!
It's funny how often you hear those statements about German engineering,, yet so many VWs are unreliable and a bit of a risk to own , don't get me wrong I would love an arteon shooting brake R or Tiguan R but after having a 2020 Tiguan R Line for just a year and experiencing rattles and vibrations all before 5000 K spoils it for me.
Judging by the back pedalling on EVs we are seeing from major manufacturers I wouldn't be counting on any major EV hothatches coming to market anytime soon.
There's an awful lot of cr^p talked about what is, and what isn't a "Hot hatch", and there never was any doubt whether a hatch was hot or not until the EV revolution. If it was faster than any of the contenders, it was a hot hatch, full stop. And it mattered not one jot if that hot hatch was flawed, even deeply flawed. There really never was the discussion. And I could give you any number of examples of flawed hot hatches that were still clearly hot hatches.
But idiot petrol heads can't abide the idea that something fast may not have to have an engine. In fact, almost any modern EV would have traditionally classified as a hot hatch, just from the sheer, off the line acceleration. and/or punch as soon as look at it.
But an EV can't be a hot hatch because, apparently no matter what. Apparently that means no matter that it completely destroyed the supposed current king of hot hatches, the Yaris GR, in at least one video I've seen.
But no, it has to sound like the emissions are going to kill you, even if the ludicrously loud exhaust pipe doesn't do that first, or it has to physically rip your bank account to shreds , not only by trying to feed too much power to the front wheels, but also by going through fuel fast enough to keep any Big Oil executive happy for the rest of his life.
Seriously, if you want a fun car to drive and it has to be hydrocarbon-fuelled, then any one of the current gagle of remaining hot hatches is absolutely RUBBISH to drive in comparison with the original, early hot hatches. They all got far too much grip and far too much power to be actually fun to drive. And that is why the Mazda MX5 /Miata was such a hoot to drive; skinny tyres, light weight and simply great dynamics. But the BS about the modern crop? All they are is FAST.
Which leaves us with the "problem" of cars like the MG4 Power and the Volvo EX30 Dual motor. They are just as unrewarding, and un "fun" as the next "Hot Hatch", yet they absolutely blow those paens to Hot hatches into the weeds when judged purely on how FAST they are.
If, like some of my students, you think that a car can't be valid unless it is producing pollutants that'll kill you, if it doesn't crackle and pop on the overrun, if it doesn't shred you bank balance, then all I'd say to you is "Grow up". Driving cars fast should not be, NEED not be about showing off, it should be about simply having fun, no matter how fast or slow you are in absolute terms.
And THAT is why the XPower isn't a "Hot Hatch" for just the same reason that the VWs, Mercs and Hyundais really, really aren't hot hatches.
But for the same reason, I would say that the base model MG4 is probably the best of the hot hatches on the market.
Shame it's such an ugly vehicle, probably uglier than a Tesla - and that's saying something!
I have pre order long range one
I don’t need that much power in Aus speeding isn’t cheap bill on pocket and $10.000 more price on the top this car isn’t set up sport Suspension and cornering
MG should put more sports options in Xpower such as
Sports seats and hard suspensions Better designed
Especially interior looks so simple and boring 🥱
Did you consider the base model for battery chemistry? I like the MG4 but unsure which variant
I don't see the value in the long range mg4.
The long range MG4 is trumped by the BYD seal in spec and critically battery chemistry. Good car the MG4 but it’s not as competitive as when first announced