What are the advantages to getting an electric car?

The short-term advantages are: they're cheaper to run, easier to drive and simpler to maintain. The main long-term advantage is that because EVs are zero emission, our built up areas and cities will have much cleaner air for us all to breathe. That reduces risk of ill health and death and, of course, protects and preserves our planet and wildlife.

What are the disadvantages to getting an electric car?

EVs can be expensive to purchase (that's where electric car subscriptions can help) and charging or range is a blocker for some people. It doesn't have to be, though, as you can turn charging on its head and make it work for you with a bit of planning.nnAs for range, it's said the average UK driver does no more than 30 miles per day; nearly all modern EVs would happily get you around in that scenario with just one charge per week. That doesn't stop range anxiety creeping in of course, but Jess from the team has written about her experience and how she quickly overcame it.

How can I afford an electric car?

At the moment, electric cars are more than their ICE (internal combustion engine) equivalents. But, that doesn't mean they're out of reach.nnYou could think about leasing an electric car, but leases still often require a large upfront deposit and lengthy contracts. With electric car subscriptions, you can usually get an EV delivered to your door within a week with no deposit required and just a 60 day or 12 month minimum term.

How much will my electricity bill go up with an electric car in the UK?

A good question. The cost of electricity is in flux for a number of reasons and will likely remain so for some time. That said, even charging an electric car from home all the time, it's highly likely you'll still end up paying less than if you were to add fuel costs for your ICE car (internal combustion engine) to your existing utility bills.nnSo, in short, you'll notice your electricity bill go up a fair bit -- but when you compare to what you were spending each month overall, you should notice a saving.nnWe've written about how depsite charging cost increase, electric car drivers still save money on our blog.

Life with an MG4 – is it worth it?

By Josh Bowness

Jun 28, 2023

Said to be one of the most important electric cars released recently, the MG MG4 EV (yes, that really is it’s official name here in the UK) is one of the most affordable, well rounded EVs you can drive right now… so we’re told.

Life with an electric car was previously said to bring with it huge compromises: long distance range and complicated charging being two of the most talked about. But MG are determined to put that to bed and the MG4 electric car was their spearhead in that campaign, with all the car’s marketing being about saying “NO” to compromise.

So, how does it fair? What’s it really like to live with? It’s been out a little while now, so I’ve done some digging for you…

MG4 range and statistics

First, let’s take a look at the headline stats for the MG4:

A spacious interior and impressive efficiency

AutoExpress magazine

Variants available: 2 – Standard Range (51kWh battery size) or Long Range (64kWh).
Power: 170PS (Standard), 203 PS (Long). Interestingly, the Standard Range is marginally quicker from 0-60mph (7.5s) because of the smaller, lighter battery.
Max charging speed: 117kW (Standard), 135kW (Long). 10-80% in both cars takes between 35-40 minutes at an ultra-rapid charger.
Real world range*: 190miles (Standard), 230 miles (Long).

*according to EV Database.

MG4 interior and tech

Like all MG electric cars, the trim levels are easy to understand with just two available: MG4 SE and MG4 Trophy. The only thing to note is that the SE trim is only available with the Standard Range battery – if you’re desperate for those extra 40 miles, you’ll need to go for a Trophy variant.

The infotainment screen of the MG4. Someone is about to tap and use it.

The MG4 EV interior and infotainment screen.

Here’s how the trims stack up:

Fabric seats

4 speaker audio

10.25” touchscreen with iSMART user app & 7” digital driver display

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Automatic climate control & leather steering wheel

Trophy

Electric heated (front) leather style seats

6 speaker audio with 3D sound

+ Live services including traffic, weather and Sat Nav

+ 360-degree parking camera and wireless phone charger

+ heated steering wheel

All MG4s also come with MG Pilot, which is MGs suite of driver aids including: adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and active emergency braking (which will detect pedestrians if they walk out in front of you).

Only Trophy comes with blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert though.

Other MG4 things to know

The iSMART app, which works on the MG4, MG ZS EV and MG5 Long Range, is your remote control essentially (but, no, you can’t use it to drive the car).

You can schedule charging and get status updates on your battery, as well as manage the climate control in advance (handy in all weathers!).

MG also offer a 7-year (or 80,000 mile) warranty on the MG4, meaning true peace-of-mind. The battery is also covered by an 8-year warranty so there really is nothing to worry about if you’re considering making the switch to electric. The best bit? These warranties are fully transferable to future owners, so if you’re after a used MG4, you’re in luck.

And, possibly the coolest bit, is the MG4 EVs vehicle-to-load capability (V2L for short). V2L means you can use your electric car to charge other appliances.

“Charge an electric bike on holiday, power an electric pump for your airbed or even plug in your laptop for remote working”, say MG. Tempted to try the remote working one to be honest!

A Tesla Model X driving along a country road.

What’s the MG4 like to drive?

Electric cars are boring to drive, right? Wrong. At least not with the MG4.

The MG4 is rear wheel drive, meaning power is sent to the back wheels alone. You won’t be able to go drifting in it, but it does mean it can really hold its own on a twisty road with some of the best driving hatchbacks available right now.

The ride is compliant over most bumps albeit not quite as smooth as a CUPRA Born and the regenerative braking is great too with four modes available. It doesn’t offer complete one-pedal-driving like the FIAT 500e, though, so do bear that in mind (and remember to hit the brakes yourself!).

Power is more than adequate, beating the likes of the similarly priced Renault ZOE and Vauxhall Corsa-e in the sprint to 60mph and going on to a limited 100mph top speed. Of course, the most important thing, being electric it means power is instant so taking off at a busy roundabout or at the lights, even with a full load onboard, won’t leave you embarrassed or beeped at. If anything, they’ll be getting in your way!

The MG4 parked up against a black background.

What’s it like to live with an MG4?

Great question because, right now, this new electric car is seeming a bit too good to be true. Great battery tech, full of genuinely useful equipment as standard and great to drive too. What’s the catch?

I did some digging to find some initial owner reviews – yes, owners, not journalists (they all say it’s excellent anyway). Interestingly, at the time of writing, there’s none on Autotrader… I’d say that’s a good thing?

But there are a few more online and they’re generally very positive:

“Range drops by up to 30% when it gets really cold to around 200 miles, so still reasonable. Excellent value and does what it says on the tin”, from Carbuyer.
“The main thing that I like is the regenerative braking. I was taught to drive using the gears to slow the car down, the regenerative breaking mimics this and although I’ve never driven an automatic I feel very comfortable with the brakes operating this way”, from ElectricRoad.
“[In my first twenty minute test drive] I knew this car handled better than it should for its price point, drove better than my previous car and in some respects was better than my Tesla Model 3”, from Stuart Thomas on YouTube.

Interior space is generous for the money, matching rivals like the Volkswagen ID.3 but undercutting it cost wise considerably, and a spacious open cabin means living with the MG4 (especially if you’re a young family) appears to be a breeze. The MG4 has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Car of the Year award from Carwow. That is extremely high praise, so it’s obviously doing something right!

One thing I have noticed though is that the MG4 EV doesn’t come with a heat pump in the UK, apparently, and you can’t spec it with one either. That seems like a real shame as winter months will mean you’ll lose some range before you’ve even set off. But, I suppose, at this price point, they’ve thrown everything else at it that they can so… I’ll let them off.

Otherwise then, from what I can find, the MG4 EV is certainly worth your time and money. It seems MG were right; you really can say no to compromise with this car.

The MG4 really does offer fantastic value for money and that’s why it claims the 2023 car of the year award.

Carwow

Should I buy an MG?

Waiting lists are huge at the moment with people being told they’ll need to wait 9+months before they’ll have theirs arrive. Is it worth the wait though? By the sounds of it, definitely.

What if you don’t want to wait? You can get a taste of MGs awesome electric car technology by trying the ZS EV (a small SUV) or MG5 EV (an estate car) on subscription.