MG4 2023 price revealed as one of Australia’s cheapest new EVs

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MG will open orders for its rear-wheel drive MG4 hatchback model after the Easter 2023 long weekend, with the Chinese brand revealing the price of a single launch variant ahead of a wider line-up expansion later.

Priced at $47,990 before on-road costs, the MG4 Essence trim scores a 64kWh (61.7-kWh-usable) battery and will offer 435 km of driving range on the WLTP scale.

It appears that the MG4 Essence will be the middle-specification model in an eventual range of three or more MG4 variants for Australia.

That’s because the Essence combines the bigger of two available MG4 batteries with the lower power of the UK’s cheaper SE grade – but some premium features of the British-market Trophy model.

For Australia, the MG4 Essence has 150kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which should deliver a 0-100km/h time in the eight second range. Peak DC charging speeds are rated at 135kW with MG promising a 10-80 percent rapid charge in 34 minutes on a compatible charger.

Later, it is likely that MG Australia will confirm the introduction of two other variants, being a shorter-range model using a 50.8kWh battery, and a more premium and higher-specification variant sharing the 61.7kWh battery.

The higher-end model, which could be priced at $49,990 or higher, will add luxe features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel and in-built satellite navigation – items not found on the Essence model.

Meanwhile, a lower-end range-opener is understood to have manual cloth-covered seats, smaller 16-inch wheels and a smaller battery with about 350 km driving range.

Later, a high-performance MG4 model with AWD could arrive in Australia to cap the range as part of MG’s planned upmarket push.

Orders will open for the MG4 Essence on 11 April 2023 through the MG brand’s national dealer network.

Standard specification for the $47,990 (plus on-roads) Essence includes the following features:

• 61.7kWh usable lithium-ion battery
• 135kW DC charging capability
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights
• Two-tone roof
• Twin aero rear spoiler
• Wireless device charging
• iSmart connectivity with companion app
• 360-degree parking camera
• Adaptive cruise control
• MG Pilot suite: blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert

Key rivals to the MG4 include the GWM Ora (from $44,490 driveaway) and the BYD Atto 3 (from $48,011 before on-road costs). The MG4 will sit in MG’s local showrooms alongside the ZS EV electric small SUV model, which is offered in $47,990 standard range and $55,990 long-range forms.

MG4 2023 Australian price and specs

All prices are before on-road costs.

• MG4 Essence 64kWh: $47,990