You're right Andrew, it's not as easy to live with an Electric car... it's EASIER. As long as you have a home plug, your car will be fully charged every morning (if you want it to be). My Atto 3 gets me 400km per charge in mixed driving, or 350km on the Highway. I can drive from Mandurah to Margaret River, slow charge (3 pin plug) overnight. Drive around next day, 3 pin plug overnight... and back to Mandurah on a full charge. Without the overnight charges, I need a 15min fast charge (on a 50kw charger) at Margaret River, Busselton or Bunbury to get home. Enough time for a toilet break and a coffee. Seriously (as long as you have a home plug), it couldn't be easier. Anyone you tells you otherwise is LYING.
We've had an MG4 51 for a year now and it quickly became the main car and the petrol i30 was relegated to whoever drew the short straw. It's just chalk and cheese. Electric is so much nicer to drive. After owning it for a week I took it on a 1500km round trip (Melbourne to Canberra) and there were zero issues. Longer range would be nice but not a deal breaker. I imagine the 77 would be a breeze to road trip with.
I drove from Wagga to Nowra and back in one day no issues in my MG4 Essence 64. Silos estate has Tesla Superchargers that are open to all EVs. The trip took about 30 or 40 mins longer than what it would have taken me in an ICE car. I've done 20000kms in a year in a regional city without any issues at all and I only charge off a 15amp plug and have only public charged about 10 times for a cost of less than $300.
Owning this car for a month now and drove around 1300km so far. 0 problem. it had saved me around 200 AUD in petrol. my home province in Indonesia is lagged in terms of charger, but then we don't do the long road trip here because we usually fly to neighbouring province. I love this car RWD mechanics, it's smooth.
i rented an mg4 for 4 days and the only bad thing i agree with you is that the headrest in the back seat is obstucting the view,other then that,i would love a off button :))) but seriously i didnt have a problem with putting it in gear,i select D and it even takes the parking brake off by itself,is supper eazy to drive,i like it,it feels solid built, just i dont like the exterior,but,who cares? they cheaped out on things that are not important,the feeling of driving is important,and they didnt cheap on that the car itself is amazing,only bummer is that i couldnt travel verry far away from a tesla supercharger because they are the only ones that are fast and work,but it still surpized me that i driven like 8h or more between charges
From owning one for 2 months…I totally agree with this review. Great around the city…but for a car leased by my employer to do road trips to clients around NSW it’s problematic!!! Biggest issue are the scarcity of public chargers and if they are around finding one that’s not out of order. I have experienced range anxiety a few times when my planning was thrawted by chargers that were out of order where I planned to stop and top up. EV’s are Not built currently for out of Sydney travel.
in NSW you have access to several Tesla superchargers. Can you share an example of a trip (from and to suburbs) which caused you anxiety? I wouldn't mind looking at Plugshare and A Better Route Planner to see what options are there. I'm in WA.
I have the exact same vehicle. Been 12 months and now 26000kms. Similar usage pattern buy no kids left... work and back and longer trips south of WA with towbar, bike rack and mountain bike in the back. I would agree with some of this review. Yes the screen, software can be laggy. I have had no issues mentioned on startup. It's great sit in and due to std default safety features I do 2 things each time. Enable one pedal driving which I couldn't live without now and turn off traffic recognition. Even driving my other half's mazda 3 auto is like a trip back to the dark ages. It lacks power, it brakes less effectively and yep you actually need to brake unlike the MG4 in OPD mode. Agree on the need to have off street and home charging. Even better if you have solar as this thing border's on almost no cost to run if you are able to generate enough and charge on the weekend or when the sun is shining. First service at 2 years and 40,000km at a fixed price so no surprises there. Yet to see how long these factory bridgestones will last but I have swapped front to back at 25,000km as rear definately mire worn than front that almost look new in terms of tread. So perhaps 50,000km on a set of these original tyres. I totally love not having to get fuel and chase the cheapest prices or days of the week when prices are lowest. Oh should add I agree about phone flying off. Solved with a full car rubber mat insert replacement from an online seller. All rubber inserts incl the phone one. Now has blue edging to match car stitching and made of a material that holds the phone like its glued there. And I have tried to get my phone to move trust me.
MG4 51 here in NZ we obviously don't have the vast distances between towns and cities. Been the 160km to Auckland twice in a year, my bladder only lasts 2 hours, and the 15 mins for a piss and a coffee, the MG has got the extra 100kms to make the return trip.
Essence 64 for nearly 12 months. great driving experience, but the computer is a deal breaker - slow, no memory, faulty and dangerous 'safety' systems, no ota updates and total confusion at dealer to get an update, non responsive screen, wireless charging doesn't work with phone cover. so would not buy this again.
Come on bro, Sydney to Callala bay is 175km. Callala bay to Shellharbour 75km, so 250km with a starting range of about 300km worst case, probably more like 350km? And this gives pause for thought? Maybe driving any car is not for you, just in case the petrol stations run out before you get there Nellie?
Hold up on the Start Button complaints. Never a problem. NEVER…… why? Well my previous ICE diesel trained us. It would not start without seatbelts on and the foot firmly on the brake pedal. (Even then there was a 3 to 5 second delay. My message: “You do adjust” We just don’t find it strange. The not turning off ? That’s a different thing. All I can say is that it prevents you from leaving the keys in it. You HAVE TO get out and press the button on the key - weird I will agree. I agree the touch screen requires precision. I don’t like the absence of AM radio except via Apple car play. Overall it’s a great car. I agree the wall charger is THE BEST part of owning an electric vehicle.
Totally agree except not sure what you mean by pressing key on exit?? I get out and press door button. Car looks and mirrors go in. Works every time. If you try to do same with keys left in the car , the horn sounds and stops you from locking the car, which I have only done once in 12 months.
Efficiency varies on our MG4. Locally (40 to 80kph) it is very efficient at around 14Kwh for 100K so 400k range is realistic. On the highway doing 100kph etc to the city and then back then efficiency drops to somewhere about 16.6Kwh per 100. MG offers both battery options. LFP or NMC. Take your pick both are fine both have advantages and disadvantages.
What a coincidence this one of a kind electric hatch MG4 is only for His Majesty👑 arrived on Aussie tour. And send that MG4 the so-called rwd family car a present to Duke & Duchess of Sussex needs an MG living in the US; by the way that MG4 is for the Privilege not a Right.
Im worries for that design inside, in an event of an accident and your knee can bump that protruding panel in the middle then its goodbye knee or worst wheelchair for life to you.
No new tech ever does offer good resale. But keep for 10 years. 31k for the base model MG4 51. If you drive a lot and keep it for 10 years you can't go wrong. It's not going to go down much more than that.
If you turn over your cars regularly, sure. Longer term won’t be an issue. Evs have less components to go wrong, so they should outlast ICE, only the range will reduce slightly. If future take up of ev’s improves, the higher depreciation rate will flatten out due to demand.
You are right depreciation should be remembered. Kept the last 2 cars for 10 years. Average out the cost of depreciation at around 4000 per year. It makes sense to factor that in to the cost of ownership.
If you live around 300 k's from a major capital city, a PHEV is far more practical.... moreover a 2 car family if you don't really need it is not efficient either. Like anything you get what you pay for, and an el cheapo EV is really a compromised proposition.
Going to the city is a 280k round trip from here. One charge will do it. EV no problem. If there is a lot of driving in the city before the return there is a handy Tesla charger on the way back where just a few minutes and about $10 is enough. Cost of the city trip without having to top up is delightfully low.
Great review, I’ve done 33k in my mg4 in 10 months and it been great fun. Saved me a fortune in fuel leaving my cruiser on the driveway😁
You're right Andrew, it's not as easy to live with an Electric car... it's EASIER. As long as you have a home plug, your car will be fully charged every morning (if you want it to be). My Atto 3 gets me 400km per charge in mixed driving, or 350km on the Highway. I can drive from Mandurah to Margaret River, slow charge (3 pin plug) overnight. Drive around next day, 3 pin plug overnight... and back to Mandurah on a full charge. Without the overnight charges, I need a 15min fast charge (on a 50kw charger) at Margaret River, Busselton or Bunbury to get home. Enough time for a toilet break and a coffee. Seriously (as long as you have a home plug), it couldn't be easier. Anyone you tells you otherwise is LYING.
We've had an MG4 51 for a year now and it quickly became the main car and the petrol i30 was relegated to whoever drew the short straw. It's just chalk and cheese. Electric is so much nicer to drive. After owning it for a week I took it on a 1500km round trip (Melbourne to Canberra) and there were zero issues. Longer range would be nice but not a deal breaker. I imagine the 77 would be a breeze to road trip with.
I can atest that it is great for the extra range
I drove from Wagga to Nowra and back in one day no issues in my MG4 Essence 64. Silos estate has Tesla Superchargers that are open to all EVs. The trip took about 30 or 40 mins longer than what it would have taken me in an ICE car. I've done 20000kms in a year in a regional city without any issues at all and I only charge off a 15amp plug and have only public charged about 10 times for a cost of less than $300.
Owning this car for a month now and drove around 1300km so far. 0 problem. it had saved me around 200 AUD in petrol. my home province in Indonesia is lagged in terms of charger, but then we don't do the long road trip here because we usually fly to neighbouring province. I love this car RWD mechanics, it's smooth.
i rented an mg4 for 4 days and the only bad thing i agree with you is that the headrest in the back seat is obstucting the view,other then that,i would love a off button :))) but seriously i didnt have a problem with putting it in gear,i select D and it even takes the parking brake off by itself,is supper eazy to drive,i like it,it feels solid built, just i dont like the exterior,but,who cares? they cheaped out on things that are not important,the feeling of driving is important,and they didnt cheap on that
the car itself is amazing,only bummer is that i couldnt travel verry far away from a tesla supercharger because they are the only ones that are fast and work,but it still surpized me that i driven like 8h or more between charges
No fast chargers in Bomaderry Nowra, which is a major population centre, is just ridiculous.
I the U.K. you can get cheap overnight tariff electricity. It's 7p pkwh. So that £5 for 300 miles of range
From owning one for 2 months…I totally agree with this review. Great around the city…but for a car leased by my employer to do road trips to clients around NSW it’s problematic!!! Biggest issue are the scarcity of public chargers and if they are around finding one that’s not out of order. I have experienced range anxiety a few times when my planning was thrawted by chargers that were out of order where I planned to stop and top up. EV’s are Not built currently for out of Sydney travel.
in NSW you have access to several Tesla superchargers. Can you share an example of a trip (from and to suburbs) which caused you anxiety? I wouldn't mind looking at Plugshare and A Better Route Planner to see what options are there. I'm in WA.
Not my experience after 20000kms with one in 12mths living regionally
Home solar charging is the moment you realise how an EV is a game changer. First time, I am hearing sensible stuff from an Australian auto journalist.
This is helpful for me trying to choose my first EV.
is the 2025 version any differnet to current one?
I have the exact same vehicle. Been 12 months and now 26000kms. Similar usage pattern buy no kids left... work and back and longer trips south of WA with towbar, bike rack and mountain bike in the back. I would agree with some of this review. Yes the screen, software can be laggy. I have had no issues mentioned on startup. It's great sit in and due to std default safety features I do 2 things each time. Enable one pedal driving which I couldn't live without now and turn off traffic recognition. Even driving my other half's mazda 3 auto is like a trip back to the dark ages. It lacks power, it brakes less effectively and yep you actually need to brake unlike the MG4 in OPD mode. Agree on the need to have off street and home charging. Even better if you have solar as this thing border's on almost no cost to run if you are able to generate enough and charge on the weekend or when the sun is shining. First service at 2 years and 40,000km at a fixed price so no surprises there. Yet to see how long these factory bridgestones will last but I have swapped front to back at 25,000km as rear definately mire worn than front that almost look new in terms of tread. So perhaps 50,000km on a set of these original tyres. I totally love not having to get fuel and chase the cheapest prices or days of the week when prices are lowest. Oh should add I agree about phone flying off. Solved with a full car rubber mat insert replacement from an online seller. All rubber inserts incl the phone one. Now has blue edging to match car stitching and made of a material that holds the phone like its glued there. And I have tried to get my phone to move trust me.
MG4 51 here in NZ we obviously don't have the vast distances between towns and cities. Been the 160km to Auckland twice in a year, my bladder only lasts 2 hours, and the 15 mins for a piss and a coffee, the MG has got the extra 100kms to make the return trip.
This gun metal grey colour suits the shape of the car.
Essence 64 for nearly 12 months. great driving experience, but the computer is a deal breaker - slow, no memory, faulty and dangerous 'safety' systems, no ota updates and total confusion at dealer to get an update, non responsive screen, wireless charging doesn't work with phone cover. so would not buy this again.
At the end of say a 3 year/36,000km novated lease how much would this MG4 be worth?
@@gregj7916 it’s worth will be determined by its weight at the scrapyard
Google bidirectional DC charging and might start to understand!
Come on bro, Sydney to Callala bay is 175km. Callala bay to Shellharbour 75km, so 250km with a starting range of about 300km worst case, probably more like 350km? And this gives pause for thought? Maybe driving any car is not for you, just in case the petrol stations run out before you get there Nellie?
Hold up on the Start Button complaints. Never a problem. NEVER…… why? Well my previous ICE diesel trained us. It would not start without seatbelts on and the foot firmly on the brake pedal. (Even then there was a 3 to 5 second delay. My message: “You do adjust” We just don’t find it strange. The not turning off ? That’s a different thing. All I can say is that it prevents you from leaving the keys in it. You HAVE TO get out and press the button on the key - weird I will agree.
I agree the touch screen requires precision. I don’t like the absence of AM radio except via Apple car play.
Overall it’s a great car. I agree the wall charger is THE BEST part of owning an electric vehicle.
Totally agree except not sure what you mean by pressing key on exit?? I get out and press door button. Car looks and mirrors go in. Works every time. If you try to do same with keys left in the car , the horn sounds and stops you from locking the car, which I have only done once in 12 months.
poor review. no efficiency test or no info on battery chemistry
Efficiency varies on our MG4. Locally (40 to 80kph) it is very efficient at around 14Kwh for 100K so 400k range is realistic. On the highway doing 100kph etc to the city and then back then efficiency drops to somewhere about 16.6Kwh per 100.
MG offers both battery options. LFP or NMC. Take your pick both are fine both have advantages and disadvantages.
What a coincidence this one of a kind electric hatch MG4 is only for His Majesty👑 arrived on Aussie tour. And send that MG4 the so-called rwd family car a present to Duke & Duchess of Sussex needs an MG living in the US; by the way that MG4 is for the Privilege not a Right.
You are wrong..
Im worries for that design inside, in an event of an accident and your knee can bump that protruding panel in the middle then its goodbye knee or worst wheelchair for life to you.
They ain’t gonna do well on resale value
No new tech ever does offer good resale. But keep for 10 years. 31k for the base model MG4 51. If you drive a lot and keep it for 10 years you can't go wrong. It's not going to go down much more than that.
Just wait until the resale of ICE vehicles collapses! Won't be long now.
@@John-p7i5g PRC vehicles devalues by at least 75% within the first 12 months
If you turn over your cars regularly, sure. Longer term won’t be an issue. Evs have less components to go wrong, so they should outlast ICE, only the range will reduce slightly. If future take up of ev’s improves, the higher depreciation rate will flatten out due to demand.
You are right depreciation should be remembered. Kept the last 2 cars for 10 years. Average out the cost of depreciation at around 4000 per year. It makes sense to factor that in to the cost of ownership.
If you live around 300 k's from a major capital city, a PHEV is far more practical....
moreover a 2 car family if you don't really need it is not efficient either.
Like anything you get what you pay for, and an el cheapo EV is really a compromised proposition.
All 3 of the el cheapos are pretty good. No problems reported on the Ora, MG4 or the Dolphin.
We do. The non ev gets almost zero use, especially for long trips.
Going to the city is a 280k round trip from here. One charge will do it. EV no problem. If there is a lot of driving in the city before the return there is a handy Tesla charger on the way back where just a few minutes and about $10 is enough. Cost of the city trip without having to top up is delightfully low.
I drive from Wollongong to Canberra and back every second weekend in my MG4. No issues at all. I’ve done 24,000km in a year.