MG4 EV - Boot space, comfort & practicality
Decent interior space and some useful standard features mean the MG4 EV should appeal to family buyers
Despite the MG4’s relatively low roof line it still offers good space inside, while there are plenty of useful storage options. Up front, there is a cubby with a sliding lid that sits just behind two cup holders, and lifting the top of the central armrest uncovers a deep bin for larger items. The glovebox isn’t very practical in terms of size or shape, but there is space in each of the front door bins for bottles and other items.
Keyless entry, automatic headlights, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and a height and reach-adjustable steering wheel are all standard for the MG4. The top-of-the-range Trophy adds extras such as a heating function for the front seats and steering wheel, a six-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, an adjustable boot floor and a wireless smartphone charger.
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4,287mm |
Width | 1,836mm (2,060mm inc mirrors) |
Height | 1,504mm (1,516mm Trophy Extended Range & XPower) |
Number of seats | 5 |
Boot space | 289-986 litres |
Dimensions and size
The MG4 is 4,287mm long, 1,836mm wide and stands 1,504mm tall, which makes it 26mm longer and 27mm wider than the Volkswagen ID.3. Meanwhile, the more expensive Renault Megane E-Tech is 77mm shorter and 56mm narrower than the MG4.
How practical is the MG4?
Seats & space in the front
The front seats are fairly comfortable but they don’t have a big range of adjustment, while the small back window and large rear headrests compromise rear visibility.
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With less space needed for their mechanical parts, most EVs offer good cabin space and storage, but the MG4 could be better. While the centre bin beneath the armrest is deep, the covered tray ahead of it is large but shallow, and the glovebox is quite slim, too. At least the twin cup-holders ahead of that are deep, while the door bins have space for bottles.
The MG4’s all-black interior is a little dreary when compared with the ID.3’s. The overall layout is still functional, although we’d appreciate some physical controls for the air-conditioning. The driving position has plenty of adjustment and the squared-off steering wheel is good to hold, if a little odd to look at.
The cabin looks a little bare at first glance, but the MG is loaded with nearly as many useful cubbies as the ID.3. Much like its rival, there’s a low but long covered storage bin between the front seats (with a little netted bag at its leading edge), but this raises up at the back to form a central armrest with a deep bin inside.
The front door bins are impressively large, too. As with the VW, only the glovebox is a disappointment – although, in this case, it’s due to its very shallow depth.
Seats & space in the back
Interior packaging is good in the MG4, and passengers benefit from a decent amount of rear legroom. Kneeroom is also fine, although there isn’t too much space underneath the front seats for passengers to stretch their feet into. The EV powertrain means that the central hump in the floor is quite low, which helps accommodate three passengers across the rear seats – the middle of which is surprisingly comfortable.
We found access to the ISOFIX mounting points was awkward when fitting a child seat; we prefer the plastic surrounds used by the likes of VW rather than the large velcro fabric panels featured in the MG4.
Boot space
With a luggage capacity of 289 litres, the MG4’s boot isn’t the biggest in its class. Both the Cupra Born and ID.3 offer more cargo space, while the Megane E-Tech tops the lot with its 440-litre boot. The MG4’s boot is still adequate, and there's no load lip to contend with, unlike in the Renault. You get some extra storage space under the boot floor that’s ideal for your charging cables, but there's no 'frunk' storage area under the bonnet to keep dirty cables away from your clean luggage. Should you need to carry more stuff, the MG4's rear seats fold flat in a 60:40 split, opening up 986 litres of cargo space for you to play with.
However, if a bigger boot is one of your key priorities, the Kia Niro EV offers an extra 406 litres of capacity over the MG4.