2023 MG4 Australian prices revealed

An all-new zero-emissions car is headed our way and it boasts some seriously impressive credentials for a tempting price.

Australian drivers on the hunt for an affordable electric car will soon have another option.

Booming Chinese brand MG has revealed its coming MG4 electric hatchback will be priced from $44,990 (before on-road costs).

In states such as NSW and Queensland with generous electric car incentives customers should drive away with one for less than that price.

The MG4 is the brand’s first vehicle built on a dedicated EV platform.

The MG4 falls just short of the cheapest electric car on sale in Australia, which is the GWM Ora hatchback priced from about $45,000 drive-away before incentives. It is also slightly more than the MG ZS EV compact SUV that is priced from about $45,700 drive-away.

MG is expected to initially launch three variants of the MG4 in the second half of this year.

Two standard range versions will use a 64kWh battery that deliver a driving range of 450km for the base Excite grade ($44,990) and 435km for the better equipped Essence ($47,990).

A long range Essence version priced from $55,990 will also be available with a bigger 77kWh battery that boosts driving range to a very handy 530km.

This makes it the cheapest car with a 500km-plus driving range, beating the recently launched$59,990 Cupra Born.

Three variants will be initially offered.

MG is considering whether to bring in an even cheaper variant using a smaller 51kWh battery that is sold in the UK and has a driving range of up to 350km.

A performance focused dual-motor variant could also arrive at a later date.

The MG4 is backed by a seven-year/unlimited km warranty, adding to its appeal.

All three versions are rear-wheel drive with a single electric motor that makes 150kW in the standard range variants and 180kW in the long-range model.

The cheapest version is priced from $44,990 drive-away.

Standard range versions can accept a charging rate of up to 138kW, which can replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes.

Electric cars automatically slow the final 20 per cent of charge to stop the battery overheating.

MG hasn’t provided charging rates for the long-range version.

All but the cheapest version get a full array of safety equipment.

The base Excite version misses out on vital safety features such as blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.

The cheapest version also misses out on vital safety equipment.

The MG4 is the first vehicle from the maker built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform.

An EV-only platform comes with a range of packaging benefits such as batteries placed under the floor to allow the wheels to be pushed to all corners. This makes for a much roomier cabin than similar sized petrol-powered vehicles.

Originally published as 2023 MG4 Australian prices revealed