Today James is driving the much anticipated and well priced, MG4 LR Trophy. This a 5 door, 240 mile EV with a great spec, great tech and a front end that really will turn a few heads. He seemed impressed.
Thanks for the review James. Seem to be a few software improvements they could make, but that always seems to be the way with new EVs. Hopefully they make them.
I got 142kW charging from 25-50% at Ionity in my SE LR and averaged 96kW from 22-80%! Better than quoted figures and a game changer on my long trips (where faster chargers are available).
Great review mate and what’s nice is because your a mechanic you no the issues you get with a car and I am sure you end up fixing them as you service them 👏👏😎
Great review (as always). Thanks. And an even bigger Thank You for removing the dreadful plastic wheel trims. I've watched loads of reviews of this car and yours is one of only two that appear to have realised the trims aren't alloys. Testament to the quality of your reviews. Thanks again!
Hi James - I'm a week into ownership, your review is spot on, I have the base model SE (LFP 51kw), so no bongs, I've just moved from a 14yr old (170k mile, VW Tiguan 170 sport) to this - apart from a few bits of dodgy plastic (and the seats for me - at present dont have enough support) - i still cannot understand (get over), that this car is cheaper than what it cost 14 years ago for a VW Tiguan 170 sport! - I'm lucky that I have free charging (at work - as long as I get in early enough!), and have 4.5p evening (which I've never used todate) - so should save around £250 / month on fuel !!
We've ordered a MG SE Long Range in blue to complement our Mk1 MG ZS EV after a great test drive from Bulldog MG in Tywford. They just gave us the key and we went out for an hour to test the car on everything from in-town to 70mph on the motorway. Apparently, that spoiler on the Trophy model knocks the range down by 10 miles over the SE which is £3k cheaper. The only thing we would miss is that the SE just has rear sensors rather than a camera like our ZS.
I had a sit in one last week after reading a review that commented on the 'cheap feeling' interior and, coming from a Leaf, I was very impressed with the comfort and build quality. I can't wait to have a test drive, apart from the bonging!
The Trophy is not starting from £28,495 ... that's the SE Long Range model. (Same battery system as the Trophy but without the 360 camera, wireless charging, electric heated seats etc.) The bong is the Drowsiness Awareness system - you can't permanently turn it off, but you CAN permanently turn off the sound. 🙂 PS - I've ordered the SE Standard Range in Camden Grey ... £26.5k which should arrive with me by the end of the month 🙂
You'll be pleased to learn that your SE won't have the drowsiness bongs either. The sensor is missing from the steering column (it's that lump with the flashing red LED in the video at 9m27s).
Great to hear. Mg have come on such along way in such a short space of time . There knocking it out the park . And many people said they wouldn't cut it !
i'm one of them. currently eating my own hat as I am planning on buying an MG4 this year. Really thought they would be a nasty budget brand I would never touch.
One main reason the initial MG eZS couldn’t be a taxi was because taxi licences ask that all passengers have a headrest, which was missing on centre rear seat. They did change this on later variant as well as learning and adding one to centre rear on MG5. So, I wonder why it’s missing from the MG4? Btw, thanks for the service and my m/kWh has raised again now the brakes are not hanging. Wee run through to Motherwell yesterday and home and mostly motorway driving got 5.4m/kWh. All hail the Wind-knife! (Ioniq)
👏thanks, that was insightful! one should be aware of when planning exit strategy from their deal (i.e. possibility to sell to cabbie - those who might have cash instead of finance...)
Agree about rear light cluster. That’ll break the first time it’s touched by another car, van or wheelybin. Defo get it PPF wrapped to help with scratching from washing, ice sliding from rear window etc.
BONG ... An insightful video James. Thank you. BONG ... I'll be interested to know how it has been this last year and if they have reduced that annoying ... BONG!!!
Excellent review James, I'm due to order my next motability car this month and feel I'm ready to move into the world of EV's now after driving a hybrid for 3 years. I seen an MG4 SE Long Range for £199 advance payment and so tempted, so will give it a test drive and see if it suites my disability needs in terms of comfort and access. The good thing about the SE Long Range is it doesn't have the driver fatigue monitor, so thats a plus😂
Good presentation as usual. I’m still waiting for my ZS mK2 which I ordered in December. I have tested the new MG4 and put a trophy on order. Hopefully not another long wait. A little concerned about all those bongs that you were experiencing on your test drive. During my test drive I did not have a single bong.
Cracking review and first time I’ve watched you. Now a subscriber 👍. Really interested to see what your real world motorway mileage will be. I’m hoping you get over 250 as I’m thinking of buying one soon and need that magic number.
Great Review, My current EV I actively use the paddles to set my own “regen” and for instance use zero-regen on a down hill to use zero throttle, then I can increase or decrease, it’s become an automatic response as part of driving so I would hope it’s as easy to set “regen” levels in the MG4..? Only downside, after observing all that fabulous technology that EV’s get it would appear that the MG4 like my current EV can’t have a rear wiper! 1st car I’ve owned in about 30 years that hasn’t got a rear wiper 😮
Great car. Bought one last week. This is my fourth EV. Just upgraded my MG5 for this. Very happy with it. Decent size family car. Lots of tech, brilliant range for LR model. Sadly this is one of the heaviest EV's so the efficiency isn't as good as MG5. On avarage so far we getting around 3.5kwh. MG5 did around 4kwh based on last 6k miles. Game changer for EV market making any other electric car overpriced 😅
That's pretty much the point of the MG4. Even those for whom it doesn't float their boat, it will still be an EV game changer. In that it will be a stark reminder to other car makers to remain competitive. And we all win when that happens.
Best mg4 review to date James thank you! I thought the 11kw AC charging was on European models only, great news if on UK models also. Hoping to pick up one of these next year in Trophy spec, the wobbly rear spoiler is a bit concerning...
Apparently, the first batch of cars have several mistakes from the factory:- 600 SE models have the Trophy's privacy glass instead of just tinted, because they were built before the UK spec was finalised. Some cars have the 11kW AC charging instead of 7kW. The first 1300 cars will be supplied with Type 2 cables because MG couldn't get the granny leads they're supposed to have.
Some great info I've not seen on other reviews. Thanks. Especially good to hear the front seats are very supporting (like a Leaf's), as I love the Leaf seats and wouldn't buy the MG4 if it had uncomfortable seats.
Ordered one yesterday cracking car and super value for money, trophy Spec mainly as we have Motability and upfront payment is £250 with Motability contribution. It handles fantastic comfy. Like any car it has bits you think could be better but there's not many of them.
I agree, I test drove Mg4 Trophy yesterday, it kept boinging away like no tomorrow, I used my thumb covered up the infrared sensor on top of the steering column and it seems to have cured it, think I’ll use a sellotape and tape it over
Test drove same car Fri and also kept getting a warning to stop and have a coffee break despite only driving it for 30 mins. However liked it and have ordered one (in grey). Hopefully there will be SW upgrade that will resolve that problem.
Was the bongs due to one of your cameras covering a sensor. Does look a spankingley good car. The rave lighting and orange car was a trip at the beginning of the video lol.
As always James a flicking good and honest video I’m hoping my Trophy in White gets delivered soon, I’ve loved the MG5 but looking forward to fun times in the MG4. I feel you will be called upon if that bonging is as annoying as it seems..is it the driver alert sensor? Thanks
When I tested the car I had bonging over and over. I soon realised if I put my hand in front of the sensor the bonging stopped. If I owned the car a piece of black card cut to the right size would be blue tacked to the sensor. I've not tried this but I reckon if it can't see you it will stop bonging. Loved the car but ordered the standard range SE as I don't need that range and feel Lifepo4 battery will last longer degrade less and can be left at 100% and discharged to 0% without damage. It's also a safer chemistry as far as fire goes. It can take many more charge cycles as well. Coming from a leaf these points are important to me.
Hi James - Loved the video !. A few people have said the door cill's are both high and wide, making it difficult for some people to get in and out of the car, if they have any mobility issues. The "Take a Break" constant bong warning needs an urgent update for sure ! A more worrying issue, is that some recent owners are reporting an oil leak from the rear area of the car, in the traction motor area !. The early test press cars, did not have this problem, but some early customers cars have an oil leak. Some chat suggests it maybe the reduction gear case that is leaking. Hopefully it has just been over filled at the factory and is exhausting via the breather ?. Fingers crossed its a quick fix. White MG4 Trophy LR incoming from the Chorley lads, heading in your direction for Kate ???. What's happening about your new Tesla model Y then James ?.
I've got the SE Long Range. Done a 170m round trip Saturday. Took it easy going up and achieved 4.2 mpkwh. Coming back upped the ACC to 70mph as opposed to 65 on the way up. Had a couple of toe down overtakes on the faster bits of A12 and A120. Overall 3.8 mpkwh on the up and back journey. I only got the car 2 days before (traded in the 3 year old ZS Exclusive EV). After a bit of local drop offs/running around 170 miles done and 33% range left. Would have had to stop for a top up on the ZS. The bongs stopped if I indicated when changing lanes. I managed to turn the lane keep assist off via the screen yesterday whilst driving local and no bongs. Questions I still need answers to.... Is it capable of 11kw charging? Remember the ZS days of trying to reach (was it) 439v for a balanced charge? What is it for the long range SE?🤔
While it's spectacular value (for an EV) a 2nd usb port in the rear, a lighter headlining and a courtesy light in the back would have added £50? To the list price,and nobody would notice the increase.
You're getting very good at this, James. Yes, I agree, the bong would drive me nuts. Is there not a hidden setting somewhere to lessen it, or kill it? Maybe you'll find it when you get your own.
Test driven one on Friday and then placed my order excellent car and drive I currently have a Leaf which is a very good car but the battery technology and distance make the difference for me
Thanks for another great update video I very good value car looks good in the colour just wish that black bit on the bottom was body colour. Yer pitty that plastic light bit and saw other reviews say that there is another plastic bit near rear door like fake windows looks to scratch easy on newish car but for the money looks a great car like the mg5 was .
A wee semi for this one. I took the trophy out for a drive and it didn’t bong me off the road. Kept hounding me about a slack rear tyre vocally. That’s the dealer failer to throw 2.9 bar in. Loved the low ride n seat position, one finger up to SUVs. I like it. I put €500 down. For taxi use too Quiet fast and that turning circle is awesome. The efficiency is high that leaf but battery pack is 2.2 x the range. So might be a non issue without heat pump too
Mg are working on software update to reduce the sensitivity of the face camera for the driver alertness system which is the cause of the multiple bong alerts
The trouble with erroneous bongs is that if you are able to somehow get used to it.. when there really is something urgent requiring your attention you won't notice it. I couldn't tolerate the bongs but more importantly I can't manage a touch screen on the go so faffing around for heating controls in the software is not an option so it's a no from me. Great review as ever James, been looking forward to yours. I'll be interested to know how you disable the bongs in yours! 😂👍
@@markgaudie80 ooh I always forget about that, thanks. There is a slight problem in that I can never remember the name of the thing I want to work! Is it quite good at deciphering descriptions?🤔🤪
You can use the buttons on the steering wheel - need to set it to AC instead of for radio iirc, but there are 2 - one for each thumb! Can set it to control whichever function you want.
Hi James, thanks for taking the time to put this together. Fantastic review that picks up some great points. Hopefully they can fix the boing issue! I managed to turn it off on the facelift ZS. Does it have the USB outlet by the mirror for a dash cam and are the cameras higher definition than the facelift ZS?
The bongs are a driver attention thing on the Trohpy spec, which can't be turned off permanently, but can be muted permanently. No USB in the mirror. (I test drove one myself earlier today)
I got the standard SE version, its great and agree with the driving and seats. Also no bongs! Dont like the fact everything resets when switched off but for the price, great value! If you dont particularly need the space, this is the one to get. Ours is in the tricoat red which I think is the best colour, altho you do pay extra for it. Its as wide as an MG5 but about a foot shorter. I got mine for £26,950 delivered to my door by Justevs within a week.
My 2013 Nissan leaf is beyond economical repair at only 48k miles with full main dealer service history (regulator and motor error at 10k to repair) :( I loved my EV - BONG :) that made me smile when i needed it most so thank you
Attention note is apparently being fixed soon, but in the mean time the sound can be turned off and does not come back on again automatically. It's the switch below the one used to turn off the attention note.
Great looking car, thanks for pointing out those design faults, for me I would prefer a light coloured roof lining as I'm not a fan of black interiors anyway, I will wait for the Mk 2 version when hopefully these irritating faults will have been ironed out !
I’ve commented on a few reviews about the LFP battery in the SR model. Only Tesla offers that choice I think. So many advantages with LFP and it was the reason I ordered one a few weeks ago. Before getting the SE long range research LFP batteries.
Your camera frame rate is clashing with the studio lighting making you video hard to watch due to the constant flickering. Beware as this is a major issue for those suffering from Photosensitive epilepsy
We're seriously considering one. But a 260-mile round trip at the weekend made me wonder, at Hopwood Park there was a queue for Gridserve and 16 free Tesla Superchargers, which are not open to non-Tesla (yet). A 5 minute stop for Tesla- or a much longer wait for the rest.
Were you at HOYS? My good lady charged up her Tesla Y at Hopwood 👍 We had the MG ZS EV (one of the first 500..). Had it 2 years. It was fab value. We went for the Y as soon as the order books opened (as we knew there were long trips (780miles return) needed due to family health issues). I loved the MG but the Model Y is just fantastic for long haul journeys. If it was for more local trips we would have this MG... It looks great imho. Great review James. Honest take on it inho 👍
Ref the shiny black plastic problem , being a motorcyclist how about covering it with a sheet of clear plastic , no more scratches etc ( it’ll sort out that rear spoiler problem as well) . Just remember don’t tell the mrs you borrowed her hair dryer 😂😂😂😂
What are your thoughts on the oil leak? I’ve got a orange trophy lr coming and am very excited but many many people have reported the problem. It appears to be a possible over fill of the gear box and over flow but some haven’t had that easy a fix and been back in the work room for 3-4 weeks. Slightly worrying!
Mg know and are working on a fix for the BONG, it goes off because you are looking away from the road, and at present is too sensitive. I am sure this will be an easy fix, for now you can turn the volume down so you don't hear it but still get the coffee cup warning on the dash.
Yes test drove🍊 a trophy. Agree about the annoying "pay attention" notification hope it will be sorted otherwise will be very annoying. Trophy in white ordered awaiting a delivery date 🤞
Great review James as always just a couple of points the price on screen in your video is wrong for the car which you are driving which is the Trophy Model that is £31495 not £28494. I agree the wheels look better without the aero covers and the bonging is now will reported on the MG forums and there is fix on the way I believe. But yeh nice motor I have one on order for my wife to life with the 5 I have been driving for the passed 22 months with out issue apart from squeezing rear brakes when reversing which as been back to my local dealer 4 times now with out success they told me all EVs do this but I don’t believe them. What’s your thoughts. Les
Hi James, thx again for that perfect introduction. You are looking for details, no one else would: Scratches on the rear spoiler, shaking roof spoiler, funny 🙂 You mentioned that there is no heat pump option available. Here in Germany there shall be a heat pump in the Luxury version. Are you sure it´s not possible to have it in UK? KR Stephan
Agreed on the bonging. There must be a software fix to stop that. It would drive me nuts and should be treated as a driver distraction and safety issue. Also the rear lights are going to get smashed the first time something harder gets loaded into the boot. Or they would get smashed the second time I get a bruised rib from banging into it while loading the boot. Are they harking back to the 50s rocket/jet fins look? Great review though. Thank you.
The review of MG BONG 😁 I really like that rear spoiler thing at the top, the lower spec model have it stripped off and it just looks so weird! Great design overall. Would be interested in how reliable the app is, I don't expect Tesla quality out of it but hopefully it's good, especially if it can be used for the phone key feature. We would be happy with a short range version for mrs needs but you can't get heated steering wheel / seats on that and it'd be a deal breaker. So a bit disappointed on that front. BTW the trophy long range is not starting from 28k it's £31,495.00 on their web site so quite a bit more than the £25995 for SE.
"you can't get heated steering wheel / seats on that and it'd be a deal breaker" - As I understand it, you can "pre-condition" (i.e. warm up) the car via the app, before you even set foot out of your house; so I suspect heated wheel/seats are probably not that essential. I'll let you know when mine turns up in around 15 weeks!
if you cant turn it off by software.. may be you should find the tiny speaker that create the noise ( i hope its not from the audio speaker for music) and cut the wire. lol
Test drove the trophy yesterday and the. Worst part was the bonging drove me insane they are planning on sending an update out for it apparently. Considering selling my model 3 for one as only doing 4k mile a year
I haven’t seen the LFP chemistry that MG employ in the 51KWh battery discussed in any review yet… it looks like we can expect a lot more cheap, great quality cars using this LiFePo chemistry
I have an e-golf currently, and we are considering our next EV. And that Bong has completly put me. Off even bothering testing one. The only bong I get from my golf is when the Temps get below 4deg
Thanks, Tim. I think they will leaders in terms of sales initially in the lower price point, but they will widen their range to compete with more high end vehicles in time. They already have an Audi A6 equivalent in China 👍🏻
Bong!!!!! Lol....seriously James that looks like a nice car. We don't get the MG brand in the US. Since you are getting one I might suggest to you that section of tail light you think will get scratched get some PPF to protect it. I love the color on the test car but I wouldn't stand for the Bonging
Back in the day cars had heaters in the engine compartment. It must have been the late seventies or early eighties when because of all the extra guff added to cars the heating / air con got moved under the dash.
unless i missed it, you didnt mention the differences between the options apart from battery size. The heated steering wheel, electric seats, sat nav, leatherette, rear spoiler, blind spot warning and a few more i cant remember are only available if you buy the trophy version. not option on any other level.
The bonging is a known fault and is due to an incorrect update from dealers. Due to be fixed in next update... you can turn the sound off in the meantime! part from that, a cracking car!
Good review but the car you are in is £32,190 in orange just looked on MG website. Really well priced car as entry SE is very good value. Personally I went for a Cupra Born V2 in grey in June 2022 as the extra £5k I paid for it is worth it. My car is now £1,810 more list price. Comparing the MG4 to an ID3 or Born its l like comparing a 2017 Ford to an 2017 Audi A3 knowing the Audi interior is a nicer place to be. The Cupra feels nicer inside especially the seats and plastics and has wider rear seating The MG4 rear lights and black plastic trim behind the rear door will scratch like mad and show swirl marks. My Cupra also doesn't BONG and has a heads up display which is brilliant. I have never used the self parking as it was an option already fitted that I didn't want.
