MG4 XPower: This Car Makes No Sense!! 

'...learns to forgive his dad'! 🤣beautiful artistic touch. Well done lads!

I'm very confused. I've driven hot hatches my whole life and this MG4 is the most fun I've had in a car. It's grips and handles ridiculously well! I'm so impressed by it. I'm not sure why you don't feel like it's not driving well.

Don’t forget you can adjust the steering feel. You don’t really mention the different driving modes which can be changed instantly via the easily programmable star buttons on the steering wheel. You can also create a custom mode which the car “remembers”. I use the sports steering and pedal force with eco HP and that does make “going slow fun.” If you want to drive it around FAST, a few pushes of the steering wheel button puts you in full sports mode with launch control. It’s true that when the car starts, it defaults to NORMAL mode (possibly safer than leaving it in sport mode where you have multi-driver families). But I can live with pressing a steering wheel button twice to access my custom mode (or once to get into SPORT mode). It’s not designed to be a hot hatch with permanently ultra stiff suspension egging you to drive it hard all the time. It’s a family car that can be driven very sensibly, smoothly and comfortably but with outrageous performance if you feel like it. I really like the Jekyll and Hyde “sleeper” nature of the car. For a fuller review of the x power’s handling, seek out Rory Reid or Cinch track reviews.

Will you be matching your hoodie to the car colour going forward? 😆 Great video as always. Cheers. 👍

The muscle bloke story was hilarious 😂

CARICE! CARICE! CARICE! CARICE!! If for nothing else, the "driver assist" won't try to kill you because it doesn't have any!

I actually did find a wagyu steak in the middle aisle of Aldi. Well, just off the middle aisle in the cold section…

I got the Camden Grey XPower and love it. Economical on long journeys and mad quick when you want to embarrass ICE boy racers from the lights. Good all round super hatch sleeper. Handling is fine, suspension is firm and feels like a go kart round corners. Great value compared to the ICE equivalent. The real comparison to make is against similarly powered ICE hatchback cars then take a look at the price difference

MG should always have something a touch crazy in their lineup

I drive one of these and I really like it! Dont't need the car look like a ferrari - more interested in cars where you can't see straight away how powerful they are. However I love the colour "Hunter Green". But that's a matter of taste. Never had the car beeping at all (you can disable some stuff in the menu and it stays off). The reversing camera is not the best, agree on that, but never had a problem with parking (might depend on how good you are at parking in general lol). Also I have no problems connecting with Android Auto (but heard, that not every cheap cable can do the job). What I also agree on (and that is the only thing that I don't like about the car) is that it defaults back to Normal Mode and didn't remember One Pedal Drive and that you have to switch off the steering assistens everytime you start the car. But by the way: Infotainmeint is still better than VWs 😂 The One Pedal Drive works at least up to 90% charge, if not 95%. Since you shouldn't regularly charge your battery above 80% anyway, it's not an issue for me. What I really love about this car is that you can drive it in a very relaxed or very sporty manner - depending on your mood.

The oddest thing about this review is that it assumes accelerating powerfully isn’t a massive laugh that never gets old. It is.

I think the main issues with reviews like this is they expect everyone who buys a fast car to be some kind of driving expert when let’s face it most of us would never have the skill or the knowledge of a car to push it to anywhere near its limits.

4:00 Not one of those gripes was in any way pedantic.

Jack, you are a legend! Dude, I used to work for an automotive magazine - Wheels Magazine, Dubai - and your little subtext rant in the form of a 4 CD Jazz Album brought back a flood of good memories. Twas like reading the minutes from our, over the desk, daily conversations - which we were never allowed to be put to print. I was howling profusely when I read them and appreciate it enormously! Thank you for an honest review and keep up the great work that you and the team do. Kudos!

Pretty accurate about driving assist, even with the MG5, it’ll try to kill you, veer out of the lane then tells you to watch out because you’re departing the lane

In no way to disagree with any of the points made, but a quick bit of info I guess in regards to the "buried in a menu" for changing the driving mode, you can swap driving mode on the steering wheel without going into the settings. So although annoying that it resets to normal every bloody time, it is only a couple of seconds of thumb presses and you're on the mode you want, also great for swapping on the fly if need it.

I loved the Jazz CD segment... good to know that companies still want to build cars with unhelpful user interfaces and beeping that will drive you (literally) crazy.. 🤣

"Straight piped chrome wrapped V8 cry for attention" I love it!! Still wish they'd bring MG, and some other EV's, across the pond to the US. We need more variety.

Correction: The Kia Nero was the first reasonably priced practical EV.

Yeah the performance is way more than I require, and that rear has some minor issues. They can also keep the gaudy calipers. But I dig all the rest of it. A lot. Can you get the standard MG4 in that color? It's a design that really benefits from paint that's not hellishly glossy.

Seems like there is a opening for a steering / suspension tuning house for EVs to put the fun back in driving.

Expect to see one of these in your shop fronts (literally) soon .. when non-drivers (people who buy these) lose control ..

the accuracy of the rear reversing camera review did it for me, at least this channel is honest about car reviews lol. subscribed

I have an MG4 Trophy which is the Irish top model and I really like it. It is spacious, responsive, fast and pleasant to drive. While 0-60 in 7.5s doesn't sound like much by EV standards it's still very nippy compared to most cars on the road. So I'm not sure I'd want to sacrifice a significant chunk of range for the extremely limited situations where I'd be flooring it in a faster model and deriving any benefit. So I'd say stick with the standard models. That said, MG really need to sort their software out. It "works" but it's buggy and has things we'd describe in the software industry as "race conditions" - unpredictable bugs that may or may not happen depending on circumstances and timing. I've written HMI interfaces myself and these issues stand out like a sore thumb. I'd love MG to be MUCH more open about their development process and get into the mindset of development, extensive testing, certification and over the air updates. The UI and MG literature pretends there are OTA updates but to my knowledge there has never been one ever.

I almost skipped this video as I already had watched a review of the car somewhere else, but I'm glad I didn't. Jack's reviews always are so enjoyable!

I really hoped at the price it is compared to other evs on the motability scheme that it would finally be a way for us proper driving enthusiasts who’ve had a bad turn of health to get something that doesn’t feel like a depressing admission to being no longer my former self. Unfortunately despite the price making it a viable option for the scheme to offer us they’ve decided against it leaving us still with no great choices. It feels like we are being told “oh you’re broken so you don’t get to enjoy your things any more! You can have a car that’s as slow as you walk with them crutches now” Depressing

I always saw the Daewoo logo as the nose of some kind of doglike animal... BTW, loving that rather long monolouge about that muscular guy that ends up as a speck in the rear view mirror! 😆😆 - I'd be thinking of that whenever I sprint away from yet another premium suv/sedan at the stoplight with my Zoe 😁. I think the MG 4 X-Power looks quite good, actuallt - apart from the split roof spolier and a little too messy rear light situation - otherwise, quite nice. Would love to try one, not sure if I need to own one though... I can break the speedlimit in my Zoe just as easilly - just takes a few more seconds to get there..

Agree with many of your gripes. But - factcheck - newly upgraded lane keep assist is no longer a killer, just a respectful nudge.

Couldn't agree more with the last couple of minutes and your yellow box cracked me up. I like a car that can do 0-60 in around 7 seconds as an indication of overtaking ability, but much less than that feels pointless on UK roads, the ability to go round a bend in a fun way is much more important.

I think I get the point that Jack is making. In the past, I bought a used Vauxhall Astra Turbo coupe. It went mad crazy fast in a straight line, but torque steer and a poor suspension meant that I had to overload the brakes into turns. Wet, slippery roads introduced epic unpredictability. It wasn't a ‘performance car’ built to handle the power. It did, kind of, and that made it fun, but it wasn't the all-round balanced platform.

You just reviewed a base Golf with an R32 powertrain, and forgot that tuning suspension is something motoring enthusiasts usually do. But I do agree it's uselessly, dangerously, fast.

Did Jack colour match his outfit on purpose?

I have got one of these. It is quite simply amazing.

0:45 “hey? hang on..” 😂👏🏻

The front of these MG looks more like a SEAT than the newer SEATsp, and I love it 🫶🏻

😂😂 it makes a great GT, especially for UK ranges. Fast and quiet, it hadles fine according to a reviewer who is a professional race driver and got the tyres to sing. Perfect for the race between roundabouts. Yes a lot of us will prefer the other models but that's true of the Focus too.

If I had money burning a hole in my pocket, I would get it just for the colour 💚 For now though I'll remain content with my SE LR

It makes 100% sense. a) MG has sporting heritage which is important to maintain, this doe that. b) It puts the brand in front of the hot hatch brigade.

Great review, very amusing and honest.

If only there was an english car brand named after an indian flower that known for tuning suspension that could help...

Interesting review, though his gripes don’t bother me and it’s exactly what I want in a car day to day (bearing in mind I use my car for work 15k a year). These reviews don’t account for people’s individual priorities, I get his points but he’s also a bit silly about the whole thing, like a typical RU-vidr.. For like £380 a month all in, there’s no car I’d rather spend that money on 🤷‍♂️ but would I have a sports car which delivers pure handling for the weekend too, yeh. Also, I actually find it fun to drive, especially being able to switch from 4wd to rwd and feel the back end sliding a bit, and with its practicality you get - versatility!

Need to get it in the orange oof the brake discs. Looks amazing

Just test driven one on a great country A road (read twisties!). I didn't try and upset it but in real world terms it doesn't hang around. Does it handle - yes absolutely - is it my mx5 2.0 184 - no. It has oodles more room and does not have the ultimate feel (or any soundtrack!) through the bends - however - in real world terms it is still pressing on through those bends (and in-between) with more real speed and feels secure but just soft enough in terms of suspension to be forgiving in tandem with a very effective AWD traction control. It appears to be proper good fun and in a combination of fast twisty A road and typical 'getting out of town' driving, stated that it had retained more miles than I had travelled by a roughly 12% margin. It was effortless and very smooth in mild traffic as well as on the open road. Manners in real world terms then - very good indeed. I should add that I have no interest in challenging boy racer, so will not be risking neck or licence but if you have experience with fast vehicles (I have ridden a lot of v.quick motorcycles) and understand how quickly the bends approach at 3. something seconds then it is an unusually virtuous beast - I actually preferred it in many ways to the Tesla 3 (less intrusive on the regenerative engine braking and more like a conventional ICE car in everyday scenarios). The tyres should be less than half the price of a Tesla's and it manages very well on it's 18 inch alloys. I'm just about to check the insurance costs. 😉

Test drove be one recently, for new company vehicle. Great fun, but a wee bit plasticky, no sunroof… but more importantly, I thought I’d end up being dragged out of a field or hedge by a tractor. Loved it tho, good value. Ended up with an Ioniq 6 first edition. Which is also mental.

Well I'm Danish and the MG4 just launched in Denmark, specifically with the XPower version being the main star of the show and I think I know why. Danes want a LOT of power in their EV's. Especially in the more rural parts they want an EV that can pull a fully loaded trailer and carry it on the highway at the same speed and acceleration as if it didnt have one on it at all. People here are very picky about it, but its also why Teslas model Y has been so extremely succesful here with its pricedumps, selling over 3 times as many units as its closest competitor, the petrol Peugeot 208. The 2 other best selling EV's here are the Tesla Model 3 and Skoda Enyaq but the sales of both pale in comparison to the model Y. Part of it is also the very cheap cost of a trailer mount for the Y with the price dumping, combined with undercutting on car loans by Tesla making their own with just 2% interest for the first 2 years. So this at least explains MG's business case in Denmark. The MG4 XPower in upfront cost is still around 40.000 kroner or £4.600 cheaper than the Model Y (300.000kr vs 340.610kr), but without an attractive inhouse car loan I dont think its gonna be a succes. Private leasing is also a popular trend in Denmark as a new way to own a car, especially in less rural areas but even then BYD just launched the Dolphin on the Danish market, which costs more upfront than the base MG4 (235.000kr vs 200.000kr) but has a lower leasing price per month than both the normal MG4 and the MG4 XPower. Point is Danes are hardcore dealmakers and if they dont deliberately go for something fancy to compensate for a small wally, they want whatever will cost them the least right here and right now, including car loans, as well as fufill their potential desires like towing a grass mower on a trailer for 120 kilometers because they found a good one for sale in some rural farming town. And for that, the MG4 XPower may try but cannot win the public over due to the lack of a competitive cheap in house car loan.

Thanks again Jack - quite a nuanced review and thankyou for giving an insight to your review process. We must compare notes sometime- I don't fit in the MG4 but I think you are taller than my 6'4". I'm not sure how legislation steers driver aids but applaud your point on driving and party tricks. I had an opportunity to drive the upgraded Tesla Model 3 and I was surprised at it's good handling - so much is said about it's party tricks. The Model S was a surprise too - I didn't think it went round corners. Thanks!

6:36 absolutely 💯 😂 and something I would fancy doing....

Sounds exactly like a modern version of the Golf GTI V6. Pointless, but fun for those who enjoy driving Q cars (look it up). In that context the XPower actually makes a large amount of sense.

Love their CRAZY color combination . Green Car with Orange Brakes !!!!

It's just good to see the small EV category building out as it was looking like EVs would be huge forever. More is better but we probably want smaller, lighter, lower-range batteries with an optional range extender for those odd occasions your daily travel exceeds the range.

I love the gripe list - as it's one of the most truest things ever to come out of the internet!

I'm getting my MG4 Trophy in a couple of weeks and I am beyond excited 😁 Have to try the Xpower for the sake of it tho

The issues you have do have to be put in context. For the price, it's amazing. I mean look at a Ferrari, no room, you need to be a contortionist just to get in, you need to take a mortgage out to service it and everyone justs want to have a race with you. No thanks, done that, I'm considering buying a sleeper such as this. Oh, and it wouldn't take much to upgrade the suspension, certainly less than a service on a Porsche.

Thanks, Jack! This review is just super fun! I love your idea of the traffic light race and its aftermath! I am so looking forward to your review of the R5 Alpine, when it finally hits the roads. Well. I am just generally looking forward very much to the R5…

The first good affordable EV was also the most widely sold for years. It wasn't perfect, due to technological restrictions at the time, but the Leaf is a legend that many, including Robert, cherish.

Nice to see Berkeley, Gloucestershire!

Great review. I think just quietly I’d buy the muscle bound blokes V8 instead, if he’s moving it on though 😅

The thing I like about the MG4 is most of the complaints are easily fixable. Will they do it? Probably not. Which is a pity. The Atto 3 software, UI, camera clarity etc etc is way better. How much does a faster chip cost? Nice review BTW.

a few audible chuckles were let go during that, well done

0-60 times are to EVs what BHP has always been to petrol cars; A number that boring people use to compete with their friends in the pub, but that doesn't reflect how good a car actually is to drive. I have an NB MX5 and a Polestar 2 (with Performance Pack). The Polestar has over 3 times the power, 4wd, and sub-4 second 0-60. But the MX5 is way more fun. It's involving and reactive. You feel everything that's happening and it's like you and the car are one. The Polestar is lovely for cruising on long journeys, sitting in comfort on a miserable day, or embarrassing Audi drivers off the lights, but it's like a videogame to drive. There's barely any sensation. I'm still waiting for a proper, mass-market, EV that harnesses that fun factor. Maybe the Cyberster will be the start of that.

Many a true word spoken in jest. The reality of driving in the UK is mostly in town (increasingly at 20mph) and/or in heavy traffic. Speed and acceleration are of minor importance. Comfort, efficiency & excellent ride manners are more valuable.

I really love your presentation, it is so much fun to watch your videos! :)

I live in Croydon in a block of flats. I only have access to commercial charges at 80p. 44% of UK households don't have a drive way. Sort this out and I'm in. If not this is an exclusive club of people with driveways

Late 2000s to get sub 4 second 0-60. Corvette Z06, $73k USD, 3.6 seconds. He's right that the price point he's mentioning is spot on. But you didn't need $200k+ back then.

Does it also come with the standard MG feature RRC? (Randomly Refuse Charging) Planning is not for us MG5 drivers…☹️

Love the color and styling! Wish these were sold in the US!

Loving Jack continuing the theme of dressing to match the car :)

😂 06:46 Jack’s description of toasting some “muscle-bound bloke” 💪 and converting him to yoga 🧘‍♀️was classic! 🏆

No way to know for sure but I think they had a bit of an idea what these would be used for. There'll be someone that doesn't want anything flash with a bit more go and this'll tickle that itch but what I think this will inspire because of its cost, racing. An MG backed EV racing series would be doable at that price. It wouldn't be a ratings wonder but a fun series running alongside a bigger race series. Great test bed for MG engineers and race on Sunday, buy on Monday level marketing.

Great review - the humour in abundance 👊

Lovely review, as always. Would love to see bloke vs. galut. Or is it galoot? My new British slang of the day. ^^

Exactly the same arguments as those around Hot Hatches like the XR2i which managed to kill off cars like the Capri and MGB. Back then I wonder how many guys told their wife they were buying a Fiesta and then came home in an XR2i. Regarding Hot Hatches a friends Mother once scared herself by testing droving a VW Golf VR6 not realising it was supposed to be a performance car. I can imagine the same happening with the MG4 XPower when they start turning up used on dealer lots.

It makes more sense than a Tesla Robot. Neither can paint my lounge ceiling (it really needs doing), but at least the MG can go quick if you want. Be kind to Dad!

I got mine two weeks ago and totally agree. Leaving everyone behind at lights quickly looses its appeal. It lacks excitement and doesn't get the adrenaline going. I had a lot more fun in my fiesta and even my i10 (at least both of them could take a corner at speed) on my 7 mile country road commute.

As usual, Jack - an educational and entertaining review. One of your best!

This is super cute 🥰 I’d totally drive it 🛞💨 if we 🇺🇸 had them 😊

I too am happy this car exists, but I too am not convinced that it's a sensible purchase. I test drove it, it's bonkers. However the XPower is basically the same price as the Tesla Model 3 which is significantly more premium. The XPower only trumps the Model 3 on speed and indicator stalks. The base MG4 is amazing value, a class of its own. However , the XPower instead of a Model 3 just for straight line performance? I think not.

0:40 You guys got me chuckling HARD

Awesome Video! Very entertaining. Love it

I have mg4 trophy 64kwh. Before i had mercedes 350e estate. What wos better in mercedes: - Suspension, mercedes had pneumatic - Seat, had all adjustment. -soundproofing, mainly tire, road noice and path holes. Any other things are better in mg4, even infotainment system. Driving systems, LKA line keep assistant, 95% works well if you get used to and trust that system, which on beginning feels weird. After 5 months i still like this car. Only I have problem after MG app update. I didnt fix that yet.

Citroen Oli .... once battery technology improves... Great fun. In the meantime my 2 CV6 does everything with great entertainment plus practicality. 0-60 is rather meaningless in every day driving.

So one thing confuses me. I'm a (more or less) happy Trophy model owner and I recognise most of the gripes. But mine has never had one pedal driving, though thankfully it does remember the regen settings and they don't change between mode. So I'm mix of delighted and gutted to read there's a proper one-pedal mode. Delighted it exists, gutted there's more failing to save previous setting nonsense, which plagues this car's otherwise excellent experience. So should Trophy owners expect a one-pedal regen option in an update? If so, and if they've monkeyed with the default so it keeps changing, I'd rather stick with the current, aggressive but not quite one-pedal I have, because at least it's stable! Anyone know? Is this coming to the Trophy?

A FUN Pocket Rocket

It’s mad that this with the space and performance is cheaper than what a Honda-E was selling for new.

Great video. I have driven one and really enjoyed it.

Thanks Jack, another superb video... You really are unique in today's automotive reviewers... Entertaining, informative and naturally funny ... Your face off at the traffic lights with muscle bound "Mr Insecurity" .... Bloody brilliant! Basically you are the new Jeremy Clarkson blessed with great genetics!

The gripe list matches most of the things I put up with in my Vauxhall Mokka-e.

The trouble is the general consumer wants a car that does everything averagely: practical, comfortable but just a glimpse of sportiness. Only the small percentage of buyers who are driving enthusiasts will put with a genuine sporty ride quality at the expense of driver comfort.

Find this mans reviews tend to go by badge i will look for other reviewers not been a fan of his for a long time now, and dont see anything to change my opinion

"...based on Elliot's recent rave review.." ??? I would place much faith in that. Best hold out till you get a chance to drive it. Not saying he's wrong (or right for that matter), just that even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Just so we set the record straight: what tyres come as stock on the x-power? Would you see those specced on ANY sub 4 second 1.8 ton supercar? No. The stock turanza t005 are NOT performance tyres. They are low rolling resistance touring tyres. And they are pretty narrow for the car’s performance. Tyres are the first thing any car reviewer should check before they blurt out about feel and handling etc. That does mean the car really costs £800 more (before discounts) than whatever price you are paying for it. But it means you can fit some Michelin pilot sport or sport contacts on it.

YESSSS that's how I like car reviews ! Thank you Jack. Spot on.

Always catch me in the Aldi middle aisle.

Thank you so much for listing those 'minor' issues, the MG ZS I have has 99% of those issues and it drives me crazy! I will most likely not be keeping this MG for more than a year or two at this rate because of these annoying quirks!

A slow EV is easy to launch at the lights. This would be very entertaining, just for the scenario Jack described. I'd have to get this in maroon, take the caliper covers off, wear a flat cap and smoke a pipe too.

Did I see the A38 bus depot there?

As a yank I will never see one of these on my shores and I'm obsessed!

This was such a funny review, I laughed out load several times. Brilliant stuff guys.

I bought a 51kWh version. Love it for all the reasons you said.

I’ve seen too many fawning reviews of this car not to think it’s overhyped. I’m glad you were more honest about it. The regular MG4 is a car I really find it hard to get enthusiastic about. Yes it’s cheap and has good range but in the way that a Daewoo was cheap and relatively fuel efficient. It’s good reliable transport but I wouldn’t really be proud to own one. I do like the colour though. Says it all really.