MG waded into the electric car market for the first time in 2019 with its ZS EV. It struck a sweet spot of affordability and capability, and subsequently vacuumed up buyers who were looking for an accessible way into practical electric motoring.
The company has since expanded its range with the similarly affordable yet decent MG5 EV estate and the MG4 EV hatchback, widening customer options and boosting its sales further. More pure-electric models are planned, too, including a two-seat sports car. And, by 2027, the brand is reportedly aiming to offer nothing but electric cars.
While MG’s electric cars often don’t match their rivals in terms of outright quality, they often still stack up well in terms of equipment, range and warranty. More to the point, the MG offering tends to cost several thousand pounds less than its comparable rival, making its cars hard to overlook and increasingly popular with buyers.
MG electric cars available in the UK now
MG ZS EV
Read our full MG ZS EV review
The MG ZS EV was the brand’s first production electric car and, at its launch in July 2019, it offered an appealing blend of affordable pricing, adequate performance and good equipment levels. Its sensible pricing and specification unsurprisingly granted it wide appeal, making it a popular choice and bolstering MG’s sales significantly.
A recent update has made it even more tempting, adding refreshed styling and a larger battery pack option; with the standard 51.1kWh battery it’ll cover some 198 miles, or 273 miles with the larger 72.6kWh pack. It’s still not particularly engaging to drive, or that exciting inside, but factors such as its five-star Euro NCAP rating and seven-year warranty are understandably more important to some. If you’re looking at the likes of a Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Kona, take a look at the ZS EV as well.
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MG4 EV
Read our full MG4 EV review
MG’s third electric car was the MG4 EV, which made its debut in 2022. As with the brand’s previous efforts, the MG4 serves up superb value for money; the distinctive electric hatchback, the company’s first, comes with plenty of kit and packs a great range but, unlike MG’s past all-electric efforts, it’s much better to drive and more appealing.
Go for the long-range model and you’ll get an electric car capable of covering up to 281 miles on a single charge, potentially making this a much more viable choice for many. Downsides? Well, it is a bit pinched in the back, and there are some areas where the cost-cutting shines through. That said, the fact that this car costs far less than rivals such as the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.3 will make those issues moot to most.
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MG5 EV
Read our full MG5 EV review
The MG5 EV is one of the few all-electric estate cars on sale today and it subsequently offers a degree of improved practicality compared to some hatchback rivals. That alone might put it on your radar but, if that’s not enough, the MG also serves up plentiful equipment levels, a pleasant driving experience and good range for an inexpensive price.
MG’s second foray into the electric car market has also recently been updated, ditching its drab exterior and interior for something more modern and appealing. It’s no longer as cheap as it used to be, and foibles such as uncomfortable seats might be a dealbreaker for some, but its claimed range of up to 250 miles should compensate for its deficits elsewhere. If you want an inexpensive and practical electric car, and aren’t sold on the newer MG4 EV, it’s worth investigating.
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MG electric cars worth waiting for
MG Cyberster
Currently, the two-seat Cyberster is just a concept car. The first official pictures of it were unveiled in April 2021 – no, not on the first – along with an array of heady figures, including a 500-mile range and a claimed 0-62mph time of around three seconds. The dramatically styled concept features hefty nods to the connected nature of future cars, too, with features such as an ‘interactive gaming cockpit’ and 5G connectivity.
However, the company has since published hints and details that suggest a production version of the concept is in the works. It’s mooted to become a range-topping model for the brand, offering high performance and attention-grabbing looks, and will echo the styling and intent of the concept on which it is based. No other details, though, have yet to be revealed.
MG4 Dual Motor
If you like the concept of the MG4 but want something quicker, you could wait for the upcoming high-performance version. It’s due this year, with a reported price of around £35,000, and is claimed to have a 0-62mph target of some 4.0 seconds. Consequently, it stands to be cheaper than the likes of the Cupra Born e-Boost, and far quicker and more powerful to boot.
Its hefty hike in performance will be achieved by the addition of a motor on the front axle, making it all-wheel-drive and bumping the power from 201bhp to 443bhp. It’s not just going to be a one-trick pony, though; you’ll still get plenty of equipment and, hopefully, it should have a range in excess of 250 miles.
