Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Published: 3 August 2023 Updated: 3 August 2023

Overview

On paper, the MG4 XPower looks like the hot hatch bargain of the century. For under £37,000 you get a dual motor four-wheel drive electric car with 435hp and a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds. That’s the kind of performance only the most powerful conventionally powered hot hatchbacks can deliver. The Audi RS3 Sportback that fits that bill starts at over £50,000. The Mercedes-AMG A45 S is over £60,000.

If you’re only interested in electric vehicles, further context comes with the realisation that the MG4 XPower costs less than an entry-level Volkswagen ID.3. Which musters a comparatively puny 204hp.

The MG4 XPower doesn’t like to shout about its potential, though. Modest 18-inch wheels, larger brakes (though don’t get too excited about the orange calipers as those are plastic covers), and striped lower door trims are the few external tells. You do also get a black roof, but then so does the MG4 Extended Range.

Even more unusually for a hot hatch, the XPower has slightly higher suspension than the regular MG4, and it’s usually the other way around. The suspension is stiffer, however, which is a little more what we’d expect. You also get torque vectoring by braking (a system that’s supposed to help the car turn into corners more dynamically) and a variable front-to-rear torque bias in an attempt to control such huge amounts of power in a relatively small car.

What’s it like inside? 

For better and worse, much the same as the standard MG4. Red stitching replaces blue, and there’s some Alcantara on the seat centres and doors, but that really is about it. Front space is plentiful, although the lack of height adjustment for the passenger will leave some feeling a little perched. The rear is tighter than a Cupra Born, but a couple of six-footers will fit.

9

It’s not the plushest interior and the touchscreen can be fiddly. The boot lags behind most similarly sized hatches. For more detail, have a look at our main MG4 review.

Comfort 

The XPower’s seats are certainly the best we’ve experienced in an MG4, the Alcantara making them feel more expensive whilst helping to hold you in place. Unfortunately, they aren’t as supportive as we’d like in the bends, so you find yourself clinging to the steering wheel.

9

Safety 

Euro NCAP gave the MG4 the full five stars when it was tested in 2022. Compared to a Cupra Born, it doesn’t score as highly for adult and child protection in the event of an accident, but its safety assist tech is very nearly as good in tests.

In the real world, we find the steering assist to be a bit too intrusive although the adaptive cruise control works well enough. Similarly, we’ve no complaints regarding the blindspot-assistance system while the automatic emergency braking doesn’t seem too nervous.

What’s it like to drive? 

Even if you’re used to the acceleration offered by a decent modern hot hatchback such as a Volkswagen Golf GTI, the MG4 XPower will come as something of a shock. Launch control is easily accessed and really squeezes you back into your seat, the 3.8 second 0-62mph time feeling entirely believable. Traction is good, although you will feel the steering wheel writhe in your hands, especially on heavily cambered roads.

9

The performance feels just as silly without launch control, making overtakes ridiculously easy. Make too much of this capability, however, and you’ll see the battery readout tumble rapidly. Getting near the official driving range will require plenty of restraint. And acceleration does drop off at higher speeds, sometimes leaving you wondering if some of those 400 horses have gone for a wander.

If you can control the urge to accelerate hard at every opportunity, you’ll find the XPower is almost as comfortable as the regular MG4. It’s a touch firmer which does make it feel more fidgety, but not to the point it ever becomes unpleasant. The brakes remain easy to modulate and the steering isn’t a great deal heavier, even in Sport mode. Road and wind noise is not noticeably worse than the regular car, making it just as easy to live with.

9

Unfortunately, the XPower just isn’t as much fun as it should be when faced with a twisty road. Grip levels are good but not outstanding, and the slow steering doesn’t build enough weight when cornering hard, denting your confidence. Push beyond this and you’ll find more body lean than is ideal, and a nose that is far too keen to wash wide under power.

In other words, despite its performance, it doesn’t really feel like a hot hatch. A Golf GTI driver will certainly be having more fun.

Range and charging

As with the MG4 Long Range, you get a 64kWh battery in the XPower. But while the former will do as many as 281 miles on a single charge, the latter manages 239 miles – that extra motor taking its toll. That’s down on the Cupra Born, but significantly better than the similarly priced Abarth 500e, which is the nearest thing to an alternative electric hot hatch currently on sale.

A full charge on a typical 7.4kW home wallbox takes just over five hours, while a rapid charger of 150kW or more can get you from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes.

What models and trims are available? 

There’s only one version of the MG4 XPower, and it comes loaded with equipment. This includes the aforementioned exterior, interior and chassis upgrades plus plenty more.

For instance, you get heated power folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors, a 360 degree camera, heated front seats with electric adjustment on the driver’s side and climate control.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes with satnav, but also has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The associated high-set wireless phone charger will send your device flying if you drive enthusiastically.

Click through to the next page to read our full verdict on the MG4 XPower.