If your car budget is 100,000-150,000 yuan (21230$) and you intend to buy a new energy pure electric SUV for commuting, you have many options. However, if you want to find some driving pleasure in addition to daily work commuting, the options may be relatively few. In this price range, most models still follow the “balanced” route, making it difficult to find something exciting. But don’t worry, today I will recommend a model with outstanding driving performance for you, it is the MG4 EV from SAIC MG brand.
As a brand that has only focused on sports and driving control for nearly a hundred years, MG can be said to have sports genes engraved in its bones. After its development in China, the first coupe model MG6 was praised by consumers as a divine car. Even when compared to joint venture imported “small steel cannons” models like Civic and Golf GTI, it did not fall behind, establishing itself as the benchmark for sports car models in the domestic market. In the era of new energy, SAIC MG brand also closely combines its sports genes with electrification, launching products like MG Cyberster that combine design and performance. Not only does it release its own high-end car products, SAIC MG is also very active in the 100,000-150,000 yuan (21230$) car market in China, just like the SAIC MG4 EV Champion Edition we are test driving today, which has very good performance from static to dynamic.
In 2023, careful users will find that many manufacturers have launched their own champion version models. The champion version models aim to increase their sales and lower the entry threshold by offering moderate configurations and lower prices. Today, we test drive the recently launched SAIC MG4 EV Champion Edition. This car ensures the MG sports genes while setting the entry price at 115,800 yuan (16390$). For young users who have just entered society, this price is undoubtedly very attractive, especially since it is a native rear-wheel drive sports car platform.
The SAIC MG4 EV is positioned as a 5-door, 5-seat compact crossover. From the perspective of the car’s design, it is full of sporty flavor. Although the new car has been emphasizing its sporty nature, you will find that the exterior design of the car is not very flashy. The rugged lines make the whole car look clean and neat, which is very in line with the aesthetic of young users.
The front of the SAIC MG4 EV is a collection of elements that a sports car should have. The raised lines on the hood, the “X” shaped closed front face, the vertical air intakes on both sides, and the slightly protruding front lip of the lower bumper, along with the upward LED headlight design on both sides, make the front of the car look aggressive. For a compact crossover model, this design is very distinctive.
From the front, the body posture of the SAIC MG4 EV appears lower than other vehicles in the same class, thanks to its 0.82 high width ratio and the lying battery design at the bottom of the car. This design not only lowers the vehicle’s chassis but also maximizes the space for the passenger cabin, allowing for a more comfortable leg position.
The crossover design of the SAIC MG4 EV makes the side lines smoother and more streamlined. The four-wheel square design increases physical stability and makes the body proportions look more coordinated. The roof of the car will slightly press down from the B-pillar, and the rear end is clean and neat. The length, width, and height of the SAIC MG4 EV are 4287*1836*1516mm, with a wheelbase of 2705mm.
The rear of the car has many highlights, such as the hollow large wing, the upward protective plate on the lower bumper, which exudes the sporty atmosphere of the car. The “Y” shaped taillights are very attractive, and the recognition after lighting is also very high. There is a protruding shape along the lower edge of the rear windshield, which, combined with the tail wing on the roof, forms a double tail wing combination.
The SAIC MG4 EV Champion Edition has 17-inch wheels. The rear-wheel drive model we tested comes with Hankook 215/50R17 tires and dynamic turbine-shaped wheels. There is no spare tire. The four-wheel drive version uses 235/45R18 tires.
The interior center console of the SAIC MG4 EV is designed with a lightweight and simple concept, influenced by the positioning and price of the vehicle. The interior does not use excessive soft materials, but you don’t need to worry, as the overall quality control of SAIC MG is still very good.
The hidden air outlet area is not small, the air volume is good, and the angle adjustment range of the air outlet is quite wide. In order to increase the convenience of in-car storage, SAIC MG4 EV directly designed the central auxiliary instrument panel as an open structure, with internal 12V cigarette lighter socket and USB charging interface, and cup holders are also designed in a convenient position for easy access. The shift mechanism is in knob style, and the rotation feels slightly stiff.
The steering wheel features a dual-D design, with overall robustness and support for four-way adjustment. The multifunction buttons on both sides are neatly arranged, and the central control uses a joystick operation method, which may take some getting used to. The overall size of the steering wheel on this car is a bit large in my personal opinion, it would be better if it were more compact and delicate. The 7-inch color interactive instrument panel provides comprehensive information display, with good clarity even in sunlight.
The new SAIC MG4 EV Champion Edition model has upgraded the size of the central control screen to 12.3 inches, improving the overall visual experience. It also features the Zebra Venus car system for daily online entertainment such as music and videos, as well as various scene modes and popular apps for children. The efficiency and recognition speed of the intelligent voice recognition function are also acceptable.
The SAIC MG4 EV is a global model, so the comfort and space in the car must also meet the needs of tall Europeans. The front seats of this car are wide and heavy in shape, providing good support for the body, and the adjustment range of the seats is also larger, allowing users of all body types to find a comfortable position. The backrest of the front seats is also designed with multiple storage pockets, making it convenient for rear passengers to store phones and other small items.
In terms of rear seat space, my colleague, who is 178cm tall, adjusted his front seat position and entered the rear seat. Although the length of the SAIC MG4 EV is less than 4.3 meters and the wheelbase is not very long, the head and legroom for the occupants are still quite good. This is especially important due to the lower floor and higher interior space, ensuring a comfortable seating position.
The SAIC MG4 EV Champion Edition, with a terminal price of less than 120,000, has rich configurations. Features include heated front seats, intelligent up and down electric control for the entire vehicle, electrically adjustable rearview mirrors, Zebra Venus intelligent car system, 360° panoramic imaging + transparent chassis, and is still sufficient for daily use.
In addition to the visible configurations of the SAIC MG4 EV, the dynamic driving aspect is also the biggest highlight of this car. Due to the use of a native pure electric rear-wheel drive platform, this car has very good performance in terms of handling and playability, and is called the “little cannon” of the electric era. We experienced the rear-wheel drive single motor version this time, with a maximum motor power of 125kW and a maximum output torque of 250N.m. The test drive route includes highways, national roads, and mountain roads.
Many people know that in the new energy era, having a strong linear acceleration that can make adrenaline rush has become relatively “cheap,” while the high-speed cruising performance is a difficult gap for pure electric vehicle models to cross, especially for compact models. This test drive on the highway gave me a deep feeling that this car can have a relatively high-speed performance, and even when the speed exceeds 100 kilometers per hour, stepping on the accelerator pedal still provides good acceleration, which is very helpful for safe driving in high-speed overtaking and avoiding large trucks.
The acceleration pedal is quite responsive, and it takes a little time to get used to the rhythm of driving for the first time. The acceleration pedal doesn’t have a long travel, and in standard mode, it provides enough quick start and overtaking performance. In sport mode, the power change of the vehicle is not very obvious, and it feels more aggressive only when accelerating in the later stage. When the energy recovery is adjusted to the minimum, the vehicle almost does not drag after releasing the accelerator pedal, and it can glide forward smoothly. In the strong energy recovery mode, there is still a significant drag. Each time the accelerator pedal is released and then quickly stepped on again, the power of the vehicle connects smoothly without being abrupt, whether driving at high speed or in the city, it is quite comfortable.
The rear-wheel drive model’s greatest pleasure is handling. On the mountain road, the SAIC MG4 EV exhibits its agility. The rear-wheel drive setting allows for more precise steering through the corners, with a 50:50 axle load ratio for greater stability. The low center of gravity of the battery also allows for better control through high-speed corners. Experienced drivers will find that this car has a high cornering limit.
Since it has good cornering performance, the adjustment of the suspension is also crucial. The front MacPherson and rear multi-link layout is rare in compact car models. The overall suspension tuning tends to be firm, providing full support but compromising on comfort, especially noticeable in the rear seats on bumpy roads. However, at high speeds and on uneven roads, the vehicle handles the rebound from big bumps well, with minimal unnecessary bouncing.
The steering wheel of the SAIC MG4 EV is slightly oversized, which is not a problem for daily driving, but it feels too big for aggressive driving. However, the steering of this car does not have too much electronic feel, and the overall damping is well adjusted. It is easy to turn the wheel, and combined with the compact body, it is effortless for urban commuting and parking.
In terms of braking, this car’s overall performance is quite linear. When you press the brake pedal, you can quickly feel the vehicle decelerating. The braking feel is moderate, not too hard or too soft. It’s responsive and easy to control at low speeds. The addition of a comfortable parking function would be even better. In summary, the SAIC MG4 EV is a very unique model in terms of driving. It has abundant power and excellent speed performance, agile handling, and the driving pleasure unique to rear-wheel drive models. Compared to the same level BYD Dolphin and Volkswagen ID3, this car is more suitable for young users. In addition to the driving experience, the SAIC MG4 EV Champion Edition also deserves praise for its performance in terms of configuration and space. With its global quality and outstanding driving pleasure, the SAIC MG4 EV can compete.