MG4 Urban review: Is this the smartest budget EV on sale?

Join us as we take a closer look at the MG4 Urban, MG's family-sized EV wearing a city car's name

Let's welcome the MG4 Urban to the EV market.

Most of us have probably heard of the MG4 EV. It proved so popular that MG has turned its base-spec trim into its own model: The Urban.

As the name suggests, it's a city car. But it doesn’t look like your typical tiny car (we’re thinking Leapmotor T03).

It still looks like a MG4, and it still has space galore inside making it perfect for family life.

And the best part? It undercuts its sibling while offering more space — unusual, but appreciated by families who need to get as much car for their money as they can.

So, can a car named after city life really be the family EV it claims to be?

What we drove

Model: MG4 Urban Premium EV 160 Electric 53.9kWh Auto

Body Style: Hatchback

Power: Electric (118 kW)

Battery: 53.9 kWh

Range: Up to 258 miles (WLTP Comb)

Colour: Stone Green

Specifications correct at the time of publication.

Softer lines, bigger footprint

The MG4 Urban is softer and rounder than the standard MG4, but that's not a bad thing.

In fact, some design cues have been borrowed from the sporty MG Cyberster — think the split bumper and tail-light detailing.

For something badged as Urban, you'd think of smaller and nippier like the Renault 5.

But not this city car. No. The Urban is longer and wider, making it ideal for a family car.

Comfort trim gets smaller wheels, while the top trim steps up.

It isn't a head-turner, but it is tidy and inoffensive rather than bland.

Simple, sturdy, and sensibly equipped

Step inside and there's everything you need right in front of you.

It's not a lot, but everything you could need? Sorted.

Hard plastics dominate, but it doesn't feel cheap at this price point.

The fabric upholstery doesn't look like anything special, but that’s to be expected at this price point. It's durable, and that's what counts for family life.

There are physical controls for the important bits (like climate control); a welcome touch in this minimalist world we live in. But secondary controls are a bit touchscreen-heavy, and that takes some getting used to.

The digital driver's display works well and is a handy touch, but the icons are a bit on the small side, so you might find yourself squinting to see what it's saying.

There's plenty of space throughout — they've taken the already beloved MG4 EV and added even more room.

The boot comes in at 577 litres, with an extra 98 litres under the floor too. This is class-leading for the segment, especially at this price point.

Not thrilling, but perfect for city and family life

The MG4 Urban is nippy where it counts.

It's not too big and has an impressive turning circle. It is a city car, after all.

Road noise was on the louder side and the ride was a bit bumpy — suspension doesn't fully settle on rougher surfaces.

But the regenerative braking? It's got something to suit everyone.

Five settings to choose from mean you can go harsher for more one-pedal driving, or weaker for something closer to traditional brakes.

Going the distance on a budget

The MG4 Urban can go up to 258 miles on a single charge (WLTP Comb).

This is properly impressive for a car at this price point.

Yes, it's significantly less range than the MG4 EV, but that's the trade-off for a car that's cheaper and bigger — something has to give, and here it's range.

It's still plenty for everyday life, though.

On the flip side, it comes with a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery. These are typically less prone to degradation than the alternative used in the MG4, meaning it holds up better over repeated full charges.

Using a 150kW Ultra-Fast charger, you can get 10-80% in just 28 minutes. This is the case on the Comfort Standard Range.

What's good, and what's not

What's good:

1. Regenerative braking with five adjustable settings
2. Easy, nippy around town with a tight turning circle
3. LFP battery for durability
4. Plenty of physical buttons over touchscreen-only controls
5. Genuinely usable boot and interior storage

What's not:

1. Ride can feel bumpy on rougher roads
2. Touchscreen-reliant for some functions that used to be physical
3. Small, hard-to-read icons on the driver's display

What's the verdict?

Overall Rating: 8/10

The MG4 Urban proves you don't need to spend big to get a genuinely usable family EV.

It undercuts its own sibling on price while offering more space, which is a rare trick to pull off in this segment.

The LFP battery and heat pump show real thought's gone into everyday usability, not just the headline price. And with 258 miles of range, it covers daily driving without drama.

It's not exciting to drive, the ride has its moments on rougher roads, and the styling plays it safe.

But none of that is the point.

The name suggests a small city runabout. The reality is a properly spacious family car that happens to be one of the smartest budget EVs on sale.

Top five reasons to consider the MG4 Urban

1. Up to 258 miles of WLTP Comb range from the 53.9kWh battery
2. LFP battery chemistry designed to hold up better over repeated full charges
3. Class-leading boot space for the price bracket — 577 litres plus underfloor storage
4. Heat pump as standard, keeping range more consistent through winter
5. Physical controls Would we recommend leasing a MG4 Urban?

Would we recommend leasing the MG4 Urban?

Absolutely — especially if you're after genuine space and range without paying a premium for the badge.

The 258-mile range handles daily driving with room to spare, the LFP battery means less to worry about long term, and the boot alone outclasses rivals costing considerably more.

Yes, the ride can feel a bit bumpy on rougher roads.

And yes, it's not the car for anyone chasing thrills.

But for the driver who wants a spacious, well-equipped EV that makes financial sense, the MG4 Urban makes a genuinely strong case.