ORA Funky Cat vs MG4 EV: Which electric hatchback is right for you?

GWM ORA Funky Cat vs MG4 EV: Which electric hatchback should you lease?

TL;DR: Which electric hatchback should you lease: GWM ORA Funky Cat or MG4 EV?

The MG4 EV is the stronger long-term choice — better range, a significantly improved 2026 interior, and a seven-year warranty to back it up.

The GWM ORA 03 is discontinued and stock is running out, but if the retro personality has always appealed, this is your last chance to get one new.

For most drivers, the MG4 EV is the easy recommendation.

Which electric hatchback should you lease?

The electric hatchback market has never been more competitive — and two of its most talked-about Chinese contenders have taken very different paths since they first arrived in the UK.

The GWM ORA Funky Cat burst onto the scene in 2022 with retro looks and a name to match. It was later rebranded the ORA 03 as GWM streamlined its line-up, and it’s since been taken off sale altogether, with stock now limited to what's left at dealerships.

You can still find an ORA 03 lease for the time being, but once that stock is gone, it's gone.

The MG4 EV also launched in 2022; engineered, designed, and manufactured in China by SAIC Motor Corporation, and known as the MG Mulan on its home turf before being badged as the MG4 for international markets.

It carries a historic British name, but make no mistake: This is a Chinese electric car through and through. And unlike its rival, it has gone from strength to strength, with a significant 2026 facelift making an already impressive hatchback even better.

So should you snap up one of the last remaining ORA 03 leases, or go for the updated MG4 EV? We've broken it all down for you.

GWM ORA Funky Cat (ORA 03)

Few cars to arrive in the UK in recent years have made quite the entrance the Funky Cat did. Quirky, characterful, and unlike anything else on the road: Here's what it brought to the table.

Looks that could stop traffic

The Funky Cat's looks were its biggest selling point, and it's not hard to see why. Inspired by iconic cars like the MINI, the K12 Nissan Micra, and the Porsche 911, the retro-influenced design gave it a personality that most EVs simply don't have.

It sat roughly the same size as a Volkswagen ID.3; compact enough for city driving, without feeling cramped.

Retro on the inside too

Step inside, and the retro theme continued.

A two-tone cabin, large windows, and a flat floor gave it an airy feel despite its hatchback proportions.

Soft-touch materials on the dash and chrome toggle switches punched well above what the price tag suggested, with a finish closer to traditional premium brands than budget Chinese EV.

Passenger space was a priority too — those over six foot could sit comfortably in the back, with plenty of room up front for heads, shoulders, and knees.

Small car, big personality

The Funky Cat was no performance car, but it was an enjoyable one. All variants produced 126kW (171PS) and 250Nm of torque, with a 0–62mph time of around 8.2–8.3 seconds depending on the trim.

Four driving modes gave you some flexibility, and the overall experience was smooth and easy to live with day-to-day.

How far could it take you?

The ORA 03 came in three variants with different battery options:

• Pure: 48kWh battery, 193-mile range (WLTP Comb)
• Pro: 63kWh battery, 260-mile range (WLTP Comb)
• GT: 63kWh battery, 248-mile range (WLTP Comb)

The entry-level Pure's 193 miles wasn't class-leading, but perfectly adequate for urban driving and commuting.

The Pro and GT brought it much closer to the competition for those needing more flexibility on longer journeys.

MG4 EV

The MG4 may carry a historic British badge, but this is a thoroughly modern Chinese electric car — and one that keeps getting better.

Here's where it stands after its 2026 facelift.

A glow-up for the ages

The MG4 arrived in 2022 looking sharper than anything MG had produced before, and the 2026 update kept the formula largely intact — a new rear spoiler, fresh wheel designs, and an updated colour palette that sadly waves goodbye to the iconic Volcano Orange.

It sits at 4,287mm long, making it almost exactly the same footprint as a Volkswagen ID.3.  Familiar territory for anyone shopping in this segment.

Quality gets a serious upgrade

The biggest change for 2026 was inside.

The original MG4's cabin was decent enough, but the new interior is a genuine step forward.

A 12.8-inch touchscreen replaces the old unit, and crucially, physical dials and buttons for climate control have been added, which is something rivals like the ID.3 still haven't managed.

Soft-touch materials have replaced much of the piano-black plastic, and the centre console has been completely redesigned with a wireless charging pad, cup-holders, and a proper storage space underneath.

It's a much more premium place to spend time, and far closer to the competition in both quality and feel.

More fun than it has any right to be

The MG4 was always more enjoyable to drive than its price tag suggested, and that hasn't changed.

Five drive modes cover everything from Eco to Sport, the brake pedal is easy to modulate in traffic, and the rear-wheel drive setup gives it a playful edge on twisty roads that you simply don't expect from a family hatchback.

It's not the last word in refinement on the motorway, but it handles town and country driving with real confidence.

Further than ever before

The 2026 line-up dropped the entry-level short-range option and now offers three variants:

• Premium Long Range: 64kWh battery, up to 280 miles (WLTP Comb), 188bhp, 0–62mph in 7.5 seconds
• Premium Extended Range: 77kWh battery, up to 338 miles (WLTP Comb), 241bhp, 0–62mph in 6.2 seconds
• XPower: 64kWh battery, up to 251 miles (WLTP Comb), 429bhp, 0–62mph in 3.8 seconds

Maximum charging speed of 154kW means a 10–80% top-up takes as little as 25 minutes on a rapid charger in the Long Range — making longer journeys far less of a compromise than they once were.

So, which should you lease?

This isn't your typical head-to-head.

One of these cars is riding off into the sunset, and the other is hitting its stride. This means that the decision is less about which is better, and more about what you're looking for.

If the ORA 03's retro personality has always appealed, now is genuinely your last chance to get your hands on a new one. For a car that stands out from the crowd and offers a genuinely premium interior feel at a competitive price point, it's a compelling final act.

But if you're looking for an electric hatchback you can commit to with confidence — one that's only getting better, backed by a seven-year warranty, strong range figures, and a significantly improved interior — the MG4 EV is the easy recommendation.

The 2026 facelift has addressed the few criticisms that remained, and it continues to represent some of the best value in the electric hatchback segment.

The MG4 wins this one.

But if you're tempted by one last dance with the Funky Cat (sorry, GWM ORA 03), we wouldn't blame you.