Australia’s cheapest EV MG4 Excite 51: “I’d never felt so safe in a car”

The latest instalment in our day drive series shines a spotlight on the MG4 – a car that brings the world of electric driving into a more affordable price range.

British-founded and now Chinese-owned automotive brand MG turned heads and raised eyebrows last month with a promotion slashing the price to $30,990 until October 31 – making it temporarily Australia’s cheapest EV – based on the rationale that “MG4 is the EV for everyone”.

I must admit that until now, I had completely ruled out the idea of owning a new electric car because the available models existed in a space beyond my budget, and I’m sure many of my fellow twenty-somethings feel the same way.

The MG4 lineup consists of four variants: Excite 51, Excite 64, Essence 64, and Long Range 77, each with differing features and EV capabilities. Today I’ll be testing the most affordable option, the MG4 Excite 51.

Key features include reverse camera, four-speaker audio, range of up to 350km (depending on driving conditions), rear-wheel drive, 10.25-inch touch screen, 7-inch digital cluster, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 500kg towing capability, auto start/stop and keyless entry. It has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, more than 15 global awards and is covered by MG’s 10-year, 250,000km warranty.

In an increasingly competitive sector, this small hatchback offers an excellent entry point into the electric automotive market without compromising on quality, features or style. For someone who has never driven an electric car before, this model feels like the perfect option for me to try.

The first step in my plan of action is obviously the most important – connecting my phone to the car’s bluetooth system. I do this in under 15 seconds, it’s easy as pie, and once linked I could switch on Apple CarPlay for music, maps and calls.

One aspect that surprised me about the touchscreen control system, was the omission of an in-built GPS system.

I had assumed it would have one, but in hindsight I didn’t need it. I ended up preferring my phone’s linked Google maps because I’m familiar with its software, and know the in-built GPS systems can sometimes be ugly, hard to use and difficult to navigate.

At first, the interior dashboard was overwhelming and I felt like a pseudo Formula 1 driver studying all of the buttons, whether they lay on the steering wheel or touchscreen. But it didn’t take long to get the hang of it.

I respected MG’s decision to simplify the touchscreen controls with analogue buttons below for the most used features, such as aircon, volume, hazard lights and the “home” function.

The drive

The keyless start feature of the car was intriguing – once you enter with the key, the vehicle is ready to roll. There’s no start/stop button; you just turn the dial to Drive, and you’re off. For parking, you simply press the brake and turn the dial into Park. It’s that easy.

I have to admit it felt rather odd to exit the car while it was still running, as the car only turns off once you lock it.

On the road, the MG4 Excite 51 has exceptionally smooth acceleration and a suspension that absorbs bumps and potholes efficiently.

The 150 kW electric motor brought me up to full speed on the Mitchell Freeway in a sleek matter of seconds. MG advertises the Excite 51 to have an acceleration of 0~100km/h in 7.7 seconds. The drive is quiet, as you’d expect from an electric car.

Unfortunately my first impressions were clouded by a combination of being lost in morning traffic and touchscreen software confusion. But a few hours later, it was water under the bridge and I was clicking away, adjusting the aircon temperature and song choice comfortably.

I pulled into a carpark at Hillarys Boat Harbour to look at the exterior and interior design features freely. The design has both aerodynamic and aesthetic beauty, and it’s clear MG achieved their objective of creating an eye-catching vehicle.

It boasts generous legroom and headroom in the front and rear, as well as a moderate 363L boot, making it comfortable for a (small) family road trip.

Out of all the safety features, including automatic emergency braking, reverse camera and sensors, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, the latter impressed me the most.

Its ability to maintain cruise control in stop-start traffic was mind-boggling. I can confidently understand why the car received a five-star ANCAP safety rating – I’d never felt so safe in a car.

My verdict

The MG4 Excite 51 offers exceptional value, a stylish design and opens the EV market doors to young drivers like myself. It has exactly what one needs in an everyday, practical car, and the 10-year warranty is a deal too good to pass up. Drivers wanting to make the sustainable switch to electric without breaking the bank, should seriously consider this choice.

See for yourself

We borrowed the car from John Hughes MG, in Shepparton Road, Victoria Park, where the MG 4 range can be can be seen. johnhughesmg.com.au and 9415 0000.

(The team at John Hughes MG has not influenced or read this story before publication.)