My 2024 started very cold, but with a very interesting car: the MG4 Xpower, the sporty flagship of the English brand’s compact electric model that is gaining popularity across Europe.
Here’s how my unique test went in a Denmark hit by a wave of frost with temperatures never above zero.
MG4 Xpower: Our tops and flops
My considerations about the model do not change compared to what has already been written about the MG4 Nordic Edition, which I invite you to check here. The Xpower maintains its practical features and even slightly improves the build quality with new materials for the interior and a dedicated suspension.
It targets those looking for something more, especially in terms of performance, and succeeds very well: always enjoyable to drive, it now accelerates from 0 to 100 in 3.8 seconds and provides a lot of satisfaction when driven in sport mode. A nice mix of practicality and sportiness, not a supercar for sure, but very fun and youthful.
What we like:
- The aesthetics are very personal and distinctive.
- The driving experience is very enjoyable.
- Good build quality.
What we don’t like:
- The quality of the rear camera could be better.
- Compatibility with Apple CarPlay is problematic.
- The infotainment system is still a bit immature.
MG4 Xpower: prices in Scandinavia
- Denmark: from 299.999 DKK (Nordic Edition at 199.999 DKK, currently the cheapest electric car in Denmark);
- Sweden: from 494.990 SEK (Standard at 369.990 SEK);
- Norway: from 395.900 NOK (Standard at 265.900 NOK)
What changes in the design
The part dedicated to aesthetics won’t be very long because the MG4 Xpower is the same car we have already known. It changes in some rather obvious details: firstly, the matte Hunter Green color, which I really liked and gives it much more personality compared to the dull gray of the other version.
There are also specific 18” wheels and orange brake calipers, also very distinctive and pleasant, paired with ventilated front discs of 345 mm.
Furthermore, at the rear, the appearance is even more dramatic, as the LED lights run the entire width of the car, while on the Nordic Edition, they “stop” at the sides. There are also changes in the suspension, with 25% stiffer springs that are particularly appreciated in Sport mode, and excellent 234/35 R18 tires that helped a lot in terms of stability in the snow.
The interior is basically identical to what we already know, and if the materials and touch & feel were already excellent, they are now enriched with leather and Alcantara, for a more premium but not revolutionary look. In particular, the design of the steering wheel and its grip are even more appreciated here.
Sporty, but not a supercar
Due to the conditions, I could not drive the MG4 Xpower at its maximum performance.
In any case, performance is also measured in slippery conditions: the car improves a lot in stability, thanks to an almost perfect weight distribution and low center of gravity, and overall good road presence.
It remains a well-built car, well-insulated, displaying excellent power, ranking among the best electric cars for acceleration: 3.8 seconds thanks to the 600 Nm torque, better than many more expensive rivals and with a sleek design that enhances the driving pleasure and, we’ll see, the range.
MG has recalibrated the regenerative braking software for the Xpower, which is now less abrupt and more efficient. Also, the braking power in optimal conditions brings the car from 100 to 0 in 33.9 meters, not much more when the ground is wet.
Different driving modes, unfortunately, can only be selected through the central touch display, with Eco focusing on savings, Normal providing good performance already, and Sport changing everything, leveraging the stiffer suspension for a precise steering feel and stability, especially in corners.
The car has all-wheel drive, and there’s a new steering angle control system with lockable electronic differential and intelligent engine control system that directs torque between all four wheels, preventing it from swaying or skidding in corners, which it hardly ever does.
Range in the cold
I have already addressed the topic of cold and electric cars in a dedicated article. Unfortunately, it was among the unlucky ones I had during periods when temperatures dropped below -10°C, putting the range to the test.
On the WLTP cycle, it claims 385 km with a 64 kWh NMC battery, which is not realistic at those temperatures. In Eco mode, I covered about 320 km in the city, decreasing to 280-300 km in Normal mode. However, not a significant loss, translating to no more than 250 km in real-world highway speeds.
Regardless, the two electric motors do not make it a consumption champion, with consumption around 20 kWh per 100 km. For those seeking more range, it’s better to consider the MG4 Trophy Range Extender, which exceeds 500 km on the WLTP cycle.
