MG Loses the Ecological Bonus Tomorrow. What's Next?

Star model of the year, the MG MG4 will lose its Eco Bonus in a few hours. Will it lose its appeal for that reason?

Full-size 100% electric sedan, well within reasonable dimensions, far from the trend of increasing size, this is what the MG4 embodies. It is just under 4.30 meters long, precisely 4.29 meters, and features a good turning radius that makes city driving and parking much easier. The bodywork is also well protected and withstands minor bumps effectively.

In terms of style, electric cars strive to stand out. While competitors like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Renault Megane E-Tech Electric showcase some originality, the MG4 Electric adopts a more conservative approach, drawing aesthetic inspiration from well-established models such as the Nissan Micra and the Toyota Yaris Cross.

The advantage of the MG4 Electric is that it offers, right from the entry-level, a Standard version with 51 kWh and 170 horsepower. The acceleration performance is high, with 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, and the handling is also impressive.

During our test in Provence in autumn 2022, with temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius, we measured an average consumption of 18.9 kWh/100 km on a mixed cycle, resulting in a real range of 270 km, versus the 350 km claimed by the Chinese manufacturer. The average is more favorable in city driving, at 17 kWh/100 km, translating to about 300 km real range. However, on the highway, the figure skyrockets, with our onboard computer showing up to 24 kWh/100 km, giving a real range of only 210 km. This smaller battery version will therefore appeal more to city dwellers.

Regarding charging, the MG4 “base” model comes with an onboard charger of 6.6 kW (10-100% charging in 7.5 hours) and DC fast charging of 117 kW (10-80%) in 40 minutes.

The Standard trim already comes well equipped with features such as a semi-leather adjustable steering wheel in four directions, LED headlights, keyless access, rear parking sensors, MG Pilot (ACC/TJA/LKA…), a 10.25’’ touchscreen with Apple CarPlayTM/Android AutoTM, a 7’’ digital instrument cluster, and the very useful V2L system that allows charging accessories like bikes and electric scooters directly from the car.

With Dover White paint, this MG4 Standard is priced at €29,990. This price remains extremely competitive tomorrow compared to cars still eligible for the €5,000 government bonus.

For all these reasons, it’s likely that the love story between MG and the French public will not end tomorrow. Unlike Tesla, which frequently runs promotions and discounts, MG announces its prices and sticks to them. And it works! At €40,000 after subsidies, the MG4 XPower remains the most affordable family dragster on the market, capable of covering 380 km after accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. At €45,000, the Marvel R Luxury can boldly compete with the Peugeot E-3008 and the new Renault Scenic.