Video Summary
Here is a summary of the review of the MG4 Excite 51.- The MG4 Excite 51 starts at $38,990 in Australia before on-road costs.
- It is one of the cheapest electric vehicles currently available in Australia.
- If the BYD Dolphin did not exist, this car would be a no-brainer for budget EV buyers.
- This variant is the basic white MG4 with a 51-kilowatt-hour battery pack.
- While affordable, a more discerning buyer might want to consider the differences between the MG4 Excite 51 and the BYD Dolphin.
- A past road trip video with a pre-production model did not have the reversing camera, which the reviewer notes is on this model.
- Its appearance is not bad, and it does not look out of place on Australian roads. Some may even find the design slightly aggressive, comparing it to a snarling tiger.
- The build quality is acceptable but not great; nearly everything is plastic with piano black finish throughout that is prone to scratches.
- The seats are fabric. There is a residual plastic smell from new that comes through.
- A charge port cover does not quite sit flush to the vehicle, and it is unclear whether that is unique to the review unit or is a common fault.
- The seat controls and steering column are manual.
- The cabin feels somewhat dark without a glass roof or center lights.
- It features Apple CarPlay, which provides a convenient way to port settings over from prior vehicles.
- The real-world range is about 325km, and its WLTP range is 350km.
- While it has an electric powertrain, this MG4 could overtake vehicles on roads currently dominated by Toyota Corolla vehicles as fleet purchases for pathology collectors, libraries, council workers, or similar roles.
- Lacking wireless charging for devices, the phone holder is designed poorly, as it can cause a phone on it to be ejected during sudden acceleration.
- It is rated to AC 6.6kW and DC 90kW.
- Rear wheel drive offers better handling on twisty roads.
- Over-the-air (OTA) software updates must be completed by a dealer with a USB drive, so it does not support automatic updates.
- Driving experience: There is no auto steer and only lane departure assist.
- No center armrest for the rear seats.
- The side windows tend to retain mud.
