MG4 Essence Review | The better choice, here's why

MG4 Essence review. With only $2K between this one and the MG4 Excite, learn why this is the car to buy.
MG4 Excite Review: • MG4 Excite Review | Au...
SUPPORT
Ko-Fi for my coffee addiction: ko-fi.com/electricchris
KZbin Super-thanks to support the channel
BUYING A TESLA? SAVE $$$ BY USING MY REFERRAL LINK
Use my referral link to purchase a Tesla Model Y and get $750 off your next car, plus earn credit points you can redeem for exclusive awards. Must use this link: ts.la/chris39709
ABOUT
I'm that guy who took the Victorian Government to the High Court of Australia to rid our country of the world's worst EV tax. This was not only unfair and unjust, it was also a massive disincentive for new buyers of EVs and delayed our progression to cleaner/greener forms of transportation.
More info: • We won! Victoria's EV ...
2nd CHANNEL - for all things travel, family, and things to do!
/ @chrisvanderstockfamily
SOCIALS
Twitter: @cvanderstock (for my rants and daily musings on random stuff)
#ElectricChris #EV #technology
MUSIC
Epidemic Sound
CONTACT
For collaborations, reviews, and stories - reach out to me via the contact page. My content is published on an independent basis. I do not accept compensation from manufacturers for products reviews, nor accept payment or provide copy/editorial approval rights.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - Price drop
00:47 - Walk around
04:00 - Let’s go for a drive
07:01 - Card Excite Review
08:39 - Why does it do this!?
10:50 - The MG4 needs this
11:55 - Safety systems
12:43 - Cruise control issue
13:19 - Driving dynamics
14:29 - Drivers features
22:47 - Charging and range
24:33 - Should you buy it?
25:45 - CARD Comparison
26:14 - End title

[@raybuck]

Rather than a shortcut you can use the voice controls to control the AC.

[@MarkStevens-ss5gz]

Great review and a really good car. I agree having to reset the one pedal driving each time would have to be the most annoying thing about this vehicle. As much as I love the upgraded features in the Essence, the Excite 51 is my choice because I personally prefer the LFP battery.

[@chrisvanderstock]

Good point about the LFP!

[@lynnwilliams3408]

Thanks Chris for another excellent detailed review. Looks like the extra cost of the Essence v Excite is worth it. Either way it seems a good value EV if doing mainly urban driving. As previously discussed losing the 1-pedal setting maybe legislation based. In our Ioniq 5 it always defaults to Level 3 on switch on. Also if you switch to reverse and back to drive it doesn't remember the 1-pedal setting. Not a big deal in Ioniq 5 as it is just 1 flick of the left paddle to get it back and you get used to it 😊

[@clayton4115]

I'm planning on getting the 77 one.

[@sydjaguar]

Love your work Chris and ever thankful for the court case reversing the EV tax.

[@chrisvanderstock]

Cheers! Was a great car(s) to have for a few weeks.

[@brodricj3023]

If I charge the battery to 100% every time will it likely be stuffed before the end of the warranty period?

[@gordonshaw3245]

Such a shame it’s NMC not LFP chemistry, and for everyday use the range is basically the same (64 x 80% = 51, 🤔 coincidence? 😁). Thanks for the review!!

[@fishingwiththomas]

I think they gave you a non updated one. Cruise control now does not slow down on corners on mine and a long press up does 5kmh and one press does 1kmh. Holding down the cruise button changes to traffic jam assist which steers for you if you have lines both sides. The best I've done is 6kms before it asked me to hold the wheel. Normally it's not that long though. After nearly 10000kms selecting opd is just something I used to now. I really wish it kept it though.

[@chrisvanderstock]

Thanks for the tip. This was shot in December last year so maybe something has changed?

[@fishingwiththomas]

@@chrisvanderstock yes the update rolled out in December

[@peterhoz]

I'd love to have a panoramic roof option. I currently drive a Škoda Rapid hatch Monte Carlo, and going back to a metal roof is not appealing. It's not quite a deal breaker but it is a serious consideration. It makes the car feel so much bigger and more spacious even tho it isn't.

[@blhouston]

Excite 51 comes with the LiFE chemistry batteries which are better than the ones in the Essence, and can be charged to 100% reliably. Also, the Essence spoiler actually decreases aerodynamic slip efficiency.

[@chrisvanderstock]

I too like LFP batteries!

[@peterhoz]

Agree with the save settings comments. However demisters are something that you may need to change whilst driving, whereas temp is often set and forget. Great to have both, just shrink all the buttons slightly and have 2 extras. But if I have to choose, yeah demisters. I don't want to have to dive thru menus to find them whilst my windows start fogging up on the road.

[@chrisvanderstock]

I would love to see the on/off button turned into a toggle temp up/down rocker instead. would solve a lot of issues here as I'm constantly changing temp based upon how I feel, and temp of the car.

[@fishingwiththomas]

@@chrisvanderstock you can set the left star button as a shortcut and adjust temp from the steering wheel.

[@glenncoreyjp6854]

Excellent review

[@chrisvanderstock]

Thanks!

[@stephendavidson5387]

Battery types not mentioned

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Another great review Chris 👍

[@chrisvanderstock]

Thanks Greg! 👍 Great video BTW on the BMW CE04 Electric Scooter

[@sectokia1909]

They have to reset all settings each time you get in the car because australia is a stupid over regulated country and has determined that - for safety - they have to reset incase some other driver is getting into the driving seat. The only way around it is to have biometric profiles....

[@Frelzor]

Are you saying this is not the case for the MG4 other places?

[@chrisvanderstock]

Annoying requirement. Maybe they should reverse the logic? Have one pedal as standard and you have to elect for traditional method?

[@pjmann1950]

I just ask the car to turn on air con with voice control

[@waynehobbs5175]

Not LFP is no deal for me.

[@chrisvanderstock]

Fair enough!

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

how many of the essence have had a thermal runaway problem that has you concerned?

[@user-ec7dc7hh9o]

You are probably testing an old firmware version. Your video was out of date before you uploaded it. The screen views, the 5k increments on cruise, the curve slow down are things which have been changed. We opted for the Essence 64Kw. The overnight charge speed difference is not worth it unless you already have 3 phase power to your house. Always carrying a heavier battery might be a factor. I agree the Essence is nicer than the Excite if you want faster charging when using public chargers and DC.

[@chrisvanderstock]

All good points. I'm soon reviewing the XPower version, so hoping to see the cruise control issue fixed.

[@user-ec7dc7hh9o]

@@chrisvanderstock The Jerry Pan (NZ) update news video offers his interpretation of what is new in the Essence spec MG4. It is unusual for MG dealers to offer updates because it is not something they are obligated to do. The cruise control on the latest version is inverted. One press up is 1km faster. Press up and hold for a bit is 5km on the newer firmware. The moment you described it, I knew your vehicle was on an older version of the firmware. The firmware applies to both the NZ and Australian market.

[@craigmcclure1819]

My car has been devalued 10 percent..due to new pricing....don't trust car company that does that to it's customer...will they do it again,very likely Also MG head office and my local dealer don't know meaning of customer service...don't answer emails No more MG for me

[@chrisvanderstock]

Whoa! That's disappointing. I have 'some' connection with head office and might be able to help escalate your concern(s). What happened?

[@twisted_panties]

You are an early adopter, price change is inevitable, deal with it.

[@TimBorg]

and yet you have not driving what is actually the best Hatchback in the world the second gen NISSAN LEAF ZE1 is by far the highest quality and most reliable ad best looking and best value EV on the roads I would not trust my life with this Chinese LEMON

[@chrisvanderstock]

I reviewed the Nissan Leaf way back in 2019 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5nNeWePpcmnhdU - great car let down by poor battery management.

[@TimBorg]

@@chrisvanderstock no it isn't that's bullshit the battery is actually more reliable and the safest in the industry NISSAN is only EV brand to never have any EV battery fires made in Japan cars are a billion times better than anything else China can't even forge steal hard and they all explode all the time MG has had battery fires

[@TimBorg]

@@chrisvanderstock unsub for lying

[@user-ec7dc7hh9o]

In your humble opinion which may or may not be based on rational thought. It is an English design built in China by a company which is able to do electronics, unlike the English Lucas electronics otherwise known as the prince of darkness. SAIC actually build quite a few well known European brands in their factories, perhaps you should condemn them as well.

[@ensteffo]

@@TimBorg You are unqualified to give advice on the automotive industry as you are biased calling this car a "lemon" (which is one of the best value for price available) and start with ad hominem attacks when you don't like technical critique of a vehicle.