MG4 XPOWER / 430hp AWD / Real Rally Driver's assessment

[@ravingmad765]

Most KZbinrs won't call it a hot hatch because of an ego thing. Here are two men comfortable in their own skin with great experience calling it.

[@IdaiMakayaPublications]

Agreed. Most car KZbinrs watch other people do a review and copy it. They're scared to give their own impressions.

[@ravingmad765]

I loved how unbiased and open to the experience you both were; that's proper reviewing.

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

exactly

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Thanks dude! We try to be fair

[@alanwei28]

@@inCARnationAustralia Winding noise seems obviously annoying, any ideas to lower down?

[@paxmaniac1]

Really interesting to see how Andrew is initially a bit sceptical and gradually comes around to really enjoying the car.

[@tickedo]

i was and i did :) It really went well which i wasnt prepared for

[@ianmutch1370]

We got our case's into the MGzs EV, 20m to 5 am in an Exstremly hevy down pour, emedetly confronted with a river of water from Hill st, then drove through a pudel where the water came over the bonet, in Thirroul, then we headed up Bulli Pass some pudels but OK when I got to the emergency runoff for Trucks at the elbow there was a river of rocks and gravel, the car got through this, I think that the weight, and the fact that the EV is AWD saved the day, managed to to get the rest of the way up the Pass sumtimes on the outside of the road to avoid the water falls, drove along with emergency lights on and following the cats eyes. Got the car delivered to the higher place, find out we had lost the number plate. Conclusion is that I don't think an ICE car would have done as well as it did, VERY IMPREST with the MGzs. Ian Mutch Auckland NOW THAT'S A TEST!!!! PS. I went for a drive to BauldHill to see how sporty it was, i gave it the fat, from Stanwell Park to the top of Bauldhill, more powerful than a V8, and great breaking, lot's of fun 😊😊😅

[@mannbat]

Great review as always and sums up why I went a base MG4 rather than the XPower as a daily driver: The risk to my license. The Wisemans ferry loop is always a good run. A great spot for testing!

[@corindikevcorindikev]

Every time he floored it they both giggled like naughty school kids. I have an Essence 64 with half the horsepower and booting out of a corner always makes me smile. I'd love to have a drive in an X-power but I reckon it would scare the pants off me. Then again I could just drive it like any normal EV and savour the grunt for times I need an adrenaline rush.

[@keaty1984]

Me and the wife took one for a spin and giggled evertime.. Was so much fun..

[@CrazedCrittic]

Brilliant review and nice to see new talent behind the wheel. These cars get good reviews everywhere and they are £20k less than a Model 3 Performance.

[@Tiger98320]

Would love to see your take on how the BYD Seal Performance drives on these roads and how it compares to the XPower

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Still trying to get hold of a Seal. Will keep trying.

[@TheAlien1974]

I've got one myself in green and I love it! Yes it's not perfect but for the price it's great

[@teinspringz]

Thank you for a real drivers review, no discussion of piano black plastics, fake exhaust pipes, missing retractable door handles or electric assisted tailgate. Hopefully the 2nd revision of the XPower will rectify the in-car electronic controls.

[@tommyjakobsen5504]

I got my MG4 Xpower for about 1 mounth ago, I do love the drive, but damm they have to work on the software... so many small faults, so many stupied giltses.. simpelt things.. but there is a lot of them. but tesla did the same in first models, software did upgrade over time, and hopefull this will to.

[@davidcolin6519]

Thank you. That was a real treat. I've known a few competition drivers over the years, and any time you can get a giggle out of one in a ROAD CAR, there is definitely something special involved. So, as you say, it's a hatch, and it's hot. And as the rally driver said, it's definitely a hot hatch. BTW, you really have to be impressed at how it simply waltzed away from possibly one of the all-time greatest hot hatches; the Hyundai i20N, seriously, that's a wow moment, and no mean praise from the rally driver.

[@shieldsymusic]

I have just bought one!

[@archiefleming652]

From what I can find in the brochure the Track Mode only gives you different info on the screen, doesnt change suspension settings or anything that can enhance performance on a circuit or in serious rally driving

[@inCARnationAustralia]

You're right. I also believe it's just about have a stopwatch / lap timer. It doesn't have active suspension so nothing changes in that area. I don't know if it changes throttle mapping or steering feel - I suspect it's the same as Sport mode. Importantly unlike Hyundai's track mode, it doesn't give you warranty cover for any competition or track day events.

[@teslabot6517]

You have a good preso style. Thank you. U made it fun!

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Even the AI bots like me. Kewl!

[@honestjohn6222]

Great review , I agree the grey looks smart

[@markedwards4879]

Great review Stu & Andrew. It’s encouraging to see more people appreciate EVs and judge them fairly - ie as how they perform as a car. $60k for a brand new car that can do 0-100 in 3.8 seconds and handle like a hot hatch is an absolute bargain. @Stu: You mention needing a “good fast charger” at home. This is a misconception. For the 180km daily commute you do need more than a standard power point, but a simple 32A single phase charger will give 7kW, and the MG is apparently only capable of 6.6kW. At the claimed 150Wh/km that’s a charging speed of ~44km/h while parked overnight, so an easy 4 hour daily charge off peak. Putting all of that in perspective, a 22kW capable Tesla charger (compatible with all EVs and best value on the market imo) is $750. Double that to allow for some installation costs and you are at about $1500 once off for your home setup. For the car itself they look great with a balance of specs to stay sensible for a super competitive price. The 6.6kW AC charger is a bit slow and the maximum DC charging speed of 150kW is on the low side compared with some other cars, but to be honest more than enough for 99% of people 99% of the time. In comparison My old 2014 S85 maxes out at 120kW and uses ~30% more power for the same range (200Wh/100 vs 150Wh/100). As you know I’ve done a lot of trips in it and generally it is ready to go before we are. At the end, you show a real issue that BP and the other petrol companies getting into charging will have to face. You were sitting in your car at a servo which is a sub optimal experience. Other chargers are being put in locations where you’d like to be - ie with cafes, restaurants or shopping. There is an opportunity for companies getting into this market to increase their profits offering better food and drink next to the chargers. Most people on a trip would spend some money for a coffee or a snack/meal. Certainly my experience is that I look for places to charge where I’m not wasting time.

[@GreatJoe]

Hi from Iceland. I can definitely confirm that placing chargers by road stops is a great option. The three bigger gas station companies here have all at least dipped their toes into putting chargers by their stations along the ring road, and it's always nice being able to fill up on snacks, or get a hot dog and visit the rest room while the car's sitting for its 20-30 minutes.

[@markedwards4879]

@@GreatJoe Yep. Some of the chargers here in Australia are near decent cafes and restaurants. In the early days with fewer chargers we had to fill up for longer and so the restaurants were better. My experience is that generally the car is ready to go before we are done eating.

[@ClintonLovell]

Some seem to expect too much out of lane keep assist. It is just an assistant and shouldn't be expected to do the work of keeping the car in a lane. It is there to assist the driver by reminding they are exceeding the lane and gives cues with a steering bump or a beep, or both. If you want self driving, that's another matter. That said, it can be very annoying on narrow country roads. Good review though and that looks like a great car.

[@JulianEdgar]

The handling varies substantially, depending on the selected mode eg Eco is RWD only; Sport is AWD. Softening the front anti-roll bar looks like it will reduce the AWD power understeer a great deal. Standard tyres aren't really hi performance either.

[@FrankieBoiledEgg]

Interesting difference, I have an MG4 but in the UK we call the Essence the Trophy Edition. I was gutted as the week after I bought it, the X-POWER was released!

[@samsmith4177]

Great episode Thank your for sharing the flyer i gave you

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Hope it helps create some awareness Sam.

[@drsonicify]

When I decide to get rid of my i20N, this will be on the short list, probably under a novated lease (if the tax benefits are still there)

[@ljp1942]

Have you had any mechanical issues with your i20n yet ?

[@drsonicify]

@@ljp1942 No, has been good

[@nicklewis2734]

I think a lot of people underestimate MG. They have come a long way.. Even I was sceptical but the speed blew me away and the practicality.

[@brussalis]

I bought one of these just one week ago. XPower in Dynamic Red with 2 tone black roof. Looks incredible to be fair. Everyone who's buying these around my area are having the white, grey, orange or blue. The red is like rocking horse shit near me and as far as I know, up to now, I'm the only one. Waited 3 months for it but was worth every day of the wait. The performance is quite simply astonishing. Ive had them all over the years XR3i, XR2i, RS Turbo, Sapphire Cosworth 4x4, Focus ST500 and most recently Alfa Giulia Veloce. It quite simply out performs them all. Yes, the driver feedback is utterly different, the absolute top end speed is nowhere near any of the last 3 cars I've owned but that's not the point is it? Where and how often would you use greater speeds than 100 - 120 mph??? Exactly .... but that 0-100 acceleration is breathtaking. None if the other cars would get near it. Flawed ?? Yes ... a little .... fun?? 100% it is. Go drive one ... be amazed .... then buy one. Nuff said !! You wont get better value for money.

[@triniflyer8685]

this is s accurate and mine is red too!!! just got it and I daily a Volvo c40 twin motor which is great but it feels heavy and you definitely feel the mass and the 20 inch wheels. Dont get me wrong the c40 is great for it is but not for fun. I have owned several fast cars including a Mercedes A45AMG, Minicooper JCW. this thing delivers, I actually like that the suspension is not full on harsh suspension as the A45amg was. MG has to be commended on how they tuned these electric motors and the accelerator. the torque is linear which I really like vs the the c40 that hits you suddenly and dies off just as quickly. this feels far more progressive and you experience the red line feeling when you floor it. I am a full on petrol head and made the switch to two EVs, I think I will be letting the Mrs, drive the volvo and me the X power!!!

[@slickahhthing]

I got mine in black, it looks SOOO nice (I'm a digger for black cars), getting the windows tinted to 5% and getting a body kit fitted along with a big brake kit with purple calipers, the build is gonna come along nice :)

[@The888Redlich]

Great review Stu, Andrew did a great job as fill in for Mark. Your smiles give me hope for some fun in our electric future even if the sound is missing

[@lukeo5908]

Just secured an ex-demo for under $41K on a 5-year self managed lease. Unbelievably, the total cost over 5 years (including lease payments, residual and running expenses) is less than keeping my 2007 X-Trail on the road. What a time to be alive!

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Well done Luke. That's the third ex-demo XPower I've heard going for that kind of crazy price.

[@lukeo5908]

Thanks mate. Love your work. Australia’s Hunter S. Thompson!

[@inCARnationAustralia]

@@lukeo5908 I'm very flattered but not in his league as a journalist. Hunter S Thompson was a great social disruptor and very significant writer. Also I can't really relate to his observation that "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me". Nor do I want to use violence to take my own life at the age of 67, as he did. I'm 67 and I've still got things to do.

[@nickborrrego]

Proper review. Thanks gentlemen.

[@timshaw6592]

Excellent video as always!

[@peterbutcher4848]

I enjoy these reviews and recognise most of the roads the cars are being tested on.

[@budawang77]

You've got a nice presentation style.

[@shadowplay8477]

Im not really sure the horse powers are that important for hot hatches. I mean of course a little bit is necessary but really its more a combination of a multitude of subtle factors in combination. A Clio RS, Fiesta ST, Peugeot 205 etc. are not famous due to their power and acceleration . Its all about mechanical feel and involvement. Acceleration while initially impressive tends to fade and is a bit a one dimensional feature (whatever the power one eventfully 'just get a bit numb to it'). I believe a proper hot hatch needs to be very firm (to feel connected to road + its makes everything feel a bit faster than it really is). Steering feel, brake feel etc. are also super important. And of course manual cars are always more entertaining as there is more for the driver to do. I'm much more anxious to try out the ioniq 5 N if the future needs to be electric. Oh, sound is also more important than one would think (that statement is easily testable in cars that have an exhausts flap).

[@triniflyer8685]

have you driven the X power?

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

good to see normal people on the telly. Sick of over the top annoying people

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Thank you

[@ADudesRotary]

You are still going to have an under done seat in the MX5. I would be interested in the mod market for ev's, can you get better suspension, brakes, seats, etc. Really enjoying your approach to test driving.😊

[@LeithElliott]

MG do you let you spec sports seats in China. Hopefully they will change their minds and let others markets get all the goodies.

[@brussalis]

Ah glad youre happy 🙂. They are fantastic aren't they? I'm 2 mths in now and a long way from being bored yet. It always creates that huge grin factor and find myself just laughing at times its that much fun. If this gen is that good, god only knows how much fun the next series will be. Enjoy ... 👍

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

my KONA does hold the bend if there is double while lines on the road, with hands off....

[@claughlin]

Wow, that wonky lanekeep assistance aiming you off the road is really scary! Did they fix that?

[@comeinhandynow]

You need TJA on if you want it to be mid lane tracking. Not perfect but good enough. Great review and conclusion.

[@edvoon]

Was that Galston Gorge you were driving through? Those hairpin turns look familiar.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Yep. And Wisemans Ferry Rd

[@tomcat7525]

In the future drivers trying ice cars are going to be thrilled with the visceral experience. Can you be one of those reviewers that measures both wheels and disc brakes in inches please, its illogical and frustrating for older blokes when wheels are inches and discs are mm's. Cheers and best wishes for Christmas. 👍

[@martinsmallwood9605]

In the future drivers trying ice cars are going wonder is this thing broken? It vibrates, farts, is slow as a wet week and what the hell is that stink .

[@inCARnationAustralia]

@@martinsmallwood9605 I can't agree with all of that Martin. Technically you're probably correct but there will always be a love of classic petrol cars, just as some people still love horses - which are slow, uncomfortable, vibrate, smelly and fart rather a lot of environmentally unfriendly methane. But despite all that people still love them for their elegance and beauty.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

345mm 13.6" front and rear. Yes wheel diameter would have to be the very last vestige of Imperial measure left in Australian car culture. Apart from a Ford 9" diff. Oh and quoting MPH at drag races, but that's a US throwback. I realise parts of UK and USA are still fiercely resisting the metric system almost 50 years after the efforts of Ford, Reagan and G.H.W.Bush to legislate metrification as the US standard. Peeps don't like a changin' their ways. And the UK? Very slow to let go of cultural traditions. (e.g. Brexit, Monarchy)

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

yes but we all know 300mm is 12" don't we....so we go from there... ALSO TV's are in " as well here We need to be multi lingual guys... USA is ofcourse stuck in the past...

[@tomcat7525]

@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 I am just annoyed that the wheel is in inches and disc is in mm's, like you would buy trousers that are inches waist and mms leg? One or the other, why both? are we stuck with the USA for wheels and Europe for discs. 🤪

[@SirPhilby101]

Subscribed my dudes. There are demo models out there for cheap too. If you could get this for $41k brand new it's a bargain.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Funny you should say that. I was shocked yesterday when a colleague bought a XPower demo for a ridiculous price, which I won't actually quote. MG has you point out has a massive discount sale at the moment on their EV range.

[@425i]

A bilstein suspension and recaro style seat package for one of these would be excellent . I hope MG or someone does one

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Yes it would. Hard to imagine the car getting the same cult status as, say, the Hyundai N-cars but with those big brakes it has so much potential to be a fun and competitive track car.

[@Diamus101]

Nice video thanks interesting. Saw one of these the other day, I should take it out for a test drive, would be very interesting to see what it is like compared to my car I have driven over the past four years. A Mk4 Ford Focus ST with a Mountune 330ps 515nm map.

[@reggieaustin1639]

Love this review of the x power , can’t wait for my own to arrive , thanks awesome 👍🏼

[@jasdc1982]

Pretty sure the dash said ‘Normal’ when he was commenting on softness Or was the blue ‘custom’ ?? Throttle pedal definitely changes between them will go have a check on the brakes later

[@stevarge]

A hot hatch is supposed to bring a smile. I saw ear to ear grins.

[@123fourfive5]

Is this Galston gorge??

[@Thinkofwhat]

Seal 4AWD next I reckon:)

[@linfengye217]

Seconded! Pls review the performance version and let us know Stu

[@ckafam]

Yes please. Great video

[@Mexxx65]

Merry Xmas guys!! Keep up the great work with your videos!!

[@johnwhite2143]

Nice car, supercar acceleration for alot less money, they look nice in green too 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👌👍

[@I_dont_want_an_at]

of course it's a hot hatch. There are different types of hot hatches, and this is one type. Of course, you might not like it, but it's hot.

[@TassieLorenzo]

Yeah, it's a softer hot hatch like a Golf R or something. It's not dialled up enough to be along the lines of a Megane RS or Civic Type R or i30N, but there is no technical reason MG couldn't make it stiffer and more dynamic or offer a "Trophy" or "Clubsport" package beyond the standard one (just as the GTI Clubsport brings the extra sharpness over a Golf R).

[@crez1988]

Hey mate, could you do a haval H6 hybrid review by any chance? thanks

[@clifevieira07]

well done tx i would def fanci brakes and fake noise maker

[@zizimai7568]

EVs cannot have the brake feel of normal ice car due to Regen braking system that is not in ICE cars.

[@jcfallows]

Please get your friend to test drive the new Hyundai ioniq N with you.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

OK will do! We will have a IONIQ 5 N in April. Really looking forward to it

[@MBTvvee]

Sold

[@archiefleming652]

Can you give me an idea of the range at full racing speeds on a circuit. I have asked MG but they have not replied

[@inCARnationAustralia]

We'd only be guessing. But if I had to guess, it'd say that 15 kWh/100km would go to about 40 kWh/100km at full noise. So I'd expect a range of barely 150 -180 km if you were driving it at a track day. Similar to a V8 petrol race car, which goes from 15 l/100km around town to about 50 l/100km at full noise.

[@InBodWeTrust]

Steering feel improves if you select Sports mode. Same for torque vectoring as Sports mode engages permanent AWD. Great review though.

[@archiefleming652]

Thank you

[@ocoet3575]

The main problem with this car is its 1900kg

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Why?

[@ocoet3575]

@@inCARnationAustralia if u r a car guy u know why

[@inCARnationAustralia]

@@ocoet3575 You should go in one. Like the considerably heavier Taycan it seems to defy the laws of physics. Goes like stink, grips like sh*t to a blanket, stops pretty well, low polar moment, changes direction well, you'd never know it'd had too much Christmas lunch. I struggle to see the problem

[@ocoet3575]

@@inCARnationAustralia u r funny

[@slickahhthing]

@@ocoet3575 U defo not a car guy if you think weight in a car is a main problem lol. I test drove one of these and it feels like it's 1400kg due to the suspension, feedback etc

[@scottcochrane638]

Same 0 to 100 as an Audi RS 3 3. 8 seconds

[@jackiedines5229]

Might make a good club tarmac rally car? But first has to get OTA software updates, especially as their software is already so bad! Cannot buy one until then!

[@slickahhthing]

Update came out and it improves the responsiveness of the touchscreen and UI, also rumors are saying there is gonna be a power mode called "Insane" which apparently outputs more power and removes that bloody 190km/h eco mode

[@InspectorBadger]

Looks ok to me. 🤷

[@saigoneze4465]

lovely roads where you filmed thid id be all over this car if only it didnt look the way it does lol

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

The i20n is a little buss box, and the mg4 is not..

[@whelangc]

Is that because you've never driven one ?

[@Alpha-Alpha]

It’s a MG lol

[@mahcooharper9577]

Spent the whole time thinking "those roads would be fun in a real car".

[@InspectorBadger]

That's what your wife thinks about men.

[@mahcooharper9577]

@@InspectorBadger your mother has no complaints m9