The MG4 Urban arrived earlier this year as a roomy, no-nonsense EV hatch that sits below the regular MG4, targeting the sweet spot of the entry-level market. Al Suttie checks out its highlights and lowlights.

MG4 Urban Premium Long Range

List price: £27,930  BiK: 4%  Official range: 251 miles  Test efficiency: 235 miles

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Takeaway One:

The key to this MG electric hatch lies in its name: Urban. It’s aimed at those who spend more time in the city than on the motorway, which is clear from the claimed driving range. With this Premium Long Range model tested here, that comes in at 251 miles. Nothing to shout about in this day and age, but on a par with the likes of the Renault 5 or Kia EV2. During our week with the MG, around town it showed an average of 4.5mpkWh compared to the claimed 4.0mpkWh. With some faster road driving thrown in, it gave a real-world range of 235 miles on a full charge.

Takeaway Two:

It might share its name with the crisply styled and sharp-driving MG4, but the Urban is all-new underneath. This means better battery packaging for more cabin space, which is obvious the moment you sit in the Urban. There are generous amounts of room in the front and back, plus a good-sized boot that can be added to by using the underfloor cubby which is more than big enough for stowing charge cables. However, adult passengers in the back seat might find their heads brushing the ceiling as the rear bench feels like it’s raised a touch too high.

Takeaway Three:

MG is to be applauded for thinking about how this car will be used rather than peddling some marketing-derived lifestyle set-up. Where many cars in this sector and price point try to be ‘sporty’, MG has rightly delivered a car with compliant suspension that eases its way over bumps and ridges. It makes the Urban an ideal car for, well, driving in town and is further helped by a tight turning circle, light steering and good all-round vision for parking and nipping through traffic.

Takeaway Four:

As with the MG4, the Urban has physical, real, actual controls for its heating and ventilation. This is such a welcome sight in any new car to my mind as it just saves so much hassle when all you want to do is nudge up the temperature a few degrees. It also means you don’t take eyes off the road ahead for any noticeable length of time as you quickly know where the buttons are and what each one does. Top marks to MG for this, and take note all you manufacturers still cramming these controls onto touchscreens.

Takeaway Five:

If there is a fly in the MG4 Urban’s ointment it’s that this model is a bit bland to drive. For many, that won’t be any issue at all, especially when balanced against the extraordinarily keen pricing of the Urban. For a sizeable minority, it will be a compromise because the Urban doesn’t have the zip or precision of the other MG4 when a bendy road presents itself. A small gripe, but not one that would prevent us from recommending the MG4 Urban as a very decent compact hatch/SUV choice.