The MG4 has been named as Wheels’ Best Electric Vehicle (Under $80k) for 2024, adding to the growing trophy pool for the award-winning hatch.
Since launching in August 2023, the MG4 range has been widely praised and recognised.
In the tough battle for the prestigious title, Wheels journalist John Law said, “performance of intended function and innovation” were the two critical components of criteria for the final three contestants after they each proved their mettle in value, comfort, and driving excellence against direct rivals.
Breaking down all three finalists, it was the MG4 that Law saw outright as the overall winner.
“It proves price parity with combustion cars is coming, and that’s enough to cement the MG4’s status as our best electric vehicle under $80,000,” he said.
Law said the MG4 was a genuinely spacious hatchback that could be used as family transport.
Importantly, the MG4 annihilated its price-point rivals.
“They don’t come close to the completeness of MG’s little hatch and we reckon it’ll be some time before other manufacturers even think about playing in the sub-$50k realm,” Law said.
The MG4’s recognition demonstrates MG’s commitment to making EV motoring more accessible for all Australians. With four variants providing a range of choice for motorists, along with the performance model, XPOWER, the MG4 has proven widely popular with Australians.
MG HISTORY
For more than 90 years, MG has been making cars people love to drive. It started when Cecil Kimber (1888-1945), Morris Garages’ sales manager, wanted to make modified Morris cars that were faster and sportier.
1924: The Octagon badge was registered as an MG trademark. MG’s 14/28 Super Sports model went on sale. The first MG sports car was the Old Number One: small, fast and fun to drive.
1930: In 1930, MG made its first big splash on the racing circuit at Brooklands, the world’s first banked concrete racetrack. The tiny MGs beat the powerful Bentleys. One Bentley driver said, “We’ve been invaded by fleas.”
MG dominated racing events throughout the ’30s: winning the Irish Grand Prix, Isle of Man Tourer’s Trophy, the Ulster TT as well as taking wins in Italy (the first non-Italian team to do so), Germany and Monaco.
A class win with the K3 at the 1933 Mille Miglia road race was the first time a non-Italian team had won.
Then MG turned its focus onto speed records.
1932: The Magic Midget reached 87mph, breaking the previous speed record of 85mph.
The EX 127 reached 140mph on the German Autobahn before being acquired by Mercedes-Benz for study.
1935: EX 135 hit a record- breaking 331.5km/h.
1938: The MG TC was produced just before WWII broke out.
WWII 1939-45:
MG stopped car production and helped with the war effort, repairing Matilda tanks and assembling British bomber cockpits.
Production of the MG TC resumed. It was tiny, handled well and was a lot of fun. It was a big hit in the US. More than half the TCs built ended up in the US.
1947: The Duke of Edinburgh was the most famous TC customer.
1955: MGA was the streamlined, next-generation sports car.
1957: British legend, Sir Stirling Moss, broke the land speed record in the mid-engined MG EX 181, nicknamed “Roaring Raindrop”, at Salt Flats, Utah. He smashed the previous record, driving at 395.31km/h, 20 per cent faster than the previous record holder.
1962: The MGA model was strengthened by the addition of the more comfortable MGB model. Great fun to drive with a shorter chassis and larger cabin. Produced until 1980, it was the most successful MGever made.
1975: The one millionth car was built; a unique LHD MGB roadster finished in Brooklands Green with Jubilee GT livery and wheels.
2000: MG Rover Group is formed following separation from the BMW Group.
2014: MG celebrated its 90th year with a spectacular event at Silverstone, and unveiled the MG3 and MG6 90th Limited Edition models. MG wins the BTCC Manufacturer Championship.
2016: MG Motor Australia and New Zealand is officially launched in Sydney.
2017: MG is the first Chinese-manufactured vehicle to be awarded a five-star rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
2018: MG signs a three-year sponsorship deal with the National Basketball League.
2019: MG opens its first company-owned flagship showroom, Sydney City MG in Alexandria.
2020: MG becomes the major sponsor of Port Adelaide Football Club and the Melbourne Stars cricket team;
MG ZS EV is launched as the most affordable electric vehicle in Australia.
2021: MG Motor breaks into top-10 selling automotive brands in Australia for the first time. It also reveals a refreshed logo as it moves towards a new energy future.
MG cars
MG cars were originally produced in the UK. However, since 2016, they have been manufactured primarily in China and Thailand.
