The MG4 Urban is advertised as $31,990 for the base model. It looks like they are pricing for competition with the BYD Atto 2. I'm interested in how people view it in comparison to that and other full EVs currently available.
First time poster - apologies in advance for any missteps, and feel free to remove.
I couldn't agree more.
I don't want a touch screen for things like turning on vent fans or a heater
Bullshit.
yeah I test drove one of them. Even the air vents have to be done on the screen! LMAO.
@Naigrabzo: Incorrect you can on a Tesla.
To ba fair though I know just as many people who say you can’t control the ac from the mg4 steering wheel either. Just because they didn’t show you doesn’t mean you can’t.
@UltimateAI: How do you move the air vents without using the silly screen? Also I hated that I couldn't indicate using haptic steering wheel controls when the steering wheel was being used ie when turning at 150 degrees etc at a round about, or taking a natural vurve on the road. Even the headlights or wipers (especially adjusting speed etc) were very finicky. Overall M3 is a car that has very poor ergonomics and a cheap looking steering wheel and very very cheap feeling sun visors. These may be small things so some but not for me.
@Naigrabzo: Why do you need to move air vents? Tesla has driver profiles saved, of course you need to use the screen and adjust settings as you first get the car but are you constantly changing your seating position or vent positioning every single time? These are set and forget after driver profiles are changed.
@knightwalkr: Hey man, I sometimes want to change air vents depending on the day, my mood, how hot I feel, after exercise. It's not too much to ask for and I don't want some driver profile to decide what I want on the day. :)
@Naigrabzo: Fair enough, I get it. At the end of the day it’s all subjective. If that’s the case then I believe air vents as a main function is the only thing you can’t do without the touchscreen
I have a model 3, absolutely love my car but would love to have physical buttons so let's not kid ourselves pretending it's okay not to have them.
@4foxache: I've been driving a Tesla for over 5 years. I am with the program, doesn't mean i can't prefer buttons if offered.
@npnp: Everyone has their opinion. Before I test drive a MY I was very sceptical and because I've been on my friend's MY. I said I don't think I'll like it. Come time I went and test drive last week. Played with the settings. Absolutely loved it, the clean look. Things that has to be done on the screen doesnt bother me. Its like smartphones, we never imagined you'd do everything on the screen without physical buttons.
@iNeedMoreMoney: I am into tech and love fiddling with screen to change settings etc. so no complains about that front of Tesla. Yes, Tesla is very impressive in that front, especially during honey moon period (from Test driving to first couple of months). However, when you use the car longer, you kind a miss having able to adjust the AC grills, temperature, air speed etc while looking at the road. In my Toyota, I do this without thinking twice, without leaning towards anything because everything is in your hands reach. But with Tesla, I have to take my eyes off the road, and lean towards the screen (since I sit further back) and fight with the screen touch, good luck doing this if you're in a bumpy road. Again, I love both cars, Toyota for its conventional setup and reliability, Tesla for it's tech front and speed. If Tesla had buttons and proven its reliability track records, I wouldn't mind getting rid of the Toyota even.
@npnp: Using the voice commands to "set temp to X" or "increase/decrease fan" works pretty well if that's all you want to do, just by pushing the mic button on the steering wheel.
@h4lcyon: I use voice commands on my Zeekr x too.
It also has a mic button on the steering wheel but it also just listens for ‘Hey Zeekr’ (and I’m sure to everything else too haha) but I use the mic button.
I can also toggle other functionality on steering wheel buttons; including assigning particular functionality to two of the buttons.
@h4lcyon: Nah it doesn't if there are other people also in the car. I suppose I can ask the passenger to do the adjustments.
@npnp: Not just thinking but without looking. Its distracting if you have to move the air vents while driving. On a Tesla you have to take your eye off the road to do so.
@npnp: Dude, I agree with you. I love playing with the screens all day also. The tesla was designed to be auto driven hence everything on the screen and nothing on drivers instrument cluster. Musky has been working on so called self driving for more than 10 years now. They will never succeed. How many super computers does it take to self drive without stoopid errors? Wait another 10 years to find out.
Didn't iMarketing Co/iPhione dog-conditioned you to live without physical buttons & connectors?
It's fine as long as there are gestures to support it. In BYD cars you can 3 Fi ger swipe up/down to raise/lower temp and 3 finger left/right to adjust the fan speed. This can be done regardless what's on the screen.
Still not better than just knobs that you can twist with muscle memory but in co junction with voice commands, you don't have to take your eyes off the road to find the settings
Yeah, I know what Gesture I will use to describe this madness without a simple dial to adjust temp or stalks to adjust simple functions without taking eye off road.
Marketing
Create the problem
Sell the issue
Yeah the problem was created by Tesla ditching most buttons. Everyone gets to benefit from a change back to how things were.
Dehumidifers and air purifiers
Totally. I wish Tesla would take a left out of this book.
I'm cool with Tesla keeping their minimalism as cost cutting if they drop their price as low as this but they won't…
its almost as if loads of ugly fingerprints isn't that appealing
yeah I have physical controls in my 2005 Toyota also. What a great invention!!
I read a heap of reviews to replace the head unit in my old car.
One of the key 5 things they scored was volume knob included. I didn't think it was important, and chose a unit that has everything excellent, but without knob. Yeah, it sucks.
Very subjective. I’d now hate the moving parts like buttons etc. I think there is a chance in the future mostly all buttons will go. Much like smart phones vs the blackberry. No hate on the old school button likers but we seem to be heading that way for all non-driving necessary functions.
Yupp, I don't like how tactile enthusiasts pretend their preference is universal. I prefer minimalism and as much on the screen as possible is genuinely the most intuitive for me. And they'll bring up muscle memory as if all of us are old enough to have exclusively grown up with buttons..
Screen controls are objectively worse because you can't use them without looking at the screen.
If you have buttons, you can press them without taking your eyes off the road.
None of this has anything to do with preferences or intuition. One option is simply worse than the other.
@Nom: You can use your voice without looking at the screen… which I understand isn't natural for everyone to adapt to but a generation literally grew up doing exactly that.
@Nom: Tell us you don’t know what objective means while not telling us.
Imagine using more than 1 second of time on misc buttons or screen functions while actually driving. Crazy take boomer.
This is great, I do find it crazy though that sooner or later more premium cars are going to start pushing this as a feature.
Eventually screens in the middle of the console will be banned due to safety requirements.
At least you would have to hope that logic gets us there, however many years too late.
Cant wait for an MG4 Rural
The reviews for that have been very good.
Ive heard it doesnt even use diesel
4WD and all-terrain tyres?
Xpower with spiked tires and raised ;)
I think that’s called the MG1 Nation
interdasting
they have an interesting strategy according to the brochure
there's two models with one trim which is an overseas high spec but the base model has
316km vs 405km
43 vs 54kWh
110kW vs 118kW
9.0 vs 8.7sec 0-100 (who cares)
1,460 vs 1,520kg
i'm guessing maybe $33,990 for the big battery…
but you are bumping into the base 'real' MG4 51
the difference is that this one is FWD
the 'real' MG4 is RWD and it has a much more sophisticated rear suspension… multi link vs. beam axle
It seems somewhat unusual for this to have the MG4 name given the differences.
My wild guess is $34,990 for the bigger battery.
my understanding is that the 'real' MG4 bombed like hell in china… for some reason the chinese buyer really didnt take to it but it was a hit in RHD markets
this MG4 urban is designed to ultimately replace the 'real' MG4 but they have the two factory lines already up so why not run both models and see how the shit splatters on the wall so to speak
this is also how the run the MG3… if mooks keep buying them well then they'll keep making them even though the frame is getting close to 20yrs old at this point
MG dont really sell well in China, its more of an export brand.
For example in China last year the MG brand did around 150,000 units, export 700,000.
Replaces the MGS5 apparently
carsguide article… "It will be available in two variants, with the standard range versions priced at $31,990 and the long range at $34,990 (both drive-away).
At the heart of the Standard version is a 43kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a driving range of 323km (WLTP), while the 54kWh battery bumps the range up to 415km."
I like this cars features like yea physical buttons, probably a better sound system, looks pretty good, has the lane assist etc, more boot space etc.. but, the GAC Aiont ut premium has around 100km range more for $30,990. I love all the smart features of the MG4 EV Urban.. only thing i like more about the Aion ut, is the +100km range mainly.
hard choice of which one to get.. get the one with less draving range or with the nicer features? hmm though im not sure if the MG $31,990 version has the fancy features
the GAC UT is also $1,000 less currently (!)
Max. Power(kw)
150kW
Max. Torque
210Nm
0-100km/h 7.3s
Battery Capacity
60 kWh
Range Under Comprehensive Working Conditions
430km (WLTP)
GAC warranty is 8yrs unlimited
MG is 10yrs 250,000km
on that I mean its impossible to recommend the MG
but there's still more competition coming… i think two EVs in before xmas
What is your intuition on reliability, longevity and support for GAC AION UT vs MG4 EV Urban vs BYD Atto 2?
I haven't heard much about GAC and was previously thinking it was BYD would be best and GAC worst. From searching just now maybe GAC is reputed to be best and the gamble is the extent to which they build out support in Australia. This is quick, amateur research.
that's the same problem i have
MG I can sort of trust as far as EVs go… but GAC is an unknown… but we buy cars based on subjective reasons… i dislike BYD but i'm an outlier given everybody love them
as much I think Aion is ok paper its kinda ugly
@tonyjzx: You can trust MG? My friends have one, Phantom breaking is really scary. Have to turn all that shit off
GAC has Toyota partially behind it, so If I were choosing is choose GAC.
@SupeNintendoChalmers: I don’t see the logic of how GACs connection with Toyota means better reliability. BYD would be most likely to have the best reliability and support due to their long history, sales volume and presence in Aus.
awesome points.. i didnt notice the unlimited for 8 years thats pretty awesome!
New MG passenger vehicles come with a 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty as standard.
You can unlock up to 10 years or 250,000km (whichever comes first) of warranty coverage for MG passenger vehicles intended for personal use, by completing your scheduled services with an authorised MG Dealer.
If you exceed these kilometre limits during the period of your standard warranty, the extended warranty will not apply.
Hoping for a decent deal to pop up for the Chery E5 Urban. Seems to be one of the better options for the cheaper EVs while still seeming spacious. This one looks like the interior could get a little cramped, but that might just be the photos.
Why not just get the Jaecoo J5?
I find the Chery to be a far more stylish looking car over the J5, which is quite an ugly looking design so not hard to beat, plus the Chery offers slightly more range for the same price.
The J5 has sunroof, heated seats, powered tailgate. So the comparable urban is the ultimate which is thousands more. Battery size is almost identical with the urban giving slightly more, 28km or so extra in real world distance.
I could care less what a car looks like, but each to their own.
@TEER3X: Sunroof will ultimately bite you on the bum when the seals fail after a few years in the hot Aussie sun and it leaks and then the electronics fail
@King Tightarse: I'm from Adelaide and I've never seen a leaky sunroof… Even on 25 year old beaters like ford laser's or cars that young guys thrash like proton satria gti's
@Some Random Guy: Happens to imported cars all the time. Quite often paint and plastics too. Its the UV that gets them.
The Laser you mentioned would have been made to Aussie specs in Geelong.
Fair points. Even if someone gave me a Kia Tasman for free, I wouldn't spend 5 seconds driving around in that thing.
Also, if you're carrying passengers, they will be far more comfortable in the back seat of the J5. The E5 feels quite cramped in the back, whereas the J5 has tremendous headroom.
@SeanConnery: i find both the J5 and E5 both awful looking… the Chery has the Omoda shitty look and the J5 looks like Robocop's helmet…
this is the thing.. you have to look at it in your drive and both of these are really not good looking at all
that doesnt mean they are bad EVs
@SeanConnery: Tasman is absolutely hideous, no wonder they're not selling, even with the multi-million dollar celebrity ad campaign…
The J5 feels terrific inside (mother in law got one recently), I'm 195cm and fit comfortably in the pax seat, and it has every bell & whistle imaginable.
Jaecoo J5 is a far superior car, but supposedly sold out and next batch not delivered here until Mid May onwards.
What about the Jaecoo makes it far superior?
If you can get the Urban for maybe 33K (quite possible using a car broker) then it's not too bad, but I'd rather pay a little extra for the J5 at 37K. Alternatively, I would personally haggle for the Ultimate model down to 37K too for the extra features over the base model.
The amount of feautres you get in the J5 over the base model E5 is well worth it.
The build quality and interior finish of the J5 is a night and day difference over the E5. The E5 still has that mid 2010 level aesthetic and doesnt seem as solid as the J5.
Also remember that the Jaecoo is not sold in China. It's a model they build in China purely for export only. Honestly if someone blindfolded me and took me inside the J5 and told me this is Audi or Merc's new model, I'd believe them. It's an insane amount of car for the money. Also, most reviews of it have clocked it doing 0-100 around 6.7 secs, which is crazy good.
@SeanConnery: I decided to go to the dealership this morning on my way home and took them both for a test drive and I ended up feeling like the E5 Ultimate was the far better option for myself compared to the J5. The pros of the Jaecoo to me were that the car feels much more spacious in terms of boot space, roof clearance as well as leg room in the back seat, whereas the Chery had a far more modern feeling interior compared to the J5 which just felt very flat and boring. The external design of the Chery looked a hundred times better than the Jaecoo, which is even uglier in person. I saw another Jaecoo model being driven off the lot and it looked almost identical to the J5, but it had a nice grill on the front and it looked so much better. Not sure why they opted for such a flat ugly design on the front of an already generic looking car.
The driving experience felt pretty much the same between both other than the Chery seats feeling more sporty and sort of wrapping you up a bit, which I personally much prefer. The big screen on the Jaecoo is a bit obnoxious compared to the nicer smaller head unit style on the Chery, but I can see how some people might prefer to feel like they have a giant tablet sitting next to them while they drive.
The guy from the dealership also told me that the introductory price for the Jaecoo with all the premium features for a low price is ending on Tuesday, so it will be interesting to see what it then goes up to, but for me I still feel like I would much rather the E5 Ultimate over the J5, even if it meant spending a few thousand more. The J5 just feels overall lacking in individuality and character and gives off a bit of a Temu yuppie vibe with how much it looks like it is trying to be a range rover, but doing so without any character.
All reviews have mentioned extremely bad brake regen system. The owners will have fun replacing brake pads more often on the J5. Also, no basic navigation on info system.
I have the E5, bought it 12 months and 8000km ago and love it. Comfortably get over 400 range in the real world. AMA!
As opposed to the utter pieces of garbage the real British 'MG' used to make like the MG B?
All cars are just appliances on wheels
@MrZ: An appliance is a device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task (i.e. a car). Next time just say "I think all Chinese cars are boring" if that's what you mean. And that's fine. Most people want a boring car. Enjoy your V8.
I would add that my Chinese EV (MG4 X-Power) is anything but boring. It probably has more horses than your V8 ;-)
@MrZ: I don't understand why some of you petrol heads get so worked up about other people's choices. I'd never own a V8 but I don't bedgrudge people who do.
my car is quicker than at least 95% of other cars which is good enough for me.
loving my 22 year old manual gearbox Impreza, slower than 95% of other cars. Not an appliance to me. If see a smiling driver in Melbourne, that’s me.
@AlexF: 2004 Impreza assuming 2.0L and not 2.5L, does 0-100 in about 10.2 s. That's still faster than a Hilux.
You have been living under a rock in the last few years, haven't you?
Smells like a dinosaur too XD
Looks like a sensible A to B car, most people in the market for such a car wouldn't care about it losing RWD from the outgoing model. I'm sure it'll sell like hot cakes considering the current circumstances.
Note - dealers are still selling the outgoing model for the same price if people prefer it.
"Physical buttons control the main functions making it tactile, easy and safe to operate on the move."
Simply lovely