10 reasons why the MG4 is the ideal second family car
03/23/2025 01:00 AM
Need a hard-working second family car to cover everything from school pick-ups to nipping down to the shops? Here's why the electric MG4 hatchback could be for you – and how it could slash your family's fuel bill.
Sponsored by MG
Most Australian households have two cars, and most would think long and hard about their primary car.
But often it's the second car that's the hardest worker, doing the bulk of school pick-ups, grocery runs and nipping down to the local dog park. It deserves just as much thought, if not more.
In 2025, it's an electric car that's making an abundance of sense as a second family runabout – especially a small and affordable electric car, such as the new MG4 five-seat hatchback.
With a current drive-away price of just $34,888 for the entry-level Excite 51, up to $54,519 for the top-spec Long Range 77, the MG4 rivals traditional petrol hatchbacks for value – but offers advantages they can't, such as significantly reduced running costs.
The 2024 Drive Car of the Year Best Electric Car under $50K and Australia's favourite electric car in 2024 behind only Tesla, here are 10 reasons why the MG4 could be the ideal next second car for your family.
RELATED: Visit Drive’s MG4 showroom
1. It has up to 530km of driving range to tackle a busy week
The MG4 comes with between 350km and 530km of electric-only driving range to suit your individual needs and make sure you're covered for the commute, trips to the shops, school runs and sports pick-ups – with plenty left for the unexpected.
With the average Australian driving just 33km to reach their workplace each day, an MG4 Long Range 77 could grant you nearly two weeks of driving between recharges.
The MG4 Excite 51 can be fully recharged (350km) in 7.5 hours using only a home wall socket. On a DC public fast recharger, 10 to 80 per cent can take as little as 28 minutes in the case of the MG4 Excite 64.
2. Electricity is significantly cheaper than petrol
Recharging an MG4 costs a fraction of the petrol needed to run an equivalent combustion hatchback – perfect for the budget-conscious family.
Own a small petrol hatchback consuming 5.9L/100km and at $1.75 a litre, you can expect to pay about $1250 each year for fuel, driving the average Australian's 12,100km.
To cover the same distance in an MG4 Excite 51, you could take advantage of an off-peak EV electricity plan with rates of 8c/kWh between midnight and 6am. At 18.4kWh/100km, your MG4 Excite 51's yearly 'fuel' cost could be as low as $178.
Pair your MG4 with a home solar set-up and it's as close to free motoring as you can get.
3. It can comfortably fit a whole family – including the dog
For a small hatchback, the MG4's wide interior offers space for an entire family.
As well as abundant shoulder and elbow room in the front, a floating centre console design enhances the feeling of space (and provides a handy sliding shutter to hide valuable items).
The front doors can take large bottles, while there's even a ceiling sunglasses holder.
The spacious rear seat is future-proofed for teenagers with generous knee and head room.
4. It can fit two ISOFIX baby seats with ease
If those future teenagers are still toddlers, two baby seats easily fit in the back of the MG4 thanks to dual sets of ISOFIX mounting points and three top tether anchorages, which are easily reached via the boot.
The MG4's cabin is broad enough that it's possible to fit three child seats in the back seat. Thanks to its electric motor, the MG4 drives near-silently – underrated if those baby seats are occupied with sleeping kids.
5. It's safe, with a five-star ANCAP rating
Upgrade to a modern car and put yourself and your family in the latest and safest vehicle.
The MG4 comes with a full five-star safety rating from independent crash-testing authority ANCAP.
MG's Pilot system equips your MG4 with the latest in active safety technology, with features such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking. Every MG4 comes with front-side and dual driver and passenger airbags, and curtain airbags.
6. It's got a surprisingly large boot for a small car
The MG4's boot size starts at 363 litres and has a flat floor that fits a pram and three shopping bags or up to 10 bags of groceries on their own. A medium-sized dog wouldn't feel cramped either. Fold down the 60/40 split-fold rear seats and the luggage capacity expands up to a huge 1177 litres – ideal for an IKEA run.
7. It has a smartphone app that will change your life
Before you get in the car, pre-cool your MG4's interior on a hot day, or pre-heat it in the depths of winter, using only your phone – a feature that changes the way you experience your car.
They're just two of the many features of MG's iSMART app (available on iOS and Android). Set your MG4 to charge only during off-peak hours, or unlock the car using your phone if you can't find the key – as well as many other handy functions.
8. It's easy – and fun – to drive
The compact MG4 is easy to drive in the city and suburbs with light steering, great forward visibility, regenerative braking and a tight turning circle. Parking cameras and sensors make it a breeze to park.
It's also fun. The MG4 Excite 51's powerful rear-drive electric motor puts 125kW and 250Nm of near-instant torque under your right foot. Zero to 100km/h takes just 7.7 seconds.
If you want maximum power, the all-wheel-drive MG4 XPOWER offers 320kW and 600Nm and is an electric hot hatch capable of zero to 100km/h in a supercar-hunting 3.8 seconds.
9. The MG4 is backed by MG's 10-year warranty
Feel confident making the switch to an electric vehicle with an industry-leading 10-year new car warranty from MG, which also covers the battery, backed by a growing network of MG dealers nationwide.
MG also covers your MG4 with 10 years of complimentary roadside assistance, provided you continue to service your vehicle at an authorised MG dealership. Conveniently, with far fewer moving parts than a petrol car, electric MG models require servicing only every two years or 40,000km.
10. Breathe cleaner with no more exhaust fumes
Owning and driving an electric car means no more toxic exhaust fumes from a petrol engine – even worse, a diesel one.
With an MG4, you can sit for extended periods using the air-conditioning or heater without burning through fuel and pumping out a surrounding cloud of exhaust fumes. That means waiting for the kids in comfort, and guilt-free, at school pick-up time.
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