The new MG4 Urban was launched with a competitive pricing policy and good technical specifications. A comparison was made between the entry-level Comfort version of the MG4 Urban and the Geely EX2 Max, which has a similar price and high demand.
The new MG4 Urban was launched with a competitive pricing policy and good technical specifications. A comparison was made between the entry-level Comfort version of the MG4 Urban and the Geely EX2 Max, which has a similar price and high demand.
Both vehicles are scheduled for production in Brazil by the end of this year. Geely plans to use the Renault factory in Paraná, while MG Motor opted for the Pace unit located in Ceará. Currently, both models are still imported from China.
To assist consumers interested in electric cars in the R$ 130 thousand range, a detailed analysis was conducted between the MG4 Urban and the Geely EX2 Max, highlighting the strengths of each.
The MG4 Urban Comfort is listed at R$ 129,990, although this is a launch price without a defined date, and the brand has not informed the final price after the promotion ends. The Geely EX2 Max was introduced at R$ 135 thousand, but its current listed price is R$ 136,800. While the MG Motor offer remains valid, the MG4 Urban has an advantage in this aspect.
In terms of range, the MG4 Urban Comfort presents 299 km, surpassing the 289 km of the Geely EX2 Max. This pair of vehicles demonstrates good efficiency within the entry-level electric category. The Geely EX2 Max uses a 39.4 kWh battery, while the MG4 Urban Comfort has a 42.8 kWh battery. It is worth noting that the top-of-the-line version of the MG4 Urban has a larger battery, offering an additional range of 50 km.
In charging power, the MG4 Urban Comfort proves superior in both slow charging (alternating current) with 11 kW and fast charging (direct current) with 82 kW, compared to 6.6 kW (AC) and 70 kW (DC) of the Geely EX2 Max. Regarding overall performance, despite the MG4 Urban having an advantage of 34 hp and 10.2 kgfm, the difference is not drastic. The Geely EX2 compensates for the less powerful engine with a lower weight of 142 kg and the presence of rear-wheel drive, which aids acceleration.
Although the MG4 Urban Comfort is the entry-level version and thus has fewer features, it already comes equipped with the complete ADAS package. Differences compared to the Luxury model include items such as 360-degree camera, heated seats and steering wheel, electric driver seat adjustment, 17-inch wheels, wireless charging, and folding mirrors. The main standard items of the MG4 Urban Comfort include full-LED headlights, 7-inch digital panel, 12.8-inch multimedia center with wireless connectivity (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), one-pedal driving mode, automatic air conditioning, rear ventilation outlet, dusk sensor, rearview camera, seven airbags, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure assist.
The Geely EX2 Max, being the top-of-the-line model, competes strongly with the entry-level MG4 Urban. Its highlights include full-LED headlights, 8.8-inch digital panel, 14.6-inch multimedia center with wired connectivity, a more robust sound system, 360-degree camera, synthetic leather seats and steering wheel, customizable ambient lighting in 256 colors, electric driver seat adjustment, and six airbags. The Geely EX2 Max gained an advantage in convenience items such as the 360-degree camera and the more complete sound system, but neither vehicle offers a spare tire.
The medium hatchback size of the MG4 Urban allows it to stand out among compacts in the category, presenting a length of 4.39 meters, which is superior to some compact sedans, and a wheelbase of 2.75 meters, longer than the Toyota Corolla's. The Geely EX2 also offers good passenger space due to its rear-wheel-drive platform.
Regarding the trunk, the MG4 Urban accommodates 477 liters, a volume comparable to a Renault Duster, considering the underfloor space. The Geely EX2 has a rear trunk of 375 liters and a front trunk of 70 liters, totaling 445 liters, slightly losing to the competitor.
Geely operates in Brazil in partnership with Renault, holding 26% of the French operations, which implies sharing distribution infrastructure for parts and cars. Currently, Geely maintains 40 dealerships in the country. MG Motor started its operations independently, represented by the Saic headquarters, and its network has 28 points, with projections to reach 40 by the end of the year. In this regard, Geely is in a more advantageous position.
Regarding warranty, both Chinese brands compete with different strategies, focusing on time or mileage, depending on use. The 7-year warranty offered by MG Motor is the longest in the segment, matching Geely in mileage, and both extend battery coverage by an additional 10 thousand km, without changing this coverage for commercial use vehicles.
The MG4 Urban Comfort demonstrated superiority in most aspects evaluated during this contest. The Geely EX2 Max gained specific advantages in equipment packages and dealership network. Despite being a fierce competition and the models being equivalent in several aspects, the MG4 Urban Comfort was declared the winner of the best electric hatchback in the R$ 130 thousand range.
The MG4 Urban, the new proposal from the MG brand, which has English origins but is controlled by the Chinese company Saic, is confirmed to be produced in Ceará. This compact electric hatchback aims to popularize the brand in the Brazilian market and arrives with notable features, including a range that can reach 358 km.
The vehicle will be offered in two trim levels, Comfort and Luxury, with price ranges set between R$ 129,990 and R$ 149,990. The most sophisticated version offers two battery options: one with a 43 kWh capacity and another with 54 kWh.
Although it is a new generation, the previous MG4 model will continue to be sold, but in a higher category. One of the significant changes in the MG4 Urban was the replacement of rear-wheel drive with front-wheel drive, as well as the adoption of a torsion beam rear suspension. In terms of dimensions, the MG4 Urban measures 4.39 m in length, 1.84 m in width, 1.55 m in height, and has a wheelbase of 2.75 m. Its trunk accommodates 477 liters, considering the measurement up to the compartment roof.
The powertrain of the MG4 Urban is efficient, similar to the Geely EX2, optimizing battery energy usage. With the 43 kWh battery, it achieves up to 299 km in the Inmetro cycle. The version equipped with the 54 kWh battery offers a maximum range of 358 km in the same cycle. This latter configuration guarantees the greatest range among electric hatchbacks available in Brazil, surpassing models such as BYD Dolphin Mini, BYD Dolphin SE, and Geely EX2, as well as the GAC Aion UT Premium.
Another strong point of the model is its ability to accept up to 87 kW of power for fast charging, putting it on par with the new GAC Aion UT and above its competitors. This allows the charge from 10% to 80% to be completed in just 30 minutes.
The car uses a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor, whose specifications vary depending on the selected battery. The 43 kWh versions (both Comfort and Luxury) deliver 150 hp (110 kW) of power and 25.5 kgfm of torque, with a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 9.6 seconds. The 54 kWh version (Luxury) has 160 hp (118 kW) and maintains the 25.5 kgfm of torque, slightly reducing the acceleration time to 9.5 seconds. Both powertrains reach a top speed of 160 km/h.
The new generation employs front-wheel drive (FWD) and a torsion beam rear suspension, complemented by MacPherson struts at the front. The braking systems are discs on all four wheels. Detailed measurements include 4,395 mm in length, 1,842 mm in width, 1,549 mm in height, and 2,744 mm in wheelbase. The ground clearance is 117 mm. The trunk varies between 568 liters (43 kWh version) and 577 liters (54 kWh version), and both have an additional space of 98 liters under the floor. The curb weight is 1,422 kg for the 43 kWh version and 1,504 kg for the 54 kWh version.
The entry-level version, MG4 Urban Comfort 43 kWh, comes equipped with many standard features, focusing on active safety. It includes projector headlights, daytime running lights, and LED taillights, an integrated rear spoiler, a roof rack, and 16-inch steel wheels. Inside, there is a 7-inch digital panel, automatic digital air conditioning with rear vents, leather-wrapped steering wheel with height and depth adjustment, One-Pedal mode, V2L technology, and keyless entry.
Regarding safety, the ADAS package covers 6 airbags (front, side, and curtain), adaptive cruise control (ACC), autonomous emergency braking (FCA), lane keeping assist (LKA) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), traffic jam assist (TJA), in addition to a rear parking sensor and rearview camera with dynamic lines. Technologically, it features a 12.8-inch multimedia center with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a native Wi-Fi router and USB-C ports.
The top-of-the-line versions, MG4 Urban Luxury (available with 43 kWh or 54 kWh batteries), elevate the level of comfort and technology. They replace hubcaps with 17-inch alloy wheels (205/50 tires) and add tinted rear windows. Inside, occupants enjoy heated front seats and a 6-position electric adjustment for the driver's seat, customizable LED interior lighting with 64 colors, and wireless inductive charging.
Additionally, the Luxury receives advanced safety features such as a 360° view camera (SVM), blind spot detection (BSD), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), rear collision warning (RCW), lane change assist (LCA), and door opening warning (DOW).
MG Motor establishes specific contractual warranties for the MG4 Urban. The general vehicle warranty is 7 years or 150,000 km, while the battery has an 8-year or 160,000 km coverage. It is important to note that, for commercial use purposes, such as taxis and ride-sharing apps, the vehicle warranty is reduced to 3 years or 150,000 km.
