MG4 Excite 51: The electric vehicle revolution has finally reached mainstream Australian wallets, and leading the charge is the MG4 Excite 51, priced from $38,990 before on-road costs.
This compact electric hatchback represents more than just another EV option—it’s a paradigm shift that makes zero-emission driving accessible to families who previously couldn’t justify the premium price tag of electric vehicles.
When MG launched the Excite 51, it didn’t just introduce another car; it fundamentally disrupted the Australian EV market. The clear winner of the 2023 carsales Car of the Year award, the Corolla-size MG4 EV helps secure the Chinese carmaker as a legitimate market presence not reliant on low pricing for sales success. This recognition validates that the MG4 isn’t just cheap—it’s genuinely good.
Understanding the MG4 Excite 51’s Market Position
The Price War Among Budget EVs
The battle for Australia’s most affordable electric vehicle has been fierce. The MG4 Excite 51 held the mantle of the most affordable EV on sale locally for two days, but it was rapidly displaced by the similarly-sized BYD Dolphin. However, pricing wars aside, the MG4 has consistently proven itself as offering superior value through its combination of performance, range, and driving dynamics.
The MG4 51kWh Excite emerges as the winner of this benchtest alongside its two arch-rivals. It’s not the cheapest vehicle of the three, but it’s close and it offers the strongest performance, longest range, biggest boot and second-best warranty coverage when compared to the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.
What Sets the MG4 Apart
Unlike many budget electric vehicles that sacrifice driving enjoyment for affordability, the MG4 Excite 51 delivers an engaging driving experience. The MG4 is refreshingly fun to drive. Thank the underpinnings for that. Sending the power to the rear wheels means it easily harnesses the torque of the e-motor, while letting the front wheels focus solely on steering.
Technical Specifications and Performance
Battery and Range Capabilities
The heart of the MG4 Excite 51 is its lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The MG4 Excite 51 gets a 51kWh battery, which can be charged at up to 6.6kW using a wallbox charger. While the claimed WLTP range stands at 350 kilometers, real-world testing reveals different figures.
Claimed WLTP range is 350km, although we found closer to 300km was more realistic for everyday driving. This variance between claimed and real-world range is typical across the EV industry, and the MG4’s actual performance remains competitive within its price segment.
During extended testing, we managed to travel 405km in our Excite 51kWh but it was all urban duties – the school run, grocery shopping and city commuting. Overall our average energy usage was 23.1kWh/100km, which is on the higher side.
Power and Driving Dynamics
The MG4 Excite 51’s performance credentials are impressive for its price point. This entry-level model is fitted with the smallest battery available, a 51kWh unit that should produce a driving range for around 350km, while this Excite 51’s motor produces 125kW and 250Nm, which should be enough to dispatch 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
The rear-wheel-drive configuration distinguishes the MG4 from most competitors in this price range. MG makes a big deal about injecting a little driving fun into the MG4. The MG4 rides on a new platform designed for near-perfect weight distribution. This engineering choice results in the way the torque arrives so quickly means you rocket up to suburban speeds, before it begins to taper.
Charging Infrastructure and Convenience
Home Charging Solutions
For daily charging needs, the MG4 Excite 51 offers practical solutions. That means a full charge in about eight hours or 25 hours if using a regular home powerpoint. The eight-hour charging time applies when using a dedicated wallbox charger, making overnight charging convenient for most households.
Fast Charging Capabilities
When longer journeys require rapid charging, DC charging can be done at up to 88kW and MG claims it’ll charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 31 minutes. Real-world testing confirms these specifications: Charging is quick and I found using a 75kW charger the battery could be filled from five to 90 per cent in under an hour, which is impressive, but don’t forget the battery isn’t enormous.
Vehicle-to-Load Technology
An often-overlooked feature is the MG4’s ability to power external devices. The MG4 also has vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to power household 230V devices and camping gear. But there’s a rather large catch: it doesn’t come with the cable. You have to pay hundreds of dollars extra for that to enable it.
Interior Design and Practicality
Cabin Space and Comfort
Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the MG4 Excite 51 offers surprising interior spaciousness. The practicality of the MG4 is also outstanding. We have a small family with a toddler and a bigger kid and we lived daily with the MG4 and never found room for us or our stuff in the cabin to be an issue.
The design philosophy emphasizes functionality over luxury. But while it doesn’t look like an entry level-model from the outside, it does feel like one a bit in the cabin. The tech stuff all looks clean and lovely, but plastics used here are hard, cheap and uncomfortable to lean on, and the little row of buttons beneath the centre screen feels flimsy and cheap, too.
Technology and Infotainment
The MG4 Excite 51 comes equipped with essential technology features. Our award-winning MG4 starts with a range of 350km (WLTP), a 10.25″ touch screen, MG Pilot safety features and EV driving tech including one pedal driving and 4 regenerative braking modes.
However, the technology experience has some limitations. My main problem with the MG is the fact that its software is still not where it should be. Sure, it has a much neater operating system than previous models, but the processor behind it is only just good enough, with visible lag in the operating system and phone mirroring as well as a litany of oddly labelled menus.
Safety and Reliability
ANCAP Safety Rating
Safety credentials are strong across the MG4 range. Drive with confidence knowing that the MG4 has a 5 star Safety ANCAP rating and is equipped with the MG Pilot Driver Safety Technology suite. This rating applies to all variants in the MG4 lineup, including the entry-level Excite 51.
Warranty Coverage
MG provides comprehensive coverage for peace of mind. The MG4 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which also covers the battery. It’s a tad misleading, though, because if you use it for commercial purposes (including ride sharing) then the warranty is capped at 160,000km.
Competitive Landscape Analysis
BYD Dolphin Comparison
The primary competitor in Australia’s budget EV segment is the BYD Dolphin. Starting with power and performance, the MG4 51kWh Excite is the clear winner here with its rear-mounted motor pumping out 125kW of power and 250Nm of torque, helping it claim a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.7 seconds compared to the BYD’s more modest performance figures.
Range comparison also favors the MG4. The MG’s 51kWh battery also means it has the longest WLTP driving range of the trio at 350km, however, the BYD and its 44.9kWh Blade unit runs a close second with a claimed range of 340km.
Real-World Ownership Experience
Long-term testing reveals the MG4’s strengths and weaknesses in daily use. Our time with the MG4 Excite 51kWh was fairly short at just a month, but it was long enough to discover this is an excellent car to drive and live with, but if it was our purchase we’d step up to the 64kWh battery in the same grade for the extra reassurance of a longer driving range.
Value Proposition and Market Impact
The MG4 Excite 51 represents a watershed moment for electric vehicle adoption in Australia. Honestly, it feels like it could be a game-changer for electric vehicle uptake in Australia. Its combination of affordable pricing, solid performance, and practical usability addresses the primary barriers that have prevented mainstream EV adoption.
Really? Because this MG4 Excite 51 is about the same price as a mid-range Toyota Corolla Hybrid or Mazda3, delivers more than enough driving range to get almost everyone through their working week, and serves up plenty of space and style, too.
MG4 Excite 51 Specifications Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $38,990 – $39,990 (before on-road costs) |
| Battery Capacity | 51kWh lithium iron phosphate |
| Electric Motor | 125kW/250Nm, rear-mounted |
| Drive Type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Range (WLTP) | 350km |
| Real-world Range | ~300km |
| 0-100km/h | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 160km/h |
| AC Charging | 6.6kW (8 hours to full) |
| DC Fast Charging | 88kW (10-80% in 31 minutes) |
| Boot Capacity | 363L (1,177L seats folded) |
| Safety Rating | 5-star ANCAP |
| Warranty | 7 years/unlimited km |
| Dimensions | 4,287mm L × 1,836mm W × 1,504mm H |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the MG4 Excite 51 really Australia’s cheapest electric car? A: Currently, it’s the second cheapest, with the BYD Dolphin Dynamic priced slightly lower at $38,890. However, the MG4 offers superior performance and range for minimal price difference.
Q: How reliable is the 350km range claim? A: Real-world testing suggests expect around 300km in typical driving conditions. Urban driving may yield better results, while highway driving at higher speeds will reduce range.
Q: Can I charge the MG4 at home? A: Yes, you can charge using a standard household outlet (25 hours) or install a wallbox for faster 8-hour charging. Most owners find overnight charging sufficient for daily needs.
Q: What’s the main difference between the 51kWh and 64kWh versions? A: The 64kWh version offers 100km more range (450km vs 350km) and 25kW more power (150kW vs 125kW) for approximately $6,000 more.
Q: How does the MG4 compare to traditional petrol cars for running costs? A: Electricity costs significantly less than petrol per kilometer. Maintenance is also reduced due to fewer moving parts in electric drivetrains.