Lower cost MG4 electric hatchback variant spotted testing in Sydney

Earlier this year, MG in China teased the next version of the MG4 on the parent company’s Shanghai Automotive Group’s social media page, revealing the exterior design of the upcoming hatchback. 

Now, this model has been sighted testing at a Tesla Supercharger in Sydney. 

Rosco, an avid reader of The Driven, shared photos of the hatchback model testing at the Tesla Supercharger site in Alexandria. 

The camouflage-wrapped vehicle is seen parked and appears to be charging at the V4 supercharger stall.

Unlike the current MG4’s chargeport, which is found at the rear of the car, the upcoming model spotted here has it relocated, now sitting at the front of the hatch.

From the side view, black alloys are also spotted, which are not found on any MG model in its current local lineup.

Looking at the registration of the spotted MG, it’s currently registered in NSW and has the description of “AH4EM evaluation vehicle” in the colour white. The vehicle also has a reported tare weight of 1520 kg.

Interestingly, this sighting comes only a day after MG announced that it’s planning to bring a new MG4, which will feature a new front-wheel-drive layout, a move from the rear-wheel-drive offered on Australia’s most popular electric hatchback.

MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao shared: “The new for 2026 front-wheel drive will be a completely different vehicle, perfect for the city. Balancing driver usage needs and production cost considerations of rear wheel drive, we saw the opportunity for an affordable FWD vehicle to complement the MG4 RWD and AWD”.

According to that report, the new MG4 will be offered in two battery packs, including a small 43 kWh battery pack, the smallest of any EV in the country. 

There is also a 54 kWh battery pack, both of which will be offered to “budget-conscious buyers” who will need to wait until Q2 2026.

More details and pricing for the 2026 MG 4 lineup will be released closer to the launch, likely in the first quarter of 2026.

The MG4 has been one of the most successful EVs in the Australian market, selling more than 11,000 cars since its launch back in 2023.

Given the popularity of the current model, the new MG4 could also be one of the company’s best-sellers when it lands next year.

The latest sighting and report come only months after the company launched its S5 EV, an electric SUV for families, backed by MG’s industry-leading 10-year warranty.

We look forward to more sightings and reports on the new affordable hatchback model in the coming months and can’t wait to get behind the wheel of one, given how fun and zippy the current model is.