You can now buy an EV for $25,000 and there’s a wide range of electric cars and SUVs for less than $45K from BYD, MG, GWM, Chery and other brands. Here are the cheapest EVs to buy in Australia right now.
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2026 MG4 EV Urban: Price, specs and release date in Australia
MG Motor Australia has confirmed the new 2026 MG4 EV Urban all-electric hatchback will join its local line-up in April 2026 and it is expected to become its most affordable electric car to date when it goes on sale.
MG already has one of the cheapest EVs in Australia in the form of the competitive MG4 range, which starts at $37,990 plus on-road costs. But it is anticipated that the MG4 EV Urban will undercut that price, edging close to the BYD Dolphin small car which is currently one of the most affordable EVs on sale, priced from $29,990 plus ORCs.
The front-wheel drive MG4 EV Urban is expected to offer a claimed driving range up to 415km (WLTP) from the larger of its two battery packs and will be backed by MG’s conditional 10-year warranty. Read on to find out more about MG’s newest EV to go on sale in Australia, including its price, specifications and competitors.
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How much will the MG4 EV Urban cost?
While local pricing is still to be announced, the 2026 MG4 EV Urban is expected to be MG’s lowest-priced electric car yet, starting at around $30,000 to $35,000 plus on-road costs.
The MG4 EV Urban will be sold alongside the MG4 range, which is currently in run-out, with city-friendly size and pricing set to be its key selling points. Two variants will be available at launch, taking power from either a 43kWh or 54kWh battery.
All 2026 MG4 EV Urban models will be front-wheel drive with a single electric motor. Assuming the specs closely follow vehicles which are already on sale in Europe, the Standard Range (43kWh battery) model is likely to offer a 110kW motor output with an electric driving range of over 300km (WLTP) per charge. Extended Range models with the larger 54kWh battery will have a more powerful 118kW e-motor with a range of up to 415km (WLTP).
The MG4 EV Urban supports DC fast charging via a CCS port and MG says a rapid charger can refill the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in approximately 30 minutes.
What is the MG4 EV Urban Warranty?
The 2026 MG4 EV Urban will carry the same comprehensive warranty as the rest of the MG range. In Australia, MG provides a 7-year/unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery and electric drivetrain are covered for up to 8 years or 160,000km. MG Australia offers a warranty extension to 10 years/250,000km conditional with owners servicing their vehicle within the MG dealer network.
When is the MG4 EV Urban coming to Australia?
The 2026 MG4 EV Urban will arrive in April 2026.
The MG4 EV Urban has a substantially different exterior design to the more angular MG4.
What is the exterior design of the MG4 EV Urban like?
The 2026 MG4 EV Urban is designed as a practical, city-size hatchback. Externally, it has a slightly softer design than the original MG4, with smooth lines and a conventional front grille area with the charging port now relocated to the front, the same as the MG ZS EV.
The car rides on 16-inch alloy wheels as standard (smaller than the 17–18-inch wheels on higher-end MG4 variants) to balance comfort and efficiency. Overall, the styling is contemporary but modest – in keeping with the car’s role as an affordable city EV rather than a performance model like the top-spec MG4 XPower.
The new MG4 EV Urban is slightly larger than the existing MG4, translating to improved interior space. It measures about 4395mm in length and rides on a 2750mm wheelbase, making it 108mm longer, with a 45mm longer wheelbase, than the original MG4 hatch.
These changes benefit passenger room, especially for rear seat occupants. The rear bench promises good legroom for a small car, thanks to the stretched wheelbase, and headroom should be adequate for taller passengers due to the relatively tall roofline.
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Expect wireless phone charging to be available on MG4 EV Urban vehicles.
MG4 EV Urban interior design and technology
In terms of technology, while there's no confirmed variant line-up or specifications for Australian MG4 EV Urban models, expect a large 10- or 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display mounted in the centre of the dash.
Official images show wireless phone charging so it's likely there will be smartphone connectivity such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing drivers to use their own navigation and music apps.
Standard equipment is likely to include automatic climate control, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera, and a full suite of driver assistance aids, mirroring those available across the existing MG4 range.
Given MG’s value-oriented approach, the EV Urban could offer surprising extras – for instance, in some markets the car is available with a heat pump system (for efficient cabin heating) and options like a sunroof or upgraded interior trim on higher grades. Australian specifications will be confirmed closer to launch, but buyers can expect that even the most affordable MG4 EV Urban models will come with the key tech and comfort features needed for daily driving.
In terms of cargo capacity, the MG4 EV Urban is said to be very practical for its size. The boot can accommodate around 568 litres with the rear seats in place, which is a big improvement over the roughly 350-litre boot of the current MG4, and comparable to some medium SUVs including the MG HS.
With the 60/40-split rear seats folded, the luggage area expands to over 1300 litres, providing plenty of room for larger items, flat-pack furniture or recreational gear. The low loading lip and wide hatch opening should make it easy to load bulky items.
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A deep boot creates plenty of load carrying space in the MG4 EV Urban.
How safe is the MG4 EV Urban?
MG says safety is a core focus for the MG4 EV Urban. Although Australian ANCAP testing is pending, MG expects a top 5-star safety rating, bolstered by the car’s strong performance in European NCAP tests where it scored a five-star result including 87 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection and 85 per cent for vulnerable road user protection.
Every MG4 EV Urban will come with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems as standard. Key features are likely to include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
These features are part of MG’s 'Pilot' safety suite and are expected on all Urban variants.
Expect full specifications including safety details closer to launch.
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Expect LED headlights and advanced driver assistance systems when the MG4 EV Urban arrives.
What are the main competitors to the MG4 EV Urban?
The upcoming 2026 MG4 EV Urban electric small car will compete at the most affordable end of the electric vehicle market which is dominated by models from China.
The most affordable electric car on sale in Australia is currently the BYD Atto 1, which launched here at the end of last year. The fast-growing BYD brand offers the three most affordable electric vehicles – the BYD Atto 1 four-seat city hatch (priced from $25,871.70 drive-away), the BYD Dolphin small hatch (from $32,698.90 drive-away) and the BYD Atto 2 small SUV (from $34,207.70 drive-away).
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The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
