CAT'S OUT OF THE BAG
What Car? UK|March 2023
It's no secret that the MG 4 is our favourite small electric car - but is its position under threat from Chinese brand Ora's new contender?
CAT'S OUT OF THE BAG

When electric vehicles (EVS) first burst onto the scene, they came with the promise of being kinder to Mother Earth and with running costs that were far lower than petrol and diesel alternatives. While that's still largely true, the issue is that EVS tend to carry hefty price tags. And if you want something with a good range for driving long distances, you have to pay even more.

At least, that was the case until the MG 4 EV came along last year. Okay, calling it 'cheap' might be a stretch (even the entry-level version is more than twice the price of a Dacia Sandero), but it instantly made cars like the Peugeot e-208, Renault Zoe and Vauxhall Corsa Electric seem overpriced by offering a longer range and more interior space than those cars for similar money.

The MG 4 starts at £26,999, and even if you want the Long Range version and lots of standard kit, you'll be paying a reasonable £32,495 - which is only £500 more than a brand new and similar-sized EV called the Ora Funky Cat. Like the MG 4, the Funky Cat hails from China, and there's currently only one version, called the First Edition. It has a smaller battery than its compatriot but promises to be a more upmarket choice in other ways, particularly when it comes to interior quality.

So, has the MG 4's reign at the top of the class come to an abrupt end already? Or is the Funky Cat as weak as a kitten?

DRIVING

Performance, ride, handling, refinement 

In Long Range form, the MG 4 has a relatively large battery with a 61.7kWh usable capacity. The Funky Cat makes do with a much smaller, 45.4kWh battery - so it's hardly surprising that it can't travel as far between charges.

Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av What Car? UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av What Car? UK.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WHAT CAR? UKSe alt
Genesis GV60
What Car? UK

Genesis GV60

Does this plush newcomer deserve a slice of the premium electric SUV pie? The verdict is in

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
BYD Dolphin
What Car? UK

BYD Dolphin

Smallest BYD gets a smaller battery and a slimmer price tag to make it more competitive On sale Now Price from £26,195

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
BMW i5
What Car? UK

BMW i5

Our electric executive saloon disproves the notion that battery-powered cars aren't as efficient out of town

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Kia EV6
What Car? UK

Kia EV6

Electric SUV gets a larger battery, revised suspension and a new infotainment system On sale October Price from £45,575

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
What Car? UK

Maserati GranTurismo Folgore

Range-topping electric version of Maserati's four-seat coupé packs a 751bhp punch, along with an official range of 280 miles On sale Now Price from £179,950

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
What Car? UK

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Looking for all the world like a shrunken S-Class limo, the latest C-Class executive saloon is a tempting used buy with a major trick up its sleeve

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Cupra Terramar
What Car? UK

Cupra Terramar

Bigger sister to the Formentor completes Cupra's combustionengined SUV line-up On sale Early 2025 Price from £35,000 (est)

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Skoda Kamiq
What Car? UK

Skoda Kamiq

We're finding out whether this updated small SUV makes a good workhorse for a high-mileage driver

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Honda e:Ny1
What Car? UK

Honda e:Ny1

Should you consider this small electric SUV over a Smart or Volvo EX30? We're living with one to find out

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
PLUGS RETHINK
What Car? UK

PLUGS RETHINK

It may look radically different from before, but is the latest Toyota Prius a cut above its refreshed plug-in hybrid rival from Volkswagen?

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2024