Volkswagen ID3 vs. MG 4 Electric – Double test

Credit where credit is due: Volkswagen is tackling the transition to electric driving energetically and is releasing new models at a rapid pace. The fact that many of them are largely the same under the skin does not change that – that is smart marketing. Only you will no longer get there with that, because EVs from competing brands are now appearing in too large numbers for this.

What’s new in the Volkswagen ID3?

It was therefore important for Volkswagen to make the ID3 better; not only because of increasing competition, but also because it was necessary according to buyers and the press. To start with the interior, because that looked very sparse for a Volkswagen. Also, the operation was by no means equally logical or user-friendly everywhere. In part, the manufacturer rectified that with the facelift. The parts of the dashboard that you see and touch are now covered with softer materials, which takes the impression of quality to a new level. In addition, there was a larger infotainment screen; when you know how dependent modern Volkswagens are on that, bigger is always better. In addition, it would work faster and be more stable, and that appears to be correct in the test week. So much for the good news. The bad news is that many annoyances have been left on board. Take the touch buttons on the steering wheel, which apparently only work if you absolutely don’t want them to. The rest of the time they often do not respond or respond too slowly. The sliders under the new infotainment system have also not disappeared and there are still only two buttons for operating four electric windows. Volkswagen can thus save the costs of two extra buttons. Shame.

MG 4 Electric cheap inside

The MG 4 Electric makes a cheap impression inside. With the purchase price in mind, that is certainly not a shame, but here and there you get the feeling that you are stepping back in time a decade or more. More annoying is that the interior is not free from annoying creaking, which does not bode well for the long-term reliability. Furthermore, not everything works equally easily. Just like with the Volkswagen, you start by stepping on the brake (with the key in your pocket), but unlike in the German, this often requires a number of attempts in the MG. The infotainment system, meanwhile, is very busy and also quite slow. The interior space is not disappointing.

MG 4 is a very common EV

Once on the road, the MG 4 makes a varying impression. In the first instance, the driver assistance systems claim a leading role in a negative sense, in particular the lane assistant. On a road with bicycle lanes, you sometimes want to direct them to the middle of the road, which can lead to quite exciting situations with an approaching oncoming vehicle. Turn that system off and the MG 4 proves to be a very common EV. With a net capacity of 61.7 kWh you have a large battery pack and thanks to a remarkably efficient powertrain you can also go the furthest with this car. The charging options are up to standard and because you can link the recuperation to a configurable button on the steering wheel, you can almost drive without having to brake.

Volkswagen ID3 has taken few steps in the electrical field

Funnily enough, Volkswagen has taken few concrete steps in this area. There is still a battery with a net capacity of 58 kWh and, just like the MG, it supplies power to a 204 hp electric motor on the rear axle. The performance is, as expected, of a comparable level, although the Volkswagen takes off a bit more smoothly from low speeds. On the other hand, consumption is slightly higher, which, in combination with the smallest battery, ensures that the ID3 can be used as a car even under almost optimal conditions. only one that does not pass the practical range of 400 kilometers.

In this video we go into all aspects, no PDF is linked to this test because the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric was also included in the comparison in the test in the magazine.