New MG4 to feature BYD-crushing battery tech: Incoming cheap Chinese small car will include semi-solid-state batteries that even luxury cars don’t yet get!
MG is aiming for outright annihilation of its opposition with the all-new 2026 MG4 hatch by introducing some of its most advanced new battery tech on one of its cheapest models.
The next-gen semi-solid-state battery tech is expected to raise the bar for range, charging speeds and safety in the budget-conscious small hatch segment.
MG brand manager Chen Chui confirmed the new MG4 will be the first mass-produced EV to feature the new tech that was previously limited to only few premium or luxury Chinese EVs.
READ MORE: Slash and burn less fuel! Price cuts for MG3, MG ZS, MG HS and MG HS Super Hybrid all rolled out
READ MORE: 2025 MG HS Super Hybrid Review: 120km of EV range to take on BYD, GWM, Chery and more
READ MORE: 2025 MG S5 EV arrives with BYD Atto 3-beating price! But it’s also more expensive than the ancient MG ZS SUV it replaces
Speaking to CarNewsChina, Chen confirmed the small MG4 hatch would feature batteries sourced from Qingtao Energy containing just five per cent liquid electrolyte.
The senior MG exec said the new powerpack features a class-leading energy density of up to 180Wh/kg (up from the LFP’s 140Wh/kg).
The new MG4 rumoured to offer a range of up to 537km – although that figure is recorded on the more lenient CLTC test cycle.
Chen revealed the new battery pack for the MG4 had also passed rigorous safety checks including a new 360-degree puncture test,
Thanks to its battery’s advanced new construction, the new MG4 is said to deliver 13.8 per cent more range in cold climates at temperatures as low as minus seven degrees Celsius.
Using a 70kWh battery pack, the new MG4 gets a 120kW rear-mounted e-motor, although the new semi-solid-state battery is thought to also slash weight, boosting performance.
Tipping the scales at 1485kg, the MG hatch is a considerable 135kg lighter than before, with much of that weight saved from the battery pack.
It’s also worth pointing out the weight-savings could have been much larger but designers have inflated the small hatch to enable it to replace the MG5 EV in some markets.
That explains why the new MG4 measures in at 4395mm long (+108mm), 1842mm wide (+6mm) and stands 1551mm tall (+47mm), with a 2750mm wheelbase (+45mm), with the latter adding more space within.
In Australia, the existing – and popular – MG4 is expected to continue on. Instead, the new model may come here with a different name.
That suggests the new model will be priced higher than the Aussie-spec MG4 that just last month was subject to price rises across the entire range.
Rises were up to $3000, with the cheapest MG4 Excite 52 now priced from $37,990 plus on-road costs – $1000 more than before despite featuring no changes in specification.
While it’s thought the advanced semi-solid-state 70kWh battery will replace the 77kWh power pack, it isn’t yet known what has happened to the base 51kWh LFP battery or the mid-spec 64kWh battery and whether both are set for their own advanced replacements.
Other upgrades compared to the current MG4 include the next-gen MGxOppo infotainment system that can integrate a smartphone interface within the car, supporting voice commands and gesture control.
There’s no word on whether Apple CarPlay or Android Auto will be supported.
Built in SAIC’s Nanjing’s factory, the launch of the second-gen MG4 is set to take place on August 5 ahead of it being rolled out in export markets.
