New MG4 facelift coming soon – but UK not getting all-new model

• New MG4 unveiled in China won’t come to UK
• UK will get facelifted MG4 at a later date
• Upgrades to be inspired by new MGS5 EV

The all-new MG4 unveiled last week won’t be coming to the UK after all, the brand has confirmed. Before you release a heavy sigh of dismay, MG has revealed that the current MG4 will receive a facelift later this year, instead, bringing a host of changes inspired by the new MGS5 EV.

Details for the updated MG4 are still up in the air, but it’s expected to pick up the new 12.8-inch infotainment screen from the MGS5 EV. We found it to work well during our in-depth test, offering more real estate than the 10.25-inch unit in the current MG4. The MGS5 EV also gets a handy bank of physical controls under the touchscreen which are likely to be carried over to the updated MG4, too. 

We don’t know what styling changes the updated MG4 will pick up, but it could adopt the sharp daytime-running lights and Cyberster-inspired lower bumper of the MGS5 EV. Either way, it’s set to look very different from the Chinese-spec MG4 that was shown off last week – that car is bigger in all dimensions and sports a softer exterior design language.

What do we know about the Chinese-spec MG4?

The Chinese-spec MG4 has taken the brand’s electric hatchback in a new direction, with a less angular design compared with our European MG4. You’ll notice a few of the styling elements have been inspired by MG’s halo car, the Cyberster. It sports a similar front bumper, while the tail-lights are vaguely reminiscent of the two seater sports car’s arrow-shaped items.

The new Chinese MG4’s headlights are smaller than before and far less angular – a theme that’s repeated throughout the rest of the exterior design. Soft curves replace hard edges, and some of the current car’s unique features – such as the twin roof spoiler, protruding rear light bar and faux diffuser – have been dropped for a more conventional look.

It may be hard to tell from the photos, but the new MG4 is a bit bigger in all dimensions compared with the European MG4. Its length of 4,395mm is over 100mm longer, with an extra 45mm found between the front and rear wheels. It’s also wider and taller than before, resulting in similar dimensions to cars like the Mazda CX-30 and Citroen C3 Aircross.

However, MG’s head of product and planning David Allison, explained that this new MG4 is not destined for the UK market. “There is a car that exists in China called MG4, but there has been no decision on if it could come here, what it would be called and how much it would cost,” he said. “There are lots of cars under the SAIC umbrella and with an MG badge that are sold around the world that we don’t sell here.”

UK customers will instead have to wait for the reveal of the updated European MG4. It will remain as an affordable family EV, with a rear-wheel drive layout and a choice of different battery sizes and motors.

Read more about our favourite electric cars on sale today or find new and used MG4 deals on our sister site Auto Express