Head-to-head
MG 4 vs Hyundai Inster
At $30,990 the MG 4 undercuts the Hyundai Inster by $8,010 (21%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Hatch
MG 4
Rear-wheel-drive small hatch from China's SAIC that consistently undercuts every European rival. The 10-year/250,000 km warranty is unmatched in the segment.
- From
- $30,990
- Range
- 350 km
- Battery
- 51 kWh
Option B · Hatch
Hyundai Inster
Hyundai's tiny city EV pitches Australian buyers a sub-$40k Korean alternative to the Chinese-built BYD Dolphin and MG 4. Modest performance but characterful design and clever interior packaging.
- From
- $39,000
- Range
- 360 km
- Battery
- 49 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the MG 4 and Hyundai Inster, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Warranty · advantage MG 4
The MG 4 covers the vehicle for 5 more years (10 vs 5 yrs).
- 2
Price · advantage MG 4
The MG 4 undercuts the Hyundai Inster by $8,010 (21%) on starting price.
- 3
0–100 km/h · advantage MG 4
The MG 4 is 2.9 s quicker to 100 km/h (7.7 s vs 10.6 s).
- 4
Power · advantage MG 4
The MG 4 puts down 40 kW more (125 vs 85 kW).
- 5
Boot · advantage MG 4
The MG 4 swallows 83 L more cargo with the rear seats up (363 vs 280 L).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the MG 4 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $8,010
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (7.7s vs 10.6s)
- ▸ Longer warranty (10 years)
Where the Hyundai Inster wins
- ▸ 10 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (120 kW vs 117 kW)
MG 4
What we like
- ✓ 10-year vehicle warranty is class-leading
- ✓ Rear-wheel drive gives it real chassis balance
- ✓ Excellent value at sub-$31,000
What we don't
- ✕ Base 51 kWh battery range trails Dolphin
- ✕ Cabin materials are clearly cost-engineered
- ✕ Software lags behind competitors
Hyundai Inster
What we like
- ✓ One of the cheapest Korean EVs in Australia
- ✓ Quick DC charging for the class (120 kW peak)
- ✓ Configurable interior with sliding rear seats
What we don't
- ✕ Slow 0–100 even by city-EV standards
- ✕ Shorter battery warranty (100,000 km vs 160,000 km on Kona)
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP tested at launch
Frequently asked: MG 4 vs Hyundai Inster
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the MG 4 or the Hyundai Inster?
- The MG 4 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $30,990 versus $39,000 for the Hyundai Inster, a $8,010 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Hyundai Inster has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 360 km, 10 km further than the MG 4's 350 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Hyundai Inster accepts a peak DC charging rate of 120 kW versus 117 kW for the MG 4. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The MG 4 does 0–100 km/h in 7.7 seconds — 2.9 s quicker than the Hyundai Inster's 10.6 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the MG 4 better value than the Hyundai Inster?
- On paper the MG 4 is $8,010 cheaper, but the Hyundai Inster edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
MG 4
if…
- ✓ you want to save $8,010 on the sticker
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ you regularly load it up (83 L more boot)
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (5 more years of cover)
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.