Geely EX2 vs MG4 Urban: Two Affordable Electric Hatchbacks Compared

Australia’s budget EV segment is finally filling out, and two fresh contenders are making the case that going electric no longer demands a premium. The Geely EX2 and the MG4 Urban sit within a few thousand dollars of each other, yet they approach the same goal from noticeably different engineering directions.

The EX2 Inspire tested here carries a 47.1 kWh LFP pack and a claimed 345 km of WLTP range, with pricing starting near $30,990 before on-road costs (roughly $33,000 driveaway depending on state). The MG4 Urban’s entry Essence 43 variant uses a 43 kWh LFP battery for a claimed 316 km, and at $31,900 driveaway it undercuts the Geely once registration is factored in — currently helped further by a $2,000 cashback that brings it to $29,990. The fundamental split: the EX2 drives its rear wheels with an 85 kW motor, while the MG4 Urban sends power to the front and feels livelier in daily use.

On the road, the size difference matters. The Geely measures 4.14 m long, the MG nearly 4.4 m and wider still, which gives the MG a more planted, stable feel at highway speeds. Around Melbourne’s stop-start traffic the EX2’s throttle response is eager and its low-mounted battery keeps body movements tidy through the twisty Red Hill climbs, though its steering lacks the natural weight and feedback of the MG’s. The MG4 Urban, benefiting from local chassis tuning and lessons from the previous-generation MG4, holds body roll in check and turns in more sharply. Inside, the Geely wins on clever packaging — notably a 70-litre frunk with remote release — but its cabin is tighter and the front passenger seat forgoes height adjustment, while the MG offers a roomier, minimalist European-style layout.

Efficiency during mixed testing — suburban traffic, freeway cruising and hill climbs — landed at 15.5 kWh/100 km for the EX2 Inspire, translating to roughly 300 km of real-world range. The MG4 Urban averaged closer to 16.2 kWh/100 km for about 290 km from its smaller base battery. Both figures underline how far affordable EVs have come: neither car feels cheap, and each comfortably outclasses equivalent combustion hatchbacks on running costs.

The verdict depends on priorities. Buyers who want rear-wheel drive, bonus front storage and a composed ride will gravitate to the Geely EX2 Inspire; those who value highway stability, a spacious cabin and sharper handling should test the MG4 Urban. Either way, the budget end of Australia’s EV market is now a genuine choice rather than a compromise.