Last checked September 2026. The ID.3 Neo reached UK showrooms in autumn 2026, so some details may still change.
The MG4 and the Volkswagen ID.3 are two of the most popular electric family hatchbacks in the UK, and both were overhauled for 2026. The MG4 got a much better interior, and the ID.3 was renamed the ID.3 Neo with more range, better tech and physical buttons. Here is how the Chinese challenger stacks up against the German establishment.
MG4 vs VW ID.3 Neo: the numbers
| MG4 EV (2026) | VW ID.3 Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | About £29,995 (Premium Long Range) | £33,080 (Life 50kWh) before grant |
| After discounts or grant | About £28,495 with MG’s £1,500 discount | £31,580 with the £1,500 Electric Car Grant |
| Battery options | 64kWh or 77kWh | 50kWh, 58kWh or 79kWh |
| Official range | 280 to 338 miles | 258 to 391 miles |
| Fastest charging | About 150kW (Long Range); 144kW (Extended Range) | 100 to 183kW |
| 0-62mph | 7.5s / 6.2s; XPower 3.8s | 7.1 to 8.6s |
| Boot | 363 litres | 385 litres |
| Warranty | 7 years / 80,000 miles | 3 years / 60,000 miles; battery 8 years / 100,000 miles |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2022) | 5 stars |
Price: MG still undercuts VW
The MG4 remains the cheaper car. The Premium Long Range starts at around £29,995 and MG has been offering £1,500 off. The ID.3 Neo starts at £33,080, but it qualifies for the government’s £1,500 Electric Car Grant, which the China-built MG does not. Like for like, the MG4 Extended Range at about £31,500 after discount offers more range than the ID.3 Life 58kWh at about £34,000 after the grant, and it is quicker.
Range and charging
The MG4 Extended Range claims 338 miles. The ID.3 Neo with the big 79kWh battery goes further, at up to 391 miles, but that version costs considerably more. The smaller-battery ID.3s charge relatively slowly, at around 100kW, while the MG4 Long Range charges at around 150kW and does 10 to 80% in about 26 minutes. The MG4 Extended Range is slower to charge than you might expect, at around 40 minutes. See our charging times and costs guide.
Interior and technology
Both cars fixed their biggest weakness this year. The 2026 MG4 has a new 12.8-inch touchscreen, physical climate controls and better materials. The ID.3 Neo brings back physical buttons, has a much improved infotainment system and can recognise traffic lights in its driver-assistance system. Reviewers now rate the VW’s cabin slightly higher for quality and refinement.
Practicality
The ID.3 Neo has a slightly bigger boot, at 385 litres against 363, and more rear-seat room. The MG4 is tight in the back for taller passengers. Neither has a front boot.
Driving
The MG4 is rear-wheel drive and reviewers consistently call it one of the most fun cars in its class, with sharp handling. The ID.3 Neo is more refined and quieter, especially on the motorway, and is very efficient at around 4 miles per kWh.
Ownership: warranty and reliability
The MG4’s seven-year warranty dwarfs VW’s three years, although MG caps it at 80,000 miles. MG has scored poorly in owner reliability surveys, with the MG4 among the least reliable EVs in What Car?’s 2024 survey, so the long warranty is valuable. See our warranty comparison and depreciation guide.
Verdict
The MG4 is the better value and more fun to drive; the ID.3 Neo is the more refined, grown-up car. If budget and a long warranty matter most, the MG4 is hard to beat. If you want more space, the option of 391 miles of range, and a car that feels more polished, the ID.3 Neo is worth the extra, especially with the grant.
Also consider the BYD Dolphin and MGS5, or see all MG models and prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MG4 better than the VW ID.3?
The MG4 is cheaper, quicker and more fun to drive, with a longer warranty. The ID.3 Neo is more refined, roomier and offers more range with its largest battery.
Does the MG4 get the Electric Car Grant?
No. The MG4 is built in China and does not qualify. The VW ID.3 Neo qualifies for £1,500.
Which has the bigger boot, MG4 or ID.3?
The ID.3 Neo, at 385 litres against 363 litres for the MG4.
What is the range of the 2026 MG4?
Between 280 and 338 miles on the official test, depending on battery. The XPower performance version manages 251 miles.