One on One: BYD Atto 2 vs MG4 EV

Go back only a few years, and if you were looking for a small electric vehicle for around $30,000, you’d look in vain.

But a swell in competition from value-focused Chinese brands altered the equation, and seemingly overnight EVs were no longer just for early adopters or those who could afford to pay a premium for electric technology.

The BYD Atto 2 and MG4 EV Urban are small electric vehicles that retail for close to that magical $30k mark. Which offers the best value? Let us break it down for you.

Price and equipment

BYD Atto 2 — 7/10

The BYD Atto 2 comes in two grades, Dynamic ($31,990) and Premium ($35,990). Unlike the MG4 EV, both run the same 51kWh battery and have the same 410km range. The Dynamic misses out on some goodies the base MG gets, though, such as a wireless phone charger, front parking camera/sensors and a powered and heated driver’s seat.

MG4 EV Urban — 8/10

The Urban is offered in a single Essence trim with either a 43kWh ($29,990) or 54kWh ($32,990) battery, providing 316km and 405km of range – less than the Atto 2’s 410km. The Urban gets more standard kit than the base Atto 2, though, including a heated steering wheel and heated front seats.

WINNER: MG4 EV Urban

Cabin space and comfort

BYD Atto 2 — 8/10

The Atto 2 feels open and roomy – even in the rear only the largest frames will find space at a premium. The seats are well-shaped with plenty of padding and the upholstery feels thick and luxurious. There’s a 380-litre cargo space, including an underfloor void with handy storage compartments.

MG4 EV Urban — 8/10

On paper the MG gives up 20 litres of cargo volume to the BYD, but the Urban is a TARDIS and there’s little in it. Passengers front and back enjoy loads of room and the plush artificial leather upholstery covers seats that feel firm at first but prove comfortable for the long haul.

WINNER: Tie

Performance and economy

BYD Atto 2 — 7/10

The Atto 2’s electric motor produces 130kW and 290Nm, which is plenty for a compact SUV, although it spins its wheels under hard acceleration. Consumption is 15.5kWh (WLTP), but max DC charge rate is just 82kW, meaning a 44-minute 10-80 per cent charge even on a 100kW charger.

MG4 EV Urban — 6/10

Acceleration is perfectly adequate and it’s only when you really drop your foot that the motor’s moderate power figures become a factor. Claimed consumption is 16.1-16.5kWh/100km (WLTP), while a 150kW max DC charge rate cuts the 10-80 per cent charge time to just 32-34 minutes.

WINNER: BYD Atto 2

Safety features

BYD Atto 2 — 8/10

Unlike many of its stablemates the BYD Atto 2 hasn’t been ANCAP crash tested. It does have eight airbags, though, and a full suite of active driver systems which, vitally, do their job without sending the driver around the twist.

MG4 EV Urban — 7/10

The Urban earns a five-star ANCAP safety rating via six airbags and numerous ADAS features, although the lane keeping assistance is over-eager and the audible overspeed alert is a dead-set pest, detracting from the driving experience.

WINNER: BYD Atto 2

Ride and handling

BYD Atto 2 — 5/10

This is the one major chink in the Atto 2’s armour. A cushy suspension tune means it wobbles on its pins, yet it also transmits quite a bit of vibration through the chassis and into the cabin, especially coming off speed humps. Light and fast steering makes the Atto 2 manoeuvrable in carparks, but on the road handling becomes twitchy.

MG4 EV Urban — 7/10

While it can sometimes fidget over smaller imperfections, the Urban is stable in corners, soaks up large bumps with aplomb, and its steering is more direct and predictable than the Atto 2’s.

WINNER: MG4 EV Urban

VERDICT

BYD Atto 2

Total: 35/50

The Atto 2’s superior acceleration and better-equipped premium model can’t quite overcome its price penalty, weaker driving dynamics and slower charging times.

MG4 EV Urban

Total: 36/50

Sanity-sapping safety features sour an otherwise solid all-round EV package. The MG4 EV Urban just squeaks home on value for money.

OVERALL WINNER: MG4 EV Urban