2023 MG 4 electric car awarded five-star safety rating in Europe

The 2023 MG 4 electric car from China has earned five stars for safety by Euro NCAP – the European counterpart to Australia and New Zealand's ANCAP – ahead of Australian showroom arrivals next year.

The result makes the MG 4 the third MG model to receive a five-star score under the latest safety test criteria – just weeks before the criteria (which has been in force since 2020) is phased out and replaced by even-stricter test rules from next year.

ANCAP is yet to confirm a local safety rating for the MG 4 in Australia. A spokesperson told Drive a local safety rating would be published closer to the vehicle going on sale in Australia.

The MG 4 received scores of 83 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 80 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 75 per cent for Vulnerable Road Users, and 78 per cent for Safety Assist.

Points were deducted for marginal protection of the driver's chest in the frontal offset crash test, no whiplash protection in the centre rear seat, and no centre airbag to prevent front occupants' heads clashing in side-impact crashes.

High marks were awarded to the autonomous emergency braking system, child-seat crash performance, and protection of occupants' bodies in the side-impact tests.

The 2023 MG 4 is due in Australia in the first half of next year.