SAIC's MG4 is getting a significant update for 2026, and the timing couldn't be more deliberate. Unveiled on April 15 — nine days before the Beijing Auto Show opens — the new model arrives with an updated design, a liquid-solid-state battery variant, Horizon Robotics-based highway NOA, and an interior that moves noticeably upmarket from the model it replaces.
⚡ Liquid-Solid-State Battery Enters the Mix
The 2026 MG4 offers three battery configurations. A 42.8 kWh pack covers 437 km on the CLTC cycle; a 53.9 kWh unit extends that to 530 km. Both support 3C fast charging, getting from 30% to 80% in 18 minutes.
The third option is what makes this model interesting: a liquid-solid-state battery variant with a starting range of 510 km. Semi-solid-state cells are becoming commercially available in China faster than anywhere else, and SAIC is positioning the MG4 as one of the first mass-market vehicles to offer the technology as a standard configuration rather than a limited edition.
Highway NOA, Doubao AI, and Oppo Integration
The intelligent driving system uses Horizon Robotics' L2+ solution, enabling highway NOA with automatic overtaking, lane keeping, and indicator-based lane changes — without dependency on HD maps. That's a meaningful capability in markets where HD map coverage is uneven.
The cockpit runs Doubao 3.0 AI, ByteDance's large model application, with four-zone independent voice recognition. The system handles natural language commands for sunroof, climate control, and entertainment. Oppo smartphone-vehicle connectivity enables seamless app migration from phone to screen.
The instrumentation setup is a 8.8-inch digital cluster paired with a 15.6-inch 2.5K touchscreen.
Comfort Features Above Class
MG has pushed the interior further than the segment typically demands. Front seats offer 8-point massage, ventilation, and heating. The front passenger seat adds a 4-way electric leg rest. Rear seat cushion depth measures 571 mm — a figure MG cites specifically because it's competitive with vehicles costing significantly more.
The exterior update brings segmented front lip treatment, a blue driver-assist status indicator, and new 17-inch wheel designs. Floating roof, through-type rear lights, and a subtle spoiler carry over. New colors include Yacht Blue and Midnight Purple with music-synced ambient lighting.
Context
The current MG4 collected 26,000 orders within 15 days of launch and has maintained 10,000+ monthly sales in China. Its global version, sold in over 90 markets, has been one of the most successful Chinese EV exports anywhere — particularly in Europe, where it competes directly against the Volkswagen ID.3 and Renault Megane E-Tech.
The 2026 update is designed to widen that gap. Adding liquid-solid-state battery technology, upgrading the ADAS stack, and improving the interior all address the areas where the current model trails newer competitors. The Beijing Auto Show debut on April 24 will be the first public look at the production version.
Motor output is rated at 120 kW (161 hp) with 250 Nm of torque. DP-EPS dual-pinion electric power steering handles the front axle.
