Vauxhall Astra vs MG MG4
Figures updated
The MG MG4 is a new rival to the Vauxhall Astra, one of the UK's most popular family hatchbacks. We compare the Astra L (2022–) and the Mk1 (2022–) MG4 on price, size, boot space, performance, safety, official economy and running costs.
The short answer
Pick the Vauxhall Astra for the lower price and the bigger boot, or the MG MG4 for more performance.
- The Vauxhall Astra is the cheapest to buy new: from £27,495, £2,500 less than the MG MG4.
- The Vauxhall Astra has the biggest boot: 422 litres, 34 more than the MG MG4.
- Euro NCAP safety: Vauxhall Astra 4 stars (2022), MG MG4 5 stars (2022). Ratings from different years aren't directly comparable, as the tests get tougher.
- No MOT reliability comparison yet: the MG MG4 is too new for MOT records (cars first take an MOT at three years old).
- Running costs are close: the electric, charged at home versions cost within £10 a year of each other to fuel at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the exhaust and emissions on a Vauxhall Astra: it fails on them 1.4 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Vauxhall AstraAstra L (2022–), 5-door hatchback | MG MG4Mk1 (2022–), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £27,495 to £33,995May 2026 price list (best) | £29,995 to £33,995October 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 422 litres / 1,339 (best) | 388 litres / 1,164 |
| Length | 4,374mm | 4,287mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,859mm | 1,836mm |
| Height | 1,441mm | 1,516mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 130–195 PS | 190–435 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 7.6–9.7 sec | 3.8–7.5 sec (best) |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2022) | ★★★★★ (2022) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Electric, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Electric |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 45.0–62.6 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 43–142 g/km | – |
| Electric range | 237–267 miles | 217–323 miles (best) |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,098 (53.3 mpg) | – |
| Electric, charged at home26.3p per kWh standard tariff | £548 (4 mi/kWh) | £548 (4 mi/kWh) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £548 (electric) | £548 (electric) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200 | £200 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 99Average | Too new for MOT data |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 33.8% | – |
| Failed at 3 years old | 12.4% | – |
| Failed at 5 years old | 17.9% | – |
| Failed at 10 years old | 32.8% | – |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (5.1% of tests) | – |
| Fails more than average on | Exhaust and emissions (1.4×) | – |
| MOT tests analysed | 624,660 | – |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family hatchback | Family hatchback |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,000 | – |
| On sale | 2022 on | 2022 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Vauxhall Astra or the MG MG4 more reliable?
It's too early to say from MOT records: the MG MG4 is too new, as cars take their first MOT at three years old. The Vauxhall Astra has a reliability score of 99 (100 is average) from 624,660 MOT tests in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Vauxhall Astra or the MG MG4?
The Vauxhall Astra is 87mm longer (4,374mm against 4,287mm). The Vauxhall Astra has the bigger boot: 422 litres against 388.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the Vauxhall Astra or the MG MG4?
The Vauxhall Astra: new prices start at £27,495, £2,500 less than the MG MG4 (from £29,995). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Vauxhall Astra or the MG MG4?
Comparing electric versions, fuel costs are within £10 a year of each other at 7,500 miles, using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Vauxhall Astra or the MG MG4?
Euro NCAP gave the Vauxhall Astra 4 stars (2022) and the MG MG4 5 stars (2022). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Vauxhall Astra or the MG MG4?
Pick the Vauxhall Astra for the lower price and the bigger boot, or the MG MG4 for more performance. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.