The Magnificent MG4 XPower is a hatchback with incredible performance that can match much more expensive sports cars. Therefore, It can be labelled a hot hatch that harks back to the '80s with Golf GTis, Peugeot 205s and Ford Fiesta XR2s. The MG4 Xpower is an EV electric vehicle under the radar of drivers who want Tesla performance at much lower prices. Jeremy Webb shows it can be done and had a fantastic time finding out. 

The MG4 XPower is the most potent vehicle the marque has produced, and wow, you can tell when you put your foot down. I had the pleasure of having the car and driving it around Surrey and West Sussex, crossing between the counties on the B roads that connect them. They prove to be an excellent environment for the phenomenal MG4 XPower, which has a dual motor powertrain delivering 435PS and up to 600Nm of torque. 

The power puts the MG4 XPower alongside the most potent high-performance hatchbacks on the market. So rightly, it can claim the Hot Hatchback tag and stats back this with an impressive 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and 0-30mph in just 1.7 seconds; it is visceral and certainly gives you a dopamine injection. You can spin the wheels and get that boy racer buzz, but you do have to engage your brain when flooring it because things come upon you rapidly. Control the power in the twisties, and you can have so much fun. The rapidness makes overtaking a breeze, and for a family car that can take five people and luggage, you can pull away from Porsches and Ferraris in the 30 to 70 mph range. 

You can pay the low price of £36,495 for the range-topping MG4 XPOWER, which meets the criteria for owning a car with Tesla's performance at a fraction of the cost. If you want to go electric and keep sports car performance but don't want the outlay, then the MG has to be looked at, and once you drive it, you will want it. 

The interior has red stitching, Alcantara seat trim, and race-style metal pedals, giving that premium feel. 

The MG4 XPower looks purposeful, too, with eye-catching orange brake callipers, 18-inch wheels, and some head-turning colours, including a gorgeous matte Racing Green, extremely MG. 

MG has boosted the MG4's performance by using the existing 64kWh battery but adds a motor to the front axle for a combined 429bhp and 600Nm of torque. The XPower has an electronic differential, dampers and anti-roll bars, uprated springs, recalibrated steering, bigger brakes, and a set of Bridgestone Turanza tyres. You get a firmer ride in the XPower as MG has stiffened the front and rear suspension, but this means more road noise and juddering over bumps and potholes. 

The MG4 XPower is agile and nippy through the corners and exciting to drive on country roads if you wish to push it along. The large, wide wheels and decent tyres combined with the extra motor on the front axle allow you to tackle turns at speed confidently. 

You can drive the MG4 XPower using one pedal, which means you only use the accelerator. Speed reduction comes from lifting off the accelerator, and the regeneration system kicks in, allowing you to progress at your own pace without switching between pedals. 

The added power has a downside with loss of range, but you want it for its hot hatch performance, so 239 miles on a charge doesn't worry the buyer. I reckon you will get 3.5 miles per kWh when you drive it fast. When you need to charge it, it can rapidly charge, so 10-80% should be an easy 35 minutes at the correct fast charger. Charging at home overnight on off-peak should only cost a small amount. 

The boot is small for a hatchback; the comparable Cupra's boot has more space, but again, you won't buy the MG4 XPower as a load carrier. You have space under the moveable floor to store the charging cables, leaving the batch clear for your clobber. The rear passengers can be comfortable when two occupy the seats, but three adults are cosy. 

I loved driving the MG4 XPower and would happily own one, as it makes me smile when pushing that accelerator down. It meets the criteria of a hot hatch and probably a second family car rather than a family vehicle. You can utilise it to commute, do the school run and go shopping, but it is at home on the B roads, blasting by Billingshurst and powering around Pulborough. 

7-year/80,000-mile fully-transferable warranty as standard

• Priced from £36,495 OTR.