Australian MG4: 2025 software update improvements

In good news for Australian MG4 owners, I’ve had detailed discussions with MG Australia and they have told me about some updates they are working on. I’ve detailed what they told me below. This post will update during 2025.

I’m hoping to get early access to release candidates for these software updates on my MG4 77 so I can tell you if they improve the driving and ownership experience. MG Australia has not confirmed whether that is possible.

I have previously covered Australian MG4: 2023/2024 software update improvements. Make sure your car gets all of those at your next regularly scheduled update.

A reminder to Australian MG4 owners this car cannot receive major large over the air (OTA) updates via it’s SIM card. Big updates have to be done by an MG dealer manually and they often take quite a few hours.

Over the Air Updates, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto

During a long question & answer session with me MG Australia just revealed they’re working on 2 Surprising New Features.

Over the Air Update functionality may be enabled for smaller MG4 software updates and Wireless Android Auto/Apple Carplay capability might be enabled via an add on device.

View my video to find out the details…

Lane Keep Assist

The poor Lane Keep Assist (LKA) on country roads and roads with poor lane edge markings is seen as a weakness of the MG4. 

On 31st Jan 2025 MG in the United Kingdom released a bulletin to all dealers where they announced a FoC (Free of Charge) update – Lane Keep Assist Update MG4 (SC077 – Campaign). UK MG Dealers have been instructed to proactively contact MG4 customers to arrange booking dates ASAP for the update and to update all stock.

British MG4 owner benflugel has already had the SC077 update for their car and commented:

“LKA has really mellowed. Pot hole laden single track A road required some movement towards the white lines. This would have thrown me back to the centre quite aggressively previously. This time, I either get a beep only, or a beep with a very light nudge back to the centre. Not shocking or scary, just as you’d expect”.

“I’ve also noticed that the country roads I have to use to get to my main A roads are no longer recognised by LKA at all. It stays disabled and doesn’t recognise the lines. Which is much better.”

I asked MG Australia if they are working on releasing the same update (tuned for our roads) and their response was:

“Headquarters are refining the update for Australia. We’ll be in touch when more details are available and it is ready to be installed in Australian vehicles”.

“MG is regularly updating our software to improve the driving experience”.

“Customers should have received some improvements to the driving experience with recent updates such as better lane keeping warning and steering control, speed control by 5kmh to 1kmh”. 

“The ADAS functions are bound by legislation and ANCAP protocols to ensure correct functioning behaviour. The development team balances out drivability and adherence to safety protocols and do review both for future updates”.

New Voice Command

There is a new voice command to control a feature of the car which will be enabled in a future MG4 software update.

I have seen it being used but am not able to tell you what it is until the update is made public.

MG asked me to not share details until the update is available at MG dealers.

Built-in Sat Nav on Essence spec – visual and audible alert each time you drive through new suburb

Reader Jim Love sent me this question :

“I have recently bought an MG4. When I drive from one suburb to the next a visual and audible alert occurs in the built-in Sat Nav map screen, which I find distracting. The manuals, dealer and Australian agent are not helpful. Any advice?”

I forwarded Jim’s question to my contact at MG HQ and they replied:

“Thank you for the feedback this is on our change request list. The development team are investigating the scope of change to implement a function to toggle on or off.”

MG4 Essence 77

DIY Built-In Sat Nav Map Updates

I asked MG can the Built-in MG4 Sat Nav maps (Essence and X-Power spec) be updated by Australian customers DIY by downloading new Map versions from the MG Australia website and installing in the car via USB?

MG advised that:

“This feature is under investigation.”

Navigating to EV chargers nearby using Built-in Sat Nav

I asked is the EV charger info in the built-in MG4 Sat Nav maps updated regularly OTA using the MG4 built-in Vodafone eSIM or only when maps are updated when a customer does a dealer service every few years?

MG replied:

“No, the [built-in Sat Nav] maps are updated via USB for MG4 Essence, Long Range & XPower. No [built-in Sat Nav] maps are available on Excite trims”

New EV Charging Route Planner feature – Essence spec

Is there any documentation about how to use the EV Route Planner in the MG4 using built-in Sat Nav optimally? 

I made a “best efforts” guess video about how to use it on my MG4 and there is lots of viewer interest in getting documentation about how it works.

MG replied:

“Thank you for your guide. Since we haven’t officially released the EV Route Planner the official documentation hasn’t been released. We will release a guide when we release the new software widely”.

Improving CUSTOM mode

One thing that frustrates MG4 owners is that some settings have to be changed every time you get in the car.

I asked MG Australia if they could improve CUSTOM mode to “remember” more settings. Their response was vague so It’s not clear whether they are working on trying to do this or not.

“MG is always reviewing how we can make the driver’s experience better. At this stage we do not have confirmation on the status of this request”.

Watch my MG4 Tips & Advice Videos Playlist on YouTube


Comments

13 responses to “Australian MG4: 2025 software update improvements”

  1. Thanks for your work pushing MG Australia on this Neerav. I hope they’re going to give the Excite owners a little love too.

    In the UK both specs get regular updates, whereas the infotainment in the Excite has been stuck on R05 for at least a year and a half (My Sept 2023 delivered car came with it). I know we get the updates where modules are shared with the Essence and that gives some fixes, but not all.

  2. Neerav Bhatt

    Thanks Leon. It does take a lot of conversations to extract useful information from big car companies.

    Excite spec by its nature is going to get fewer updates over time because there are fewer features in it. Eg Excite doesn’t have voice commands, Excite doesn’t have built-in satnav

  3. Thanks for this update Neerav, and I echo Leon’s sentiments regarding your work pushing MG Australia to take some responsibility for these issues! Can I ask if your contact at MG Australia is aware of the USB port issue on startup, and if a fix for this is in the works? Currently, the head unit doesn’t activate the USB port correctly when the car starts, meaning an iPhone that’s connected for use with CarPlay isn’t recognised by the head unit if it’s connected before (or too quickly after) starting the car.

  4. Neerav Bhatt

    Thanks Greg. I’m expecting to receive a comment from MG any day about my question re Carplay/android auto. Will publish here once I get it

    In the meanwhile I suggest you copy and paste that question and choose “service enquiry” menu drop down https://mgmotor.com.au/form-contact_mg/

  5. Michael j hickey

    Just found this on Google news and enjoyed the read.
    Have owned an MG4 77 for over 12 months now and am happy with the experience.
    Just a question on the Android auto connection. I find the connection drops out occasionally, which is a bother when using google maps, you loose navigation.
    I have to stop and reset the system, any advice on overcoming this issue?

  6. David Batchelor

    As an New MG 77 owner I appreciate any information we can get. We live the car and recommend it..We can put up with acute lane assist tug steering corrections but what we hate is the biping every time it corrects . And you have to turn beep Off every single time you get back in the car.
    David and Jenny.

  7. Neerav Bhatt

    Hi Michael thank you. I had to try a few different USB cables before I got a stable android auto experience in my car

  8. Neerav Bhatt

    Hi David. Since I review lots of electric cars I can tell you that newer 2024/2025 models of other brands all beep and bong and play annoying alert sounds waaaaay more often than the MG4 does.

    So in comparison we are lucky our car doesn’t beep much

  9. How about the process to renewing the sim card subscription dealers have no explanation on this so ismart doesn’t work after 12mths…

  10. Neerav Bhatt

    I understand your worry mark but it’s OK. Several people have owned MG EVs in Australia for 2-3 years now and ismart continues working for their ZS EV and MG4 without MG asking for any more money

  11. Daniel Taylor

    If you hear anything from MG about the CarPlay LHD and RHD menu swapping randomly side to side can you let us know. My local dealer has no idea how to fix it. Thanks

  12. Neerav Bhatt

    That’s a strange bug . It still works though just on flipped sides?

  13. SAMUEL H YUSTIA

    I need basic update for Excite64 to remember one pedal driving when you restart the car and the stupid system does not allow you to use one pedal driving when you charge to 100% 😦

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