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JackRabbit MG Cargo Bike Review (2026): Compact and Powerful
I am not an obvious target customer for a cargo ebike, as I neither have kids to tote nor a large space for bike parking. But the new JackRabbit MG Cargo is so tiny, it doesn't conjure the dully utilitarian, heedlessly bulky nature that's common to other cargo ebike models. In fact, when I tested the wee, plucky ebike, I found its fat tires and tiny wheelbase make it feel more like a speedy urban dirt bike than anything else.
But despite being a relative lightweight (55 pounds) and petite enough to fit in the back seat of my old Montero, the MG sports a 750-watt motor that can haul nine times the bike's weight uphill. I even threw a grill onto a bike trailer to test this claim, which held up.
Note that like all JackRabbits WIRED testers have reviewed, the MG is less an ebike than a scooter that looks and acts like an ebike: Instead of pedals, you get pedal-like footrests, plus a throttle. This means when the battery runs out, the bike stops moving. Also, the listed 48-mile range drops considerably when you ride at top speed or haul a large load. Nonetheless, the MG may have converted me to the pannier class.
After testing this MG for a couple of months, I no longer use my car when I need groceries, even when I'm taking a longer trek to the Grocery Outlet for discount steaks or salmon. The same is true when I want to haul a slushie machine across Portland’s steep mid-city ridge to a friend's house for cheeky weekday margaritas. By not acting like a cargo bike, the MG has convinced me to haul cargo on a bike.
“How exactly is this a cargo bike?” my editor asked when I showed her a photo of the MG Cargo after it arrived. She wasn't asking out of wonderment. As mentioned, the MG flat-out looks less like a bike you'd use to haul stuff and more like a dirt bike.
JackRabbit is known for making lightweight, zippy, fun little scooter hybrids that physically resemble BMX trick bikes. I loved the easy mobility and high-speed capability of JackRabbit's equally powerful XG Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) when I tested that model last year. I'd worried that the MG Cargo—18 pounds heavier and nearly a foot longer than the XG—would compromise too much on these virtues. I needn't have worried. As I quickly learned, the pleasantly peppy MG rides like an off-road bike when you're not hauling a big load.
Its three throttle speeds max out at about 20 mph, 15 mph, and 7 mph, respectively. The lowest speed is manageable for a sidewalk, while the fastest hits top speed within about 50 feet on flat ground, unless you've got some weight behind (or on) you. The MG advertises a range of 48 miles, though I'll assume this requires being a lighter rider who is gentle on the throttle. As a 200-pound man with an admittedly heavy throttle thumb, I only made it to about 25 miles, even with minimal cargo. Because the bike's battery indicator shows up as at least half-full for the vast majority of this range, you'll need to test and learn your personal range when doing so is not mission-critical.
Note that because JackRabbits don't have working pedals, the bikes exist in an interesting technical gray area in some states in terms of their classification. Specifically, one could debate whether they're really a Class 2 ebike that can ride on bike lanes and trails. Given the MG's maximum speed of 20 mph—aside from an honor-system 24-mph jailbreak speed you can unlock for off-road riding—it mostly looks and quacks like a Class 2 ebike. In my experience, it's also treated as such.
The MG also offers nice customization options for accessorizing. It's easy to add a couple of rear pannier bags to the rear mounting rack or side racks ($75) on each side, offering enough capacity for most small grocery trips or beach excursions without adding much bulk. You could also opt for a rear basket.
While I can't quite stow the MG as easily as other JackRabbit models, it's still small enough that I can slide it into my back seat—as long as I uncork the front handlebars and turn