MGS6 EV puts it up to Europe's carmakers
The car has a simple, elegant exterior with angular daytime running lights.
MG Ireland is making big inroads into the Irish car sales market with 2,826 units sold year-to-date, representing a 95% increase on last year, which itself was up by over 40% on the previous year. The Chinese brand is seen as providing competitively priced models, loaded with high-end specifications as standard.
The MGS6 that arrived here in March of this year has sold 340 units this year. It competes in the D-segment with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4, Renault Scenic E-Tech and the Nissan Ariya.
MGS6 is a medium-large, long-range electric car that is a blend of Crossover and SUV in styling, delivering long-range capability, premium comfort and advanced technology in a spacious family SUV package. The model is available as a 5-seater. Three variants are: EV Excite Long Range, Exclusive Long Range (my car) and Exclusive Dual Motor with All-Wheel-Drive.
The car has a simple, elegant exterior with angular daytime running lights, the electric roadster Cyberster-inspired split grille, integrated lighting, 20-inch alloy wheels with aero covers, and a low drag coefficient of 0.27Cd to help its aerodynamic efficiency. The headlights are inspired by those of the Cyberster. A polished silver MG badge is to the front. A full-length rear light bar with 3D lighting effect stretches across the tailgate. It’s a look that won’t date quickly.
The Satin Gold exterior on my review car suited the model well, though there are other options available. This is a high vehicle, which makes getting in and out easier, and also provides good driver visibility.
The spacious interior of my review car was of premium quality, decked out with suede-effect trim on almost every surface, including the gorgeous big front seats, which had power adjustments including lumbar support, and could be heated and ventilated. A panoramic glass roof with electric blind allowed light to flood into the cabin while nice ambient lighting provided a calming effect.
Screens are a free-standing 12.8-inch central touchscreen – divided into three sections – and a 10.25-inch digital driver display with three different themes. All screens have clear graphics designed to be intuitive. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. There are permanent widgets below for front seat heaters and for heating the steering wheel, and physical buttons for the volume and climate control. A 360° camera provides good images of everything surrounding the car.
Exclusive models get a Head Up Display, a first for MG, showing key vehicle and safety information and navigation guidance; an 11-speaker audio system; in-built apps like YouTube, Amazon Music, TikTok and Spotify.
The transmission selection is a rotary knob on the flat of the central console. Below is a big open area that can hold a bag or other essential items, tucked in out of sight.
Those in the rear enjoy good head and legroom and a flat floor. The middle seat back lowers with two cupholders. Both outer seats have two ISOFIX child seat anchors and rear doors open wide to accommodate fitting them in place.
A power tailgate revealed boot capacity of 674 litres with rear seats up (unusually measured up to the roof), that can expand to 1,910 litres with those seats folded. You have 124 litres available in the frunk, ideal for storing the charging cables to free up boot space.
All models use a 77kWh long-range battery. Customers can choose from Excite Long Range with a single motor and total output of 244hp and 350Nm torque and 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds, and a WLTP-rated range of 530km; or the Exclusive Long Range that offers the same range, power and RWD configuration but has a higher level of spec and added comfort and technology features. The range-topping Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive version with 361hp and 540Nm of torque has a range of 485kms and a 0-100km/h of 5.1 seconds. With DC fast charging, you can charge the battery from 10 to 80% in up to 38 minutes.
Seven airbags are fitted as standard and every model uses MG Pilot, a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assist Systems that includes a good reversing camera and blind spot monitoring, while the MG Pilot Custom allows you to personalise your preferred settings and recall them with each drive via the central touchscreen.
Five drive modes are Normal, Sport, Eco, Snow, or Custom; the five levels of regenerative braking include one-pedal driving.
The electric set-up means a quiet drive and instant torque. Energy consumption is around 17–18 kWh per 100km in general mixed/urban driving. The car features an integrated braking system developed in partnership with Continental, enabling the MGS6 EV to stop from 100km/h in 36 metres.
MGS6 was awarded a maximum five-star safety rating when tested by Euro NCAP.
The model comes with a seven-year or 150,000km warranty (whichever comes first).
Established in England in 1924, MG is now owned by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, China’s largest car manufacturer.
PRICE: entry-level version from €39,495; Exclusive from €42,495, Exclusive Dual Motor AWD from €46,495.
