Pros: massive cabin, great interior quality, nice to drive
Cons: ride occasionally unsettled, few buttons
MGS6 EV Design
The MGS6 EV, a large, five-seat SUV designed for families, is one of those cars that suffers for its art. What we mean by that is because it is an electric vehicle (EV), it has to have a smooth and slippery shape so it can cut through the air efficiently and make the most of its battery’s capacity. The pay-off is that it looks a bit anonymous. It’s not ugly, and it shares some details with other current MGs like the S5 EV, which ensures it has enough aesthetic identity to look like it comes from its parent manufacturer. But it’s not the most striking shape in the world, even sitting on the largest 20-inch alloys available.
MGS6 EV Interior
MG has made big strides in improving the interior quality of its cars and the S6 EV’s is its best yet. Search high and low, and you might find a few suspect plastics, but most of the fascias, switches and surfaces you can see, touch and indeed operate all feel of a suitably impressive quality. The tech is also decent too, with a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster forming the main interface, while other (trim-specific) highlights include a 50-watt wireless and cooled smartphone charging pad, an optional 11-speaker top-end sound system, and a head-up display for the driver.
The biggest boon of this car, though, is the space. It has a huge amount of distance between the front wheels and the rear, which translates into a cabin which can easily swallow five people in comfort. There are also loads of clever storage solutions cubbies and practicality flourishes dotted about the passenger compartment, while the boot is a whopper too – especially with the second row of seats folded away, where the cargo capacity of the MG becomes positively van-like.
MGS6 EV Performance & Drive
Two powertrains are offered in the MGS6 EV, both centred on the same 74.3kWh (usable) lithium-ion NMC battery. The single-motor cars have a rear-mounted motor delivering 244hp and 350Nm, which is enough for a 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds. The official range for either version (it is offered in two trims) is 530km.
There’s a dual-motor MGS6, as well, which adds a second drive unit on the front axle for all-wheel drive. This increases power to 362hp and torque to a healthy 540Nm, dropping the 0-100km/h time to a rapid 5.1 seconds in the process. However, it also drops the driving range: officially, the MGS6 AWD will only go up to 485km between charging cycles.
To drive, there’s much to like about the MGS6 EV. It’s remarkably quiet inside at all road speeds and, in the main, it offers a comfortable and cosseting ride. There are occasions, however, where its suspension is upset by larger lumps and bumps in the road, most notably in urban areas, and it’s in these instances where the MG lacks the sophistication and polish of some of its main rivals.
For handling, the MGS6 has weighty, involving steering and a fine level of body and wheel control, while the rear-driven version even feels exactly that.
MGS6 EV Pricing
We haven’t got prices and specifications for the Irish market at this stage, but we’re expecting the MGS6 EV to be competitively priced and to offer loads of standard equipment for a low amount of money as well – typical MG traits. The confusing thing is that the S6 is cited by its manufacturer as a rival to the likes of the Kia EV3 and Renault Scenic but is so physically large and grand-feeling that you might instead entertain it as a great-value alternative to the Skoda Enyaq. We therefore await its confirmed pricing in order to see exactly where the S6 fits into the wider scheme of things.
Carzone Verdict
The MGS6 EV could be a notable success story, provided the final prices and specs are right. Here you have a luxurious-feeling SUV with good electric range and largely genial manners that ought to strongly undercut zero-emission vehicles of a similar ilk if MG plays its cards right. We could do with a few more buttons in the cabin and a plusher ride in town, but otherwise there’s lots to like about the MGS6.