The MGS6 EV is one of the most comfortable cheap electric SUVs I’ve driven

Introduction

MG is a brand well known for offering decent cars at the right price. I’m a big fan of the MG4 in particular. For anyone needing more space, higher levels of comfort and a similar quota of value, the MGS6 EV is an ideal larger proposition. It might not pack the same aesthetic appeal as rivals like the Skoda Enyaq or Citroen e-C5 Aircross – or indeed the pricier but more likeable Kia EV5 – but it is a practical estate-style SUV.

I’ve recently driven the Trophy Dual Motor version, which is a surprisingly potent all-wheel drive model edition of the car powered by a 77KW battery. On paper, it’s good for over 300 miles of range; though the reality is less, it’s brilliant for longer runs mainly due to the high levels of comfort found inside.

This car has a decent specification in its basic guise, but the Dual Motor model delivers more power and impressive levels of kit. Best of all though, the space and fairly posh interior will make it a surefire hit with families.

The styling

While there are more interesting cars in the MG product portfolio, I think the MGS6 EV looks good. Sure, it’s a little too sensible in some ways and a bit like the MG5 in the forgettability stakes, but it’s also far from being ugly. The front end continues the same dramatic combination of angles and curves including very sleek headlights as seen on the hugely popular MG4. Meanwhile, the rear end boasts a stylish side-to-side taillight bar and trim flourishes that make it look purposeful.

Down the sides, the profile is a straightforward and no-frills combination of simple styling and family-friendly access via chunky doors. The MGS6 EV sits quite high off the ground thanks to chunky alloys and proper rubber with UK-friendly sidewalls, but it feels more like an estate than a loftier SUV. I’m not sure I’d prefer it up against something like the similarly style Skoda Enyaq, which is also more interesting to look at, but the overall design gets the job done.

However, while the exterior of the MGS6 EV is borderline mundane, it’s the capacious interior that really lifts this car above the norm. I loved its cossetting front seats, which came with delicious upholstery and enough padding to offer proper comfort on longer runs. The overall feel was decidedly plush, with a clever use of trim colouring mixed with dependable levels of black plastic that combined to produce an effect that felt way more premium than much of the rest of the MG fleet.

Basic seat adjustment options also mean the storage in the MGS6 EV can be boosted from 674 litres right up to 1910 litres. The 102-litre frunk adds even more space appeal. It’s therefore ideally suited to anyone needing to move stuff on a regular basis.

The drive

One of the most unexpected things about the MGS6 EV was just how capable it felt. The Trophy Dual Motor version sports all-wheel drive, which means it was easily able to cope with whatever the UK roads threw at it. The MGS6 EV was also very zippy, despite its size and weight. While the official 5.1 second 0-62mph time seemed very rapid, driving this car isn’t like being in a rocket ship as it’s also quite bulky. Nevertheless, the beefy levels of torque still come in handy when needed.

I did find the 4.7-metre long MGS6 EV less capable when it came to manoeuvring, with a turning circle that caught me out when I had to take a detour to avoid some traffic chaos. Turning the car around in a tight country lane took some effort and more than a few glances at the view provided by the reversing camera. Despite the length though, the MGS6 EV feels manageable enough during everyday driving.

I’ve always found the MG4 to be super-efficient if it’s driven carefully and the MGS6 EV wasn’t bad either, but not quite as good. Realistically, I always had it in my head the car was good for around 200 miles, which meant it was suitable for airport runs of the same round-trip distance, but inevitably a top up stop was required. However, MG underlines that this car can charge at up to 144KW, making stops at motorway services speedy enough, though expensive, nonetheless. A heat pump comes as standard too, which is useful for us in the UK.

The technology

MG has done a cracking job with the kit in the MGS6 EV, with enough on offer to keep most typical buyers of the car very happy. I thought the 12.88in landscape-oriented touchscreen was pretty good, as was the 10.25in driver display, with a decent layout and a good level of responsiveness. I also liked the smartphone charger cutout in the central console, right next to the drive dial, which was a perfect place to access my wireless Apple CarPlay. That said, I thought the built-in sat-nav was okay too. Ample charging for other phones and tablets was also provided via ports front and rear.

Anyone wanting to tap into MG’s Pilot suite of driver aids will find that this is a handy option that offers easy access to controls or lets you switch them off if preferred. The steering wheel delivers the goods with its quick access keys and the voice control worked to reasonable effect most of the time.

I wasn’t expecting too much in the entertainment department but wasn’t disappointed by the audio system, which seemed to benefit from having the bulky interior and sumptuous seating to help provide added oomph in the bass department. There are 11 speakers in the Trophy Dual Motor car, compared to eight in the standard model. Oh, and electric front seats let me get properly comfortable and make the most of their fabulously opulent coverings.

MGS6 EV verdict

The MGS6 EV Trophy Dual Motor did everything I asked from it – even accommodating a knackered washing machine for a trip to the dump. The space levels are, in fact, the best thing about it with that interior being the other big bonus with this estate-style SUV format. I really couldn’t fault the finish and feel of the trim, even though I thought the seat coverings and door trims wouldn’t fare too well in the presence of kids’ grubby mitts.

I found the range to be dependable and good enough for most average driving scenarios. There was the benefit of speedy charging on tap when I needed it too. The MGS6 EV might not be one of the most memorable things to look at, especially when compared to the rivals I mentioned at the beginning, but it’s good value and, like all the other MG models, gets the job done without shouting about it. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

MGS6 EV technical specifications