- MG launches first seven-seat SUV with plug-in power in the UK.
- S9 prices start at £34,205, undercutting many rival large SUVs.
- Electric range is 62 miles thanks to a sizeable 23.2 kWh battery.
MG has built itself a solid reputation as a go-to brand for affordable hybrids, but so far, they’ve been off limits to anyone needing three-row accommodation in Europe. That changes with the MGS9, the Chinese brand’s first seven-seat SUV on the continent, but one that sticks firmly to the brand’s value ethos, and makes rivals look wildly overpriced.
Starting at £34,205 in the UK, the big MG undercuts a surprising number of competitors in the larger SUV segment. The cheapest full hybrid-powered version of VW’s Tayron costs over £10k more, and Skoda’s most affordable Kodiaq PHEV is £8k pricier, but neither lets you mix plug-in power with a three-row layout as the MG does.
More: One in 10 New Cars Sold in Europe Last Month Was Chinese
The MGS9, which is already sold as the MG QS in Australia and Roewe RX-9 in China, is around 5 meters (197 inches) long, or 330 mm (13 inches) longer than the £32,245 five-seat HS PHEV. Even with all seven seats upright, the boot offers 332 litres (11.7 cu-ft) of space – more than you get in an Opel Corsa – and if you fold the third row away, that figure jumps to more than 1,000 liters (35.3 cu-ft).
Power comes from a familiar MG setup. The S9 borrows the plug-in hybrid system from the HS PHEV, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and a fairly chunky 23.2 usable kWh battery rather than the 2.0-liter powertrain fitted to the Aussie QS.
Almost 300 HP And Plenty Of Range
Power figures aren’t quoted, but the UK HS’s plug-in setup makes 295 hp (299 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm), and we’re not expecting those numbers to change for the bigger car. What will get bigger, probably by a few tenths, is the HS’s 6.8-second 0-62 mph (100 km/h) figure.
The fairly big battery allows the S9 to travel up to 62 miles (100 km) on electric power alone. No, that’s not quite as good as the 70+ miles (113 km) claimed by the smaller HS or VW’s Tayron PHEV, but for many drivers, that should easily cover the daily commute, meaning the petrol engine may spend a lot of time wondering why it bothered climbing inside the bay in the first place.
Twin Screens, Massage Seats
The cabin has twin digital screens hidden under a single glass panel and a welcome row of physical buttons for important functions. It’s also loaded with kit you don’t expect at this price point. Buyers get a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate, heated and ventilated massage seats, and up to 16 driver assistance systems that helped the S9 secure a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
Sales start later this year, and there should be plenty of them. We can’t help thinking MG’s bland designs are being outshone by Chinese rivals, but for buyers wanting a big family SUV without a big luxury brand price tag and who aren’t bothered about cutting-edge style, MG might have just delivered one of the most tempting bargains of the year.
Chris Chilton
Senior Editor
Chris is a seasoned automotive journalist with over two decades of experience. He has worked... Read full bio
