MG S6 review – a quiet and practical family EV

We don’t need to retread old Rover-era ground, but since becoming part of Chinese giant SAIC, MG’s comeback story has been remarkable. Almost 15 years on from the MG6 – the first new MG under new ownership for the UK – the new MG S6 EV feels like a marker in the sand; A statement said the manufacturer now wants to compete not just on price, but on space, refinement and cabin quality.

slotting between small MG S5 The SUV and luxury-leaning, Tesla-targeted IM model, the S6 is a family SUV that spans segments.

As it has a size advantage over its rivals Come EV3, peugeot e-3008, skoda allroc And Volkswagen ID.4But the price advantage compared to Kia EV5, peugeot e-5008, Skoda Enyaq And Volkswagen ID.5,

Its styling is deliberately clean and aerodynamic (read: safe and boring) so the real appeal lies inside. MG has built one of the most spacious cabins this side let’s go EV9Huge rear-seat legroom, with a really useful boot and ample frunk storage. The technological uplift is also evident with a better screen, while there are better materials and a far more premium feel than the old MG.

I spent most of my time in the Trophy Long Range model, which ranks among the best in terms of performance, equipment and, for the most part, price, leaving me thinking there’s a lot about this car that feels quietly (and surprisingly) sophisticated.

How we tested

I drove the MG S6 at its UK launch on country lanes and motorways and in towns and villages across the UK countryside. I examined technology, space, practicality and quality, as well as assessed value compared to rivals.

Independent Rating: 8/10

MG S6 EV Specifications

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

All versions of the MG S6 use MG’s 77kWh NMC battery, shared with the long-range version of its sporty little brother, the MG4. In the single-motor Trophy Long Range, that equates to up to 329 miles of range, although my mixed-route testing in cold weather (there was still frost on the car and snow on the roads) averaged around 3.1mi/kWh, translating to around 230 miles. This is fine for a large SUV, but the absence of a heat pump means efficiency suffers in winter. The official figure may be optimistic, but a gentle summer cruise should yield 280-300 miles without too much difficulty.

When you need to top up, charging rates reach 144kWh, allowing a 10-80% top-up in 38 minutes. That’s fine, but it’s slower than the latest Korean and German rivals, and you’ll still have to wait longer than going to Starbucks for coffee.

The performance of the 241bhp rear motor is more than enough for family use. The S6 offers a clean, linear pull without any fuss, with a 0-62 mph time of 7.3 seconds that feels perfectly suited for this type of car. The dual-motor version is plenty quicker – the extra 115bhp and four-wheel drive means it’ll hit 62mph in 5.1 seconds – but it adds little other than straight-line shove.

Stopping power is also good, with brake discs up to 345 mm in diameter, the car stops in just 36 meters from a speed of 62 mph. This is hot-hatch territory and impressive for something so big. The grippy tires help, although if you’re too firm on the throttle when exiting a damp intersection, even with all-wheel drive, there’s still enough power to keep the back end from slipping.

Save your money, give AWD a pass, and instead enjoy refinement, which is where the MG S6 shines – wind and tire noise are impressively reduced, and cruising on smooth roads is reasonably quiet. It’s not so slow on some of Britain’s rougher roads, where the suspension can take a while to settle, but it’s no worse than many similarly sized cars.

An MG engineer told us they did some testing in Germany, but most of the S6’s calibration for Europe was done in the UK, as that obviously represents the worst-case road conditions. If it rides so well here, it’ll be a dream everywhere else.

MG is also working on ADAS systems. They are usually a source of nothing but irritation, but each system works well now. Yes, the speed warning sounds at inopportune times, but the lane-keeping system is surprisingly forgiving. The edge is wide and the S6 will gradually change its path to follow a white line with laser precision before alerting you of your wandering after a few seconds. You can program which systems you want on or off and then activate that setting with three taps on the screen, which isn’t as easy as Renault’s excellent ‘My Safety Perso’ button, but better than wading through endless submenus on the touchscreen.

Interior, practicality and boot space

If the S6’s exterior remains a safe bet, the interior feels like a step change for MG. Material quality has improved significantly, the cabin design is consistent, and the overall sense of space is exceptional. Thanks to the 2.8 meter long wheelbase and flat floor, even adults over six feet tall have room to stretch out in the back.

Up front, the driving position is good, although taller drivers may wish for a little more under-thigh support. Storage is fantastic: MG claims over 30 different compartments, and I don’t doubt them because I certainly didn’t find all of them. Below the floating center console is a spacious cubby with USB sockets, while there’s a cool 50W wireless charger for smartphones. A deep armrest box also adds extra practicality.

The boot is officially 674 litres, although this figure is measured to the roof rather than the load cover, so the number looks huge compared to its rivals. It may not be bigger than something like the ID7 Tourer, it’s still a big, square space, and folding the rear seats opens up a massive 1,910 liters of capacity. The single-motor model also has a 124-litre frunk, which is really useful for charging cables or soft luggage.

Technology, Stereo and Infotainment

Tech has been a weak point for MG in the past, but the S6 is a clear improvement. The 12.8-inch central touchscreen is bright and crisp, with a cleaner operating system and quicker responses than previous MG models. All models get navigation, but the Trophy gets live traffic and weather, among other things. However, you’ll still want to rely on the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto options, as they make more sense than MG’s user interface.

Happily, there’s a row of physical shortcut buttons below the screen for climate, demisting and audio volume. In a world moving away from big screens and towards minimalist cabins, it’s a welcome touch of understatement.

Ahead of the driver is a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a little busy in layout but adequately legible once configured, while the Trophy trim adds a head-up display projecting speed and navigation instructions onto the windscreen.

The Trophy model also gets heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a 360-degree camera, and an 11-speaker audio system, which sounds really impressive for a car at this price, whether you’re listening to Taylor Swift or Tchaikovsky.

A few quirks remain, like the regenerative braking settings that are awkwardly split between a button on the steering wheel and the touchscreen, but overall, this is MG’s most cohesive offering yet.

Prices and operating costs

The MG S6 range starts at £37,995, which takes you into the SE Long Range model. It’s good enough, with heated seats, dual screens and a solid kit list, but lacks some of the nicer equipment of the Trophy model, which probably costs an extra £3,000. The dual motor version costs another £3,000, taking it to £43,995.

Thanks to the Government’s recent decision to raise the Expensive Car Supplement limit to £50,000, you’ll now save £425 on what you’d have to pay on Trophy models from year two.

Running costs should be competitive: real-world range is acceptable for a large SUV, servicing is cheap, and MG’s efficiency claims aren’t too far off from what’s achievable in hot conditions. Charging speeds lag behind the best, but home charging makes this a minor concern for most buyers. The only real drawback is the lack of a heat pump at any cost.

And MG has some confidence in its cars, giving them a warranty that covers the vehicle for seven years, although it is limited to only 80,000 miles. The drive battery is covered for up to eight years and 100,000 miles, with MG guaranteeing the pack to retain at least 70% capacity at that point, whichever comes first.

mg s6 rivals

questions to ask

How long does it take to charge?

On a 150kW rapid charger, the S6 takes about 38 minutes to reach 10-80%. It takes about 12 hours to fully charge a 7kW Home Wallbox.

How much does it cost – is it worth it?

For the space, quality and kit on offer, the starting price of £37,995 is good value. Unless four-wheel drive is essential, we wouldn’t bother with the top-spec model.

How is the battery and main warranty?

There’s a 7-year/80,000-mile warranty for the car, and a longer 8-year/100,000-mile cover for the battery. The warranty has some exclusions, although they are mainly for wear and tear items that will be replaced during routine maintenance.

Why trust us?

Our team of motoring experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are tailored with every type of driver in mind. We thoroughly test every car we recommend, so you can be sure our judgments are honest, fair and authentic.

Verdict: MG S6

The MG S6 blends spacious space, serene refinement and generous kit with MG’s trademark value. The ride needs finalizing, but the Trophy Long Range is the sensible place in the range.