by Gareth Butterfield 
This is MG’s new flagship SUV, the S6, and if you can look past the generic appearance, it’s makes a compelling case for itself.
Its price slips comfortably under the £40,000 mark, it’s surprisingly luxurious inside, it drives well, it has plenty of space, and it’s extremely quick in its dual motor form.
The S6 sits above MG’s smaller electric models and aims squarely at families who want a practical EV without stepping into premium-brand territory, and in many ways it succeeds. There are compromises, though.
Fast-charging speeds are perfectly usable for longer journeys, but they are no longer cutting edge, meaning some newer rivals will recharge quicker on a rapid charger.
The lack of a heat pump also means winter range may dip more noticeably than some competitors, so drivers in colder climates should expect real-world figures to fall below the official headline numbers.
As lovely as the interior looks, especially in a pale colour, there are some quality foibles. The physical climate control buttons are lovely to see, but they feel a little cheap in plastic. And the lid to the central storage area, which doubles as an armrest, had an annoying amount of “give” in it.
There are some annoying warnings that seem to go off unnecessarily, and the infotainment system is a tad sluggish. But that’s pretty much it for things to dislike.
Because on the road, the MGS6 feels more composed than you might expect from a value-focused badge. The rear-wheel-drive version in particular strikes a comfortable balance between stability and everyday usability, with smooth acceleration that makes for pretty effortless driving.
The dual-motor AWD variant adds genuine pace that feels closer to hot-hatch territory than traditional family SUV performance.
That said, it is not a driver’s car in the traditional sense. The steering is accurate but light, and the suspension leans toward comfort over excitement, which suits long commutes and family trips far better than spirited back-road blasts.
Standard equipment levels are generous, with heated seats, large digital displays, smartphone connectivity and a suite of driver assistance systems included without needing to climb through an expensive options list.
Space is another strong point. Rear passengers get plenty of legroom, and the boot is large enough to swallow pushchairs, dogs or holiday luggage. And then there’s the front boot. Not only is it great to see one in the first place, it’s massive in the MGS6, at 124 litres. It’s such a useful space for family life, and this one’s one of the best in the business.
While fast-charging remains a bit of a compromise, the range is decent. It’s 77kWh battery pack can offer up to 329 miles of WLTP combined range, depending on the model you choose, but you should expect a fair bit less than that, especially in the winter. I managed to notch up around 3.2mi/kWh, which isn’t brilliant. But I wasn’t trying too hard, to be fair.
Taken as a whole, the MGS6 delivers a strong all-round package for the money. It may not match the interior polish of a German rival or the charging speeds of some newer entrants, but it offers a convincing blend of space, technology and usability at a price that makes many competitors look expensive.
For families who want a straightforward, well-equipped electric SUV without stretching into luxury territory, it’s definitely worth a look.
