MG S6EV - The Largest Electric MG has an Especially British Twist

MG's new EV is the latest and largest in the lineup so far, and John Marcar predicts that it might just be the brand's new best seller too.

MG has launched its latest, and now largest, fully electric SUV. It's called the S6EV. It's a C/D segment SUV (approximately the same size as a Range Rover Velar), it'll drive up to 329 miles on a single charge, will comfortably fit five adults inside, and, with prices starting from £37,995, it’s likely to be another big hit for the Anglo-Chinese brand.

Strictly speaking, there is a larger MG; however, it falls under the IM segment of the MG brand, and the S6EV is an MG through and through. If you'd like to know the difference between MG and IM, I've covered that here: https://driven.site/words/review-mg-im5-and-im6

Editions and Pricing

MG has launched the S6EV in three trim levels, available with either a rear-wheel-drive powertrain producing 244PS (240hp) or an all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 361PS (356hp).

SE is the entry-level trim, priced at £37,995, and has the rear-wheel-drive platform. SE buyers are rewarded with some pretty neat specs, including a reverse camera, built-in sat-nav, wireless smartphone connectivity, heated front seats and steering wheel, 19" wheels, and an 8-speaker audio system. The SE also has the MG Pilot system as standard, which includes an array of clever safety features such as adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, intelligent speed limit assist with traffic sign recognition, driver monitoring, collision warnings, blind-spot-detection, lane change assist, and a door opening warning system. An additional bonus is smartphone connectivity via a dedicated iSMART mobile app, which can lock and unlock, set climate control, and monitor remaining range.

Trophy is the middle-of-the-range model, priced at £40,995. Trophy is also on the RWD platform and carries everything over from the SE, plus some upgrades, including: ventilated front seats, 20" wheels, leather-style upholstery, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, an 11-speaker audio system, 6-way adjustable electric seating, an electric tailgate and a panoramic roof.

Trophy DM is the top-of-the-range model, with DM standing for Dual Motor, indicating the highest level of power. Trophy DM is priced from £43,995 and carries over the features of Trophy, but with extra oomph. The result is an additional 190Nm of torque and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 5.1 seconds.

Range and Charging Times

In SE and Trophy spec, the S6EV offers a WLTP combined range of 329 miles. The Trophy DMs additional weight and output of the dual-motor setup reduce the WLTP range to 301 miles.

Both the RWD and AWD models are equipped with a 77kWh battery and offer a maximum charge capability of 144kW, which will grant a 10-80% charge in 35-40minutes.

Size and Space

The S6EV is the most spacious MG model so far, thanks mainly to its exterior dimensions. It's 4.7 metres long, almost 2 metres wide, and just shy of 1.7 metres tall. Inside, the space is exceptional. Driver and front passenger space are ample for taller drivers, and with the front seat left in my driver position, as a long-legged 6'1" / 186cm driver, there is no compromise or loss of rear legroom with an equally sized adult behind. Storage is also impressive, with 30+ storage features in the car, including a 674-litre boot volume and an additional 124 litres under the bonnet (reduced to 102 litres on the dual-motor model).

Developed in the UK for the UK

Despite the Chinese ownership and factory, the S6EV has been developed by MG's UK team in Longbridge, which is a big deal for the new model. The chassis and driving dynamics all reflect that, with the model being tuned specifically for UK roads. This extra development was very apparent in the S6EV's drive, as the damping and handling were on par with some of the best I've felt in the segment, all of which have a significantly higher price tag.

Driving the S6EV

Beyond the surprisingly impressive handling and ride, the S6EV is both an easy and enjoyable car to drive. The driving position is versatile and comfortable, and luxuries such as heated and ventilated seats add a premium feel. Both the single- and dual-motor versions of the S6EV offer ample acceleration from a standing start and more than enough power for filtering onto faster roads.

For stopping power, MG continues its relationship with parts supplier Continental and utilises the latest version of Continental's integrated braking booster system, which is specifically designed for EVs. The result of the newest hardware upgrade is a very impressive stopping distance of 62-0mph in just 36 metres for the single-motor SE and Trophy, or 38 metres for the Trophy DM.

Given the price point, I was also impressed with the sound deadening inside the car. Both road rumble and wind noise are very low at motorway speeds.

A good mix of touchscreen and physical buttons will keep the fastidious button fans at bay, though even with pushable and clickable buttons, some responses can be a little clunky and slow. Adjustments to the climate control temperature, for example, can be made on the fly. Still, if you want to tweak more advanced AC settings, you'll need to tap through multiple touchscreens, which can feel counterintuitive.

Value for Money

MG predicts that the middle variant (Trophy) will be the best seller in the range, and at a price just short of £41k, it offers good value for money compared with similar-sized models. Of course, the challenge for MG now is the competition. The C/D segment SUV sector has never been busier, and with new models from new manufacturers hitting the market every quarter, consumers' decisions will come down to personal preference on design and driving feel.

To MG's credit, the S6EV has a slight advantage in overall feel over most of the competition. As a whole, the new model cleverly combines luxury and accessibility, and I predict that for many buyers, this will be their first MG as a result.

The S6EV is now the 8th EV from the brand, and the development is clear to see in how the model looks, drives, and feels, all of which is very positive.

words by John Marcar
photography by Henry Faulkner-Smith