MG IM6 Review: A Seriously Impressive Electric SUV
A week with the MG IM6, reviewed by Matt Smith
The MG IM6 Performance is one of those cars that makes a lasting impression. With more than 740bhp, all-wheel drive and a 0–62mph time of just 3.5 seconds, it has the sort of performance figures you would normally associate with something far more exotic than a large electric SUV.
But what makes the IM6 so impressive is that it isn’t just about speed. It’s comfortable, easy to drive and packed with technology, making it a car that feels just as suited to everyday journeys as it does to a quick blast on an open road.
There are a few compromises, particularly around the touchscreen controls and real-world efficiency, but they don’t take away from what is a genuinely impressive package.
Having driven it, I can honestly say the MG IM6 is one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. Here’s why.
First Impressions
First impressions count, and the MG IM6 Performance certainly makes one.
This is a large electric SUV with serious performance credentials. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain produces up to 751bhp with boost and 800Nm of torque, giving it a 0–62mph time of just 3.5 seconds. The top speed is 155mph.
Those figures are impressive for any car, let alone one designed to carry passengers and luggage in comfort.
What struck me most, though, was how approachable the IM6 feels. It has the power to deliver astonishing acceleration, but it doesn’t feel like a car that demands constant effort from the driver. It’s comfortable, refined and easy to get along with.
That balance is what makes it stand out. Plenty of electric cars can deliver instant acceleration, but not all of them combine it with the comfort and usability that make you want to drive them every day.
The IM6 does, and that was clear from the start.
Design and Interior
The IM6 has a sleek, aerodynamic design that gives it a distinctive appearance. It doesn’t look like a conventional boxy SUV, with its sloping roofline and drooping rear end creating a more streamlined profile.
The styling will divide opinion, particularly at the back, but I like that MG has given the car its own identity. The shape also comes with a practical compromise: the sloping rear can limit the height of items you can load right at the back of the boot.
Inside, the IM6 feels modern and upmarket. The cabin is dominated by its large digital displays, while the overall design gives it a futuristic feel without losing sight of comfort.
For me, comfort is one of the car’s biggest strengths. It feels like somewhere you could happily spend hours behind the wheel, which matters when you’re considering a car for regular commuting or longer business journeys.
The Performance model’s adaptive air suspension also plays an important role. It helps smooth out harsher bumps and makes the car feel composed over imperfect road surfaces.
There’s a premium feel to the overall experience, and the IM6 manages to feel special without becoming uncomfortable or overly demanding.
It’s a very convincing interior, although I do have one reservation: the reliance on touchscreen controls. The technology looks impressive, but some everyday functions could be easier to operate. More on that shortly.
Infotainment and Technology
Technology is a major part of the IM6’s appeal.
The dashboard features a huge 26.3-inch panoramic display, alongside a separate 10.5-inch lower control screen. It gives the cabin a clean, modern appearance and makes the car feel suitably futuristic.
There’s also a premium 20-speaker sound system, which adds to the upmarket atmosphere. For anyone who spends a lot of time travelling, a good sound system is a welcome feature.
However, there’s a familiar issue with a cabin that relies so heavily on screens.
The lower display handles various climate and vehicle settings, meaning some basic adjustments require you to navigate a touchscreen rather than use a physical button or dial.
Honestly, I’d rather have physical controls for the functions I use most often. Adjusting the climate should be straightforward, and having to look down at a screen to find the right setting can be distracting.
It’s not a deal-breaker, and I appreciate the clean design that a screen-led dashboard provides. But technology should make driving easier, not add unnecessary steps to simple tasks.
The IM6 gets plenty right in this department. The displays look impressive, the sound system is a highlight and the cabin feels thoroughly modern. I’d just like MG to make the most frequently used controls more intuitive.
On the Road
This is where the MG IM6 Performance really comes into its own.
With up to 751bhp and 800Nm of torque, the acceleration is extraordinary. The 0–62mph sprint takes just 3.5 seconds, and the dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers power immediately when you press the accelerator.
Overtaking is effortless, and joining faster roads is an easy task. There’s so much performance available that the IM6 rarely feels short of power.
But what makes it such a good car isn’t just how fast it goes.
The ride comfort is excellent, with the adaptive air suspension helping to take the sting out of rough surfaces. It feels composed and comfortable, which makes a real difference on longer journeys.
The standard four-wheel steering is another strong point. Despite its size, the IM6 feels surprisingly nimble when manoeuvring, helping it feel less cumbersome in town and in tighter spaces than you might expect from a large SUV.
Of course, its weight hasn’t disappeared. Carry too much speed into a tight corner and you can feel the mass shifting beneath you. It’s incredibly quick in a straight line, but it isn’t a lightweight sports car, and the driving style needs to reflect that.
Even so, the overall experience is hugely impressive. The IM6 combines the instant response of a high-performance electric car with the comfort and ease of use you want from a family SUV.
It’s that combination that won me over. I expected it to be fast, given the figures, but I was more impressed by how comfortable and enjoyable it was to drive in everyday conditions.
Cargo Space and Practicality
For all its performance, the IM6 still needs to work as a practical SUV.
The boot offers 665 litres of space, increasing to 1,640 litres with the rear seats folded down. There’s also a 32-litre front boot, providing additional storage for smaller items.
That gives the IM6 plenty of flexibility for shopping, luggage and everyday family duties. The front storage area is a useful bonus, while folding the rear seats creates more room for larger loads.
The main thing to consider is the shape of the rear end. The sloping tail looks aerodynamic, but it can restrict the height of bulky items loaded towards the back of the boot.
If you regularly carry tall equipment or awkwardly shaped loads, it’s worth checking the space for yourself before committing.
Otherwise, the IM6 makes a convincing case as an everyday family car. It has the performance to entertain, but it hasn’t sacrificed all its practical credentials in pursuit of speed.
Fuel Economy and Running Costs
A 751bhp electric SUV was never going to be the most efficiency-focused choice in its class, and the IM6 Performance is no exception.
It uses a 100kWh battery, with 96.5kWh available to use, and has an official WLTP range of 313 miles.
That’s a useful headline figure, but real-world range will depend on driving style, speed, temperature and road conditions. Sustained motorway driving and colder weather can reduce the distance you get from a charge.
For planning purposes, around 230–250 miles on highway journeys is a more cautious expectation, although actual results will vary.
The Performance model’s power output and wider tyres also mean efficiency is likely to suffer compared with a less powerful, single-motor version. If maximum range and minimum energy consumption are your priorities, it’s worth comparing the alternatives in the range.
Charging is a major advantage, though.
The IM6 uses an 800V architecture and supports a claimed maximum DC charging rate of up to 396kW. Under suitable conditions, MG quotes a 10–80% charging time of around 17 minutes.
That’s seriously impressive. A compatible ultra-rapid charger could make a significant difference to longer journeys, helping to keep charging stops short. Actual times will depend on the charger, battery temperature and state of charge, so the maximum rate won’t be sustained throughout every session.
For fleet drivers covering longer distances, rapid charging can make an electric vehicle much easier to fit into a working day. For private drivers, it helps make longer trips less of a compromise.
As with any electric car, the cost of running the IM6 will depend on how you charge it. Home charging can be convenient and economical, while public charging prices vary between providers.
The Performance model won’t be the obvious choice for someone who wants the lowest possible energy consumption, but its charging capability helps offset that compromise.
Safety and Driver Assistance
With this much power on tap, predictable handling and driver support are important.
The IM6 combines all-wheel drive with four-wheel steering, helping it put its power down and remain manoeuvrable despite its size. Those features can be useful in everyday driving as well as when accelerating hard.
However, performance figures only tell part of the story when assessing a vehicle’s suitability for family or fleet use. Visibility, control layout and the way driver assistance systems behave in ordinary traffic are all important considerations.
For fleet buyers, it’s worth checking the precise specification of the vehicle being ordered, including which safety and assistance features are included as standard.
The touchscreen layout is relevant here, too. The technology may be impressive, but drivers should be able to operate essential functions without unnecessary distraction.
The IM6’s power makes it an exciting car, but it’s still a large, heavy SUV. Its performance should always be used responsibly, with appropriate speed and distance for the conditions.
The Niggles
There isn’t much I disliked about the IM6, which is why it has made such a strong impression. But no car is perfect.
My biggest complaint is the touchscreen-heavy cabin. The panoramic display looks fantastic, but I’d prefer physical controls for frequently used functions such as climate adjustments. Having to navigate menus for basic tasks can be distracting, and a simpler arrangement would improve the driving experience.
Efficiency is another consideration. The Performance model’s huge power output and wider tyres mean it’s unlikely to match the range or consumption of a less powerful electric SUV. Anyone regularly covering long motorway journeys, particularly in winter, should plan around realistic range expectations.
The weight is noticeable through tighter corners, too. Four-wheel steering helps the IM6 feel agile, but it can’t completely disguise the mass when you push on.
Finally, the rear styling won’t be to everyone’s taste. The sloping design gives the car a distinctive look, but it does reduce the height available for some loads at the back of the boot.
These are relatively minor complaints in the context of the whole car. None of them changed my overall view of the IM6, but they’re worth considering before buying one.
The Fleet Case
Here’s the fleet headline: the MG IM6 Performance offers a compelling combination of comfort, high performance and rapid charging.
For employees who spend a lot of time on the road, the comfortable ride and spacious cabin are major positives. The generous boot and additional front storage also give it the practicality expected of a large SUV.
The 800V charging system is particularly appealing for drivers covering longer distances. A claimed 10–80% charge in around 17 minutes, under suitable conditions, could help reduce downtime when using compatible ultra-rapid chargers.
The official 313-mile WLTP range is useful, but fleet managers should base their calculations on realistic driving patterns. Motorway mileage, seasonal temperatures and charging access will all affect the vehicle’s suitability for a particular role.
The quoted seven-year or 80,000-mile transferable manufacturer warranty is another point to consider, subject to the relevant terms and exclusions.
Ultimately, the IM6 Performance will make most sense for businesses that want a premium-feeling electric SUV and value comfort and performance alongside practicality. It won’t be the right choice for every fleet, especially where efficiency is the overriding priority, but it has plenty going for it.
The Competition
The electric SUV market is packed with options, with manufacturers competing on range, technology, practicality and performance.
The IM6 Performance stands out because it brings all those elements together with a particularly strong emphasis on power. Up to 751bhp, 800Nm of torque and a 3.5-second 0–62mph time give it serious performance credentials, while the adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering help make it comfortable and manageable.
Its rapid-charging capability is another advantage, although the benefits depend on access to compatible charging equipment and the conditions in which you charge.
There are trade-offs. Its performance-focused setup is unlikely to deliver the best efficiency in the class, and the screen-heavy interior won’t suit every driver. The styling is also more distinctive than some rivals.
But the IM6 doesn’t need to be the best at every individual measure to make an impression. It delivers a compelling overall package, particularly for drivers who want a comfortable electric SUV that can also be genuinely exciting to drive.
The Verdict
The MG IM6 Performance is a superb electric SUV, and one of the best cars I’ve ever driven.
The acceleration is astonishing, the ride is comfortable and the car feels surprisingly easy to live with given its size and power. The 800V charging system adds genuine appeal for longer journeys, while the spacious boot and modern cabin make it practical enough for everyday use.
The touchscreen controls could be better, and the Performance model’s real-world range won’t suit everyone. Its weight is also noticeable if you carry too much speed into tight corners.
But these are small compromises in a car that gets so much right.
What impressed me most was the way the IM6 combines comfort and speed. It doesn’t feel like a one-trick performance car, nor does it feel like a sensible electric SUV that has forgotten to be enjoyable. It manages to be both, and that’s a difficult balance to achieve.
For me, the MG IM6 Performance is a genuinely outstanding car. It’s comfortable, incredibly quick and a pleasure to drive.
Five out of five.
