MGS9 Review: Is This £34k Plug-in Hybrid the Ultimate Bargain Family SUV?
Watch the review — click here (opens YouTube in a new tab)
A week with the MGS9, reviewed by John Barnes.
First Impressions
Something a little different this month. MG has finally entered the large seven-seat SUV market, and it has done so with a car that immediately makes you question why anyone would spend considerably more on an established badge.
The MGS9 is MG’s first seven-seat SUV, and it arrives with a fairly straightforward proposition: give families plenty of space, a useful electric-only range, a generous equipment list and a price that undercuts most of the competition.
It’s a big car, measuring almost five metres long, and there’s no pretending otherwise. It has a substantial road presence, a fairly conventional SUV shape and the sort of proportions that suggest it means business. But the headline isn’t the styling. It’s what MG has managed to package underneath it.
This is a plug-in hybrid with a 24.7kWh battery, an official electric-only range of up to 62 miles and seven seats as standard. In other words, it can handle the school run and daily commute using electric power, while retaining a petrol engine for longer journeys.
Prices start at around £34,210 for Comfort and rise to approximately £37,995 for the Premium model. That puts it in a particularly interesting position against cars such as the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Peugeot 5008.
And here’s the thing: you don’t need to spend £50,000 to get into one.
For families looking for a genuinely practical seven-seater without taking out a second mortgage, the MGS9 makes a very compelling first impression.
Design and Interior
The MGS9 isn’t going to win every beauty contest, but it looks modern enough and has the sort of substantial proportions buyers expect from a large family SUV.
It’s a fairly clean design, with a prominent front end, contemporary lighting and a shape that prioritises interior space rather than trying too hard to look sporty.
The interior is where MG has made some particularly encouraging progress.
The dashboard features two 12.3-inch displays, one for the driver and another for infotainment, while the overall layout is modern and reasonably straightforward. There’s a panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting and tri-zone climate control, all contributing to a cabin that feels considerably more expensive than the entry price might suggest.
The Premium model is particularly attractive. It adds leather-style upholstery, ventilated and massaging front seats, four-way electric lumbar adjustment for the driver and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
These are features that would often be expensive options on more established premium brands.
Front-seat comfort and driving position are good, and there’s plenty of room for both driver and passenger. Storage is plentiful, too, with useful cubbies, door bins and charging points throughout the cabin.
The real party trick, however, is the seating.
Seven seats are standard, and this isn’t simply a five-seat SUV with two emergency chairs squeezed into the boot. The second row slides to help balance passenger space and luggage capacity, while the third row offers genuine additional flexibility.
With all seven seats in use, boot capacity is 332 litres. Fold the third row away and that increases to 1,026 litres. Fold both rear rows and there’s a huge 2,093 litres available.
That’s serious practicality.
There is, of course, a compromise. Seven people and their holiday luggage will still require some careful packing, and families needing more than two ISOFIX positions should note that the third row doesn’t have ISOFIX points.
Overall, though, the MGS9 makes an excellent case for itself as a family vehicle.
Infotainment and Physical Controls
MG has gone for a twin-screen arrangement, with two 12.3-inch displays providing the main driver information and infotainment functions.
The graphics are modern, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. There’s also a decent selection of physical shortcut controls, which is welcome when so many manufacturers seem determined to put absolutely everything inside a touchscreen.
However, this isn’t quite a class-leading infotainment experience.
The system can be sluggish to respond, and some functions require more menu navigation than they really should. Adjusting certain vehicle settings, driver assistance functions and comfort features can take longer than necessary.
The physical controls help, but there’s still room for improvement in the software.
The Premium model’s Bose audio system is a worthwhile upgrade, and the overall equipment list is impressive for the money.
It’s a good system, but a little more attention to software speed and usability would make it considerably better.
On the Road
The MGS9 uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor and a relatively large 24.7kWh battery.
Combined output is 299PS and 390Nm of torque, with power delivered through a single-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels.
The official 0–62mph time is 9.6 seconds.
Those numbers tell you what the MGS9 is about. This isn’t intended to be a sporting SUV, nor is it particularly interested in pretending to be one. Its job is to carry people comfortably, quietly and efficiently.
In everyday driving, the electric motor provides smooth initial acceleration, and the hybrid system does a reasonable job of managing the transition between electric and petrol power.
When the battery has charge, the MGS9 can feel much more like an electric car than a conventional petrol SUV. The petrol engine provides reassurance for longer journeys, and the combined system has sufficient performance for normal family driving.
Refinement is generally good, particularly at motorway speeds. Wind and road noise are reasonably well contained, and the petrol engine is not overly intrusive when it joins in.
The suspension is a more mixed picture.
On ordinary roads, the MGS9 is comfortable enough, but sharper bumps, potholes and broken surfaces can expose some of its limitations. The ride isn’t quite as polished as the more expensive Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe.
The steering is light and the car feels predictable, but nobody is going to buy an MGS9 because they’re looking for an entertaining drive down a favourite B-road.
There are also some niggles with brake feel, particularly when the regenerative braking system is doing its work. The transition between regenerative and conventional braking could be more consistent.
But let’s put that into context. This is a large, seven-seat family SUV, and judged on its intended purpose, it does a good job.
Battery, Range and Charging
This is one of the MGS9’s strongest selling points.
The 24.7kWh battery provides an official WLTP electric-only range of up to 62 miles. That’s a particularly useful figure for a plug-in hybrid and puts the MG ahead of several established alternatives.
For someone commuting 20–30 miles each way, the potential to complete most daily journeys without using petrol is a significant attraction.
Naturally, real-world range will depend on temperature, driving style, passengers, road conditions and whether you’re using the heating or air conditioning.
The important point is that the battery is large enough to make regular charging worthwhile.
There is one limitation: charging is restricted to a maximum of 7kW AC, and the MGS9 doesn’t offer DC rapid charging.
A full charge takes approximately four hours using a suitable home wallbox.
For most owners, this isn’t necessarily a problem. Plug it in overnight and start the following morning with a full battery. But those expecting the convenience of rapid charging on longer journeys should understand that this isn’t an electric car with a petrol backup.
The 65-litre petrol tank means longer journeys are straightforward, and there’s no need to plan stops around charging infrastructure.
It’s a sensible combination of electric commuting and petrol-powered touring.
The Niggles
For a car that offers so much for the money, there are inevitably a few areas where MG has had to make compromises.
The infotainment system could be quicker and more intuitive. There are too many functions buried within menus, and the software doesn’t always respond as quickly as it should.
The ride quality is another area that could be improved. It’s perfectly acceptable for everyday use, but sharper road imperfections can unsettle the cabin.
The brake pedal also lacks some consistency, particularly when switching between regenerative and conventional braking.
Charging is limited to 7kW AC, meaning there’s no rapid-charging option for those who want to top up away from home.
And while the seven-seat arrangement is a major selling point, the absence of ISOFIX points in the third row will disappoint some larger families.
Finally, MG still has some work to do in establishing the long-term reliability reputation of its newer models. The seven-year warranty provides reassurance, but long-term ownership data will take time to build.
None of these issues is a deal-breaker, but they’re worth acknowledging.
Safety and Warranty
The MGS9 comes with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, which is an important consideration for a vehicle likely to spend much of its life carrying families.
MG’s Pilot safety package includes a comprehensive collection of driver assistance technologies, including autonomous emergency braking, lane assistance, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
There are also up to 16 advanced driver assistance systems, with MG’s Custom function allowing drivers to save their preferred assistance settings.
The 360-degree parking camera is particularly useful in a vehicle of this size.
Warranty provision is another strong point.
MG provides a seven-year / 80,000-mile manufacturer warranty, whichever comes first.
That is a meaningful ownership benefit, particularly when compared with manufacturers offering shorter standard warranty periods.
For family buyers planning to keep their vehicles for several years, that additional reassurance is welcome.
The Fleet and Salary Sacrifice Case
The MGS9 is particularly interesting from a fleet perspective.
Its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 62-mile official electric range make it a potentially attractive option for company-car drivers who need seven seats but aren’t ready to move entirely to an electric vehicle.
The official CO2 figure is 18g/km, and the electric range gives it a significant advantage over conventional petrol and diesel alternatives when it comes to company-car taxation.
For the 2026/27 tax year, the applicable plug-in hybrid Benefit-in-Kind band should be checked against the final HMRC electric-range and CO2 classification for the individual vehicle.
The other important consideration is purchase price.
With the Comfort starting at approximately £34,210 and the Premium around £37,995, the MGS9 remains below the £40,000 Expensive Car Supplement threshold.
That is particularly useful for whole-life cost calculations and helps keep ownership costs competitive.
For salary sacrifice, the combination of a relatively affordable list price, electric-only commuting potential and seven-year warranty makes the MGS9 worth investigating.
Of course, actual savings will depend on the employee’s tax band, salary, mileage, charging arrangements and the scheme provider’s quotation.
For fleet operators needing a practical seven-seat vehicle without moving into expensive premium territory, the MGS9 deserves serious consideration.
The Competition
The MGS9 enters a competitive market, but its pricing gives it an immediate advantage.
The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are arguably more polished vehicles, with stronger overall refinement and established reputations. However, they also command considerably more money in comparable specifications.
The Peugeot 5008 offers an attractive interior and flexible seating arrangement, although its plug-in hybrid proposition and pricing need to be considered carefully against the MG.
The Chery Tiggo 8 is perhaps one of the more direct rivals, offering a similar value-focused approach and plug-in hybrid technology.
The MGS9’s biggest advantage is that it combines a genuinely useful seven-seat layout, a substantial plug-in hybrid battery and an impressive equipment list at a price that is difficult to ignore.
It might not be the most sophisticated vehicle in this class, but it doesn’t need to be.
For buyers who prioritise space, equipment and value over badge prestige, the MG makes an extremely convincing argument.
The Verdict
The MG MGS9 is one of those cars that makes you stop and reconsider what you actually need from a family SUV.
It isn’t perfect. The infotainment system could be quicker, the ride could be more sophisticated and the braking system needs a little refinement. It also misses out on DC rapid charging, which would have made the plug-in hybrid package even more versatile.
But look at what MG has delivered.
Seven seats, a 24.7kWh battery, up to 62 miles of electric-only range, a generous equipment list, a panoramic roof, dual 12.3-inch displays and a seven-year warranty.
The Premium model adds ventilated and massaging seats and a Bose sound system, making it particularly well equipped for a vehicle costing less than £40,000.
Most importantly, it feels like a genuine family SUV rather than a compromise designed to meet a price point.
The MGS9 won’t trouble the best premium SUVs for driving refinement, but that’s not really the point. It offers a huge amount of space, useful electric capability and equipment that would cost considerably more elsewhere.
For families who need seven seats and want to keep their purchase and running costs under control, it’s an extremely persuasive proposition.
Four and a half stars from me.
The MGS9 loses half a star for its infotainment frustrations, inconsistent braking feel and ride quality over poor surfaces. But those shortcomings need to be weighed against just how much car MG has delivered for the money.
It’s practical, well equipped, impressively versatile and genuinely affordable.
MG has entered the seven-seat SUV market with a very serious contender. And the established manufacturers should be paying attention.
A lot of car for the money. A very sensible family choice. And a thoroughly deserved 4.5 out of 5.
