Family SUVs in Leicester: Why the MG S9 PHEV Stands Out

Ten Second Review

MG aims to redefine the value proposition for a family-sized seven-seat PHEV crossover SUV with this car, the S9 PHEV. It's the sensible family car that probably isn't on your shopping list, but probably should be.

Background

MG is currently in the business of plugging gaps in its product line-up. And does so again with this car, the S9 PHEV, a seven-seat SUV crossover. Whether your requirement is for an entry-level budget EV, a luxury executive saloon or even a high performance sports roadster, MG now meets your need. What it's never been able to offer in our market is a seven-seat family SUV. This S9 meets that requirement - and with the added bonus of a PHEV powertrain (which VW Group rivals can't offer with three seating rows in this class). An even bigger bonus is that MG here has decided to usefully super-size the kind of SUV you can expect at its relatively affordable price point. Which makes this S9 worth a second look, particularly if you liked the brand's HS PHEV model but need something a little bigger. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

The drivetrain here is basically the same set-up you'll find in the brand's slightly smaller HS PHEV, mating a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 24.7kWh battery energising an electric motor. Total output is 299PS (the same as the HS PHEV), with 390Nm of torque allowing for 0-62mph in a modest 9.6s. This 7-seat model's extra weight doesn't just affect acceleration - it also means that EV range is down - from 75 miles in the HS PHEV to 62 miles with the S9. Still, that's more than enough for most likely owners to be able to complete their suburban commute without using any fuel. That power output by the way is mid-level by 7-seat mid-sized Plug-in Hybrid SUV class standards; well above what you'd get from a comparably-priced Chery Tiggo 8 (which offers just 204PS); but some way below much pricier contenders like, say, the Chery Tigo 9 or the Jaecoo 8 (which have 428PS). Still, this MG is able to tow up to 2,000kg. Because this MG is a front driven-only model, you shouldn't expect to be able to engage in any serious off road shenanigans - the relatively restricted ground clearance doesn't allow for that anyway. And, given the extra weight of all that electrical hardware, you shouldn't expect ride and handling to be cutting-edge, though typical family buyers will probably be quite satisfied.

Design and Build

MG says it wanted to ensure that the S9 offered 'true seating for seven, not just a 5+2 set-up'. Which is why this car measures in at 4.98-metres. To give you some class perspective, that's over 200mm longer than a Skoda Kodiaq (which like its cousin, the Volkswagen Tayron, isn't a direct competitor to this MG because it can't be had in PHEV format with seven seats). You won't be buying or leasing an S9 on the basis of the way it looks, but the exterior lines are smart and clean, with the rear featuring the class-obligatory full-width light bar. Take a seat up-front and you face a dashboard lifted from the brand's slightly smaller HS SUV. Which means a single dash-top panel housing a 12.3-inch drivers display and a 12.3-inch central screen. MG has made some welcome changes to its fascia design since it launched the HS, dispensing with a lot of that car's cheap-looking shiny black plastic trim; and adding a row of physical short-cut buttons below the centre screen for important functions like climate controls and infotainment touchscreen features. All variants get luxury touches like tri-zone climate control and a panoramic glass roof. Middle row room is more generous than you might expect for a car of this class. But you really start to see the benefits of that generous body length when you take a seat in the third row. This S9's 2.92-metre wheelbase length is about 120mm lengthier than that Skoda Kodiaq model we mentioned. Which means that in the very back, the space you get by class standards is less like, say, a comparably-priced Chery Tiggo 8; and more like, say, a much more expensive Chery Tiggo 9 or Jaecoo 8. Or perhaps PHEV versions of even costlier class contenders like PHEV versions of the Kia Sorrento or Hyundai Santa Fe. As for luggage room, well even with all three seating rows in place, there's 322-litres of space available. Most of the time, you'll have the third row seating folded, in which case 517-litres of space is freed up. With the second row folded as well, up to 1,026-litres of space is available.

Market and Model

From launch, pricing for this upper-mid-sized family SUV PHEV model started at £34,205 for the base 'Comfort'-spec version, rising to £36,945 for the plusher 'Premium' model. That starting price is only just above the cost of a smaller PHEV mid-sized 7-seat crossover class competitor, the Chery Tiggo 8. And substantially below more similarly-sized upper-mid-sized 7-seat Plug-in Hybrid SUVs like the Jaecoo 8 and the Chery Tiggo 9 (though admittedly, those two rivals offer significantly more power and EV driving range than the S9). There's plenty of kit. Even base spec gives you a panoramic glass roof, tri-zone climate control a five USB ports. Plus full-LED headlights, satellite navigation, a rear parking camera with sensors, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and a leather steering wheel. 'Premium' spec gets you a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a powered tailgate and a ventilated massaging driver's seat. Both models in the line-up benefit from the MG Pilot package, with Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Door Open Warning as standard. DCT models also include Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you this car's 63 mile EV range figure in our 'Driving' section. Other cars in this segment can take you a lot further than that on battery power (the Jaecoo 8 up to 83 miles and the Chery Tiggo 9 up to 91 miles) but they will cost you much more to buy or lease. It depends what you really need. CO2 emissions are rated at up to 18g/km, so your BiK tax rating will be low. Not so good is the fact that this S9 doesn't support DC charging and the battery can only be charged at up to 7kW. A 7.4kW home wallbox would need about four hours 30 minutes for a full charge. What about other running cost issues? Well, like all versions of this MG, this one comes with an impressive seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty as standard - which is better than most rival brands can offer. You might be aware that rivals offer longer packages, but MG still reckons its deal is preferable because it's backed by full factory support throughout, whereas direct manufacturer support for rival warranties declines the longer they go on. In many cases they don't go on too long. Many competitors still limit you to a three year back-up package; a few offer five years. MG does better: this is the brand putting its money where its mouth is. The warranty is fully transferrable to future owners. Additionally, there's a six year factory warranty against rust, while a year's breakdown cover is also part of the deal. The MG dealer network is growing all the time - the brand currently has 160 outlets in the UK. At those outlets, a full digital service record of checks and maintenance provides the customer with complete transparency and full access to the service history of their vehicle.

Summary

The MG S9 PHEV isn't quite the cheapest mid-sized family Plug-in Hybrid SUV you can get, but it's probably the cheapest one that's big enough for you to properly use for family duties. For comparable interior and boot space in a PHEV crossover of this sort, you'll have to pay a lot more. Which you may not want to do because this S9 undeniably offers a lot of metal for the money. You might be slightly disappointed by the DC charging speed. And you shouldn't expect much in terms of entertaining drive dynamics. But otherwise this is a really hard model to ignore if you want a family seven-seat Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Do you really need to spend more for a family SUV of this kind? We'd suggest not.

Source: Car & Driving