MGS9 Plug-in Hybrid

Seven seats for a life at full capacity: that is how MG pitches the MGS9 Plug-in Hybrid, a seven-seat family SUV sold in Comfort and Premium trims. It starts at £34,210 on the road for the Comfort with standard paint. MG lists a panoramic roof, power tailgate, tri-zone climate control and two 12.3 inch screens as standard.

Powertrain and range

A 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine works with a 24.7 kWh battery. The electric-only range is 62 miles (about 100 km) on the WLTP combined cycle, which MG says covers the school run and the commute without using fuel. Combined output is 299 PS, and 0 to 62 mph takes 9.6 seconds. A charging speed and charge time are not recorded for the car.

Space and comfort

MG says the three rows seat seven adults, and the sliding second row balances legroom against luggage space. With the second and third rows folded the load area is 2,093 litres. A sensor-operated hands-free tailgate is standard on Premium. Premium also has twelve Bose speakers, while the configurator lists an eight-speaker system for the range. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, five USB ports across three rows and an eight-way electric driver's seat with memory are included. The panoramic roof and tri-zone climate control are standard. The car is not available in Northern Ireland.

Safety and warranty

The body uses a high-strength steel chassis, and there are seven airbags: front, side, curtain and central. The MG Pilot suite watches for sudden stops, lane drift and blind spots, and a Custom function sets how much assistance the driver wants. A 7-year, 80,000-mile warranty is standard, and it is stated for the car as a whole rather than the battery.

Key facts

• Battery: 24.7 kWh
• Electric-only range: 62 miles (WLTP combined, about 100 km)
• Output: 299 PS, 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds
• Seats: seven
• Boot: 2,093 litres with the rear rows folded
• Warranty: 7 years or 80,000 miles
• UK price from: £34,210 (Comfort, standard paint, on the road)