Chinese-made vehicles are fast improving and there's no denying it. Their designs are becoming finer, their technology is becoming better, and the MG 6 is no exception. While this new fastback sedan may not be the roadster that some would have wished for, it does go some way towards living up to the sporting heritage of the brand.
Exterior
Glance at the MG 6 and it comes across as a beautifully elegant and fine-looking car with balanced proportions. Yet look closer, and you can see a "masala mixture" kind of approach to the design. It's got bits of a Mazda and Mercedes-Benz and from some angles one may also see some ingredients from a Jaguar.
Odd as it may in my opinion, the sooner they go for an updated fascia showcasing MG's individuality on upcoming vehicles, the better it will be. Nonetheless, you cannot deny at how well the exterior design comes together.
The MG 6 does look aggressive as if it's ready to pounce, and thanks to its LED day time running-lights that MG calls "London Eye" headlamps and the "stardust" grille that gives the 6 an elegant yet sporty touch.
Interior
First impressions are everything, and in this case, they are good. I first notice the fit and finish of the seats. Aesthetically the interior is pleasing, the precise stitching gets my attention; I notice the mature form when being sat on, supports my back very well (things get better still).
The door closes with a precisely machined ‘thunk’, the door pads are put together with high-quality double stitching, and what I notice next are the carbon-fibre inserts and the metallic highlights, both perfectly fitted. Even the leather on the dash is put together in such a classy manner. Over all, the cabin is an extremely nice place to be in.
There’s even acres and acres of legroom in the back, and headroom is great too and despite the sloping roofline the rear offers reasonable space for adult occupants and continues the front’s black and red look. Passengers get their own air vents and a USB charger in the back of the centre console.
Engine
The MG 6 is based on the platform of another SAIC model, the Roewe i6. The version we drove was powered by a 1.5 petrol turbo engine making 169 bhp and 250 Nm of torque and it's mated to a 7 speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels. The engine feels fairly powerful and responsive, with enough gears to keep the revs low at speed.
The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine power comes in as early as 1,700rpm, so it feels effortless to drive on a light throttle. The automatic gearbox isn’t the smoothest unit around, so occasionally there’s a lurch, and when you use a bit more throttle, it hesitates. Still the 6 can be placed precisely in a corner, the ride is reasonably flat, and truth be told, it steers and drives as well as many contemporary cars.
Drive
Having spent a couple of weeks in the car, I try and extract more driving pleasure from it from time to time by going a bit faster, and that’s when things begin to slowly unravel.
The 6 doesn’t really enjoy being hurried; the engine starts getting unrefined at medium and high engine speeds, power delivery isn’t linear, and I find that if I carry a bit of speed, even body control gets sloppy. The seven speed dual-clutch gearbox works fairly well at low speeds with quick, smooth changes, but it hesitates as you start to push on. The steering is overly light, but road holding is reasonable – making the MG feel quite playful.
Verdict
Based on looks alone, the MG 6’s classy styling makes this car a winner. The plush interior and the array of features further make that case. The handling, meanwhile, is more than suitable for daily driving.
Standard equipment is absolutely great, you got Apple Car Play and enough features to make the rivals' price point absurd. It’s easy to mistake this for a premium-brand offering. In fact, more than once, friends asked if it was a luxury car. And then, just to completely confuse them, you have to see the look on their faces when they hear the price. I wouldn't believe the price either because starting at Php 1,068,888.00 for the Alpha and Php 1,188,888.00 for the Trophy, the MG6 is a sure contender in my book.
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