Driven: 2016 MG Motors GS Review
Following a short test drive at the launch of the MG Motors GS, here is what we think about this new SUV.
What is the 2016 MG Motors GS all About?
For some time now the MG range has consisted of two cars, the MG3 and the MG6. MG are looking to make significant growth in their sales and SUVs are the current hot way to sell more cars.
The MG GS is a solid looking car from the very outset. You can see that the car uses the same design language as the MG3 and MG6 models. Currently in the UK there is only one petrol engine choice available in the car and either a manual or dual clutch automatic gearbox.
The GS will be sold with a full 5-year factory warranty as standard meaning that you can buy the car in great confidence. It will also come in 3 very simple trim levels: Explore, Excite and Exclusive.
Here we are testing an Exclusive trim car which includes leather sports seats, which are electrically adjustable, and an iGO navigation system. The car also includes the dual clutch gearbox bringing the total cost to £20,995.
The car I tested had a 1.5 litre petrol engine which creates 166 hp and 250 Nm of torque, this power goes to the front wheels through a 6-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. This means that the car is capable of doing 0 to 60 mph in 9.9 seconds and will reach a top speed of 118 mph. The other figures look great too with a combined economy rating of 46.3 mpg whilst only producing 139 g/km CO2.
How Does it Drive?
I tested the car on a range of routes around the countryside of the UK. The engine was strong on power and well matched with the automatic gearbox. Significant adjustments on the throttle force the gearbox to shift to the relevant gear you are after or, if you want a faster response, then the paddles on the steering wheel allow a quick shift, getting you in the right gear just when you need it.
The power from the engine really comes into play mid-way up the rev range and the engine certainly becomes more vocal closer to the 7000 rpm limiter. On the road this means overtaking is a breeze and on faster roads you will have fun as the engine does have a bit of poke for its size.
The steering feel of the car was well weighted making a large car feel nimble, and very easy to park too. This also means tight corners or turning lock-to-lock in the car takes little energy. This will make the car very easy to live with in our busy lives.
A strong advantage with the new MG GS is the ride quality; it rides like a good SUV should. You know the tyres and suspension underneath you are working super hard to iron out the lumps in the road and in the cabin you get a pleasant floaty feeling as you travel off towards the horizon.
What is it Like Inside?
The model we tested was kitted out with leather upholstery giving a premium feel, on the flip side the cabin was mostly made up of scratchy plastics. But as we know the car is very affordable so I guess we can put that aside. On a positive note, the interior layout is well thought through and designed.
The infotainment system has been well designed using a large touchscreen with Bluetooth phone integration, sat nav, DAB radio with twin tuners, making sure the signal doesn’t break on the move, and Android phone integration. Some maybe disappointed as unfortunately the system doesn’t yet have Apple CarPlay.
The passenger room in the front of the car is really good and I got all the space I expected from this large car. In the back, the car offers surprisingly spacious rear seat accommodation too. Then onto the boot we find yet another winner, with a very usable and spacious area.
The Experience
From my time with the MG GS SUV I would say it provides a pretty cool experience for the cash. I like the fact that being new it will still be a rare car on the road for a few years. The car is super practical all around, but the stand out thing for me is the drive of this car, it is twice as good as I was expecting and really shows that MG are taking steps in the right direction with their new cars.
Verdict
The MG GS offers huge practicalities and features at a super affordable price. The car offers good performance, decent economy and a very spacious interior that is perfect for a modern family. The MG GS, with its 5-year manufacturer warranty, is certainly something to consider.
Video Highlights
2016 MG Motors GS Exclusive (DCT)
- Price: £20,995
- Engine: 1.5 litre Turbocharged Petrol
- Power: 166 hp
- Torque: 250 Nm
- Transmission: 6-Speed DCT Automatic
- 0-62mph: 9.9 Seconds
- Top speed: 118 mph
- Weight: 1,467 kg
- Economy: 46 mpg
- CO2: 139 g/km
Author: Paul Hadley
