MG’s biggest SUV offers seven seats and plug-in hybrid power from £34,210. I try the Premium, squeeze myself into the third row and discover where this sizeable family SUV makes the most sense
The MG S9 wears a massive grin across its face. Considering how much car it offers for the money, perhaps that’s understandable. Here’s a nearly five-metre-long, seven-seat plug-in hybrid starting at £34,210. That gets your attention before you’ve even opened its enormous tailgate.
My test car is the £37,995 Premium, with Camden Grey metallic paint taking it to £38,540. Both versions have seven seats as standard, so spending the extra £3,785 buys more equipment rather than more passenger capacity.
Big car, bigger boot
The styling has some interesting details, including geometric patterns in the grille, neatly shaped mirrors and silver trim along the sides. There’s also some decorative fakery around the rear vents and exhaust-style outlets. Cleaning those little recesses could become a weekend hobby.
Standard 20-inch wheels wear reasonably substantial tyre sidewalls, while the panoramic roof opens above the front passengers.
With all seven seats occupied, there’s still a useful 332-litre boot. Fold the third row and that becomes 1,026 litres; drop the second row too and you have 2,093 litres. These figures are measured floor to ceiling, so bear that in mind when comparing rivals. Nevertheless, there’s serious shopping, holiday and flat-pack furniture potential here.
The third-row seats fold individually, the second row splits 60:40, and there’s storage beneath the boot floor for charging cables. Premium adds hands-free opening to the powered tailgate.
Seven seats, with a squeeze
Getting my six-foot-one-and-a-bit frame into the third row required commitment. Getting out required considerably more.
With the second row positioned generously, my long legs had very little space. I could tolerate it briefly, but I’d soon be negotiating an early release. Smaller passengers should fare better, and sliding the second row forwards lets you share the available legroom.
There’s a USB connection and cupholders back there. ISOFIX points are in the second row; check the handbook for approved child-seat arrangements.
Move forwards and the accommodation improves dramatically. Behind my driving position, I had masses of knee, foot and headroom. Rear climate controls, vents and an armrest with cupholders help make this a pleasant place to travel.
MG S9 PHEV specifications
| Specification | UK specification |
|---|---|
| Model tested | MG S9 PHEV Premium |
| Seating | Seven, standard on both trims |
| Comfort price | £34,210 OTR |
| Premium price | £37,995 OTR |
| Price as tested | £38,540, including £545 Camden Grey metallic paint |
| Powertrain | 1.5-litre turbo petrol plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission / drive | Single-speed hybrid automatic / front-wheel drive |
| Combined power / torque | 299PS, approximately 295bhp / 390Nm |
| 0–62mph / top speed | 9.6 seconds / 124mph |
| Battery | 24.7kWh LFP |
| Electric range | Up to 62 miles, WLTP combined |
| Maximum AC charging | 11kW |
| Length × width × height | 4,983 × 1,967 × 1,778mm; width excludes mirrors |
| Boot: seven / five / two seats | 332 / 1,026 / 2,093 litres |
| Braked towing capacity | 2,000kg |
| Warranty | Seven years / 80,000 miles |
Boot capacities use the wet measurement method, floor to ceiling. Range varies with conditions. Prices checked 13 November 2026.
Buttons, screens and sensible shortcuts
Up front, two 12.3-inch displays provide the expected digital dashboard and infotainment. Thankfully, MG has also supplied proper physical controls for useful functions, including climate adjustments.
There’s a recognisable gear selector, plenty of storage and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The configurable steering-wheel shortcuts deserve particular praise. My car had immediate camera access on one button and regenerative braking adjustment on the other.
Being able to summon the 360-degree view while approaching a tight entrance is particularly helpful in something this substantial. The three regeneration levels also provide quite noticeable slowing when you lift off, although this doesn’t deliver one-pedal driving.
Premium adds leather-style upholstery, ventilated and massaging front seats, electric lumbar support, wireless phone charging, front fog lights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and additional mirror conveniences. You also get a 12-speaker Bose system. It sounds decent, although I expected a little more from the badge and speaker count.
The Comfort already includes heated electric front seats, the panoramic roof, both screens, tri-zone climate control and the camera system. I’d think carefully before spending the extra.
Built for the motorway
The driving position is high, almost van-like, and you’re immediately aware of the S9’s size. However, the visible bonnet edges and tall door mirrors help you place it more confidently than you might expect.
On the motorway, it feels thoroughly at home. The ride is smooth, the cabin comfortable and road noise well contained. There was a slight whistle from the right-hand side of my test car, but otherwise this is agreeable long-distance transport.
Rougher country roads expose more jitter, vibration and occasional cabin creaks than I anticipated. Sport mode adds steering weight, with little obvious benefit elsewhere. Pushing it along a tight, twisting road holds limited appeal.
Acceleration is adequate, with a little torque steer under full throttle. The petrol-electric transition is impressively unobtrusive, and the brake pedal feels natural despite the regeneration.
Plug it in, make it pay
The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and electric motor produce a combined 299PS, approximately 295bhp. A 24.7kWh battery provides an official electric range of up to 62 miles.
My drive wasn’t a controlled full-charge range or economy test, so I’m leaving those real-world figures unclaimed. Regular charging remains central to getting the best from a plug-in hybrid, ideally at home, with petrol providing flexibility for longer journeys.
The S9’s appeal is its space, equipment and usability at a sensible price. Motorways suit it beautifully, while the third row needs realistic expectations. For my money, the already well-equipped Comfort makes the strongest case.
A lot of car. A lot of flexibility. Plenty of reasons to take a closer look.
MG S9 PHEV: Comfort vs Premium equipment
Both trims have seven seats and share the same plug-in hybrid powertrain, performance and official electric range.
| Equipment | Comfort | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Seven seats with folding third row | Standard | Standard |
| Sliding, 60:40 split-folding second row | Standard | Standard |
| 20-inch alloy wheels | Standard | Standard |
| Opening panoramic glass roof | Standard | Standard |
| Upholstery | Cloth | Leather-style |
| Electrically adjustable front seats | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard |
| Ventilated and massaging front seats | — | Standard |
| Four-way electric driver’s lumbar support | — | Standard |
| Tri-zone climate control | Standard | Standard |
| Ambient interior lighting | Standard | Standard |
| 12.3-inch driver’s display | Standard | Standard |
| 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen | Standard | Standard |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Standard | Standard |
| Audio system | Eight speakers | 12-speaker Bose |
| Wireless phone charging | — | Standard |
| 360-degree HD camera with transparent chassis view | Standard | Standard |
| Front and rear parking sensors | Standard | Standard |
| Powered tailgate | Standard | Standard, with hands-free opening |
| Auto-dimming rear-view mirror | — | Standard |
| Door-mirror memory and reversing tilt-down | — | Standard |
| Front fog lights | — | Standard |
| MG Pilot driver-assistance systems | Standard | Standard |
| Vehicle-to-load capability | Standard | Standard |
— indicates equipment not included as standard.
The Comfort already covers most family essentials. Premium’s main attractions are its ventilated and massaging seats, upgraded upholstery, Bose audio and extra convenience features.
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