9 LIVES (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Do you really need more from a family car than MG's S9 PHEV can offer? Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 36

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.

Backgroundword count: 159

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, creating in this S9 its biggest-ever mainstream model. All of which makes this car 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.

Driving Experienceword count: 474

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 brand's HS PHEV), with 390Nm of torque allowing for 0-62mph in a modest 9.6s en route to 124mph. This 7-seat model's 2,160kg kerb weight is a substantial 385kg heavier than the five-seat HS and that extra bulk 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, aided by a provided 'Towing Mode', this MG is able to tow up to 2,000kg and the glassy cabin makes it easy to manoeuvre in town, where there's an 11.5-metre turning circle. There's plenty of punch from the electric motor when you're running on the battery. On the open road, when the battery gets depleted and the engine kicks in, it's not an especially nice sound, but nor is it particularly noisy. Ride quality isn't particularly settled over poorer surfaces but aside from a bit of wind noise, highway cruising refinement is acceptable. There are three main drive modes - ECO, Normal and Sport, plus a Custom setting if you want to set your own parameters. MG also proves three brake regen settings, Low (1), Medium (2) and High (3), though even the fiercest of these doesn't approach the 'One-pedal'-style of off-throttle retardation you get on many EVs these days. As for behaviour at speed around the twistier stuff, well given the extra weight of all that electrical hardware, it's no surprise that handling is hardly cutting-edge - and there's not much feedback through the wheel. But traction through the turns is OK and body roll shouldn't make your occupants feel too queasy unless you're running really late on the school run. What typical family buyers might object to are all the bings and bongs of the MG Pilot safety systems, so it's fortunate that a provided 'MG Pilot Custom' setting allows you to configure the ones you actually want activated at any given time. 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. But Hill Descent Control is provided for steep slippery winter driveways.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227