MG S9 (2026) Review

Introduction

When it comes to plug-in hybrid seven-seaters, your options are more numerous than they were a few years back. You’ve got established models like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, as well as recent arrivals from China, including the Jaecoo 8 and Chery Tiggo 8 and 9.

Now we have another newbie in the shape of the MG S9 which is a generously-equipped PHEV that goes big on space, comes packed with tech and, with a starting price of £34,210, is easy on the pocket too.

Customers can choose from two specifications called Comfort and Premium, with both models powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that combines with a 24.7kWh battery.

The MG S9 is the company’s first ever seven seater and MG has done a good job of developing a car that’s great for ferrying a child’s five-a-side footie team around, while still offering all the comfort for day-to-day driving.

It’s not the fastest SUV around, but that wasn’t MG’s aim. It does however offer impressive versatility and could be ideal for someone on a tighter budget looking to reduce costs and maybe cut back to just one practical family car.

We tested the top-of-the-range Premium model which costs from £36,950, but introduces a number of additional features compared to the entry-level Comfort grade (which costs from £34,210).

What are the Pros and Cons of the MG S9?

Pros:

• Competitively priced
• Practical with space for seven occupants
• Impressive EV-only range and good efficiency
• Generous levels of equipment
• Easy to drive despite its size

Cons:

• Not particularly engaging to drive
• Road and wind noise impact on refinement
• Infotainment software is a tad sluggish
• Some hard surfaces throughout the cabin

What are the first impressions of the MG S9?

At first glance, the five-door MG S9 is easy on the eye. Some people movers with a capacity for seven occupants look quite boxy with little styling finesse.

But that’s not the case with the big MG thanks to its sculpted bonnet, which houses the MG emblem, a sweeping headlight clusters, a huge black grille, rear privacy glass, flush door handles, blacked-out pillars, tail lamps connected by a light bar, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Rather strangely, our model had ‘Ultimate’ written on the side, which isn’t the name of either trim, but that seemed to be a mystery to anyone we asked.

What are the MG S9’s key features?

Both the Comfort and Premium MG S9 models are generously equipped, so expect to find a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with access to the sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and lots more besides. This screen merges with a second 12.3-inch driver information display where all the important driving figures are clearly shown.

The headlights offer automatic high and low beam for added convenience at night, and there front and rear parking sensors, along with a 360-degree parking camera to assist when squeezing the vehicle, which is just shy of five metres, into a tight space.

The Comfort model has cloth upholstery, a powered tailgate, heated front seats and an eight-speaker audio, but upgrade to Premium and you gain leather-like upholstery, a powered tailgate with a kick function, front seats with ventilating and massaging settings, plus a 12-speaker BOSE sound system.

This variant also gains wireless charging, an auto-dimming frameless rear-view mirror, front fog lights and door mirrors with an added tilt down memory function. Both models are equipped with the same comprehensive list of safety features along with driver assistance aids to help protect occupants and road users alike.

Is the MG S9 a plug-in hybrid?

Yes, the MG S9 is a PHEV. A 24.7kWh battery works in conjunction with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and they work to deliver a combined 62 miles of EV-only range.

That’s more than enough for the average daily commute and if the majority of the time behind the wheel is city-based with lots of stop-start driving, then the EV range increases to 104 miles, thanks to the regenerative braking.

How does the MG S9 drive and handle?

Powering the front-wheel drive MG S9 is a 299PS 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 390Nm of torque. The 0-62mph dash can be ticked off in 9.6 seconds and the SUV has a top speed of 124mph.

While it’s not the fastest out the starting gates, MG is quick to point out that the S9 is geared more towards comfort than pace. And it does that rather well, with a fairly soft suspension set-up soaking up small potholes or road undulations nicely.

The cabin is well insulated against outside noise, although you will notice a little road and wind sound at higher speeds.

And, in fairness, the S9 is no slouch either with responsive acceleration through the single speed automatic transmission. There is ample power on tap to join a fast-moving dual carriageway from a slower slip lane or to overtake, but the firepower just takes a little time to wind up. There are no paddles, so no chance of taking control of the gear changing manually, which is something we always enjoy playing with, but the timing of the automatic set-up is nice and smooth. There are, however, drive modes that alter the driving characteristics quite marginally and these are called Eco, Normal, Sport and Custom.

The elevated seating position offers good all-round visibility and the fairly light steering is appreciated in busy traffic with lots of twists and turns. That said; we would have liked a little more steering feel and feedback on twistier roads.

I wouldn’t say it provides the most balanced or composed ride with some noticeable body lean into tighter corners and some rivals are definitely more composed on the open road, but it’s a capable all-rounder.

How fast can the MG S9 PHEV charge?

Charging the MG S9’s 24.7kWh battery is a simple enough process.

If using a 7kW home wallbox it takes four hours from zero to 100 per cent. Alternatively - and recommended only for emergencies - owners can use a 2.2kW domestic socket, where the same charge takes 12 hours, 30 minutes.

What are the day-to-day running costs with the MG S9?

The entry-level MG S9 Comfort costs £34,210 with the Premium version priced at £36,950. The day-to-day running costs are quite appealing with a WLTP-tested combined fuel economy figure of 42.2mpg (353 miles if the car’s EV range is used to max and if the battery is charged regularly).

A low 18g/km carbon emissions figure and the respectable EV range of 62 miles result in an attractive Benefit-in-Kind rate of 10 per cent for any business drivers in the market for a seven-seater.

The first-year road tax bill will be £115, but this will increase to the standard £200 fee after 12 months. But there are no extra Expensive Car Supplement costs to worry about as the MG S9 falls well below the government’s £50k threshold.

And for added peace of mind, the S9 is backed by MG’s seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty package.

What’s the interior of the MG S9 like?

The interior of the MG S9 is upmarket enough to have you questioning the car’s low asking price. Yes, there are few hard surfaces if you go searching, but you do get leather-like upholstery and artificial wood-effect trims throughout the cabin. Encouragingly, they appear fairly resistant to scratches and marks, which isn’t always the case in this class of vehicle.

The supportive seats are powered, can be heated or ventilated and there is also a heated steering wheel for added comfort during those colder months.

Standard across both trims is the smart infotainment set-up, consisting of dual 12.3-inch infotainment screens merged seamlessly together behind a single panel. The right screen is where all the important driving data is clearly shown, while the left screen offers access to all the on-board tech.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include sat nav, wireless smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker BOSE sound system (on top-spec Premium models), a 360-degree camera with transparent chassis view, Bluetooth and lots more. There are separate quick keys to access the climate settings which is handy if the windscreen is misting up.

We did find the sat nav was a little slow to load once or twice, but generally the tech works well enough with a nice mix of physical and touchscreen controls.

How practical is the MG S9?

Practicality is an area where the MG S9 scores highly. The clever design team have created a versatile seven-seater that doesn’t look too bulky and still offers plenty of cabin space.

The vehicle is 4,983mm in length, 2,237mm wide (including mirrors), 1,778mm tall (including roof rails), and has a 2,915mm wheelbase. A couple of six footers will find ample room up front to stretch out and there is a generous amount of leg, head and elbow space for two more tall adults in the second row, even with the panoramic roof. A third will fit, but the middle seat is slightly raised and considerably narrower. The second row of seats also slide back and forth for added convenience.

However, the really surprising factor is how easy it is to access the pair of rear seats and how much room they offer. Two more adults will be comfy enough on shorter journeys, although the leg space is a little cramped. But it’s certainly an easy enough process gaining access to these seats – simply push a button and the second-row seat behind the driver folds and slides forward in one action.

The boot has a powered tailgate with a kick function which is handy if approaching laden down with shopping and, with all seven seats in use, it can accommodate 332 litres of kit, increasing to 1,026 with five seats upright. But drop the split-folding second row and that capacity increases to 2,093 litres of space. There is also a compact area beneath the boot floor to keep charging cables secure.

Additionally, there are numerous compartments scattered throughout the cabin, including a glovebox, door bins, a huge central cubby, seat back pockets, cup holders, trays and a wireless charging pad. And with a car full of teenagers, let them squabble over the five USB-C ports to keep devices connected on the move.

Another attractive aspect is the vehicle’s impressive two-tonne braked towing capability, which is ideal for family breaks in a caravan.

How safe is the MG S9?

The MG S9 was awarded a maximum five-star safety rating when tested by Euro NCAP last year, scoring 84 per cent for adult occupants, 85 per cent for child occupants, 74 per cent for vulnerable road users and 77 per cent for safety assist.

Both the Comfort and Premium models have identical safety features, which includes adaptive cruise control with intelligent speed limit assist, active emergency braking with pedestrian and cycle detection, lane keep assist, lane change assist, blind spot detection, traffic jam assist, rear cross traffic alert, a driver monitoring system, hill start and descent assist, front and rear collision warning, Isofix anchors to the outer seats in the second row and a full suite of airbags.

Can I choose optional extras with the MG S9?

MG equips its S9 very well as standard so there is little need to go searching for optional extras.

Owners can upgrade the paintwork with Black Pearl, Sterling Silver and Camden Grey metallic paint costing £545, while Gloucester Green tri-coat paint adds £695 to the cost.

What are the main rivals to the MG S9?

Key rivals vying for sales in the plug-in hybrid seven-seat sector include the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq, Jaecoo 8, plus the Chery Tiggo 8 and 9 models.

With the attractive entry price, the MG S9 will certainly be one to watch in the segment though.

What’s the final verdict on the MG S9?

We’re all feeling the pinch these days and for many motorists, that means priorities have changed, with value-for-money deemed just as important as style, performance… and the badge on the front.

Prices for new SUVs have tumbled and the influx of well-equipped Chinese models, complete with tempting price-tags, is partly responsible for that shift. While you’ll find the sporty electric Cyberster in MG’s current line-up, the manufacturer mainly specialises in affordable vehicles built with everyday usability in mind.

And with the MG S9, you get all of that versatility while still enjoying an SUV that looks pleasingly upmarket and which is fitted with all the creature comforts you’d ever need. Factor in the MG S9’s competitive pricing and attractive EV-only range and this plug-in hybrid is definitely a vehicle worth putting on your leasing wishlist.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the MG S9. 

**Correct as of 09/06/2026. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £3,905.28 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.

Every lease deal is a fixed monthly cost for the whole of your contract, apart from changes to government costs, e.g. VAT changes or road fund license cost changes and in certain specific cases where the funder changes the price. Electric range quoted is WLTP.

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