I have to say that I like the way it looks. Its silhouette is sharp and modern with some unique styling to set it apart from competitors. Creases run from nose to tail and the thin grill it wears on the nose masters the power of the understatement. An overall raked profile gives the GS a dynamic appearance. The rear of our test car, finished with a gloss black element, looked very smart indeed. Contrasting black alloy wheels, roof rails, and kick plates complete a car that sticks very close to its well received concept.

Enter the spacious interior and you will find interesting cascading surfaces, glossy inserts, and concave characteristics. A honeycomb grid of buttons sits below an all-new touchscreen infotainment system of which is a huge improvement over its predecessor. It is considerably more ergonomic to use and also features DAB radio in our test car. However, there are plenty of scratchy plastics around and this somewhat diminishes the perceived quality. The rear bench seats three with good levels of head and leg room for all. A 335 litre boot can expand to 1,336 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Power is sourced from a familiar 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 164 BHP and 250Nm of torque. These are healthy figures, and once the initial lag from the turbo is overcome, the 2017 MG GS can make good progress. However, this example was fitted with the 7 speed automatic transmission and that is certainly an option box we recommend you leave unchecked! Left to its own devices at low speeds it delivers shifts that are acceptable in terms of smoothness, but sluggish and ill-timed in regards to delivery. Often it changed several gears mid-corner, or noisily dropped ratios in a desperate bid to overcome the turbo lag. Put your foot down and the delay from the engine is amplified by the gearbox that also takes its time in understanding what you want from it. Manually selecting gears from the wheel mounted paddles proved fine, but doing that all of the time in order to ease the frustration rather undermines the point of paying extra for an automatic. I Personally feel that with a manual gearbox the driving experience would be vastly better, but I can’t say for sure until we put some miles on one. I will say that around town the rest of the drive is more refined with engine and road noise being well suppressed. Good steering weight and a resistance to body roll proves that the chassis can deliver, if only it wasn’t hampered buy other drivetrain components. The ride is a tad on the firm side, but that is the trade that has been made for respectable handling. MG claim that this model can return 45.5 MPG combined.

I must also report that the car experienced a number of faults during its evaluation, placing a question mark over build quality. A rear parking sensor went off continuously as if the car was too close to an object, even if parked in an open space. Whilst this error did go away after a few days, it shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Also whilst streaming music via Bluetooth there would be a slight hiss and crackle from the speakers. The icing on the cake was when the 2017 MG GS satellite navigation left me stranded in Devon thanks to a complete inability to navigate me home. I ended up on a farm after continuously retracing the same road it had made me go down not 10 minutes before.

I really wanted the 2017 MG GS to be the car that brought the brand back into the fight. Whilst the initial signs were good, I can’t help but feel disappointed with this SUV. Sure, it offers practicality and good levels of standard equipment, but its other issues makes it difficult to recommend. Especially at the £20,995 this example demands. The range starts from £14,995.

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Of course, the reality is that the Chinese-owned brand has moved on. If you want proof, look no further than the new MG GS – a front-wheel drive SUV that aims to tap into the highly lucrative crossover market forged by the likes of the Nissan Qashqai. During the launch presentation the phrase ‘affordable family car’ was used so many times that we began to wonder if they were attempting some form of primitive brainwashing.

Starting at £14,995 we certainly can’t argue on affordability. That’s £3,550 cheaper than the Qashqai. It’s undoubtedly family-sized too. In fact the MG GS is deceptively large, with ample space for five people and stacks of room in the boot for all the affordable family’s affordable paraphernalia.

Inside, it’s a mixed bag. The entry-level Explore model is a symphony of plastic, with the sort of red-lit LED display you’d normally associate with a 1980s wristwatch. To be fair, it still comes with air conditioning and cruise control, plus it’s mechanically identical to the more expensive models.

Things improve markedly with the next step up, however. The Excite brings some nicer dash materials and a thoroughly modern 8-inch touchscreen. There’s also a DAB radio, Bluetooth and a reversing camera. All of which will still only set you back £17,495. To be honest, that’s probably where we’d call it a day. The top-spec Exclusive trim adds leather seats, satellite navigation and various other trinkets, but it feels like a fairly small step above the Excite for an extra two and a half grand. It is, however, the only one of the trio to be offered with option of automatic transmission, in the form of a 7-speed DCT.

The 6-speed manual in the other models is no great hardship. It shifts sweetly and allows you to keep the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine spinning – something you’re going to have to do if you’re in a hurry, because most of the power exists at the top end. Suitably extended, the MG GS has more power and torque than any of its two-wheel drive rivals, so performance is acceptably brisk. Things can get a bit vocal under acceleration and there’s a touch of wind noise, but refinement is generally pretty good.

MG still prides itself on fun factor and while the GS is not overtly sporting it is a fairly respectable steer. The wheel is nicely weighted and body roll is kept well in-check during normal driving. Likewise, while the ride can be a touch bouncy at higher speeds, it soaks up town bumps quite well. Overall, it’s not quite as sharp or as refined as some of its more expensive rivals, but neither is it outclassed.

So what’s not to like? Well, despite some nicer materials further up the range, the interior never quite loses its plasticy feel. In fact, the whole car comes across as a touchy flimsy in comparison to say, a Hyundai Tucson. More significantly, the MG GS is only available with a petrol engine. On paper, its fuel economy of 46.3 mpg and 139 g/km of CO2 look competitive, but we’ve not been able to see how they stack up in the real world. Certainly, the diesel engines offered by other manufacturers are more likely to tempt high mileage users.

Ultimately, the MG GS is a lot of car for the money. It’s usefully cheaper than its mainstream rivals, while offering more space and better dynamics than the established budget options such as the SsangYong Tivoli and the Dacia Duster. The flipside, is that it’s neither as cheap as the cars to one side of it, nor as accomplished as those to the other. For some, however, that may be the ideal compromise.

By Chris Pickering.

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Back in 2011 MG was reintroduced to the country that founded it. Owned by Chinese company SAIC, could they make a success of the British mark where BMW had failed? Well, four years later and MG are still here and working out of Longbridge. Whilst sales aren’t huge volumes, the range has expanded with the introduction of the MG3 supermini. More dealers are opening and brand awareness is on the increase. For 2015 attention returns to the MG6 as it gets a comprehensive update.

Our red MG6 test car arrived primed for its review and immediately had people asking “is that an MG?” There is still plenty of love for the brand in the UK and so many were inquisitive. Whilst the overall external design still doesn’t overtly catch the eye, its subtlety has its own appeal. For 2015 a new grill and daytime running lights feature giving the car a bit more flare than its predecessor. A raked rear profile features a small boot spoiler that sits above a more pronounced rear bumper. Head and tail lights have also been altered.

Something the MG6 has always had going for it was the vast quantity of space the cabin has to offer occupants. That is still the case. From the moment you get in it feels like a larger space than its rivals with good sized windows boosting an airy feeling. Our test car was upholstered in leather and its heated seats proved to be comfortable. MG has listened to its critics with the awkward handbrake being replaced with an electric parking brake button. Another area where MG has stepped things up is onboard technology. The car now features a 7 inch touchscreen infotainment display that gives you access to DAB radio, BlueTooth, media and satellite navigation. The system isn’t the fastest, but it is by no means the worst example we have tested. Below you will find dual zone climate control which is a nice creature comfort, especially when Britain is enjoying these unusually hot days. Whilst the cabin plastics are not the most pleasant materials, they do appear durable and so should put up a good fight against children, dogs and the in-laws. Rear passengers enjoy ample head and leg room as well as plenty of natural light from the aforementioned large windows. With 458 litres of boot space, the MG6 has one of the largest and most usable boots in its class.

The 2015 MG6 now only comes with a 1.9 litre turbocharged diesel engine which has been revised over the previous model. Whilst it still produces the same 148BHP, it is cleaner emitting 119g/km of CO2 and a claimed 61.4MPG combined consumption. This years car is also faster to 60MPH clocking in at 8.4 seconds. The engine itself isn’t too noisy and only really makes itself known under load. There is a little bit of lag from the turbo but once it has spooled up this unit delivers some great motorway performance. Use that torque to your advantage and the car will surge along making it feel competent at speed. Taking the 6 away from the tedium of the M25 reveals something else rather pleasing. On a country road with undulating surfaces and winding bends, the 2015 MG6 is actually an enjoyable car to drive spiritedly. With good grip levels and steering that feels connected to the road beneath it, this machine can hit an apex with precision. Body roll is also kept under control through fast corners. It isn’t the most exhilarating drive, but the MG6 clearly demonstrates that it has a good chassis beneath it. After playing on forested roads and heading into a more densely populated environment, this 2015 MG6 TL utilises its light steering. Visibility is limited at the rear due to the steep rake of the screen and so going for a trim level with parking sensors and a reversing camera is highly recommended. There is also some vibration that comes through the steering wheel and pedals which makes for a less refined experience.

Whilst the original MG6 was a reasonable first attempt at reentering the UK market, this 2015 model with its improvements makes a stronger case for itself. It does lack the polish of its competitors and there are still some build quality concerns, but for the money you pay you do get a lot of car. An entry level 2015 MG6 costs from just £13,995 with our top specification TL being only £17,995. There is no denying the value for money that this car offers, but more than that, this new package is a better car in every direction than its predecessor.

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 This MG3 was in 3From Sport flavour and for those of us who don’t speak MG, that means it is one trim level down from the top specification 3Style. So what do you get? In this “Silver Fox” tone the 3 presents itself as a rather modern piece of design that should play well with the iPod generation. It looks good proportionally with its little 16 inch alloy wheels placed in each corner creating short overhangs. From the couple of MG3’s we have driven in the past, it is clear that the customisation options do give the cars very different characters. For example a previous configuration with bonnet stripe and black wheels gave it a very sporty appearance. Another with pink wing mirrors and a patterned roof created a more feminine vibe. Without any of the stickers or contrasting mirrors our test car looked rather gown up and had several comments thrown its way about how smart it was.

The interior is very spacious for a car of this size and does well to maximise things such as head and leg room for passengers. Its boot is also a good size and was very happy to swallow the families holiday gifts. Despite this car costing only £10,000 its equipment list is very generous. DAB radio, Bluetooth, steering wheel mounted audio controls, air conditioning, smartphone dock and electric mirrors are all included. Considering the only option on this MG3 was its paint, the 3From Sport model scores highly in terms of value for money. The console layout is simplistic but functional and is home to a rather funky temperature gauge for the air conditioning. This MG3’s dashboard follows suit and allows for easy reading at a glance. As for the seats themselves, they are comfortable and to be perfectly honest, I prefer them to the half leather ones you get in the 3Style model.

Powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine, the MG3 skips along at a reasonable pace. The majority of this engines power is found high up in the rev range and as a result fuel economy suffers at times. That said, this car does seem to have a playful manner about it and so revving the nuts off of it on some twisty forest roads is actually rather enjoyable. Something MG have got very right with their latest car is its handling. Throwing the car into a corner reveals good levels of front end grip and a lack of body roll. The steering has good feel and allows the driver a better connection to what is going on where tyre meets tarmac. In terms of suspension, the MG3 rides well and this adds to what is a competent chassis. On the motorway road and tyre noise are at levels lower than expected, but the lack of a 6th gear means that the engine is at higher revs. Heading back into town, the MG3’s agility that provided much entertainment on country roads, proves useful in a busy urban environment. With good levels of visibility and the cars compact size, parking is a doodle. A very handy thing when at this time of year people are willing to chew their own arm off in order to get a space near the shops.

So whilst the Christmas rush is over and done with for another year and the MG3 ticks itself to to sleep outside, what can we conclude? Well, this new MG certainly appeals to a much broader audience than the MG6 and its low price combined with many customisation options should entice younger customers into showrooms. The machine itself is practical and fun to drive when the mood takes you. Whilst a wider selection of engines would be welcome, for buzzing about the city and the odd motorway blast, the MG makes for a very reasonably priced alternative to competitors. If the octagon keeps playing its cards right, the future should be a bright one.

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Now, we are guessing whoever sent us our MG3 test car with pink door mirrors and questionable roof design fell off of their chair laughing as it was driven out of the factory. Whilst in grey with these rather girly touches, my masculinity was questioned by members of the public, but strip that away and what you have is a rather funky looking car. The blacked out A-pillars and snazzy alloy wheels give the MG real character. Its short overhangs and a compact stance makes it look trendy and modern, but then what do I know, I own a pair of orange shoes! Clearly being aimed at a younger audience, the MG3 has a wide range of customisation options meaning that an owner can  make their car a bit more unique. However, the biggest plus for younger buyers is that this fully loaded 3Style model costs less than £12,000!

Enter this car and the true “value for money” element is revealed. For less than £12,000 you get a car not of poverty specification, but one equipped with toys such as; automatic windscreen wipers, DAB radio, Bluetooth, air conditioning, cruise control, parking sensors and a smartphone dock. Ask for the same list of kit on any of this cars competitors and you are talking about spending a noticeable amount more. Interior space is generous with MG clearly harnessing Time Lord technology to make it “bigger on the inside.” Seating five in part leather sports seats, the 3 makes for a nice place to sit and garnished with simple easy to use controls, it is easy to live with too. The cabin is not as well polished as some competitors and there are a few quality issues in places, but then for every little niggle like that I find myself coming back to just how cheap it is.

On the road the MG does very well for itself. Around town it skips from street to street like a frog does lilypads. The 5 speed gearbox is configured primarily for urban use and the good levels of visibility makes it easy to park. Powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine we achieved around the 38MPG mark across multiple environments. That MPG figure is a bit lower than other cars in this class, something that an expansion of engine options might help in the future. Over bumps and the potholes that our roads are seemingly riddled with, the MG3 rides well. On motorway journeys the lack of a sixth gear means that the car revs higher, but that said both engine and tyre noise are not overly intrusive. These longer journeys showed the MG3 to be comfortable and more refined than anticipated. However, long flat strips of tarmac are boring and this little hatchback agrees as shown through its apparent enthusiasm when the road gets twisty. Taking the MG3 out into the countryside provides the best opportunity to show that the octagon still knows what it takes to build a good handling car. Throw it into a bend and the front end drives towards the apex without a second thought. A lack of body roll and a well sorted chassis means that this car is great to chuck around. With all of the power being at the top of the rev range, a cheeky heel-toe downshift before a corner is immensely satisfying. The steering feels nice and direct complimented by good levels of grip. Driving the MG3 in this manner does put a grin on your face and bodes well for future sporty MGs.

In many respects this car has met its objectives. It is cheap, gives the competition a hard time in terms of value, it appeals to a younger broader audience and provides the opportunity for MG to get back into mainstream car sales. This MG3 represents the future of this brand in the UK and so an awful lot is riding on its adoption. It deserves to do well and I think if marketed in the right way it will do just that.

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In its metallic grey and wearing a set of bold 18inch ally wheels, our MG 6 welcomed comments from onlookers such as “that’s smart” and even one “that’s a well fly set of wheels bro” from a young chap wearing a cap at a jaunty angle. Though its styling is more subtle than competitors, it’s overall aesthetic gives this MG a rather grownup appearance.

Under the bonnet sits a new 1.9 litre turbocharged diesel engine that claims to do 53MPG. After a week of testing in multiple scenarios our average was in the high 40’s and so with a lighter right foot we are led to believe that MG’s figure is entirely possible. The engine itself is the real star of the car providing a nice dollop of low end torque that is then supplemented by the turbo. Inside our top specification car you are greeted by plush leather seats that are fantastic on long journeys. The toys list is extensive and includes; reversing camera, Bluetooth, satellite navigation, heated seats, dual zone climate control and cruise control. Did I mention that you can have all of this for just over £20,000? The equivalent Honda Civic would set you back over £3,000 more. With the MG’s class leading boot and interior space, it really is vast inside, the question is does it have a downside? Well, unfortunately the interior plastics still don’t feel top notch and the handbrake is an ergonomic nightmare. The key has always been a source of criticism on this car as it feels far too light and doesn’t really represent the premium product the MG 6 GT sets out to be. That all said, the car is still very good value for money and the target market, AKA my Dad, could not find fault with it.

On the road the MG 6 is a very competent machine. In urban areas a restricted rear view is aided by the parking sensors and reversing camera, something worth investing in. The steering is relatively light at low speeds but provides good level of driver feedback once you are up to pace. Its ride is a little on the firm side, however, the reward for putting up with rutted roads is keen handling and a suspension setup that does a very good job of hiding the extra weight of the diesel engine. The cars agility is impressive as it swoops into bends and blast out of them with the enthusiasm of a small child. Whilst taking it on a photo shoot in a forest the twisting roads provided a tarmac playground for the 6 to play. This car does something very interesting in that despite its size, its ability to change direction at a moments notice makes it feel much smaller. Though it is good fun on a b-road, the MG 6 is most at home on the motorway. It’s diesel engine provides good fuel economy, though a little less than competitors, and when the turbo is on song you can often forget just how fast you are going. From within the cabin it is a comfortable and rather relaxing environment to be in for long periods. Engine, road and wind noise is minimal and with cruise control engaged it just eats up the miles.

When the MG 6 first arrived I have to admit I did have a few gripes with it, primarily around its use of interior materials, but after a week and many many miles I have grown quite fond of it. I enjoyed people talking to me about their old MG’s in the car park, I adored its engine and just before the car left for its journey back to Longbridge I found myself polishing its proudly placed octagon badge. This is a reassuring start for a company that aims to relive its former glory.

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