MG has never been shy about chasing value, but with the new S9 PHEV, the brand is taking aim at something much bigger—literally. Order books have now opened in the UK for what will become the largest MG model sold here, a three-row SUV designed to haul families, luggage, and perhaps a few premium rivals into uncomfortable territory.
Starting at £34,205, the seven-seat S9 lands with a price tag that looks almost suspiciously low for a plug-in hybrid of this size. Even more intriguing for company-car drivers is its 62-mile electric-only range, which slots it neatly into the 9-percent benefit-in-kind tax band. That’s the sort of number fleet managers like to circle with a red pen.
Big Size, Small Price
At that price point, the S9 PHEV isn’t just competitive—it’s aggressively undercutting its nearest mainstream rival. The Chery Tiggo 9 starts around £43,105, while stepping into the premium camp with SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90 means parting with tens of thousands more.
Of course, the MG badge doesn’t carry quite the same prestige as those nameplates. But MG seems content to let the spreadsheet do the talking. If buyers want seven seats, plug-in capability, and a manageable tax bill, the S9 looks like it could become the budget hero of the segment.
Familiar Hybrid Hardware
Under the hood sits a plug-in hybrid setup that MG already uses in the smaller HS PHEV. It pairs a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor and a 24.7-kWh battery pack. The formula is familiar: electric commuting during the week, gasoline backup for longer trips.
In the HS PHEV, that battery can only be charged at 7 kW on AC, and it doesn’t support DC fast charging—a limitation that may carry over to the S9. That won’t bother everyone, but drivers accustomed to quick top-ups at motorway chargers may notice the difference.
Space for Seven (and Their Stuff)
As a family hauler, the S9’s practicality numbers look respectable. With all seven seats upright, the boot offers 332 litres of cargo space—enough for groceries or a few cabin-sized suitcases. Fold the third and second rows flat, though, and the cargo hold expands to over 1000 litres, turning the MG into something closer to a rolling storage unit.
A Cabin That Mixes Screens with Buttons
MG hasn’t yet revealed the UK-spec interior, but the version sold in Australia—where the SUV is called the QS—offers a strong clue. The dashboard features two large displays handling the digital instruments and infotainment duties, echoing the setup seen in the HS.
Thankfully, MG resisted the temptation to bury everything inside the touchscreen. A row of physical buttons remains for key functions like climate controls and quick infotainment shortcuts—a welcome nod to usability in a world increasingly dominated by glass panels.
The Details Are Still Coming
Full technical specifications, including performance figures and final equipment lists, are expected in the coming weeks as the first UK examples arrive in showrooms. Those details will help determine whether the S9 is merely a bargain—or a genuine disruptor.
Either way, MG’s strategy is clear: build a big, family-friendly plug-in SUV, price it thousands below the competition, and let buyers decide how much badge prestige is really worth.
If the numbers add up as promised, the S9 PHEV might prove that the most disruptive thing in the seven-seat SUV market isn’t another luxury badge—it’s a low price tag with a charging cable attached.
Source: MG