MG6 1.9 DTi Review

The downside, as was the case with the more recent MG3 (reviewed here), was its tardy and thirsty petrol engines. The car felt like a natural diesel, and thankfully three years later they answered the critics – a diesel MG6 has arrived.

The first impressions of the new MG6 on the road is that it’s a very different kettle of fish indeed to the petrol version. The engine is willing, torquey and urgent; it feels as if it has remarkable poise on the road and after 3000rpm the turbo is more than there if you need it. Not surprisingly however, the car is more comfortable at lower revs, and is merely ticking over at 1900-2000rpm on the motorway. The heavier diesel engine hasn’t affected handling – the MG6 holds the road very well indeed and has an impressive amount of grip at speed. You can more or less chuck it into anything, and it feels a lot less wallowy than I thought it would. It was a pleasing sensation – this is no small car – but it felt nimble and precise.

The ride is firm but I’d expected it to be firmer – although the suspension has been modified to cope with the extra weight it’s not noticeably worse off for it.

What’s It Like Inside?

The car is great to drive – it has a lovely feel to it and the diesel engine is an absolute revelation compared to the petrol. Sadly, however, the smiles do start to fade slightly when you sit in the cabin for any length of time. Fiddly and tacky buttons let the Sat Nav and menu system down on the highest ‘SE’ trim, and the plastics they use for the dash feel a bit knock-off. The handbrake is also absolutely awful – in terms of keeping the car still, its shape, size, position….everything, really. There is just something the interior that’s niggly.

Equipment levels are very good, with the top of the range SE model sporting everything you could wish for, and the standard version coming with air conditioning, alloy wheels, electric windows and a USB socket. Everything works as it should, and it isn’t an offensive place to sit, but it just feels a little cheap.

Having said that, it’s hard to pick MG up too much on this – this is still a fairly cheap car, and for the money you are getting a hell of a lot of it – as well as a much better than expected diesel engine. The MG6 diesel is a refined car, and although fuel efficiency may not be as good as its German peers, the car is more than certainly worth a thought as an alternative option if you have a lot of miles to cover. Excellent handling, a good chassis, an enjoyable engine and plenty of equipment and space make this a car to be recommended in many ways. MG may not be back with a bang, but this is certainly a step very much in the right direction.

This car really does deserve to sell in greater number than it has been. The sales results are pitiful, but this car is a well thought out machine. With a bit more marketing, MG could see their fortunes turn – visit the MG6 website for more information.