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By Jonathan Crouch

Do you really need more from a family car than MG's S9 Plug-in Hybrid can offer? Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 37

MG aims to redefine the value proposition for a family-sized seven-seat PHEV crossover SUV with this car, the S9 Plug-in Hybrid. It's the sensible family car that probably isn't on your shopping list, but probably should be.

Backgroundword count: 150

MG is currently in the business of plugging gaps in its product line-up. And does so again with this car, the S9 Plug-in Hybrid, 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. Which makes this S9 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: 208

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. Here though, to allow for this 7-seat model's extra weight, total output is 331PS (up from 299PS in the HS PHEV). That weight though 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). 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. And, given the extra weight of all that electrical hardware, you shouldn't expect ride and handling to be cutting-edge, though typical family buyers will probably be quite satisfied.

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