MG GS (2015-2019) Review

MG used to be best known for its zippy two-seat sports cars that were as traditionally British as flat caps and Sunday cricket on the village green.

But the company, which began in Oxford, is now Chinese-owned and selling practical family cars like the new MG GS - a crossover. These cars are meant to blend the comfort and economy of a hatchback with the higher driving position and looks of an off-road car.

The formula is increasingly popular with families and MG says that it hasn’t abandoned its sporting history because the GS is more fun to drive than many other crossovers, which include the Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX-5, Renault Kadjar and Seat Ateca.

It’s certainly cheaper than these cars. With prices starting at around £15,000, the MG is approximately £5,000 cheaper than most rivals and on a par with smaller crossovers such as the Renault Captur and Vauxhall Mokka. However, the car is expected to lose value quickly, which makes its PCP finance costs more expensive than they could be - so the difference in monthly payments could be less than you think. You’ll also need to upgrade from the cheapest model if you want wireless Bluetooth connectivity for your phone and parking sensors.

At the moment, there’s only one, powerful, petrol engine available, which is shared with Vauxhall. You can’t choose an MG GS powered by diesel, which is usually more economical in larger cars.

Official fuel economy figures are 46mpg, but you're likely to get less in real-world driving. Particularly as you have to push the accelerator down hard to access the 166hp on offer.

Inside, the dashboard buttons feel well-made. However the quality of plastics is not up to the standard of the best in class - like the VW Tiguan, although this is a far more expensive car. The sat nav on the top-of-the-range Exclusive version isn’t very intuitive to use either.

Rear seat passengers have a good amount of room and can recline the seat backs for a more comfortable journey if you haven’t filled the boot. The boot itself is small with space for only 335 litres of luggage under the boot cover (the Mazda CX-5 has 503 litres in comparison), but there’s room for a full-sized spare wheel under the floor.  

The MG doesn’t disgrace its name (GS stands for Grand Sporting). It goes around corners with confidence and without lots of leaning - much like the Mazda CX-5 and Seat Ateca. But the attempt to give the car a sporty feel makes the ride bumpier than that of rivals over poor road surfaces and speed humps. The MG does soften on better roads and should be comfortable on motorway journeys, where the car is also quiet.

Front and side airbags are standard, as are two sets of Isofix mounts to securely attach child seats but the GS doesn’t offer automatic emergency braking. This is likely to limit its safety score from independent crash testers, Euro NCAP.

If you’ve come out of a older second-hand car and love the MG's looks, the GS won’t disappoint. But for those who have tested the rivals and want something similarly high-tech and comfortable, the GS will fall short. If value is important to you, though, it's worth getting like-for-like finance quotes for a couple of rivals to see which car suits your needs - and budget - best.

Key facts

Warranty	5 years / 80,000 miles
Boot size	335-litres
Width	1855mm
Length	4500mm
Height	1665mm
Road Tax	From E (£130 per year) to F (£145)

Best MG GS for...

Best for Economy – MG GS 1.5 TGI Explore MT

There’s only one engine: combined with a manual gearbox, it’s slightly better on fuel at 46mpg against 45mpg for the automatic. Explore trim is basic but cheap.

Best for Families – MG GS 1.5 TGI Excite MT

In the midst of the chaos caused by a car full of kids, you’ll appreciate upgrading to the rear parking camera and parking sensors on the mid-range Excite model.

Best for Performance – MG GS 1.5 TGI Exclusive DCT

When fitted with an automatic gearbox, the MG GS is noticeably quicker to accelerate at higher speeds - when you’re pulling out to overtake a car on the motorway, for example.

One to Avoid – MG GS 1.5 TGI Exclusive manual

The top-of-the-range GS has leather seats, sat-nav and bigger alloy wheels. This means you’ll pay more for it new, but it’s unlikely to be worth much more second-hand. This does make the car an excellent used purchase, though.

History

Understanding MG GS names

Engine 1.5 TGI

There is just one engine choice. It's 1.5-litres in size, the T means it’s turbocharged for more power and good fuel economy, while the GI is a reference to the fact it’s a direct gasoline (petrol) engine.

Trim level Exclusive

There are three trims in total (Explore, Excite and Exclusive), each rising in price and equipment levels.

Gearbox MT

MT refers to manual transmission, a six-speed, while the automatic is badged DCT - which stands for dual-clutch transmission: technology that makes gear changes faster and smoother.

MG GS Engines

MG GS Trims

MG GS Reliability and warranty

Used MG GS