The new model from the MG brand is reminiscent of the familiar hero of Dumas’s novel D’Artagnan, who boldly broke into the tumultuous life of the Musketeers with an ambitious desire to become one of them. MG’s new mid-size crossover has recently appeared on the market and is trying to challenge the Toyota RAV4 or Kia Sportage. Do you think it’s funny? We are not joking because this hero will prove himself.
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Indeed, the most saturated segment is not the best place to promote a new product in the lineup, and this is not an electric car, as is now fashionable, but a full-fledged internal combustion engine with a turbocharged four. It complemented the brand’s model range and was positioned between the larger HS and the compact ZS. Thus, pushing them into the background because the appearance of the MG One is so distinctive that you want to sing the praises of the designers.
The new design language is aimed at a younger audience, but with more traditional family values. So here, sportiness, which is an echo of the brand’s history, intersects with practicality. We can pay attention to the presence of spoilers, which will differ in size in different configurations. But everything else will be the same. There are details in the form of diamonds that shimmer under different lighting, and protruding edges on the sides, and a deep rich color. Not to mention the radiator grille, which looks like a 3D graphic, mesmerizing with its weaving.
And in general, the silhouette of the car is elongated and swift. At first glance, it appears that it is more compact than it really is. After all, it has all the full C-segment dimensions of 4581 mm in length and 1871 mm in width and 2670 mm in wheelbase. The ground clearance reaches 170 mm, and the overhangs are quite restrained, so you don’t have to worry about curbs.
All this sportiness is actually just an external screen because under the hood is a conventional 1.5-liter turbocharged R4 that produces 167 horsepower with a maximum of 285 Nm. The figure is not surprising. Acceleration to the first 100 km/h in a 1.5-ton crossover takes 8.8 seconds. Fuel consumption during the test drive in winter was about 8 liters per 100 kilometers. So this is more of a plus in practicality.
The unit works in conjunction with a CVT, which was developed in cooperation between MG engineers and Bosch. And MG marketers are proud to use the big name in advertising campaigns. But this tandem really works synchronously and at full throttle. There are practically no delays, the car reacts to every movement of the accelerator. Believe me, even now, it is rare, especially in the budget segment.
In general, communication with MG One leaves only pleasant impressions. The controls are easy and intuitive. The car responds instantly. So driving even over long distances and in different road conditions is a pleasure.
The chassis of the crossover leaves a pleasant feeling. There is a multi-link suspension around the circumference: MacPherson struts in front, multi-link in the rear. This guarantees softness and comfort, but not dynamics, which we can see from the indicators. The heaviness of the MG One is not characteristic, but the rolls during cornering are noticeable. The suspension works out bumps well, leaving a feeling of pleasant elasticity. It’s good that the comfort doesn’t swallow up the handling, which is quite refined, guaranteeing control and predictability.
And there will be only front-wheel drive. At least in the version with an internal combustion engine. The maximum configuration offers different driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. The difference between them is not significant. In «sport», the atmosphere of the dashboard will only change, the steering wheel and accelerator response will become a little stiffer. It is strange that they offer a hill descent assistance system. Apparently, it’s for those who drive out of the garage too steeply because it would not be advised to drive it on viscous off-road.
Another hidden trump card of MG One is the saturation of technology. We all know that everything is now made in China. And they have already learned to provide a high level of security at a decent level. So the maximum Lux trim will offer a full set of MG Pilot systems.
There is a adaptive cruise, which works from 30 km/h, keeping a distance to the car in front of it, monitoring the lane, cross traffic, and warning the driver of the slightest danger. The system covers the roadside well and recognizes people, cyclists, and even large dogs. However, it sometimes confuses a pedestrian with a motorcyclist, which you can immediately see on the dashboard. And don’t be surprised when the car won’t let you get out if there’s a cyclist or another car behind you.
The intelligent system also monitors blind spots well, warning you when you change lanes. And here I would like to note that the lane-keeping system works quite rigidly and abruptly returns you to your seat if you do not turn on the turn signal. It’s even dangerous to drive around our potholes with this system. Well, sometimes it also considers a track rolled out by cars in the snow as a lane, so it will stick to it. You have to be careful.
If the starting package offers only a regular cruise and a speed limiter, the maximum package will have everything you need for safety. Especially for those who are not very fond of parking. Cameras allow you to see even more than you can see through the windshield, which is important at a T-intersection, when limited visibility for the driver can cause an accident. Turn on the front camera and you’ll see everything you need to see.
Surprisingly, everything works smoothly. In addition to active safety systems, there are 6 airbags around the car, and the frame is made using more rigid materials.
It is worth mentioning the quality of light, which is fully diode in any configuration. But the top models will also offer adaptive lighting, which will eliminate the need to worry about turning the lights on and off.
The design of the MG One was based on space, which reaches 70% here, according to the manufacturer. The interior really impresses with its spaciousness and overall large glazing. The top configuration will have a panoramic roof, the first part of which will open. There is also a curtain that can close the cabin from excessive sunlight.
The main console in front is large and has a niche that hides a smartphone connection and additional space. It’s better to connect your smartphone right away because you won’t be able to do it on the go, it’s so inconvenient to dive in there every time.
The center area was given over to the multimedia screen because it reaches 12.3 inches, which is more than enough. This is where you can control the settings, the atmosphere in the cabin, audio, maps, and climate. There are separate touch keys for the climate, so it’s easy to adjust the temperature. But you can change the air direction only on the screen in the settings, or immediately turn on the automatic mode. With Chinese cars, this is the only way the climate will work adequately.
Here, radars and cameras are located on all sides of the car, and the media system offers a 360-degree view. This gives the driver a complete picture of everything around the car.
The engine start button is located in the center and in front of the gearshift lever. You quickly get used to it, especially when you get into the car with coffee in the cupholders, turn on the engine and put your hand on the lever. It’s quite convenient. In general, the ergonomics are well calculated. Everything you need is always at hand and nothing gets in the way, and most importantly, every key is in its place.
The rear sofa folds down in the usual one-two pattern, and the luggage compartment increases from 336 liters to 1120 liters. In the luggage compartment, there is a roll cage and a small organizer under the floor.
After a few days of communication with the MG One, it starts to seem like the car was made just for you. It’s so easy and comfortable to drive. But some features still cause discomfort and remind you of the budget. So in the cabin you will not find heated seats or steering wheel. Only the mirrors and rear window will be heated. The windshield is also heated, which is a good thing in winter. But it’s cold to sit on eco-leather, and the steering wheel, although pleasant to the touch, is also cold. The lights and central locking are controlled on the touchscreen panel next to the dashboard.
Yes, it’s impressive at first and something to show off to your friends, but it’s not so convenient to use. After all, this screen goes into sleep mode, and to activate it and open a locked door when you stop, you have to click on it several times.
PROS: style, comfort, handling, suspension, roominess, manufacturability, quality-price ratio.
CONS: no heated seats, the audio system could be better, the volume control is only on the steering wheel.
Our hero will have to prove himself well and win a lot of fans before he can become a worthy «musketeer» of the segment and reach at least the top five sales leaders in our market. But the MG One has a lot of courage, boldness and ambition that will help it make a name for itself. Its most important trump card will be, of course, the price, which starts at $23,133. The maximum equipment with all the bells and whistles, as we had on our test drive, will cost $27,373.
Ukraine is probably the first country in Europe to receive the new model, as the EU and even the UK are not yet familiar with MG One. Most likely, only the electrified versions will come there. As a result, I can say that it is worthy of attention. Over the years of the MG brand’s presence in the country, the impression has already been formed, and the cars are treated with respect. If earlier the choice of representatives of this brand was considered to be purely pragmatic and exclusively economical, then in the case of MG One, this algorithm will clearly change. Now the brand offers a completely different positioning and level of quality from all sides. In addition, deliveries to Ukraine are stable, and the warehouse has a stock, so the car can be delivered faster and with a warranty from the official importer «Winner Automotive», which is provided up to 150,000 km or 5 years.
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4581/1871/1617 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2670 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm | 170 |
| Trunk volume, cubic meters. | 336/1120 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1740 |
| Engine | 1.5 turbo |
| Power, hp (kW) | 167 |
| Torque, Nm | 285 |
| Type of drive | front |
| Pendant | McPherson/multi-lever |
| Transmission | CVT |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 8,8 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 175 |
| Fuel consumption, l | 7-9 |
| Cost, UAH | from 900 059 |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 1 073 846 |
| Competitors | Changan CS55 |
| Chery Tiggo 7 Pro | |
| Geely Atlas Pro | |
| Kia Sportage | |
| Toyota RAV4 | |
| Nissan Qashqai |
