The MG M9 effortlessly ushers you and your passengers around in serene, silent comfort.
In an automotive landscape dominated by crossovers, seeing MPVs make their return is a definite sight for sore eyes. These minivans have always been designed with one focus in mind – delivering supreme comfort – and MG has now entered the seven-seater arena with the new M9.
This is a car that fits the missing piece in the current MG lineup. The MG 4 is for the hatchback enthusiast, the ZS and HS are your SUV sellers, and the MG 5 is for the discerning wagon buyer. There wasn’t a car available for big families or executives, until now.
capacious room for seven.
Most would probably buy the MG M9 for its ability to pamper its passengers, and the first thing that strikes you is the quality of the materials used throughout the cabin; this consistency extends all the way to the back.
Even the third-row seats are quilted and padded, offering ample space for passengers to stretch out.
The centre captain chairs make way for a 2-2-3 configuration, with a convenient central aisle that makes accessing the rear seats a breeze.
The rear is nice and all, but who’s the family favourite will probably be decided by who ends up enjoying the second row.
With the chairs’ array of massage patterns, heating/ventilating functionality, and numerous seating configurations, these seats are a guaranteed hit with any passenger, young or old.
A standout feature is the Sleep Comfort mode, which transforms the chairs into lie-flat beds at the touch of a button. Long journeys become snooze cruises in this thing.
In this Grand Trophy variant, everything is controlled via responsive touch displays embedded in the seats. There’s no need to stretch your dainty body for the HVAC controls or panoramic sunroof buttons; a few taps on the screen are all it takes.
MG has also envisioned the M9 as a mobile office, so it comes complete with foldable tray tables, pop-out cup holders, and a 220V socket. The silence in the cabin is another remarkable aspect, thanks to the M9’s electrical powertrain.
Alas, we mustn’t forget about the driver as well. While the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is responsive, the menus can be a little complicated.
A row of haptic buttons are located underneath the screen too for easy menu access, though I would have loved to have easier access to menu items such as heating/ventilated and massage seat functions.
Tons of cubby space ensure all belongings are safely stowed away while driving, and a sleek minimalist wireless charging pad keeps devices juiced up.
Both front occupants get the same seat functionality as the second row too, adding to the car’s premium allure.
You even get a frunk to store light cargo, and the boot is still useable even with the last row propped up.
It must be said though, the last row does not fold flat into the floor, so you would have a raised section with the seats down.
clean and modern.
One would probably not realise just how big the MG M9 is until you get to stand near it. Standing tall at 1,850mm, 2,000mm wide, and an impressive 5,270mm in length, its imposing boxy stature can’t help but pique your curiosity.
In an era where flashy designs are the norm for vehicles, the M9 opts for a more understated approach. Its daytime running lights are subtly integrated into that X-Men-like eye band, and it eschews the conventional fake ‘grille’.
The actual headlights might even escape your notice at first, discreetly nestled in the angled faux intakes on either side.
Full-length light bars are the trend now, and the M9 has one too, albeit with taillights that stretch downwards from the D-pillars.
This wraparound design nicely complements the front, adding to the car’s overall Macintosh-esque facade.
brisk, silent efficiency.
Despite its lofty proportions, the MG M9 is pretty manageable on the roads. The high driving position gives you a commanding view of the road ahead, and it’s relatively easy to judge the car’s corners thanks to its boxy facade. Big windows and thin pillars provide ample outward visibility too.
The M9 is fully electric, boasting a single front motor that delivers 180kW (241bhp) and 350Nm of instant torque to the front wheels.
While a 9.6-second century sprint isn’t exactly blistering, it’s impressive when you consider the car’s heft. Enthusiastic pedal pressing will result in the front wheels chirping, but keep it under control and the M9 can outdrag other commuters from the lights.
It takes off with such ease, that curious onlookers are always glancing at the 5.3-metre behemoth that just sailed past them.
The transition between regenerative braking and the actual brakes is pretty seamless. Of course, even with the weight centred low down in the car, don’t expect this to corner with urgency. The M9 is best served gentle, and your passengers will appreciate its smooth ride even over undulating terrain.
Where the size of the M9 might catch some inexperienced drivers off guard is when you have to park it. Especially in multi-storey carparks, manoeuvring requires extra care.
Its wide width and 3.2m wheelbase usually denote you skip any attempts at parallel parking, and even normal-sized lots require attention to not stray off the lines. This is where the 360-surround camera comes as a lifesaver for checking corners.
Onto the all-important topic of range. With a 90kWh battery, I managed to squeeze out about 350km on a single charge. My average was 20.8kWh/100km, and that included a mix of city traffic with a full load on board alongside tons of cabin features usage.
Be more frugal, and you’ll get close to what the M9 claims in the image above; more than enough for a week’s worth of travels.
big and bold.
At its heart, the M9 is an endearing mix of practicality that really brings the fight to the big boys in the premium MPV segment.
It can even give the Toyota Vellfire, Mercedes-Benz EQV, or even the upcoming Denza D9 a good run for their money, price-wise.
It’s clear that what MG has created is an all-rounder capacious luxury winner.
technical specifications.
MG M9
Engine: Single Electric Motor
Power: 180kW (241bhp)
Torque: 350Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A) Reduction Gear
0-100km/h: Unknown
Top Speed: 180 km/h
Battery Capacity: 90 kWh
Drive Range: 430 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 4.7 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$165,888 (Trophy), S$185,888 (Grand Trophy), both without COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: MG Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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