Video summary

Why NOTHING can beat the new MG S9…

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

MG S9 (7-seater plug-in hybrid) — positioned as the best value-for-money car in the UK in the video.

Key features mentioned

Price / value claims

  • Available on Carwow for just over £31,000 (video also mentions an example deal around ~£33,000).
  • “Range topper” noted as ~£3,000 more than the entry version.

Size & practicality

  • ~5m long (a figure like “3.4m” is mentioned, but the emphasis is on overall length).
  • 7 seats, with a focus on adult comfort in the back:
    • Tall passenger test (Nick, over 6 foot) gets “loads” of knee room and OK head room.

Exterior / design

  • Looks “way more expensive” than the price.
  • Styling comparisons:
    • Chrome “hockey stick” look like an older BMW 7 Series
    • Front/rear styling likened to Skoda Kodiaq
  • Massive standard sunroof on all models.
  • 360° camera with top-down view.
  • Customizable steering-wheel buttons:
    • One for regenerative braking levels
    • One for 360 camera

Tech & convenience

  • Slow wireless charging; wireless pad described as non-symmetrical (phones fit properly on only one side).
  • Climate control uses physical buttons and adjustable vents.
  • Driver-assist settings include options to disable beeps/bongs and driver distraction monitoring (described as overly strict).

Powertrain / efficiency

  • 1.5L plug-in hybrid, 300 hp (claimed).
  • Electric-only range: 62 miles.
  • Tax/benefit discussion:
    • Falls into 10% BIK
    • Estimated ~£1,500/year for a higher-rate taxpayer (company car tax context)

Charging

  • AC charging only, contrasted with competitors such as the Chery Tiggo 8, which has DC fast charging.

Storage / family usability

  • Back seat fold-down provides lots of storage.
  • Rear seating and cargo require walk-around/extra steps, depending on row.
  • 12V socket and USB-C(s) in storage areas.
  • Hands-free automated tailgate (in range-hopping version).

Trim upgrade (example)

For +£3,000:

  • “Fake leather”
  • Massage + ventilation seats
  • Bose sound system

User experience (driving, ride, usability)

Comfort & cabin

  • Described as quiet and relaxing at speed, comparable to luxury brands (BMW/Audi) despite much lower cost.
  • Visibility is great for a large SUV; cameras help with tight spaces and parking.
  • Middle row comfort praised:
    • Knee room / foot space / head room
    • Seats slide and recline
    • Seats are positioned higher for under-thigh support

In-town driving

  • Despite its size, it’s described as a doddle to drive in town.

Driving dynamics (country roads / handling)

  • Not positioned as sporty, but handles “as well as you need”.
  • Feels comfy, though bumps produce a “clunk” (budget-suspension feel).
  • Traction behavior:
    • Accelerating with steering lock causes front wheels to spin easily (described as an electric/FWD trait).

Performance & numbers (as stated)

  • 0–60 mph: 8.8 seconds (brochure claim 9.6)
  • Braking test from 60 mph:
    • Emergency stop measured 36 m initially
    • Harder attempt mentioned 34 m / “not bad”

Main pros (unique points emphasized)

  • Best value for money (carwow deal pricing repeatedly cited)
  • Space for adults in the 3rd row, demonstrated multiple times with leg/head room
  • Premium-feeling cabin for the price (materials/controls feel solid; steering wheel feels expensive)
  • Very quiet at highway speeds, strong long-distance comfort
  • Practical tech:
    • 360° camera
    • Massive sunroof
    • Customizable steering-wheel buttons
  • Family practicality:
    • Storage
    • Adjustable/recline seats
    • Back climate control
    • Big windows for kids
  • Electric-only range of 62 miles and BIK benefit for higher-rate taxpayers
  • Automated / hands-free tailgate (range-hopping version)
  • Strong real-world acceleration vs brochure (0–60 faster than claimed)
  • Acceptable braking performance for the size (mid-30s meters noted)

Main cons (unique points emphasized)

  • USB connectivity problem: only one “old school” USB port in the back → passengers may “fight over it”
  • Charging limitation: AC charging only (no DC fast charging), unlike at least some rivals (e.g., Chery Tiggo 8)
  • Design annoyances:
    • Horrendous fake exhaust tips called out as particularly bad
    • Start/stop button hidden behind the steering wheel—easy to miss, especially since the car is often in electric mode
    • Keyless go frustrations: issues like missing/losing the smart key and the car potentially locking itself; speaker calls it “bollocks”
    • Door handles described as flimsy and “poppy Audi door handles” (like a Land Rover ripoff); large doors make tight-space entry harder
    • Wireless charging pad is confusing/non-symmetrical; phone won’t fit well in one position
    • Voice control / phone risk: without a steering-wheel phone button, voice commands could accidentally call and require screen-based intervention
  • Driver-assist annoyance: driver distraction monitoring too strict; beeps/bongs require menu navigation
  • Weird noise: random “worring” noise from under the bonnet with no clear explanation
  • Child seat mounting limitation:
    • Only two ISOFIX positions in the outer middle row
    • None in the rearmost row and none on the passenger seat (“wasted opportunity”)
  • Interior / screen criticisms:
    • Screen graphics are a bit dark and not the most responsive
    • Digital driver display is clear but “bland”
    • Gear selector disliked: wish for a column stalk; feels like an “appendage”
  • Budget ride cues: clunks/jolts over bumps

Comparisons made

  • Looks vs brands
    • Chrome styling compared to an older BMW 7 Series
    • Body styling compared to Skoda Kodiaq
  • Charging vs competitor
    • Compared to Chery Tiggo 8 for having DC fast charging (S9 only AC)
  • Interior/feel
    • Cabin quietness compared to BMW/Audi luxury driving
  • Leasing vs alternatives
    • Video argues it’s cheaper overall to buy new and sell on than to lease, using Carwow lease math
    • Mentions Volvo XC90 as a used alternative: a 5-year-old XC90 costs more than this MG

Pricing/ownership recommendation logic (as stated)

  • Lease vs buy: “cheaper to buy the car and sell it on than to lease it” (based on Carwow calculations shown)
  • Used buyer warning: recommends CarVertical history checks due to “shady past” risk; mentions a discount code:
    • Code: “car wow” for 20% off
  • Bottom-line verdict given: if you need a 7-seater on a budget, MG S9 is described as “a mighty fine car” and “no new car is as good value” as this one.

Overall verdict (concise)

Strong recommendation. Despite notable annoyances (keyless go frustrations, limited rear USB, AC-only charging, and some design blemishes), the video concludes the MG S9 delivers exceptional space, comfort, quietness, and features for the money—making it the best value choice for UK buyers needing a 7-seater, especially at Carwow pricing.

Points attributed to different speakers (end)

  • Nick (over 6 foot): confirms adult comfort in the back with “loads” of knee room and adequate head room
  • Drew (smart-key confusion): takes part in the keyless go/smart key complaint scenario (suggesting the key handling is error-prone)
  • Another speaker in a street/meeting moment (brief): reacts to MG resembling luxury/range rover style; guesses pricing and calls it “insane value”
  • Host (Matt Watson): provides the majority of review content—pricing/value claims, feature walkthroughs, driving tests, pros/cons, comparisons, and the final buying recommendation

Original video