2025 MG QS Essence Review

MG has a new SUV amongst its ranks, and it’s big. The QS is a large seven-seater that lands with the usual MG value pricing. Does it bring substance with it as well?

The MG Motors line-up is growing in New Zealand with the brand recently introducing a new model into the large SUV segment. While the QS is the biggest MG yet, it’s not the most expensive. In keeping with the MG value ethos, it lands at a sharp price of $49,990, while this up-spec Essence is $55,990. And that not only gets you a genuinely family-sized SUV, but a long list of features too. Included are 21-inch rims, a panoramic roof, twin 12-inch screens, electronically controlled dampers, heated and ventilated seats, ambient lighting and all the rest. So big on value and on size but are there any deal breakers? 

Big and bold 

The QS measures up at just under 5m long and is almost 2m wide. So it commands a fair bit of space on the road. It’s quite striking too, with that big grille and light signature up front. The bright work might be a bit heavy for some and we are not sure why it is wearing an Ultimate badge on its flanks. That lower trim piece looks to be pinched from the X7 and it seems all Chinese origin SUVs need dragon scale on the C pillar. 

While there’s a value ethos to every MG, those who step inside the QS won’t think it’s cheap. This is in part due to the QS being a re-badged version of SAIC’s Roewe RX9, which is a more upmarket offering in its home market. Yeah, you’ll find plenty of hard plastic if you go looking for it, but upper parts of the cabin are lined well enough. The design is conservative but functional and the materials and build quality sound. Its driver’s seat is plush with enough adjustment that most should find themselves an okay driving position, though the high-set console hems you in. Vision is good, as is the picture from the surround view camera. While the charge pad doesn’t secure your device in place, there are quality storage spots, even if few of them are lined appropriately. The opener for the centre bin cover is easy to knock with your elbow however. 

While the spec list impresses, the infotainment system merely suffices. Some of the touch points are too small, often needing a second or third stab to initiate a response, and it’s slow to switch between functions. Don’t rest your hand on the gearlever when you’re prodding away either; you’ll inadvertently put the QS in Park, and wonder why you’re not going anywhere when the light turns green. CarPlay and Android Auto feature, and Google maps are a better option than the standard sat nav which can send you on some odd routes. 

Plenty of room

Space is something the QS has plenty of. Big rear doors provide good access (as long as you’re not in a tight car park) to the wide bench with more than enough leg room and a flat floor to accommodate three across. There’s also a proper seat belt for the middle occupant and a couple of Isofix points. There are cup holders, ventilation controls and more charge ports back there too. Though the QS has a full glass roof, headroom is decent. And so too is the access to the seats in the very back (split 60/40) with the second row tilting and sliding out of the way. Space back there is okay too, better when the second row slides forward a smidge to provide better legroom. However, your knees are bent up a bit high due to a lack of foot space under the second row. But the kids will fit with ease and be in relative comfort too.

There’s a big boot; long, wide, deep. And with all seats in use, there’s a reasonable amount of space remaining. The QS is also good to tow up to 2000kg braked. So it’s good value and spacious, but how does it drive? 

Could be better? 

The QS arrives with pure petrol power, a 2.0-litre turbo making 153kW and 360Nm. It’s matched to a nine-speed auto and in the Essence that powers all four wheels (an on-demand type set-up), whereas the Excite is FWD. While the engine puts out reasonable numbers, the QS tips in at two tonnes, so it’s got some work to do. There’s some old-fashioned turbo lag off the mark; when you need to move it’s one potato, two potatoes before it gets cranking. And if the idle-stop system has interfered, you can add another spud to the mix. So you need to time things right at intersections. And the way the torque hits in a surge doesn’t make for a smooth getaway. 

The auto can be a little slow to sort gears in traffic situations too. It is also guilty of trying to hook a higher ratio too soon, the engine labouring a little. But it’s doing so in order to ease consumption. The official figure is 8.8L/100km, while the urban numbers are 10.9. We found these to be higher on test, the trip computer reading in the high 13s around town, easing back to the 11s after some motorway miles. And it needs 95.

Maybe there is a hybrid version coming and while it will be more expensive, it might help alleviate some of these issues. The QS drives well otherwise. The ride is calm both in and out of the city, the steering easy but not devoid of connection, and it’s not too cumbersome to manoeuvre about for a big SUV. 

It cruises well on the highway, road noise subdued. Give the throttle a stab and there’s enough go for a comfortable overtake. It behaves itself in the bends, roll and big bumps dealt to well enough, the steering action okay too. With decent Michelin rubber, it has grip, though it always feels quite large and heavy. You can switch the drive modes up, Sport adding enthusiasm to the auto and engine while the suspension gets a bit firmer too. But as the Auto mode does the job well, owners will never likely mess with it.       

MG Pilot safety items are numerous, though we could do without the speed limit warning. A voice will inform that ‘you are over the speed limit’, with an emphasis on over, as soon as you’re two kilometres above the prescribed number. And this is then followed by a ding dong, ding dong, ding dong. There’s a menu to turn it off, but no, that only gets rid of the ding donging. The lane keeping can also sound off as well, but limits its actual steering interventions. As is often the case, active cruise leaves a B-train sized gap to the car in front. 

So it’s perhaps not Quite Sorted, but for the price and what you get in terms of specification and space, some might happily overlook the foibles around the engine, economy and those ADAS aspects.  

MG QS Essence
$55,990  /  8.8L/100km  /  198g/km
0-100 km/h 9.8s
Ambient cabin noise  70.9dB@100km/h
Engine  1986cc / IL4 / T / DI
Max power  153kW
Max torque  360Nm
Drivetrain  9-speed auto on-demand AWD
Front suspension  Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension  Multilink / sway bar
Turning circle  11.8m (2.5 turns)
Front brakes  Ventilated discs
Rear brakes  Discs 
Stability systems  ABS, ESP
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-255/45R21 
Wheelbase  2915mm
L/W/H  4983 / 1967 / 1778mm
Fuel capacity  65L
Luggage capacity  203-517-1052L
Tow rating  750kg (2000kg braked)
Service intervals  12months / 15,000km
Warranty  10yrs / 250,000 km
ANCAP rating  Not yet rated
Weight (claimed)  1994kg