New MG S9 revealed: is this hybrid seven-seater better than a Chery Tiggo 8?
Car changing is a big deal
MG has just announced a new flagship seven-seater SUV for the UK, with a plug-in hybrid engine offering impressive electric range at a cracking price. Is that enough for it to stand out of the crowd?
The brand-new MG S9 is here. It’s a plug-in hybrid, seven-seater SUV vying to be your next family car, but it’s up against some stiff competition such as the Cherry Tiggo 8, Kia Sorento and Volkswagen Tayron.
We’re actually rather impressed with MG’s existing range, from the great-value MG HS to the small and fun-to-drive MG3 and MG4; the Chinese brand has been on a bit of a roll when it comes to sensible cars. Can the new S9 follow suit? Let’s dive into the details to find out:
New MG S9 PHEV: how much does it cost?
The S9 PHEV kicks off at £34,000, putting it in the middle ground between recent Chinese alternatives such as the Chery Tiggo 8, and the more established models, such as the Peugeot 5008.
As standard the MG S9 PHEV comes with leatherette upholstery, dual displays on the dashboard and a panoramic glass sunroof. The posher Premium version starts at almost £37,000 and adds a Bose sound system and power tailgate, as well as heated and cooled seats with a massaging function.
New MG S9 PHEV: Interior, technology and safety
The MG looks good on paper, with three rows of seats and a large boot – both with the third row in place or folded away. In seven-seater mode you have 332 litres of cargo space – about the same as a Renault 5 or Volkswagen Polo – but as a five-seater there’s over 1000 litres of luggage room to fill. Phwoar.
A wraparound dashboard and wide centre console appear to cocoon you in place, and look quite smart. A pair of 12.3-inch displays on the dash for the driver information and infotainment look sleek, while a row of physical climate controls beneath them should make it easy to adjust the heater on the move.
Five USB charging ports will keep your passengers’ devices charged up, which is handy on long drives, but we’ll report back on how the interior fares day-to-day once we get our hands on the S9 in the UK.
New MG S9 PHEV: engines and electric range
There’s a single engine option for the MG S9 PHEV at launch, a 1.5-litre petrol unit attached to a 25kWh battery and a single electric motor. MG claims the S9 PHEV will go as far as 62 miles on a single charge, which is impressive and beats the Chery Tiggo 8 at 56 miles, but it still lags behind the Chery Tiggo 9 and its mighty 91 miles between charges.
New MG S9 PHEV: exterior design
The MG S9 PHEV is a total departure from the MG models we’re used to seeing. Gone are the MG4 Urban and Cyberster’s sleek, rounded front ends, as this large SUV features a pointy nose with a wide grille and headlights that stretch back towards the door mirrors.
The sides and rear end are fairly generic, with only a few crisp lines and a U-shaped lightbar to draw any attention to the otherwise plain-looking MG. It’s not an ugly car, but there’s a hint of Cheshire Cat about the S9 PHEV. We’ll reserve judgement until we see it in person.
New MG S9 PHEV: alternatives
After a seven-seater SUV but you can’t wait for the MG? Well, lucky for you there are some very capable alternatives already on sale. Here are three of our favourites to consider:
Chery Tiggo 8
The Chery Tiggo 8 won the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards for its excellent value for money and quality cabin, and it’s going to be a thorn in the side of the MG S9 PHEV.
You’ll pay around £2,000 less for a Tiggo 8 in plug-in hybrid trim than a like-for-like MG, but with its far smaller boot and slightly disappointing driving experience, the newcomer might be a better choice once it hits UK dealerships.
Peugeot 5008
A long-standing seven-seater favourite of ours, the Peugeot 5008 is a practical, super-stylish and comfortable choice for families. It is, however, far more expensive than the MG, starting at over £40,000.
You get your money’s worth, with one of the best-looking and most premium-feeling cabins of any car at this price point, but the third row of seats isn’t huge and the boot is a bit smaller than in the MG.
Skoda Kodiaq
Another European alternative, the Skoda Kodiaq is a sensible and hugely spacious choice of seven-seater car, but it loses points as you can’t have the plug-in hybrid version with a third row in the back.
It’s also more expensive than the S9 PHEV, starting at £39,000 in petrol guise, but for that you get Skoda’s superb build quality, lots of interior storage and clever little touches such as a built-in ice scraper and umbrella.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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*Savings are made up of the maximum dealer discount off RRP – subject to dealership, location and trim. Prices correct at the time of writing.