Two years down the line since its big, brand launch in the Philippines back in 2018, British-heritage car brand MG (Morris Garages) is no longer any stranger to the Filipino motorist. And still big on value is one of the nameplate’s original product offerings – the classy-looking albeit sporty MG 6 fastback sedan.
Clearly, the most persuasive pitch of the MG 6 in the competitive, compact sedan category is its amazing value for money – offering a vehicle with a premium look and feel, plus very good equipment (which are otherwise usually found in the more expensive models of the competition) and safety technology, all for generally less money (when compared against the price tags of vehicles with similar features).
At first glance, the MG 6 undoubtedly looks good. Nice curves run the entire length of the car’s body; and its Stardust grille with the distinct MG logo in the center often is the first thing that people notice about the car – usually evoking positive curiosity from passers-by, from my experience. The styling is clearly classy, and the 18-inch alloy wheels add that extra oomph. The LED headlights are a pleasure to have in the top-of-the-line Trophy variant, and I love that the headlights also have leveling (I find this extremely helpful).
Inside the cabin it feels like you get a more expensive car than you’ve actually paid for. The vibrant red and black dual-tone leather upholstery wraps into the doors, and adds to the generally sporty feel. An 8-inch LCD infotainment unit with Apple Carplay and Bluetooth connectivity sits in the middle of the dashboard, and just below it is the air conditioning with dual-zone climate control. The dash is efficiently minimalistic, and the overall cabin is very comfort-oriented.
I found there to be sufficient legroom, although tall people would have to sit in front as the car’s liftback style consumes some headroom in the rear. There is delightfully good insulation in the cabin from the noises of the outside world; and passengers riding in the back appreciate that the car has rear aircon vents and USB ports.
Another thing I appreciate is the wealth of practical storage spaces inside the cabin – a total of 22! – which one can use to stick in water bottles and devices and whatnot. The MG 6 also offers delightfully low and flat boot space – which makes a big difference in required effort, when loading the trunk with stuff. As a matter of fact, it offers a commodious 424 liters of trunk space, extendable to 1,170 liters with both (split) rear seats folded.
Among the additional bells and whistles are a nice sunroof, a reverse (backup) camera, an electronic handbrake, keyless entry and a push start/stop button to turn the ignition. What is also nice to find in the MG 6, given its car segment, is its useful tire pressure monitoring system.
Powering the MG 6 fastback is a thrifty but punchy 1.5-liter turbocharged engine mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It churns out a fun 169hp alongside 250Nm of torque; and the transmission is Tiptronic, so you can have some fun manually shifting, too. You can also opt to adjust the car’s steering weight, and choose from: City, Normal, and Sport modes. I like that the steering wheel has a sporty, flat bottom.
Adding more value to the overall package of the MG 6 are a slew of driver safety assists, such as Cornering Brake Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Hill Start Assist, Traction Control, and the availability of ISOFIX attachment points.
Having said all of the above, I find that the MG 6 is a good vehicle for daily driving, for going to work, and for taking the family around. The car nicely dulls the feeling of potholes and road inconsistencies along EDSA, and also offers a feeling of sure-footedness while cornering. It is largely appealing to young buyers who are looking to strike great value for money – with the security of customer-centric after-sales support.
It comes as no surprise then that MG Philippines allows its customers to expect the extraordinary. Because their new mantra, ‘Expect Extraordinary’ is an actionable brand promise that they’ve so far kept up to par, with flying colors.
“Expect Extraordinary is all about living up to expectations,” explains MG Philippines President and CEO, Atty. Alberto Arcilla. Furthering that “MG Philippines has developed a deep connection with its clientele and its target market, and is both humbled and enthused by the positive tone surrounding the brand in public conversation.”
Among the after-sales value-added services that come along with MG ownership in the Philippines are: one year free PMS; MG Online Garage Service (which basically offers Live vehicle consultations with technicians – especially useful during this pandemic); the My MG App (used for making car service bookings and parts reservations); MG Live Chat Support (which entertains inquiries about products, promos, and vehicle warranties); and the pre-pandemic MG Mobile Garage (which is an option to have people’s cars serviced at their homes).
Furthermore, MG Philippines is now 24-dealerships strong, nationwide (and still growing). Parts and services are available all over the country; and all these benefits, collectively, make owning an MG a unique and extraordinary experience indeed.