The MG6 GT Fastback was the first car to be produced from the reincarnated line at Longbridge in 2011, heralding the return of MG (albeit now owned by Chinese company SAIC). The model is a family hatchback up against the likes of the Vauxhall Astra, the Skoda Octavia and the class-leading Ford Focus. Performance 3/5 The 1.9-litre DTi-TECH diesel engine develops 148bhp and was added to the range in late 2012. It propels the car to 62mph in 8.9 seconds and has a top speed of 120mph.The engine is willing, but the six-speed gearbox is notchy, especially when changing from first to second gear. Once at speed the MG feels comfortable but getting it up to the national limit is hard-going, making journeys less enjoyable than they should be. Ride and handling 3/5 MG has had a history of making drivers’ cars and we were hoping that the MG6 kept that history alive. Unfortunately, the MG6 is a complex car. Yes, the steering is well-weighted (getting heavier at speed) and has a decent amount of feel and feedback. However, the MG6 feels heavy and not as nimble as competitors, including the Ford Focus or even Skoda’s Octavia. The ride is fairly good; it’s a tad firm but not too intrusive, meaning that the suspension will soak up the majority of undulations in the road without much trouble. Equipment 4/5 This version of the MG6 GT TSE is the flagship model so comes loaded with standard kit. Highlights include sports seats, ambient lighting, leather seats with electric adjustments, leather steering wheel with multifunction controls, 12-volt socket on both the interior and in the boot, Bluetooth, dual-zone aircon, front and rear parking sensors, hill hold control, rear parking camera and satnav. The biggest complaint is the interior, which is quite drab with plastics that feel and look cheap. Given that SAIC wanted to launch the model with a bang, the MG6 is more than a little disappointing on this front. On the exterior the MG6 comes with front fog lights, LED rear light clusters, heated side mirrors and 18-inch alloys. Running costs 2.5/5 Running costs look fairly good if you choose the 148bhp 1.9-litre DTi-TECH diesel engine as it averages 57.6mpg and emits 129g/km of CO2 emissions. Prices for this flagship model starts from £20,195. Verdict 2.5/5 The MG6 is a mixed bag. It’s a decent starting point, but its Chinese owner has a big job on its hands to execute the rebirth of MG as a popular brand in the UK.
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