MG 6 2020 Philippines Review: No holds barred

What will it cost you to enjoy the finer things in life? With the market shifting towards crossovers and SUVs, brands now have free reign to reduce the compromises in their compact sedans: installing forced induction, large alloy wheels, full leather seats and featuring interior space for days as well as all the electronic gadgets you can think of.

What was once the staple of starter families is now in the same price range as larger SUVs, leaving us sedan lovers at a disadvantage as we settle for smaller, less desirable sub-compacts and hatchbacks.

The MG6 has an imposing front fascia

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We’ve seen releases in this segment in the last few years, with the usual compact sedan suspects showcasing features commonly (and exclusively) found in luxury and sports cars. We have the sporty Honda Civic, the socially-conscious Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid, the straightforward Hyundai Elantra, the rugged AWD Subaru Impreza. Oh, and the Nissan Sylphy is also a car.

However, many of these models have either priced themselves above their target market or lack enough features compared to top-spec subcompacts that you might as well go all-out for those instead, or better yet, upgrade to an SUV.

The MG6 is set to disrupt the local market

MG wants to solve this dilemma with the release of the MG6; when I first saw the car at last year's Manila International Auto Show, I thought to myself, this car has the potential to disrupt the market in more ways than many people thought possible.

From the distinct fastback design to the machined 18-inch wheels and the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine under the hood, it was ready to shake things up. Read on this MG 6 2020 Philippines review from Philkotse.com to find out.

2020 MG6 Philippines Review & Road Test | Philkotse

The sporty intentions are evident in the 2020 MG6 exterior design, featuring a long hood and short rear deck that gives the car an athletic profile and aggressive stance. The design takes inspiration from other popular compact sedans but toes the line just enough not to be merely derivative.

The front end looks like a cross between Mazda and Acura, while the rear takes its cue from a Mercedes Benz C-Class. Those names are good company for the MG6 to be part of.

The most affordable way to turn some heads on the road

A large hexagonal grille dominates the fascia; MG calls it the Stardust Grille, and that is exactly what it looks like. If you look at it head-on with the large MG badge mounted in the middle, it resembles the effect when the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek enters warp speed.

The rear tail lamps do a good impression of the MB C Class

That large maw is flanked in turn by large, sweeping projector-style headlamps with integrated daytime running lights, forming a visually-striking "London Eye" aesthetic, which I guess is another easter egg to MG’s British heritage.

The rear is a little more understated with simple LED taillamps. One thing I'm a little disappointed with are the faux exhaust vents at the bottom rear diffuser, which I feel the MG6 can do without.

No need to go aftermarket with these 18-inch wheels

The profile is almost devoid of character lines, apart from the singular chrome detail at the bottom. The lack of lines does not detract from the overall look of the car, as your line of sight is led to the beautiful, sweeping fastback silhouette. The long hood and short deck are equally distinct, exuding an air you won't find in any other car at this price range.

The machined, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels add to the car's aggressive and sporty stance. As I was driving the MG 6, drivers would actually give way just to get a glancing view of the car. It creates such a commanding presence on the road, with looks that belie its relative affordability.

The strongest indication of the MG 6 2020's aspirations can be found inside the car. What's most noticed about 2020 MG 6 interior is that it has full leather two-tone leather seats rendered in red and black, accompanied by faux carbon fiber trim on the shifter column, center console, and door panels.

There is so much red on the inside, especially on the soft-touch plastics splattered everywhere, you’ll feel like you’re driving a car that costs twice as much.

Sporty leather seats are always a win at this price point

7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay makes an appearance

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Ergonomics are spot-on as well, with a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a leather flat-bottomed steering wheel that adjusts for both reach and rake. The front seats are heavily bolstered to keep you in place during hard cornering, although plus-sized drivers might have some trouble staying put. While keeping three occupants abreast at the rear is fine, space is best left to two, owing to the compromised headroom of the fastback design.

The rear seats have tons of space and is well-padded and molded for comfort

There's an abundance of toys as well. The chunky steering wheel has multimedia and cruise control buttons, and if you peek behind the tiller, you also get a pair of paddle shifters if you prefer to manually row through the gears.

Apple CarPlay thankfully makes an appearance on the 7-inch capacitive LCD touchscreen, the better to access your phone’s apps through the car. As an added bonus, rear passengers will thank you for purchasing a car that has rear A/C vents, which I feel should be standard kit, especially considering our hot summer months.

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With an exterior that's sporty and stylish, and equally impressive interior apppointments, it's easy to fall under the impression that MG cut corners in terms of performance and ride quality.

You would have had thought wrong though, as under the hood lies a 1.5-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine that makes 167 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, ensuring optimal power delivery every time you hit the throttle.

It is as fast as it is luxurious

There is a bit of body roll when attacking corners, yet the MG6 provides a smooth ride

Driving around town and on the highway with the MG 6 2020 demonstrates that even though it is an executive sedan, it has not forgotten its MG racing heritage. Throttle response is precise and immediate even on normal mode. Weaving around traffic was also a breeze, thanks to the electronic power steering.

If you love the way it drives in normal mode, set the gear shift to Sport mode and everything gets cranked up to 11. The gauges are bathed in an almost menacing red glow, and you can immediately feel the increased throttle response along with a more taut steering feel.

Sport mode changes the MG6 driving characteristics

A word to the wise, though: the revs are kept within the gears and you will have to shift manually with the provided paddle shifters, which can be quite disorienting at first. The MG6 features independent suspension all around, which provides for great handling around the corners. The stock suspension is softer than what I am accustomed to, but it experiences very little body roll thanks to the rigidity of the body construction.

The dual clutch gearbox is also sublime, as it lacks that characteristic shudder during start/stop situations. Do note that this dual clutch transmission is not your standard type, being a wet-type DCT similar to that used in more premium sports car brands like Porsche and Bugatti. The benefits of this kind of car drivetrain are strength and increased durability in handling the engine's generous torque, unlike previous models with DCTs sold in our market.

The 1.5-liter engines are given a boost by the small turbocharger

After a few days of pure city driving, the engine might end up being quite thirsty, especially if you're a bit eager behind the wheel like I was. At an average speed of 15 km/h, the MG6 returned 6.6 km/l. Before you grab your pitchforks and lynch me, take into account that this was during heavy gridlock traffic, and every chance of open road ahead, I would let the engine sing its melodious exhaust note. I was never conscious about being economical with the MG6 so I would say that this is just on par for the amount of kit and performance you are getting.

• Visit the nearest MG Philippines dealerships for latest promos, financing options, etc.
• Check out the list of new and used MG 6 for sale at the best price

In typical MG Philippines fashion, the 2020 MG6 packs a healthy dose of safety features, coming standard with every letter in the alphabet such as ABS, ESP, EBD, CBC, TCS, VDC, and HHC. OMG, right?

MG6 has electronic brake and automatic brake hold for safety

To be clear, those acronyms stand for Antilock Brake System, Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Cornering Brake Control, Traction Control, Vehicle Dynamic Control, and Hill Hold Control. Top it off with six airbags and you have one of the safest compact sedans in the market.

Going back to my previous question, how much are you willing to pay to enjoy the finer things in life? At an age where typical top-of-the-line compact sedans cost north of PhP1.5 million, the 2020 MG6 maintains its value for money proposition, compromising very little in the process. The British marque has certainly come a long way from its roadster and racing heritage, growing up to become a sleek and sexy four-door.

The MG6 is the equivalent of that significant other who not only goes to the gym and maintains their looks, but also went to college and graduated with highest honors.

How much are you willing to spend for the finer things in life?

So, how much will it cost you? Are you willing to give the 2020 MG6 a chance with everything that it packs, and save a lot of money in the process? This is where the MG6 comes into play. It offers so much in terms of looks, performance, tech and safety features for a relatively reasonable asking price.

It doesn’t encroach on SUV money, and you get a sporty vehicle for yourself. When all is said and done, the battle of the compact sedan segment for sale will be won by the carmaker that's ready to offer the customers more for the buck, even if it means less profit for them.

Special thanks to TCCCI and the MG Car Club Philippines headed by club president Tim Garcia for providing us the test unit used in this review.