Bargain car brand accidentally leaks first ever 7-seater SUV – and it’s £5k cheaper than Skoda & Peugeot rivals
A POPULAR, bargain car brand has had its next model revealed early after an accidental Euro NCAP crash-test leak.
MG’s new MGS9, a seven-seat SUV – the first of its kind built by the British-now-Chinese state-owned manufacturer – is poised to rival the Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008 and Kia Sorento when it debuts in the UK and Europe in the near future.
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Images and details of the upcoming MGS9 PHEV appeared on the Euro NCAP website before MG could announce the model’s arrival in the UK and EuropeCredit: Euro NCAP
MG has already released the seven-seater SUV in Australia, where it’s called the MG QS
The game was given away by Euro NCAP, an independent organisation which provides safety ratings for new cars, after they published crash-test results for the MGS9 PHEV before MG were able to announce the model.
And according to Auto Express, this isn’t even the first time Euro NCAP has spoiled the party for MG, as they also previously revealed the MGS6 EV ahead of the brand’s own communications.
It isn’t all bad news though, as the MGS9, which is already sold in Australia as the MG QS, achieved a five-star crash-test rating – with scores of 84% for adult occupant protection and 85% for child occupants.
It also scored 77% overall for safety assist which more-or-less matches the car’s main competitors.
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Euro NCAP’s documentation also indicates the MGS9 will use a 1.5-litre petrol engine – suggesting it’ll have the same plug-in hybrid setup as the wildly popular MG HS.
But the biggest selling point will be its acres of space inside, with the Australian market QS model detailing an adult-friendly third row, while MG claims it boasts “true seating for seven”.
At 4.98 metres long and with a 2.92-metre wheelbase, it’s notably larger than the Kodiaq.
The second row reportedly slides to balance passenger and boot space, which is quoted at 203 litres with all seats up, 517 litres with the third row folded and a mighty 1,052 litres with only the front seats in use – that’s a lot of luggage.
Inside, the design closely matches the latest MG HS with a single panel sporting a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display.
There’s also a row of physical shortcut buttons for ease of use.
Naturally, as the car hasn’t even been officially announced yet, the car’s price is anyone’s guess.
However, Auto Express suggests that, given the plug-in hybrid HS starts at £32,245 and is currently subject to significant discounts, the seven-seat MGS9 PHEV is expected to open at around £35,000.
That means it’ll undercut its rivals such as the Kodiaq and 5008, all the while offering more space inside.
Elsewhere, a leaked internal memo which circulated in October has claimed Mercedes will be forced to axe a range of its four‑cylinder AMG models.
This includes the plug‑in hybrid C63, with the memo citing tighter European vehicle‑noise limits coming into force around mid‑2026 as the trigger.
It also reportedly states that the C43, GLC43 and GLA35 will end production in February 2026, with the C63 S E Performance and GLC63 following in May 2026.
However, the GLA45 and GLA45 S are said to continue.
