Introduction to the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
MG's continued push upmarket into ever-grander sectors of the motoring industry gathers pace, as it brings us the first three-row, seven-seat SUV in its history. Called the MGS9, this newcomer is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and will tackle not only several similar, value-oriented rivals from its compatriot Chinese companies, but also established European opposition such as the Skoda Kodiaq. However, the MGS9 PHEV will not be sold in Ireland.
Pros & cons of the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
Pros:
• Spacious cabin
• Smooth drivetrain
• Satisfying steering
Cons:
• Slightly firm ride
• No DC-charging capability
• Not sold in Ireland
Exterior & design of the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
• Big, imposing body
• Front-end styling stands out
• 20-inch alloys as standard
To accommodate more passengers within, the MGS9 is almost five metres long - so it's an imposing machine, with the stance helped by the range-wide fitment of 20-inch alloy wheels.
The styling is actually quite appealing and crisp, and gives the SUV an upmarket appearance, but we'd say the front-end design doesn't exactly fit in with the rest of MG's current portfolio, mainly due to its large trapezoidal radiator grille.
Still, it's not ugly, and at the back, a tidy light strip has triangular-shaped LEDs in it, which look interesting when they illuminate.
Further, when the S9 is braking, there are four horizontal strips to inform following traffic it is slowing down: two mounted side-by-side up in the roof spoiler, matched by two strips in the bar on the boot. It's a strangely eye-catching thing when you see them light up the first time.
Dimensions of the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
Length: 4,983mm
Width: 1,967mm (excluding mirrors)
Height: 1,778mm
Wheelbase: 2,915mm
Interior, practicality, tech & comfort of the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
• Twin 12.3-inch screens
• Plenty of seating configurability
• Boot space impressive
As MG's biggest model, accordingly the three-row S9 has the most accommodating interior. Technology is good up front too, while material quality both looks and feels excellent throughout.
Getting comfortable in the driver's seat
Every model of the MGS9 comes with at least an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, plus a reach-and-rake steering column. The driving position is therefore accommodating for a wide range of physiques, while the vehicle provides a nice, commanding vantage point from which to view the road through the windscreen.
Infotainment and technology
The MGS9's dashboard is centred on two 12.3-inch screens, which seem to operate pretty slickly, and which graphically look sharp.
The car also comes with the excellent MG Pilot system, which allows you to configure a preferred 'menu' of which advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) you want activated and which you don't, save the resulting configuration to MG Pilot, and then each and every time you start the car, you simply swipe down from the top of the touchscreen, tap the MG Pilot icon and your preferred set-up is in force.
Beyond the displays, the basic specification of the MGS9 should include heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, a six-way electrically adjustable front-passenger chair, three-zone climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera system and vehicle-to-load.
But a wireless smartphone charger is only included on the higher-grade model, along with items like ventilated and massaging front seats, and a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio set-up too.
Practicality around the cabin
As with many modern electrified vehicles, up front in the MGS9 PHEV are capacious door pockets, a large central cubby beneath the central armrest, more under-dash storage and a fair glovebox, all to cope with the various items and clobber of day-to-day living.
Rear-seat passenger space
There's plenty of room inside this SUV and of course the selling point of the MGS9 PHEV is that it can carry more people than any other model seen from the company previously.
The middle-row seats can all slide forwards and backwards individually to tailor how you want the cabin arranged, but while the rear-most two chairs fold in a 50:50 split, the second-row seatbacks are only divided up in a 60:40 ratio.
Fitting child seats to the MGS9 PHEV
Weirdly, for such a big vehicle, the MGS9 only has two ISOFIX positions in its cabin, which are on the outer two chairs of the second-row seating.
There are, of course, three-point seatbelts in all six passenger seats, so you can put belt-restrained child seats anywhere you want (or can fit them) - and at least, thanks to its large and wide-opening rear doors, fitting child seats into those ISOFIX points ought to be a breeze.
Boot space in the MGS9 PHEV
MG quotes an all-seats-in-use cargo capacity for the S9 PHEV of 332 litres, but it should be noted that that figure is when measured up to the roof.
Even more impressive are the 1,026 litres on offer with just five seats in the cabin occupied (again, though, that's measured to the roof rather than the window line, but it's still admirable), while fold rows two and three of the SUV down and a huge 2,093 litres is liberated.
Towing with the MGS9 PHEV
The MGS9 Plug-In Hybrid is rated to tow up to 2,000kg of braked trailer.
Safety in the MGS9 PHEV
Having been assessed in 2025 by Euro NCAP, the MGS9 picked up excellent subdiscipline scores of 84, 85, 74 and 77 per cent respectively, for adult occupant, child occupant, vulnerable road users and safety assist, on its way to a full five-star overall rating.
MG is also proud to say there's up to 16 ADAS items available on the S9 line-up, so it's a safe family vehicle. The full Euro NCAP report into the SUV can be read right here.
Performance of the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
• One PHEV drivetrain available
• Front-wheel drive, single-speed auto
• Steers nicely
Effectively, the MGS9 is a stretched-wheelbase version of the five-seat HS PHEV, as it uses the same plug-in drivetrain as its only motive choice.
Driving the MGS9 PHEV on German roads
Words by Matt Robinson on 2 April 2026
In a brief sojourn out in a high-spec German example of the MGS9 on the flat roads near Frankfurt, we were impressed by the overarching composure of the big seven-seat SUV.
For starters, its drivetrain is responsive without ever getting noisy. With 299hp and 390Nm on tap, it's powerful enough that it feels strong in the midrange, despite the fact the quoted 0-100km/h is a middling 9.6 seconds.
That's more to do with the 2.15-tonne-plus kerb weight of the S9, although the MG doesn't feel particularly lardy or lead-footed on the move.
But because it uses a single-speed reduction gear transmission and its engine is so subdued, the S9 almost drives more like an EV than a PHEV - including having three settings of regenerative braking, the strongest of which leads to enough retardation for the SUV to almost be driven in a one-pedal style (you will still have to use the brake to entirely stop the MG).
In terms of rolling refinement and ride comfort, the car is also very good, but we have the slight caveat that when the suspension encountered the very few imperfections in the otherwise-pristine German tarmac we were running on, there was just a little more noise from the wheel housings and a little more thump through the base of the seats than we'd ideally like.
Otherwise, the suppression of tyre and wind noise is commendable, while once again this is an MG with steering that's probably far lovelier than it needs to be for the likely end users' needs.
True, we didn't chuck the car about too much, so we can't talk about its handling at the extremes, but there's certainly a delicious weight and precision about the steering on the car which bodes well for its overall roadholding prowess.
Range, battery, charging and running costs of the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
• Up to 100km of electric range
• 23.2kWh usable battery
• No DC-charging capability
The MGS9's solitary hybrid drivetrain does make it efficient to run for a large, powerful, multi-occupant SUV such as this, although it's a shame that - for a PHEV with a relatively large battery - there's no DC-charging capability.
Battery options and official range
The MGS9 PHEV has a 24.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack, of which 23.2kWh is usable. This, says the manufacturer, gives it an all-electric range of up to 100km, which is decent by today's standards.
Real-world range and efficiency of the MGS9 PHEV
On our genteel test loop, conducted in warmish temperatures and at reasonable road speeds, the MGS9's display showed an indicated 2.8 litres/100km.
This was after beginning the drive in the SUV with plenty of battery charge, a situation which is highly beneficial to recorded fuel economy. So, as with all PHEVs, as long as you use it as intended and regularly charge the electric portion of its drivetrain up from the mains, you should see some excellent returns from the MG.
Charging up the MGS9 PHEV
On many PHEVs with larger batteries, DC charging is offered to minimise the time required with the vehicle hooked up to the electric grid. However, the MGS9 is not among their number, peaking at 7kW on AC. That'll mean something like three-and-a-half to four hours to perform a full top-up of the battery on a domestic wallbox.
Servicing the MGS9 PHEV
We expect the MGS9 will require the same level of maintenance as other vehicles from this manufacturer, which is usually a 12-month or 25,000km cycle, whichever comes sooner.
MGS9 PHEV warranty
All new MGs sold in Ireland are covered by a seven-year warranty, with the first year of the guarantee free from a distance cap. Then there's a 150,000km limit from years two to seven of ownership.
Irish pricing & rivals to the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
• Not being sold in Ireland
• Each variant well-equipped
• Mix of new-fangled and traditional rivals
Equipment levels, as usual with MG, are generous across the board, with a two-stage trim line-up in countries the MG S9 is sold in. Alternatives such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron will have to satisfy Irish buyers.
Verdict - should you buy the 2026 MGS9 PHEV?
The answer is academic as you couldn't buy the MGS9 in Ireland even if you wanted to. However, with its capacious interior, smart styling and smooth driving manners, it'd make a talented and easily recommendable choice for family buyers.
FAQs about the 2026 MGS9 PHEV
Is the MGS9 PHEV sold under any other names worldwide?
Yes, it was originally launched as the Roewe RX9 in its native China.
Is the MGS9 PHEV all-wheel drive?
No, despite the fact it has a combustion engine and an electric motor, both of these serve to drive the front wheels alone. There's no word on whether other derivatives might join the solitary PHEV powertrain further down the line.
How many ISOFIX positions are there in the MGS9 PHEV?
Despite having seven seats, there are just two - and these can be found on the outer chairs of the second-row bench in the SUV.
Want to know more about the 2026 MGS9 PHEV?
If there's anything about the new MGS9 PHEV we've not covered, or you'd like help in choosing between it and other cars, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
