MG MOTOR’S entry into the Large SUV segment is via its new QS model, an ICE-powered seven-seater as opposed to a 5+2 as seen in some other brands.

Two grades are available: the Excite front wheel drive and the higher spec’ Essence AWD both powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering 153kW/360Nm driving through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Excite FWD is priced from $46,990 driveaway while the Essence AWD lists from $50,990 driveaway (each price in effect until end July).

Large segment SUV competitors include: the LDV D90 Executive AWD from $51,568, Jaecoo J8 Ridge from $54,990, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max Ultimate from $47,990 and possibly the GWM Tank 300 2.0 Ultra from $50,990 all driveaway.  

As far as being a competitor for similar size vehicles like Hyundai’s Palisade and Toyota’s Kluger, well, the MG is thousands less and has a 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder ICE only.

Tested was the top-of-the-whizzer Essence AWD in a luscious black duco, with an attractive combo of perforated leather to sit in and metal fascia to look at.

Thankfully, MG has resisted the (growing) trend to run nearly everything through a large, highly distracting centre touch/control screen which is seriously conflicted given it is an offence to use your (distracting) phone while driving.

The QS does have a centre screen with many functions but also has a stylish array of piano key style buttons underneath for easy operation.

Fuel consumption for the front-wheel drive Excite model is listed at 8.4 litres per 100km on the combined cycle with the optional all-wheel-drive Essence using 8.8L/100km.

The QS measures at 4983mm in length, 1967mm in width, and 1778mm in height with all models capable of towing up to 2000kg (braked). Cargo space is listed at 203 litres in seven-seat mode, 517 litres in five-seat mode, and 1052 litres all told.

Standard kit on the entry level Excite includes: 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED lighting front and rear, a cooled glovebox, cloth upholstery, eight-way powered front seat adjustment, keyless entry and ignition, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, LED ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails in a silver finish, tri-zone climate control, and woodgrain interior ornamentation.

Infotainment and connectivity features include dual 12.3-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, AM/FM/DAB+ radio reception, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, native satellite navigation, eight-speaker sound, and MG iSmart phone app connectivity with free access for the first 12 months of ownership.

Safety inclusions as standard include a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, child-seat anchorages (two ISOFIX and three top-tether), door exit warning, driver monitoring system, lane centring assist, lane change assist, lane keep assist, rear collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert with braking function, rear parking sensors, seven airbags, traffic sign recognition with speed limiter function, and tyre pressure monitoring.

Step up to the Essence AWD driven and you get 21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive damping, auto high beam, auto dimming rear-view mirror, driver seat memory function, front parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats, LED front fog lights, perforated leather upholstery, wireless phone charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system.

A choice of five paint finishes is available in Pearl White (no-cost), Black Pearl, Camden Grey, Cashmere Silver, and Regency Green attract an $800 surcharge.

The QS Essence has immediate visual appeal due to its size and attractive styling that has scaled-up MG family cues to the front and rear complete with expansive LED lighting. Panel fit and paint lustre is right up there, and the overall look is set-off by attractive multi-spoked 21-inch alloys.

The classy looking interior is in a minimalist idiom… a welcome change from the gauche fascia and exponentially growing screens found in plenty of other car brands nowadays.

Instead, the QS takes a leaf out of Hyundai’s book with one wide curving screen containing two panels, an info’ cluster for the driver and a relatively compact infotainment touchscreen with icons beside that atop the centre stack.

As already mentioned, underneath is a pleasing array of “piano” keys for often used functions that stops the need to cycle through numerous menus for access to critical systems such as the climate control.

Big points for MG on that one and for the inclusion of iSmart that give access to numerous vehicle controls remotely through a smartphone.

Tapping European manufacturers in joint ventures has allowed Chinese manufacturers like MG to mimic high quality automotive manufacturing expressed through design, materials, fit, upholstery and seats that in the QS rate as good as something from say Volkswagen even BMW.

The seven seats are comfy and cossetting with electric adjustment to the fronts, reclining and sliding centre row seats and an easy to fold flat third row to create a large load space. Even with the rears up, a reasonable load space is still available.

The multi-function tiller feels good in your hands and with six drive modes provided: Normal, Snow, Off-road, Sport, Custom and Eco, pretty much all types of driving environments are covered.

In a reflection of the QS’s size, other interior dimensions are good and plenty of storage options and tech access points are dotted throughout the cabin while the three-zone climate control is a huge plus for rear seat passengers.

Available engine performance is good apart from noticeable lag off the mark. Ease it away and there’s no problem, boot it and that’s another story… and sometimes you must boot it for safety’s sake.

At circa-2000kg the vehicle’s weight dents available performance higher up in the speed range but the donk runs smoothly and quietly recording better fuel economy than the factory’s claimed combined 8.8L/100km with our short stint registering 7.6L/100km… of 95RON premium unleaded (minimum).

The nine-speed auto shifts smoothly and is almost predictive in operation but no paddle shift is fitted.

We tried several drive modes all of which engaged different calibrations to various dynamic functions but left it mostly in Normal for general driving.

It has adaptive suspension (Macpherson strut front and multi-link rear) that is not easy to discern apart from the fact that the QS in Normal mode serves up a controlled soft ride with sharpish steering and gear changes. Grip from the AWD system is aided by quality low profile (noisy) rubber imparting a secure feel to the vehicle’s overall dynamics.

It has an extensive array of intrusive MG Pilot ADAS that we tried to turn off but couldn’t quite get there as our drive was to the accompaniment of various bings, bongs and a voice prompt… because we can’t drive of course!

Exacerbating off the line lag is idle-stop with handbrake application that we also failed to be able to turn off which was only released when the throttle is pressed, not when the brake pedal is released. Might seem OK in a lab’ but in the real world it most definitely is not.

Our short run in the MG QS Essence proved illuminating particularly its build quality which is strikingly good for what is a comparatively cheap vehicle. A little more real-world fettling and calibrating would do wonders.