First SUV of Morris Garages hits the road

Car enthusiasts remember the British brand MG (Morris Garages) for its legendary sports cars.

But that was long ago.

Since 2011, MG, under the wing of the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), has been manufacturing family-oriented hatchbacks to the utter disappointment of high performance car lovers everywhere.

Some sports car buffs may lament that SAIC is squandering MG’s racing history by coming up with mass market cars only, but the reality is that MG has to produce and sell affordable and saleable motor vehicles in order to survive and grow.

In April 2015, MG entered the lucrative compact sport utility vehicle segment by launching its first SUV, the GS, at the Shanghai Motor Show.

The GS appears to be MG’s bid to offer consumers another affordable, practical, family-friendly car, but in a more sporting package.

The state-owned SAIC produces about 5.5 million cars a year, including several MG models like the M3 and M6.

The GS is made entirely in China, although the body was designed at MG’s design center in Longbridge, England with the cooperation of SAIC; and the chassis and engine were developed with General Motors, with whom SAIC has ties. The 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) is SAIC’s own.

More for less

From the start, there were no premium aspirations, and the GS was created on the idea to offer more for less—a practical, roomy, safe and functional SUV at a lower price point compared to rivals in the compact SUV segment.

The GS that MG Philippines revealed at the Fashion Walk in Greenbelt 5 Makati last month is the fully loaded, top-of-the-line GS De Luxe AWD variant priced at P1.25 million.

Depending on market acceptance of the De Luxe AWD, other GS variants may follow.

The GS may not be the best-looking or most stylish contender in its class, yet its octagon MG badge, projector-type xenon headlamps, bulging hood, high shoulder line, chrome detailing and flared arches filled with 18-inch diamond-cut double color aluminum alloy wheels shod with 235/50 R18 tires somehow distinguish it from the rest of the pack.

The output of the 1.5-liter TGI direct injection petrol engine of the GS De Luxe AWD is boosted by a turbocharger to a hefty 164 bhp, while max torque is 250 Nm at 1700-4400 rpm.

MG Philippines claims that the GS hits 100 kph in 9.6 seconds from standstill, and its top speed is 190 kph.

Sporty roots

What’s more, MG managed some sporty inputs for the GS to stay true to the British brand’s motor sport roots.

The GS feels agile, enters corners keenly, and can be engaging to drive on twisting roads despite noticeable turbo lag.

Body roll is moderately controlled, and the electric power steering feels well-weighted, direct and on-center.

Visibility forward is good because of the high driving position, and maneuvering and parking the GS is made easy by the rear parking camera.

At low revs, the engine is quiet, but at highway speeds, some engine, wind and road noise inevitably enter the cabin because the GS is a tall SUV.

Extra large disc brakes on all four wheels provide plenty of stopping power.

An intelligent start-stop system cuts the engine while waiting at a stoplight, and helps the driver to reduce fuel consumption.

The GS’s 7-speed dual clutch transmission shows that SAIC is up-to-date when it comes to automatic gearbox technology.

The ride is bouncy, not exactly carlike-comfortable, but it improves on the expressway at around 110 kph.

The suspension system consists of MacPherson strut in front and independent multi-link at the rear.

MG claims that the GS De Luxe’s Intelligent All Wheel Drive system adjusts torque distribution in just 0.1 second should changing road and weather conditions require.

The cabin of the GS is impressively spacious, with supportive leather seats and plenty of legroom and headroom at the back, thanks to the vehicle’s lengthy wheelbase.

Well-equipped

Interior build quality is good, and the cabin is well-equipped with amenities including keyless entry, start/stop pushbutton system, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, the InkaLink infotainment system with Mirrorlink connectivity, a 6-inch color touchscreen, Bluetooth and a soundstage digital audio system.

But a premium feel is lacking due to the old-fashioned design of the dashboard and center console, and the quantity of hard plastics used.

The backrests of the 60/40 split folding rear seat can be virtually flattened to extend cargo floor capacity to 1,336 liters.

There is no loading lip, so it’s easy to load stuff into the trunk.  The spare tire is a space saver under the trunk’s floor.

Aside from its roomy cabin with lots of kit, the GS De Luxe AWD’s major selling point is its array of driver assistance and safety features. According to MG, the hill start system, hill descent control, active anti-rolling program, all-around SRS airbags, electronic stability control system, and others form the “Fifteen-in-One Flagship Level Protection” together with the ultra-high tensile steel integrated body structure.

On the other hand, the P1.25 million retail price of the GS puts it at a disadvantage compared to similarly and lower-priced segment competitors with proven records such as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Honda HR-V, Toyota RAV and Mitsubishi ASX.

MG’s nameplate needs time to establish itself as a qualified value-for-money contender in the fiercely competitive compact SUV market.

To sum it all up, the MG GS De Luxe AWD deserves a look from car buyers since it is an attractively packaged compact SUV with a British heritage, a long list of kit and safety features, plus above-average interior spaciousness.