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The MG has been a British institution for many years, therefore climbing into a Chinese made version we didn't know what to expect, typically with an MG you get a sporty, relatively speedy experience, feeling every bump - This SUV has tried to capture that, as soon as you start the engine and give it a taunting rev, you get a growl, pushing it further this changes to a roar - and this is tood still, unlike recent modern cars it lets you rev it.

Pulling away you are met with an electronic handbrake with hill start assist, and a 6 speed box. The MG GS pulls away more like a car very responsive with just 160bhp from a 1.5 turbocharged engine. Going through the gears is smooth and whether your fully loaded or by yourself the experience is relatively the same performance is good and economy we averaged around 40mpg which is what we expected for a petrol SUV.

The GS performed exceptionally well with every terrain we encountered, 4x4 / AWD would have been an idea especially on our Lake District exploration, saying that though where we ventured the torque, grip and steering coped well. The steering is quite sensitive, allowing an element of feedback to the driver, no different to modern offerings, hill climbing in the MG GS didn't slow even when the gradient severly changed, it still continued to accelerate without having to go down a gear, the benefits of a turbocharger.

Whether your undertaking city, country or motorway driving the 2017 GS can handle it all with a relatively high ride height you get great visibility, folding mirrors for narrow lanes and 18in wheels for a comfortable yet responsive drive. 

Overall the GS was very pleasant to drive, covering over 800 miles it coped with everything we threw at it and more.

Practicality

Space in the front is more than ample with plenty of leg room and head room, the same can be said for the rear seats aswell. However carrying 5 adults in the rear would be uncomfetable on longer journeys. Through our experince of using the GS carrying 4 adults was no problem. The front of the verhicle is well equiped with large doorbins, central cubby hole and glove box it meant that the GS was very practical for the driver and front seat passenger, on the top of the range exclusive model electricly operated heated seats really did add an air of a premium vehicle. In the rear aminities such as electric windows, air conditioning and fold down arm rest made it a very nice place to be and made the car quite plesurable on long journeys. 

The MG GS does have the smallest boot in its class however that is the trade off for having a large amount of cabin space. We where still able to fit 4 peoples luggage in the verhicle no problem. The addition of a spare wheel and storage area for the parcel sheelve really did make the MG a cut above its competition. Other highlights to this cars boot is fold flat rear seats and no load lip, this made loading heavier and larger items into the verhicle very easy. There is also a 12V socket back there too. One thing to mention about this boot is the tail gate is rather heavy, it would have been nice to see a power tailgate, it really would have rounded off the car nicely.

Tech 

The MG GS is a very well equipped car, even the entry level car comes with a generous amount of standard equipment this includes.... The top level model which we tested comes with a fine array of equipment, everything from cruise control, reversing camera, parking sensors, cruise control and satellite navigation. You really are pushed to find something, this car does not have, the main issue with the top of the range model is the price, coming in at just under 20k, saying that a Top of the range Tiguan is £32,000, and a top of the range Corsa is £22,000. 

The infotainment system was functional however lacked the gloss of other systems offed by the likes of VW, Ford and Vauxhall. However the functionality was still there, just a little trickier to master. The display was clear with no lag.

Features such as phone connectivty, hands free and sat nav really made the car feel very tech orintated. Along with its array other driver aids and comfort options it really does appear to be a car with as much kit as some of its more expensive rivals. Cruise control, rain sensing wipers, heated and electricly operated seats, auto dimming mirror are to name a few.

Overall the GS is a very well equipped car when it comes to tech, however when you get to the range topping Exclusive model like the one we tested you do pay a premium price, something to be expected really.

Specifications & Cost