MG S6 EV AWD review: A family road trip perspective

I have spent most of my career in the automotive industry and raised two children who have grown up around cars. This means I have driven just about everything: from small hatchbacks to family SUVs; diesel workhorses and performance cars. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of modern motoring.

But what I hadn't done was take a fully electric vehicle on a family road trip. So, when I got the opportunity to test the new MG S6 EV AWD, I realised there was only one way to do it: load up the kids and head from Auckland to Tauranga for the weekend.

The timing of our trip came with an interesting challenge: Tauranga was hosting the annual AIMS Games, an event attended by thousands of intermediate school students and their families. Accommodation is booked up, roads are congested and EV charging stations are in high demand.

As someone still relatively new to the EV experience, I quickly discovered that road trip success requires a different mindset. The vehicle itself was not the concern; the challenge was understanding the charging network.

Before leaving Auckland, I had downloaded multiple charging apps and familiarised myself with various charging providers. Initially, this felt a little overwhelming compared with simply pulling into a petrol station. However, once I got a better understanding of charging locations, speeds and peak usage times, the process became much easier.

For anyone considering an EV without access to home charging, planning ahead is critical. Once I got over that learning curve, I was able to focus on what really mattered: enjoying the vehicle.

One of the first things that struck me was how quiet the MG S6 EV is on the open road.

Without the background noise of an internal combustion engine, the drive felt calm and relaxing. Long-distance travel often leaves drivers feeling fatigued, but the MG removed much of the stress from the journey.

The head-up display was another standout feature. With extensive road works to navigate, speed limits regularly changed and the ability to monitor vehicle speed without taking my eyes off the road was genuinely useful. It is one of those features that you don't realise you need until you have it.

The MG S6 EV AWD is powered by a 77kWh Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese (NCM) battery coupled with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.

With a claimed WLTP range of up to 485 kilometres, range anxiety was largely eliminated. Even with motorway driving, changing weather conditions and plenty of luggage, the vehicle inspired confidence.

Like many electric vehicles, acceleration is immediate. The dual-motor setup also provides reassuring grip and stability, particularly in poor weather or on winding roads.

What impressed me most was how easy the power delivery felt. The vehicle was never aggressive or intimidating. Instead, it delivered smooth performance whenever I needed it.

Modern vehicles often rely heavily on touchscreen controls, sometimes at the expense of usability. Thankfully, MG has found a sensible balance.

The 12.8-inch central touchscreen is clear and responsive, while the 10.25-inch driver's display presents information logically.

One feature I particularly appreciated was the inclusion of physical buttons and switches for key controls. As someone who spends a lot of time evaluating vehicles, I believe certain functions are safer and easier to adjust with physical controls rather than using touchscreen menus while driving.

The interior itself feels premium for the price point. The vegan leather seating with suede upholstery looks modern and is comfortable on longer journeys.

The panoramic glass roof deserves special mention. Combined with the electric sunshade, it creates an airy, spacious feeling inside the cabin and adds to the overall sense of refinement.

Family vehicles need to do more than simply look good; they must also be practical, and the MG delivers here as well.

The premium 11-speaker audio system produces excellent sound quality. At times it genuinely felt like sitting in a live concert environment.

Storage is another strength. With up to 1,690 litres of cargo space when the rear seats are folded, there is plenty of room for sports gear or luggage. The front storage compartment is also useful for smaller items like charging cables and accessories.

The MG S6 EV AWD Essence is priced at $63,990 plus on-road costs. It combines impressive range, strong performance, practical family-friendly space, excellent technology and a premium-feeling interior at a competitive price point. More importantly, it made a long family road trip comfortable and stress-free.

For people considering a move to electric driving, the MG S6 EV demonstrates just how far EVs have evolved. Once you understand New Zealand’s charging ecosystem, ownership becomes straightforward.