Review: the Qashqai-rivalling MG GS

MG? Ah yes, roadsters, flat caps, Union Jacks…

Oh get with the programme. This is 2016 and MG is now the Chinese manufacturer of an (albeit partly British-developed) crossover aimed at the Nissan Qashqai market.

So it has to forget heritage and stand on its own four wheels. Any chance?

Very possibly. SAIC, which owns MG, is China's biggest carmaker, though most of them are co-ventures with GM and VW. Still, that means they at least know how to manufacture a car well.

The GS is on an all-new scalable platform which next year will also sire a smaller crossover, and then hatchbacks eventually. Its engine is a co-development with GM, almost the same as the brand-new direct-injection turbo unit that's in the Vauxhall Astra. There's a seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox option, too.

The infotainment uses the best Chinese processors and screens, but with modern British graphics and menus. It's front-drive only so far, but 4WD is a possibility later.

Looks OK to me…

And to us. Its design isn't all that sophisticated, but the faceted theme, which presumably spins off the MG octagon badge, gives it a dynamic look. The nose and tail are the most interesting bits. The side's a bit generic. But seen in the round, it won't get confused with rivals.

Inside it's all about straight lines too. It's not going to make you want one, but it isn't a deal-breaker either. Assembly quality is fine, material quality below average but not terminally bad.

So if they can do a mid-spec diesel for £20k, people might take a look.

There is no mid-spec diesel. But a top-spec petrol is nicely below £20k. The petrol-only strategy might seem like it's out on a limb. But China has no diesel cars, so it wasn't worth engineering one for here. Especially as they don't expect to sell to fleets. Most private buyers opt for petrol.

This one - a 1.5-litre turbo with a healthy 164bhp - is competitive with petrol FWD rivals on acceleration (0-62mph in 9.9 seconds) and economy (46.3mpg fuel consumption and 139g/km CO2 emissions).

How does it go?

The engine's smooth and quiet, so first impressions are good. For mooching around the suburbs, there's enough mid-rpm torque. But you need to attack the rev-counter if you want much overtaking action. That's okay, though, as it's a smooth and willing operator.

And the suspension?

The steering is accurate enough and you can lean on it in bends. It's decently agile for the class. The ride's an issue though, as the springs are tight at low speed, but things start to work better above 40mph or so. Anyway, in town, the weight of a family would calm things down. And MG is very much pitching this as a family car.

The dynamics are ‘meh’, then?

Look, they're fine. It's a dull-driving car but so are pretty well all its rivals. The things that matter in this class of privately bought family cars are space, practicality, looks and warranty.

And?

It's roomy, both in the back seat and boot. Right up there with the current Qashqai. Driving position is very good. The warranty is five years. The opener at £14,995 gets air conditioning, cruise control and 17-inch wheels.

The top one, meanwhile, is £19,495 with heated electric leather seats, parking camera, sat nav, xenon lights, and 18s. That’s the one you see here. The leather is too much dress-up, highlighting the ordinary materials elsewhere.

So the price is what swings it?

MG admits this. "There is a gap in the market for low-price decent vehicles now that Hyundai and Kia have gone upmarket," says sales chief Matthew Cheyne. Which sounds like a dreary and understated pitch. Still, amid all the hype usually deployed around new-car launches, it's refreshingly honest. The MG GS is low priced. And it is a decent vehicle.