MG Motor UK S6 review

At first glance, there's little to distinguish it from shoals of other Chinese crossovers. Lots of space, two screens, a high centre console with storage underneath, big glass roof. But we like it more, for many small reasons that add up. 

It's smartly trimmed. The SE has black cloth, and the Trophy has a suede-like fabric. In the mid-grey option, the decor strips are a sort of carbonesque weave, while the beige seats come with bamboo – also fake, and amusingly described in the spec as 'natural effect'. Despite the petrochemical origin it looks tasteful. Dash top and door armrests are soft-skinned and stitched. There's also some brushed metal, some of it quite possibly real.

Among the metallised jewellery is actual switchgear. Volume knobs, climate temp, demist and more. Touch a switch to adjust the seats. Touch a switch to adjust the mirror. Simple, quick, physically pleasurable and most importantly safe. It'll never catch on. The steering wheel controls feel a little cheap but again they're buttons, not capacitive mind-of-their-own irritants so we'll take them.

Two screens impart the info, plus a HUD on the Trophy. You can tile things so all the essentials (navi arrow, music track, trip computer, climate, plus speed and ADAS) show up at once. Permanent buttons at the screen base let you dive deeper without fuss.

Front seats are comfy enough if a little flat in the cushion, but rear room is the real draw. Head, knee and foot space would be plenty for tall people on a long trip. Out back is a big boot. The spec claims it's 674 litres, but that's to the ceiling without parcel shelf, so not a fair comparison. But it's big anyway. The froot is a handy 124 litres in the single motor, 102 in the twin.