MG6 priced from $22,990 in Australia

THE return of iconic British car brand MG to Australia has come with a higher than expected pricetag of $22,990 plus on-road costs for the entry level, manual-only MG6 sedan and fastback hatch.

MG pitches the model as a mid-sizer, but in reality it sits somewhere in between small and medium.

At 4651mm long, it is 36mm longer than the Holden Cruze or Nissan Pulsar sedans, but 123mm shorter than a Volkswagen Jetta.

All the action in Australia's small car segment is happening around the $20,000 mark, Holden having recently cut the cost of entry to its updated Cruze to $19,490, the recently re-launched Pulsar launching at $19,990, and Australia's best-selling car, the Mazda3, starting at $20,330.

In New Zealand, where the MG6 went on sale in January this year, it is priced equivalent to the Nissan, and undercuts the Cruze, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla.

While there are now three dealers across the Tasman, the only place to buy an MG6 in Australia for now is MG Motor Australia’s own dealership on Parramatta Road in Sydney.

The Australian-delivered MG6 is also only available with a five-speed manual gearbox, with a five-speed automatic not expected to arrive until later this year as a stop-gap until a more advanced six-speed unit becomes available in 2014.

What's more, according to the specification sheet on the brochure supplied at today’s launch event, neither Bluetooth phone connectivity and cruise control – both nowadays considered essential standard equipment – are not standard on the base variant.

The same 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine is used across the range, producing 118kW of power at 5500rpm and 215Nm of torque between 1750 and 4500rpm, making it punchier than entry-level versions of most rivals.

But the just-updated Holden Cruze SRi kicks out 132kW and 230Nm of torque from its new 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, is better equipped and costs less at $22,490.

A quick look around the MG6 revealed a spacious interior and big 429-litre boot with modern hinges that do not rob space when the lid is closed.

But interior plastics seemed below-par and the fit and finish was not up to the standard Australian consumers have become accustomed to.

Standard specification on the MG6 includes, a key fob dock “one-touch” starter, fabric upholstery, front and rear central armrests, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, reach and height-adjustable steering, two 12-volt power outlets, electric windows, air-conditioning, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, an eight-speaker MP3-compatible audio system with auxiliary input jack.

Externally all three trim levels have 17-inch alloy wheels (with 16-inch space-saver spare), projector headlights, front fog lights, LED tail lights and a stainless steel exhaust tip.

Upgrading to the $24,990 mid-spec Comfort grade adds cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, USB audio input, a leather steering wheel and a tilt/slide glass sunroof.

Top-spec $27,990 Luxury variants come with leather upholstery, six-way electric driver's seat adjustment and four-way electric front passenger seat adjustment, automatic headlights and wipers, a self-dimming interior mirror, a reversing camera and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 8.4 seconds and combined fuel consumption is rated at 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, translating to CO2 output of 174 grams per kilometre.

Crash-test authority Euro NCAP rated the MG6 four our of five stars and front, side and curtain airbags are standard across the range.

Other standard safety aids include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, ISOFIX child seat mountings and an alarm/immobiliser.

MG Motor Australia offers a three-year/ 100,000km warranty, and GoAuto understands servicing intervals are every 8000km.

MG6 Pricing*

Standard	$22,990
Comfort	$24,990
Luxury	$27,990

*Excludes on-road costs.