The MG QS is launching in Australia later this year as the brand’s largest SUV yet for our market.
A CarExpert reader has shared an image of a QS evaluation vehicle, spotted testing in New South Wales.
The QS will be shown off to the public in Melbourne on April 5-6, ahead of a local launch during winter (June to August).
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A recent government approval filing revealed the seven-seat QS appears almost identical to the MG RX9 already on sale in markets like the Middle East.
The MG RX9 itself is a rebadged RX9 from fellow SAIC Motor brand Roewe, which entered production in 2022.
That’s in contrast with the smaller MG HS which, while also derived from a Roewe, features unique, MG-specific front-end styling.
The company recently filed trademark applications for the QS, QS PHEV, QS AWD and QS Plug-in Hybrid nameplates, though only petrol-powered QS models appear in the approval filing – one with front-wheel drive, one with all-wheel drive.
These use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 153kW of power. While no torque figure appears in the documents, in the Middle East and Mexico the RX9 produces 350Nm.
These outputs are down on the 178kW/392Nm figures of the Chinese-market Roewe RX9.
The QS’ turbo-petrol engine is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
It remains to be seen what outputs the plug-in hybrid QS produces, as it’s not on sale in any market yet.
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MG RX9
Here’s how large the QS is, and how this compares to key rivals:
| MG QS | Toyota Kluger | Kia Sorento | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4983mm | 4966mm | 4815mm |
| Width | 1967mm | 1930mm | 1900mm |
| Height | 1778mm | 1755mm | 1700mm |
| Wheelbase | 2915mm | 2850mm | 2815mm |
The documents list a braked towing capacity of 2000kg, and a choice of standard 20-inch or optional 21-inch alloy wheels.
The front-wheel drive model weighs 1904kg, while the all-wheel drive model is 1994kg.
For context, a front-wheel drive Kia Sorento V6 has a tare mass of 1898kg, while an all-wheel drive diesel model weighs 1974kg.
The QS/RX9 rides on McPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension.
Australian Government approval documents don’t show the interiors of vehicles, so it remains to be seen whether there are any changes from the left-hand drive MG RX9… well, besides the obvious.
The MG RX9 features a pair of 12.3-inch screens in one angled assembly, while the Chinese-market Roewe RX9 adds another screen ahead of the front passenger.
A full suite of safety technology is available overseas, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera.
Depending on the variant and market, features include heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats with memory, as well as a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a panoramic sunroof.
It remains to be seen whether we’ll get the airy beige interior offered in some markets, or if MG will only offer a black interior.
MG has offered some lighter-coloured interiors in recent years, including in the previous-generation HS and current ZS. The company has said it’s open to offering more non-black interiors in its cars.
The three-row large crossover segment is unfamiliar territory for MG in Australia, though the new car is actually the second generation of MG RX9 in markets like the Middle East.
It’s fairly unfamiliar territory for Chinese brands in general, too. Chery’s Tiggo 8 Pro Max is considerably smaller, while GWM’s Tank 500 is a more rugged, body-on-frame vehicle.
However, the MG QS will have a Chinese competitor in the upcoming Jaecoo J8, which will also pack a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s unclear whether a plug-in hybrid version offered overseas will come here.
MG has offered other large SUVs before overseas, with the Gloster being a rebadged LDV D90.
