The mainstream midsize passenger car segment has been shrinking for years, but MG wants to breathe some life into it.
The MG7 Liftback arrives in Australia, available in a single precisely specified trim level and priced from $44,990 before on-road costs.
Although similar in size to the Toyota Camry, its sporty positioning makes it more of a competitor to the Hyundai Sonata N Line, which is priced at $55,750 before on-road launch.
The combination of sporty features and design and a practical liftback body style could also appeal to disenfranchised Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon owners.
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The front-wheel drive mid-size car is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 170kW of power and 380Nm of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
This means our MG 7 has less power than the 2.0-litre engine in China, which produces 192kW and 405Nm. It also falls short of the Sonata’s 213kW and 422Nm outputs.
The Australian-market MG 7 comes standard with adaptive suspension, an adaptive three-stage electric rear spoiler and an electronic limited-slip differential.
This trim highlights the sporty style, complete with a sleek roofline, frameless double-glazed windows and four exhaust outlets, as well as 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 Michelin tires.
For those who lament the popularity of gray, white and black cars with black interiors, the MG 7 brings a splash of color to our roads.
The standard exterior paint is a rich emerald green, but other paint colors cost an additional $695. You can also choose a burgundy suede-like interior for $695.
The confirmed standard equipment of the MG 7 includes:
- Panoramic sunroof
- Head-up display
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- Surround view camera
- Bose sound system with 14 speakers
- 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat
- Dual zone climate control
We will publish a full list of specifications as soon as it becomes available.
MG also offers a range of active safety and driver assistance technologies, as well as seven airbags as standard.
The MG 7 is said to receive a five-star rating from safety regulator ANCAP, like other recently launched MGs such as the S5 EV, QS, IM5 and IM6.
MG had previously said that it did not expect sales of the MG 7 to be at the same level as the Camry. The Camry holds nearly two-thirds of the mainstream midsize car segment, with 9,309 deliveries this year through the end of November; The electric BYD Seal is a distant second with 3,371 deliveries.
“We think it will do well in Australia. Again, we’re not going for Camry volumes with this. It’s a performance fastback sedan that looks epic so we think there’s a place for it so we’ll give it a go,” said Giles Belcher, former chief commercial officer of MG Motor Australia Daily Sparkz in March.
“People buy sedans if I think they’re practical enough for them. Or the flip side is: Are they cool in design? We believe our sedans are practical and cool in design.”
This is the first time you’ll be able to buy a new mid-size combustion engine MG in Australia since it came into Chinese ownership. It comes onto the market around 20 years after the old ZT sedan and station wagon were phased out.
The original MG 7, which was produced from 2007 to 2013, was actually based on the ZT/Rover 75, so you could definitely consider this new car a belated successor.
Those looking for a mid-size electric-powered MG can opt for the IM5 instead, which starts at $60,990.
MG has been massively expanding its local offering of late, venturing into new segments with products such as the MG 7 large SUV, U9 ute and QS, with the aim of becoming one of the top three car brands here by the end of the decade.
MORE: Explore the MG showroom
