MG IM6 Review – Is This the Tesla Model Y Rival You Should Be Leasing?
Big battery, huge screen, 388 miles of range, rear-wheel steering and over 400bhp.
The MG IM6 is not your typical MG.
In fact, forget everything you think you know about MG, because the IM6 is aiming much higher than the company's usual value-focused cars.
This is a big, premium electric SUV designed to take on cars such as the Tesla Model Y — and with a starting price of £48,495, it isn't exactly cheap.
But after spending more than a week living with one, testing its technology, driving it on UK roads and comparing it directly with a Tesla Model Y, Ollie and Adam came away seriously impressed.
There are some brilliant things about this car.
There are also some things that will drive you absolutely mad.
So, is the MG IM6 actually worth considering?
Let's find out.
What Is The MG IM6?
The IM6 is effectively the flagship of MG's new premium IM electric-car range.
IM stands for Intelligence in Motion, and the idea is pretty simple: take the technology and performance you'd expect from a much more expensive premium EV and put it into a slightly more affordable package.
The IM brand is owned by SAIC, MG's parent company, and the IM6 is sold through MG's UK dealer network.
And it certainly looks different.
It's big, smooth, aerodynamic and quite futuristic, with a coupe-SUV shape and a very low-drag design.
It's also a big car.
The IM6 measures 4,904mm long and 1,988mm wide, making it larger than the Tesla Model Y.
And that's something you notice once you put the two cars next to each other.
💷 MG IM6 UK Price
The IM6 currently starts at:
£48,495
That's for the 100 Long Range.
There are also Performance and Launch Edition models higher up the range.
The Long Range version uses a 100kWh battery and rear-wheel drive, while the Performance and Launch Edition use the same-size battery but add dual-motor all-wheel drive.
And this is where things get interesting.
Because £48,495 puts the IM6 firmly into territory occupied by some very serious electric SUVs.
It's no longer competing purely on price.
It's competing on equipment, range, technology and performance.
🔋 Battery, Range & Charging
This is one of the biggest reasons to consider the IM6.
The Long Range has a 100kWh battery, with 96.5kWh usable.
Official WLTP range is:
388 miles
That's a very impressive number for a car this size.
MG's official technical data gives the Long Range 96.5kWh usable capacity and rear-wheel drive, while the Performance and Launch Edition models have the same battery but shorter official ranges.
And Ollie actually got some interesting real-world results.
After driving the car for more than a week, the trip computer was showing 3.6 miles per kWh.
That works out at roughly 347 miles based on the usable battery capacity.
So you're looking at around 40 miles less than the official 388-mile figure.
And honestly?
That's not bad.
Of course, real-world range will vary enormously depending on temperature, speed, traffic, tyres and driving style, but seeing roughly 350 miles suggested by the car's own consumption during this test was encouraging.
⚡ Charging Is Seriously Impressive
This is another area where the IM6 really stands out.
The car can accept extremely high DC charging power, with MG quoting up to 396kW.
MG says a suitable rapid charger can take the battery from 10–80% in around 17 minutes.
That's properly quick.
Obviously, you need a charger capable of supplying that sort of power to take full advantage of it.
At home, things are rather different.
Using a typical 7kW wallbox, MG quotes around 16 hours from 10–100% according to independent UK testing.
But you're rarely going to arrive home at zero and charge all the way to 100%.
If you're charging overnight, the big battery becomes much less of an issue.
🚀 Over 400bhp And 0–62 In 5.4 Seconds
The Long Range isn't just about efficiency.
It's quick.
Very quick.
MG's technical data gives the Long Range 407PS and 500Nm, with 0–62mph taking just 5.4 seconds.
And it's rear-wheel drive.
Put the car into Sport mode and the throttle becomes noticeably more responsive.
The steering also becomes heavier.
And when you start throwing the IM6 into corners, it's surprisingly composed for such a large SUV.
One of the biggest compliments from the video was that you can almost forget you're driving an SUV.
The body doesn't lean excessively.
The car feels planted.
And the rear-wheel-drive layout adds another layer of enjoyment.
🏎️ But There's A Slight Problem With The Power
The IM6 Long Range is quick.
But it isn't necessarily the most dramatic EV when you launch it.
During the Car Chat TV test, there was a noticeable delay before the power really arrived.
Once it got moving, though, the acceleration was strong.
If you want the sort of violent, head-back-in-the-seat launch that some performance EVs deliver, you'll probably want to step up to the Performance model.
That car produces a huge 751PS and gets from 0–62mph in just 3.5 seconds.
But for everyday driving?
The Long Range's 5.4 seconds is more than enough.
🦀 What Is Crab Walk Mode?
This is one of those features where you initially think:
"Why?"
Then you try it.
And suddenly you're smiling.
The IM6 has rear-wheel steering capable of turning the rear wheels by up to around 12 degrees, which massively improves manoeuvrability.
There's even a crab-walk function that allows the car to move diagonally.
Is it something you're going to use every day?
Probably not.
But it does show just how much technology has gone into this car.
And the rear-wheel steering is genuinely useful.
The official turning circle is around 10.18 metres, despite the IM6 being almost five metres long.
During the video, the system made doing a turn in the road look ridiculously easy.
🅿️ The Self-Parking Actually Works
Another technology feature that impressed us was the self-parking system.
The car scans for a suitable space and then takes over the steering to park itself.
And this wasn't tested in some perfect, empty car park with beautifully painted lines.
The IM6 managed to find a space with less-than-perfect markings and parked itself surprisingly neatly.
That's the sort of technology that's actually useful.
It's not just there to make the specification sheet look impressive.
🤫 The IM6 Is Seriously Quiet
One of the biggest surprises from living with the IM6 was just how quiet it is.
The car uses double-layer acoustic glazing and active noise cancellation technology.
MG has also made a big effort with cabin refinement.
The result is an extremely quiet interior.
And that matters.
Because when you're spending nearly £50,000 on an EV, you expect it to feel premium.
The silence helps enormously.
MG says the IM6 has double-layer laminated windows throughout, while the standard equipment also includes its 20-speaker audio system with four Sky Speakers.
And that sound system is a serious piece of kit.
🖥️ That 26.3-Inch Screen!
Then we get to the interior.
And, well...
Look at it.
The IM6 has a massive 26.3-inch display stretching across the dashboard, supported by a separate 10.5-inch touchscreen.
It's enormous.
And because the screen is recessed into the dashboard rather than simply looking like a giant tablet stuck on top, it actually looks quite sophisticated.
The quality of the materials is also impressive.
There's soft-touch material, stitching, aluminium-style detailing and plenty of surfaces that feel significantly more premium than what you'd normally associate with MG.
This is clearly a different type of MG.
😤 But The Infotainment Can Be Frustrating
And here's one of the biggest problems.
The technology is impressive.
But the user interface isn't always intuitive.
The system can feel labyrinthian.
Want to change certain settings?
You might have to go through several menus.
The air vents are another example.
Rather than simply grabbing a little physical slider and pointing the vent where you want it, you have to interact with the touchscreen system.
Once you've learned where everything is, it gets easier.
But when you first get the car, there's definitely a learning curve.
This is one area where physical controls can still make a lot of sense.
📱 One USB-C Port?
Here's another odd decision.
The front of the car has a wireless phone charger, but there is only one USB-C charging port in the area, alongside an SD-card slot.
And the SD card has a purpose.
The IM6 has a built-in digital video recorder — effectively a dashcam.
That's a brilliant feature.
But if you've got two people in the front who both want to charge their phones, having only one USB-C port isn't ideal.
Especially in a car with this much technology.
📹 Built-In Dashcam
This is one feature we really like.
The IM6 can record footage using its cameras and an SD card.
So rather than having to buy and install a separate dashcam, you've got the hardware built into the car.
It's a clever use of the cameras already fitted to the vehicle.
And because the cameras are already there for the car's various assistance systems, it makes sense.
🛋️ What's The Back Like?
Very good.
The IM6 is a big car and you can feel that in the rear.
There's loads of headroom.
There's plenty of knee room.
The seats are soft and comfortable.
And the cabin feels open rather than claustrophobic.
Compared with the Tesla Model Y, Ollie found the IM6's rear cabin more spacious and airy.
You get rear air vents, USB-C charging and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.
There are a couple of negatives.
There's only one USB-C port in the rear.
And there aren't grab handles, which is a slightly strange omission.
But overall?
The back seats are one of the IM6's strengths.
🧳 Boot Space
The IM6 has a 665-litre boot, expanding to 1,640 litres with the rear seats folded in the Long Range version.
There's also a small 32-litre front boot.
And that's a useful amount of space.
The boot opening is good and the main luggage area is practical.
There are also some nice storage touches underneath the boot floor.
The Tesla Model Y still has some clever storage solutions, particularly the side cubbies, but the IM6 certainly isn't short of luggage space.
🧠 The Driver Assistance Tech
The IM6 is absolutely loaded with technology.
You've got assisted driving, cameras, radar and a whole host of driver-assistance systems.
The adaptive cruise system works well and the visualisation on the massive screen is impressive.
The car can recognise road markings, other vehicles and even roadworks cones.
There's also a clever shortcut system that lets you customise a button on the steering wheel.
And this brings us to one of Ollie's favourite tips.
💡 Car Chat TV Tip: Turn Off The Bings & Bongs
The IM6 can be quite enthusiastic with its driver-assistance alerts.
If you find yourself getting annoyed by the constant warnings, there's a shortcut that can be configured to access the ADAS settings quickly.
Once configured, one press lets you get into the relevant settings and switch off certain assistance features.
It's one of those things that isn't necessarily obvious when you first get the car.
But once you've figured it out, it makes living with the IM6 much easier.
🌧️ Rainy Night Mode Is Really Clever
One feature we weren't expecting to like as much as we did is Rainy Night mode.
The system uses the car's cameras, radar and sensors to help improve the driver's view in poor conditions.
The system can identify objects such as people and roadworks and is designed to help when visibility is poor.
It's a good example of the IM6's overall philosophy:
technology everywhere.
Sometimes it can be too much.
But when it works, it can be genuinely useful.
🛌 Yes, It Has A Nap Mode
Because apparently every modern EV needs one.
The IM6 has a Nap mode, which adjusts the cabin environment and seats and can play relaxing sounds for a short break.
You can even set a timer.
Is it essential?
No.
Is it fun?
Absolutely.
And it's the sort of feature that shows how the IM6 is trying to differentiate itself from more traditional SUVs.
♻️ Regenerative Braking – One Of The Weak Points
This is one area where the IM6 could be better.
You get three regenerative braking settings:
Standard
Low
Off
But even the strongest setting doesn't give you a true one-pedal driving experience.
The car will slow down, but it won't bring itself completely to a stop simply by lifting off the accelerator.
For an EV with this much technology, that's a little disappointing.
The standard setting is probably the one most people will leave it in.
But we'd like to see more adjustment.
🔑 One Small Annoyance – The Door Handles
This sounds like a tiny thing.
Because it is.
But it's something you notice when living with a car.
The door handles don't always respond immediately when you pull them.
Sometimes there's a slight delay before the handle activates.
And when you're standing outside your car trying to get in, that little delay can become surprisingly irritating.
It's hardly a deal-breaker.
But it's one of those little things you wouldn't expect from a car trying to compete in the premium market.
🎨 What Does It Look Like?
This is going to be subjective.
Some people will love it.
Others won't.
The front is smooth and rounded, with some very aerodynamic styling.
There are no traditional chrome details and the body is deliberately clean.
The rear is arguably the most interesting angle.
The sloping roofline gives it that coupe-SUV appearance and there are obvious comparisons with more expensive cars.
The 20-inch aero wheels are designed with efficiency in mind, although Adam and Ollie weren't completely convinced by their styling.
They do the job, though.
And with a 388-mile official range, aerodynamic efficiency clearly matters.
🔇 Is The IM6 More Refined Than A Tesla Model Y?
According to the Car Chat TV test, it certainly feels that way.
The IM6 is exceptionally quiet and has a much more traditional luxury-car feel inside.
It's also larger than the Model Y.
And then you've got the rear-wheel steering, huge screen, massage seat, 20-speaker audio system and all the other technology.
But Tesla still has some advantages.
The Model Y has an incredibly well-developed charging network around the world, a very mature software ecosystem and a huge amount of familiarity in the UK.
So this isn't a simple case of one car being better than the other.
They're approaching the same market from very different directions.
💷 What About Leasing?
This could be the most interesting part of the IM6 story.
The video found a deal at around £361 a month, with £4,000 upfront, over two years and 10,000 miles per year.
Lease prices change constantly, so that particular video deal shouldn't be treated as a current offer.
However, there's good news.
Leasing.com is currently showing the IM6 Long Range from £361.12 per month, with a displayed total lease cost from £14,156.09.
That makes the leasing argument much more interesting.
You're talking about a car with:
388-mile official range
100kWh battery
407PS
5.4-second 0–62mph
665-litre boot
rear-wheel steering
huge 26.3-inch display
20-speaker audio system
massage driver's seat
extremely rapid DC charging
And you're potentially getting into one for around £361 a month.
That's very different from buying one outright for nearly £50,000.
📊 MG IM6 – Key Facts
SpecificationIM6 Long RangePowertrainElectricDriveRear-wheel driveBattery100kWhUsable battery96.5kWhPower407PSTorque500Nm0–62mph5.4 secondsTop speed146mphOfficial range388 milesDC chargingUp to 396kW10–80% DCAround 17 minutesBoot665 litresFrunk32 litresLength4,904mmWidth1,988mmSeats5
Manufacturer specifications; some figures vary by trim.
👍 Pros
Excellent range
388 miles is a very strong official figure, and the real-world test suggested the IM6 can get surprisingly close in favourable conditions.
Seriously quick
5.4 seconds to 62mph is more than enough for everyday driving.
Rear-wheel steering
It's genuinely useful in tight spaces and makes this large SUV feel more manoeuvrable.
Huge amount of technology
From self-parking to assisted driving, dashcam recording and Rainy Night mode, the IM6 is packed with clever features.
Brilliant cabin refinement
The quietness is one of the car's standout qualities.
Massive boot
665 litres is plenty for family life.
Ultra-fast charging
A claimed 10–80% in around 17 minutes is excellent when you can access a sufficiently powerful charger.
Premium interior
The cabin feels much more expensive than the MG badge might suggest.
👎 Cons
The infotainment is complicated
The technology is impressive, but finding certain functions can be frustrating.
Too many touchscreen controls
The lack of simple physical controls for some functions isn't ideal.
Regenerative braking could be better
The strongest setting still doesn't provide true one-pedal driving.
Only one front USB-C port
For a car packed with technology, this feels like a strange omission.
Door handles can be slow to respond
A tiny thing, but noticeable when living with the car.
Efficiency isn't class-leading
The big battery helps range, but the IM6 is a heavy vehicle. Independent testing has found its efficiency can trail some rivals.
Expensive to buy outright
At £48,495, the IM6 is a big step away from the traditional value positioning of MG.
⭐ Car Chat TV Verdict
So, would we have an MG IM6?
Well...
Ollie says yes.
And that's quite telling.
Because this isn't a car that is perfect.
The infotainment can be frustrating.
The regenerative braking isn't as adjustable as we'd like.
Some of the controls are unnecessarily complicated.
And at almost £50,000, you're asking buyers to take MG seriously as a premium brand.
But then you drive it.
And you start to understand the appeal.
It's fast.
It's incredibly quiet.
It's comfortable.
It's spacious.
It's packed with technology.
It's got a massive battery.
It's got nearly 400 miles of official range.
It charges ridiculously quickly.
And that rear-wheel steering makes a huge car surprisingly easy to manoeuvre.
The biggest question for us isn't whether the IM6 is a good car.
It clearly has a lot going for it.
The question is whether you'd spend nearly £50,000 buying one outright when there are some very established competitors around this price.
And that's where leasing becomes interesting.
At around £361 a month on the current Leasing.com listing, the IM6 suddenly looks like a very different proposition.
You get to enjoy all that technology and range without taking the same level of depreciation risk that comes with buying a brand-new premium EV outright.
So for us, this is a car we'd seriously consider leasing rather than buying.
🏆 Car Chat TV Score: 8.5/10
That's the score from the video, and after looking at the car's current UK specification, it's easy to understand why.
The IM6 isn't perfect.
But it is one of the most interesting new electric SUVs we've driven.
And perhaps the biggest compliment we can give it is this:
You get out of an IM6 and start wondering why you'd spend so much more on some of its established rivals.
That, more than anything, shows just how far MG's IM brand has come.
