China's latest 2026 Tesla Model Y rival incoming: 2026 MG S6 EV approved for sale in Australia to battle the Kia EV5, XPeng G6 and BYD Sealion 7

MG’s answer to the Tesla Model Y is a step closer to going on sale in Australia.

Dubbed the MG S6 EV, the Chinese brand’s latest electric SUV has been approved for sale by the Federal Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.

The filing doesn’t reveal many details except for the vehicle’s dual motor layout and power outputs.

A 119kW front mounted electric motor is paired with an 180kW motor at the rear for a combined output of 266kW.

This model was spied earlier this year undergoing testing in Australia.

It is believed to be an Australian market version of the Marvel R, which is on sale in Europe.

That means it’ll be about 4680mm long, 1920mm wide and 1620mm high, which is in the mid-size SUV sweet spot.

This puts it on a collision course with the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 and the Tesla Model Y.

It appears mechanically different from the Marvel R in Europe, which uses two rear mounted electric motors on rear wheel drive versions or a tri-motor set-up delivering all-wheel drive.

Outputs are modest for the European versions, with the rear-wheel-drive examples making a 132kW/410Nm and the tri-motor 211kW/665Nm, which is below the official grunt figures for the new S6 EV.

It'll likely have fresh styling, which brings it in line with the smaller S5 EV.

The S6 is expected to be the all-electric alternative to the MG HS mid-size SUV, which is available with petrol or plug-in hybrid power in Australia.

The S6 follows the company’s new naming structure for EVs with the new S5 EV replacing the old ZS EV.

Expected the S6 to have a high level of standard equipment and it will be covered by the brand’s 10 year/250,000km warranty.

Vehicles usually arrive in dealership several months after they appear in the government approval documents, so expect the S6 EV to arrive in about Q3 this year.