Honda CR-V vs MG Mgs6 Ev

What's the difference?

The Honda CR-V RS hybrid has plenty going for it. It’s a well-rounded package with good levels of comfort and practicality, and a driving experience that’s easy to live with day to day.

There are a few areas that hold it back from leading the segment. The multimedia system feels behind the curve for a flagship grade, and the engine can become vocal under load. Some rivals also edge ahead when it comes to outright equipment.

Even so, the CR-V still delivers where it counts. It’s efficient, spacious and comfortable.

It’s probably a bit much to place the future success or failure of MG as a brand solely on the shoulders of the MGS6. A lot more work behind-the-scenes and customer facing will need to happen to ensure the brand doesn’t repeat its 2025 sales performance.

However, the MGS6 is a step forward and something of a return to form for the brand. It’s a good value, well-equipped and spacious electric SUV, so if that’s what you’re looking for, it should be on your short list.

However, the challenge for MG is that there are several other very similar offerings that have emerged in recent times, namely the BYD Sealion 7, while hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 remain family favourites. Not to mention the other options from GAC, Geely, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru etc as the electric SUV segment continues to grow.

It won’t be easy for MG to recover lost ground but the MGS6 is a good start.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

The CR-V hasn’t changed much since this generation launched in 2023, but it remains a purposeful-looking SUV for the segment. A slightly longer body and 198mm of ground clearance give it a bit more presence on the road than some of its rivals.

The silhouette is clean and confident, lifted by black 19-inch alloy wheels, matching door handles and a sharply styled honeycomb grille.

Inside, the cabin reflects the RS grade nicely. The embossed leather seats with red contrast stitching add a sporty edge, while the dashboard design feels cohesive and well thought out. The honeycomb air vents tie in nicely with the grille and look modern. There's a satisfying tactility throughout, with plenty of soft-touch materials and clicky buttons. The panoramic sunroof and black headliner also give a subtle sense of sophistication.

As far as flagship grades go, it looks the part.

Historically MG has played it safe design-wise, opting for inoffensive but sometimes derivative looks. But with this latest generation the brand is starting to find its own unique style and the MGS6 is another example of that.

The company has hired more European designers, who have brought a more global look and feel to the brand and given it a more clearly defined sense of style. There is a clear visual link to the smaller MGS5, with both models clearly influenced by the brand’s halo model, the Cyberster.

There’s a Cyberster-inspired split grille at the front, plus new signature daytime running lights, while at the rear there are full-width lights, with a 3D light effect with integrated spoiler for better aerodynamics. The exterior look is then finished off with 20-inch aero-designed alloy wheels.

Inside the design is in keeping with previous MG models, which means a simplistic but very modern cabin.

There are two screens, one for the driver’s display and one for the multimedia system, that provide a clean and contemporary look. 

MG is offering two interior options, a standard grey-colour cabin with carbon fibre-style inlays or an optional beige look complete with Scandinavian-inspired light wood-style inlays dubbed Nordic Ashwood.

Notably, there are more soft-touch materials used throughout, which adds to a more premium look and feel for the MGS6 compared to some of the brand’s earlier models.

Up front, there’s plenty of space and the seats are comfortable over longer drives, helped by the extra adjustment and functions on offer. The seat bases are on the shorter side though, so I would have liked to see extendable under-thigh support for added comfort.

Storage is well thought out, making it easy to keep things tidy. There’s a deep centre console, two cupholders and decent door bins, along with a large tray that houses the wireless charging pad and two USB-C ports.

In the back, legroom is generous and the seats themselves are comfortable, especially with the heat function on the outboard seats. The transmission tunnel is also not too high for middle seaters. Headroom is a touch tighter, due to the panoramic sunroof, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The wide-opening rear doors also make access easy.

Features in the backseat are a little more modest than expected for a flagship. You get directional air vents and a couple of USB-C ports, but miss out on extras like separate climate controls and device pockets. There are two ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchors, though realistically two child seats will fit best.

Around the back, the 581L boot capacity means it easily handled luggage for four adults along with a weekend shop. This grade also includes a powered tailgate, though it makes do with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare, which won't suit everyone.

From the driver’s seat, the tech experience is a bit of a mixed bag. The multimedia system feels dated, both in size and graphics, and some settings can be fiddly to locate and adjust, including the head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay is a welcome inclusion, though it did take a few attempts to connect initially. Once paired, it’s been reliable.

On the plus side, Honda has kept physical buttons and dials for key functions, which makes a big difference to everyday usability. Very little is buried in menus, and it all feels intuitive to operate on the move.

While MG has opted for the clean, ‘tech’ look by running all the key functions through the two screens, thankfully the brand has also decided to include more physical buttons. These are for the key controls, specifically the air-conditioning and the audio system, and make it easier to adjust on the move.

MG has placed a big emphasis on user-friendliness, with a reported 38 storage spots scattered around the cabin to help make life easier for occupants. Certainly the cupholders, deep door pockets, large centre console shelf and large lidded console box do make storing your everyday small items convenient.

As for interior space, MG was keen to point out that its battery back is “ultra-thin” and measures just 110mm tall, which has allowed for a more spacious cabin with a flat floor. This translates to a very roomy interior, especially in the second row where there is enough space for two adults to sit comfortably with ample headroom and kneeroom.

In terms of storage, the MGS6 is the brand’s first model to feature under bonnet storage, or a 'frunk' as some people call it, which adds up to 86L of storage space (although that number is reduced to 67L in the AWD).

This is obviously in addition to the boot, which measures 581L with the seats up and 1607L with the second row folded.

MG has taken a ‘keep it simple’ approach, offering just two variants of the MGS6 - the RWD that starts at $49,990 and the AWD priced from $56,990 - on a single specification Essence grade.

Both those prices are drive-away, which means the MGS6 is very competitive, undercutting the likes of the Tesla Model Y by more than $10,000. However, that’s still not enough to make it the most affordable electric SUV, with cheaper options out there, most notably fellow Chinese brands GAC and Geely claiming that honour with their EX5 and Aion V starting in the low-$40K range, although those are arguably at least a half-size smaller than the roomy MGS6. 

Standard equipment on both models includes 20-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 11-speaker sound system and a combination of synthetic leather and synthetic suede trim. The only major specification difference between the RWD and AWD, aside from the powertrain, is a panoramic sunroof for the more expensive model.

The CR-V RS hybrid is all-wheel drive and pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with two electric motors, delivering up to 135kW and 355Nm. Both figures are a bit lower than its Kia and Hyundai rivals, which both produce up to 173kW/367Nm, but for the most part, there’s enough punch for both city driving and longer highway runs.

The electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) can get a bit vocal under load though, particularly on hills where it tends to hold higher revs.

The MGS6 is based on MG’s ‘E2’ EV architecture, which is the same as the S5 and compact MG4 hatch - not to be mistaken with the front-wheel drive MG4 Urban, which is on a newer platform.

This particular platform is designed for rear- and all-wheel drive applications, while the 'E3' architecture will be used for front-wheel drive models.

The S6 RWD has a single electric motor which, as the name implies, is mounted on the rear axle and makes 180kW of power.

The AWD option unsurprisingly adds a front-mounted electric motor for all-wheel drive performance and 266kW of power.

The CR-V hybrid has a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km. Paired with a 57-litre fuel tank, that gives it a theoretical driving range of around 1000km, which is strong for a mid-size SUV.

In the real world, I saw 6.7L/100km over the week. That’s still a solid result, especially considering how much highway driving was involved, where hybrids typically aren’t at their most efficient.

The motors are fed by a 77kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery, which is enough to provide the MGS6 RWD with 530km of range, while the AWD drops to a still reasonable 485km of claimed range.

According to the company, on a combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle the RWD uses 145Wh/km, while the AWD consumes 160Wh/km, but unfortunately our test drive was too short to verify the real-world use over an extended period of time.

MG claims with a 150kW DC charger, the battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in just 38 minutes - roughly the same time as its key rivals. 

Using an 11kW AC charging it will take approximately seven hours to charge the battery from empty to 100 per cent capacity.

On the road, the RS hybrid has enough power to keep things moving, even on winding hills, though you do need to lean into the throttle to get the most out of it. The engine can sound quite strained under load, but it’s more noise than anything, with performance still holding up.

Through corners, it feels more dynamic than you might expect. The suspension and steering lean firm and responsive, which makes it a capable tourer. That said, road noise does creep into the cabin, particularly on longer drives, and takes a bit of the shine off.

To maximise energy recovery, you can switch from Drive to B mode to increase regenerative braking. It’s especially useful in stop-start traffic or on hilly roads, though it does mean you can’t use cruise control in this setting.

Around town, visibility and parking are made easier with a 360-degree camera. The image is clear, although the slight fish-eye effect takes a little getting used to. Once you’re familiar with it, though, it’s a straightforward car to manoeuvre.

It’s easy with EVs to fall into the trap of thinking just because it isn’t ludicrously fast it’s a letdown. And certainly, despite having 266kW available, I wouldn’t call the MGS6 particularly fast.

But measure it against its SUV peers, electric, hybrid and petrol powered, and it performs admirably. The natural smoothness of the electric motors only adds to the relaxed driving nature.

The ride and handling is also improved over previous MG models we’ve reviewed. It’s still not class-leading, but in terms of what the brand has produced before it feels like a positive step forward.

Overall the driving experience is very quiet and relaxed, with good insulation from the outside world and the quiet efficiency of the electric powertrain.

The MGS6 is well-equipped with all the usual passive and active safety features you’d expect in this day and age. These include autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera view.

Thankfully, MG has managed to tone down some of the sensitivity of these systems, which have been (to be blunt) unbearable in some of its other models. It could still be improved further, the speed limit warning remains a steady presence on every drive, but overall it is a clear improvement for the brand.

As for its safety rating, at the time of publication the MGS6 hadn’t been tested by ANCAP, but was awarded five-stars from Euro NCAP in a late 2025 assessment. That means it will likely carry a maximum five-star rating in Australia, even though it doesn’t adhere to the latest protocols spruiked by the safety agency. 

The CR-V is covered by Honda’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which is below average now for the segment. However, it can be extended by a further three years if you service exclusively through Honda.

Ownership costs are where it stands out positively. You get five years of complimentary roadside assistance, along with a capped-price servicing program where visits are just $199 each. That’s one of the more affordable offerings in this class. For context, the Toyota RAV4 comes in at $325 per service over the same period, followed by $458 for the Hyundai Tucson and $583 for the Kia Sportage.

Service intervals are set at every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

In a bid to convince buyers of the brand’s reliability and longevity MG is still offering a standard seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with the option to extend to 10-years/250,000km if you get all your servicing done at an MG dealer, which makes it the longest warranty available for a new car in Australia.

Servicing intervals are every 12-months or 25,000km, whichever comes first, and differ slightly depending on the model. For the RWD the five-year service plan totals $1321 and $1877 for the seven year plan, while for the AWD the costs are $1376 and $1987, respectively.

It was noticeable during the brand’s presentation of the new MGS6 to local media that customer experience, both in the new car showroom and service centres, is a top priority. That suggests the anecdotal evidence that MG has been behind key rivals in this department is an accurate reflection. But clearly the new management structure wants to change that.

There are currently around 100 MG dealers across the county.