What's the difference?
Meet the MG QS, the latest SUV from the Chinese giant, and one that the brand promises is a “true” seven-seater – not a five-seater with two dinky little seats in the boot, but a full-size SUV that can carry seven adult-sized humans.
And that promise puts it on a collision course with family favourites like the Toyota Kluger or the Kia Sorento.
So, how does this big MG measure up?
Read on.
Yep, here comes another new brand.
The Australian new car market has been flooded with new car brands in recent years, not exclusively but predominantly from China. GAC is the latest, joining the likes of BYD, Deepal, Geely, GWM, Leapmotor, MG and Xpeng in an increasingly crowded market.
Quite simply, the market is now so crowded it means any new company with long-term aspirations will need to find a way to cut through. Being cheap alone won’t do it, nor will being stylish or nice to drive. No single trait will be enough, instead you will need to tick as many boxes as possible to secure any long-term security.
Which puts a lot of pressure on the Aion V, the brand’s mid-size, all-electric SUV that has just arrived in Australia. It will go head-to-head with the likes of the Geely EX5 and Leapmotor C10 at the more-affordable end of the electric SUV market. But does it tick enough boxes to make an impact? Read on to find out…
What it lacks in driving panache it does make up for in terms of space and equipments, and there really is room for seven decent-sized humans on board. Combine that with a decade of warranty coverage, and the MG QS will no doubt be appearing on family shortlists.
Candidly, I questioned the logic behind GAC entering the Australian market, especially now given the seemingly non-stop influx of other brands. How could it really hope to stand a chance against so many similarly priced and similarly equipped rivals?
Well, the answer is by providing a better product. The Aion V is simply a better package than many of its rivals, Chinese and otherwise, at least based on our initial impressions.
It combines value and practicality but also adds a level of driving comfort and manners its Chinese rivals canβt match.
Is that enough to guarantee success? Not at all, but itβs a strong foundation to start with and at least gives GAC a fighting chance to not get lost in the crowd.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.