Skoda Kodiaq vs MG Mgs6 Ev

What's the difference?

The new Skoda Kodiaq Select 140TSI is a quiet achiever. It may not be as flashy as some of its rivals, and the engine won’t knock your socks off, but it delivers where it counts. This is a well-rounded seven-seater that’s comfortable, practical and cleverly equipped with more standard features than you’d typically expect from a base grade. If you’re after a family SUV that flies under the radar but ticks all the right boxes, the Kodiaq deserves a close look.

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.

From the outside, the new Kodiaq looks more athletic than bulky, with a long and low stance that gives it a sleeker profile than many of its taller, boxier rivals.

The new restyled grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and distinctive C-shaped LED tail lights give it an understated but handsome roadside presence. This is an SUV that favours quiet confidence with a European flair.

Step inside, and the cabin continues that design language with a stylish, angular dashboard and a well-considered layout that’s both practical and premium in feel. The black leather upholstery, crisp technology displays are complemented by Skoda’s clever new multi-function rotary dials.

Even in the base Select grade, the interior punches above its price point.

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.

The Kodiaq does a solid job of blending family friendly space with clever design. Up front, there’s plenty of room to stretch out, and the wide door apertures combined with a 187mm ground clearance make getting in and out a breeze.

The front seats are genuinely comfortable, with thick padding, supportive side bolsters, extendable under-thigh supports and heating for both front occupants, which is a nice inclusion at this price point. The driver’s seat is also electrically adjustable with memory, which adds a layer of convenience.

Skoda has a reputation for smart storage and the new Kodiaq continues that trend. There’s a sunglasses holder, an umbrella nook inside the drivers door, removable rubbish bins in each front door pocket and a handy dual glove box set-up. The centre console offers a mix of deep storage, two cupholders and lots of charging options, including two USB-C ports and dual wireless charging pads, plus a third USB-C near the rearview mirror.

That said, the tech experience hasn’t been completely seamless. The 13.0-inch multimedia display looks sharp, but the touchscreen can be laggy at times. The three multi-function dials, while clever in theory, aren’t always intuitive in practice. Changing functions on the go can be fiddly, and I found the climate control system occasionally unresponsive — the ‘sync’ function worked inconsistently and for some reason, we couldn’t always unlock or adjust the rear climate control.

On the plus side, the system includes built-in sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. CarPlay connected easily and stayed stable throughout the week.

In the second row, my eight-year-old had no trouble hopping in and out, and while the seats are on the firmer side, they’re still comfortable enough for long drives. Amenities are strong with two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket, map pockets with device holders, and retractable sunblinds. There’s also a removable centre shelf between the seats that works as a clever storage solution, and the bench is wide enough to take advantage of all three top-tether anchor points.

And I have to call out one of my favourite Skoda features, the pop-out door edge protectors! This is the first time I’ve seen them in action and they’re brilliant. They automatically deploy as you open the door, helping prevent bumps and dings, which is a lifesaver for parents with energetic kids (like mine) who fling doors open with zero hesitation.

As with most three-row SUVs in this segment, the Kodiaq’s third row is best suited to kids. Adults can technically squeeze in but space is limited, with legroom and headroom both tight. It’s worth noting there are no directional air vents, USB charging ports or top-tether anchor points in the third row either, which might be a downside for some families.

Boot space, on the other hand, is a strong point. Even with all seven seats in use, there’s still a very usable 340L of cargo capacity which, is enough for a few school bags or a compact pram. There’s also an underfloor compartment for storing the cargo cover and space-saver spare tyre, which keeps things tidy. Fold the third row down and the capacity jumps to a generous 910L, giving you loads of room for family gear, groceries, or weekend luggage. The powered tailgate is another welcome convenience, especially when your hands are full.

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 Select is all-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 140kW and 320Nm. On paper, that’s a solid output for a family SUV, but in practice the power delivery can feel a little underwhelming at times.

The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is quick to shift but isn’t always smooth. It tends to upshift early, especially when you’re accelerating, which can dull performance and make the engine feel less responsive than it should. It's not sluggish, but it doesn’t feel particularly eager either — especially when loaded up with passengers or gear.

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 Kodiaq has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 9.2L/100km, and paired with a 58-litre fuel tank it has a theoretical driving range of about 630km. It's not as long-reaching as some seven-seat SUVs (especially diesel-powered rivals), but it's not terrible.

After my usual mix of urban errands and a couple of longer highway trips, my real-world fuel use averaged 8.7L/100km. Not too shabby.

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.

As I mentioned earlier, the powertrain is adequate but not impressive. The engine can over-rev at times, and it feels like there’s limited reserve when you really push it, though it’s far from gutless. It’s an odd one as you do have enough grunt to overtake safely on the open road, and it’s generally fine for a vehicle of this size, but it’s not particularly eager or lively.

The suspension strikes a good balance. It’s soft enough to smooth out bigger bumps and rough patches without feeling too floaty. At the same time, you still get decent feedback through the steering, and the Kodiaq corners reasonably well with minimal body roll.

Speaking of steering, it’s on the softer side and not as sharp as I’d prefer, but it’s responsive enough to make city driving and tight car park manoeuvres easy. Visibility is good all-around from the driver’s seat, which is good.

Noise levels are typical for a large SUV. Road and wind noise are noticeable, especially at higher speeds, but the cabin remains quiet enough to have a conversation in the middle row without raising your voice. If you’re sitting in the third row, though, you might have to ask people to repeat themselves from time to time. Still, it’s a comfortable space to spend time in.

The Select grade comes with a reversing camera, but the image quality isn’t great. The camera view seems skewed to the left, which caught me off guard occasionally. I found myself relying more on the mirrors and good old-fashioned looking around when parking.

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 Kodiaq is backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty that is better than the five-year cover you’ll find on some of its rivals.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and Skoda offers pre-paid service packs for up to seven years. These average out to around $393 per service, which is competitive for this segment and helps take the guesswork out of maintenance budgeting.

The Kodiaq runs on 95 RON premium unleaded, which is worth factoring into ongoing costs.

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.