MG IM6 2026 Review: 7 Strong Reasons You Should Buy It

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4 min read

The electric SUV segment is heating up fast, and China’s MG wants to prove it can play in the big league. Enter the MG IM6 2026, a premium electric SUV that marks the debut of the new IM sub-brand—positioned to MG what Lexus is to Toyota or Audi is to Volkswagen.

It’s a bold move. The IM6 Performance is gunning directly for heavyweights like the Tesla Model Y Performance and luxury stalwarts such as the BMW iX. But can MG’s new flagship truly rival Germany’s best while keeping its value-for-money edge? After a week of testing, here’s what we found.

1. Price & Variants – Premium But Competitive

Premium positioning comes with premium pricing. The MG IM6 Performance in Australia starts at $80,990 drive-away. That might sound steep for an MG, but context matters: it’s quicker than some Ferraris and dripping with tech usually reserved for six-figure German SUVs.

Other variants include:

Single Motor Premium – $69,990 (less power, slower charging)
Platinum – slightly higher price, bigger battery, faster charging
Performance – flagship twin-motor with all the bells and whistles

Considering the equipment list, the IM6 still looks like strong value compared to the BMW iX or Audi Q8 e-tron, which can easily exceed $120K+.

2. Exterior Design – Safe But Not Stunning

Design is where the IM6 divides opinion. At first glance, it looks clean and modern, but some critics find it a little too soft and generic—almost like a pre-facelift Tesla Model Y.

Highlights:

20-inch alloys for added presence
Sleek LED headlights and taillights
Full-length insulated glass roof

However, the body lacks the sharp, confident lines you’d expect from a true premium rival. Some quirky design details may even remind you of a car that’s already had a minor accident.

✅ Stylish elements: alloys, panoramic glass roof
❌ Weak points: bland front fascia, awkward angles

3. Interior – Tech-Packed & Surprisingly Premium

Step inside and things get more impressive. MG has clearly gone all-in on the cabin experience:

Faux-leather seats – soft, supportive, and very comfortable
20-speaker sound system – premium audio with active noise cancellation
Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Massive 26.3-inch screen setup stretching across the dash
Seat-aware digital assistant that can respond to any passenger’s voice

One clever touch: magnetic holders built into the cabin (dash, seatbacks, boot). These can mount phones or accessories easily without clunky add-ons.

The interior genuinely feels luxurious and high-tech, comparable to BMW’s or Mercedes-Benz’s latest EV cabins—though some touchscreen controls can feel a bit fiddly at first.

4. Space & Practicality – Family-Friendly SUV

Despite being positioned as a performance SUV, the IM6 doesn’t skimp on practicality:

Flat EV floor → spacious rear seating
Rear seats provide ample knee room and headroom (even for tall adults)
Cargo space:
- 32L frunk (front trunk)
- 646L boot with seats up
- 1,621L with seats folded

That’s more boot space than a Tesla Model Y and on par with many larger SUVs. Towing capacity sits at 1,500kg, though realistically it won’t be pulling caravans.

5. Performance & Driving Dynamics – Supercar Speed, Smooth Comfort

Here’s where the IM6 truly shocks:

Twin-motor setup → 578kW & 802Nm
0–100 km/h in 3.4 seconds (same as a Ferrari Roma Spider!)
100kWh battery → 505km WLTP range
800V architecture → ultra-fast DC charging (30–80% in ~15 minutes)

On the road, the IM6 doesn’t feel like a hardcore sports SUV. Instead, it’s tuned for effortless acceleration and comfort, with adaptive air suspension delivering a plush ride.

✅ Whisper-quiet cabin (laminated glass + ANC)
✅ Instant torque and confidence-inspiring traction
❌ Slightly “digital” feel to steering & throttle (less emotional than BMW iX)

In sport mode, steering gains weight and feels more direct, but this is still a premium cruiser first and foremost—not a sharp performance SUV.

6. Technology & Features – Packed to the Roof

The IM6 throws every gadget imaginable into the mix:

Self-parking and crabwalk tech (diagonal movement using rear-wheel steering)
Magnet mounts for devices throughout the car
Customisable touchscreen widgets
Smart AI assistant for all seats
Digital chassis control for adaptive suspension & steering

At times, it almost feels like driving a supercomputer. Impressive, yes, but perhaps a little over-engineered—even door handles are overthought, confusing first-time users.

7. Safety – Packed But Not Yet Rated

While ANCAP hasn’t rated the IM6 yet, the SUV comes loaded with safety gear:

Multiple airbags
Full suite of ADAS (adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, emergency braking)
Rear visibility aid – tiny rear window replaced with live camera feed
Digital chassis safety system that adjusts suspension/steering on the fly

Coverage includes a 5-year unlimited km warranty and capped-price servicing ($3,000 for 5 years). Slightly disappointing compared to MG’s usual 10-year warranty, but still decent.

Verdict – Can It Rival BMW iX & Tesla?

The MG IM6 2026 is China’s boldest premium EV SUV yet. It delivers:

✅ Supercar-level acceleration
✅ Luxury-leaning cabin & family practicality
✅ Tech features that rival German brands
✅ Competitive pricing compared to BMW & Tesla

But:
❌ Styling is uninspiring
❌ Too many “digital quirks” can be frustrating
❌ Not as refined in dynamics as a BMW iX

Final Word: The MG IM6 might not dethrone the BMW iX or Tesla Model Y Performance just yet, but it comes closer than anyone expected—and at a lower price. For buyers who want premium EV speed, space, and tech without the luxury tax, the IM6 is a serious contender in Australia’s 2026 EV landscape.