Credit where it’s due, MG Motor has been making some inroads. The launch of the MG 3 demonstrated that the company could produce a passable Ford Fiesta alternative, one that was particularly notable for its affordability and energetic handling.
In fact, orders for the MG 3 helped propel the company’s sales figures to a total of 2326 cars last year, putting it ahead of the soon to depart Chrysler and within 500 cars of Subaru. Not heady heights by any stretch, but certainly far ahead of the likes of SsangYong.
To help further this expansion the company has turned its attention back to the other model in its line-up, the MG 6, which was launched in 2011. Remarkably, and this bears promise for future efforts, MG Motor is heeding the feedback it has received from customers and press alike.
Consequently the MG 6 has been granted a lengthy list of revisions, ranging from cosmetic tweaks to mechanical updates. Externally it benefits from more distinctive styling, while inside it gets a new 7.0in touchscreen media system and a redesigned centre console.
The trim levels have been tweaked, now consisting of S, TS and flagship TL, and the price of admission has been hacked with an axe.
As a result, the new entry-level S will cost you just £13,995, which represents £3000 price reduction. MG has also ditched the inefficient turbocharged petrol engine from the range, so the only option now is a turbocharged 1.9-litre diesel.
This too has been fettled, resulting in improvements to both acceleration and efficiency. The 0-60mph sprint has dropped from 8.9sec to 8.4sec, while economy has improved from 57.6mpg to 61.4mpg. Small gains, but it all adds up.
The revised MG 6 is perfectly tolerable, particularly when you consider its price – and it's a definite improvement on the previous iteration. MG's efforts to upgrade the interior have been a partial success; the redesigned centre console is neater than before and the new media system does work adequately well.
It's not quite on a par with that which you'd find in other mainstream European rivals, but it's functional and offers a wide array of features.
There's still work to be done, though. The steering wheel would benefit from an overhaul, particularly with regards to its less than tactile thumb controls, and the instrument cluster and touchscreen still appear to float in a vast blank space of cheap black plastic. It is comfortable, though, thanks in part to well-bolstered and nicely padded seats.