MG M9 EV

What makes it unique is that it is the only limousine in the Indian market that is electric. So, how does it perform? What are the highlights of the MG M9? We got to spend a couple of hours with the new electric limousine in Goa and here's our first drive review.

MG M9: How is the design?

The M9 stands out on our Indian roads because of its sheer size. It measures 5,270 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width and the wheelbase is 3,200 mm. This makes the M9, the largest luxury limousine in the Indian market.

Up-front, there is a trapezoidal grille that also helps as an air dam to cool down the electronics, then there is a chrome strip that runs throughout the width of the car and the headlights, which is what gives that imposing look to the M9. On the sides, there are 19-inch alloy wheels but again a chrome strip has been given that justifies how long the M9 actually is. At the rear, there are thin LED tail lamps with swiping animation for the turn indicators along with another chrome strip that runs throughout the width of the car. JSW MG Motor India will sell the M9 in three colour schemes - Metal Black, Concrete Grey with black roof and Pearl Lustre White with black roof.

MG M9: How are the rear seats?

The M9 will be bought by the people who will spend most of their time in the second row and it is the place where you should be. There are two Ottoman seats for the second row that are 16-way adjustable. They are heated, ventilated and have a massaging function as well. All of this is controlled via a small screen placed on the armrest. There is also a boss mode to adjust the front passenger seat from the second row itself. The rear occupants can also recline their seats fully to take a nap. MG also offers a leg rest that is just like a cherry on top as it provides extra support to the legs. The second row is an amazing place to be in, you can rest, take a nap or just travel in peace with the sunshades up.

There is also a screen on which the customers can attach a device using an HDMI port or play content from a streaming service. One thing that MG missed with the rear seats is the addition of the tray table that could have been quite useful considering people who buy such luxury limousines end up working while they are travelling as well. A thing that would bother all the occupants is how loud the warning chimes are, they can be heard throughout the cabin. It would have been better if they were just audible to the driver, like in the Windsor EV.

Then there are the third row seats, which can be accessed simply by walking through the middle of the second row. The third row is surprisingly spacious. Even a 6-foot-1-inch person was able to sit comfortably in the third row, which was quite a surprise. The third row occupants get a USB port, a mobile holder and a cup holder as well.

MG M9: How is the ride quality and the drive?

The suspension of the MG M9 is on the firmer side. You can feel every minor undulation of the road inside the cabin. This is what robs the experience. Now, this firm setup does help the EV in having a composed and stable ride when doing triple-digit speeds out on the highways. In fact, even in the corners, the M9 stays flat without any major body roll. It was quite a surprise by how much we loved spending our time in the driver's seat.

The acceleration is linear even when you are in the Sport mode. The brakes do require some effort as in you really have to press the pedal to make this behemoth come to a halt. However, you do get used to it. Once again, MG has calibrated the regen very smoothly. It kicks in gently and there is not jerk that any of the passengers can feel. The steering weighs nicely as the speeds climb and is fairly light during city speeds.

Speaking of MG doing things again, they have incorporated almost all the controls into the infotainment system. Now, this will really need some learning because the menus can also be confusing. Then there is the instrument cluster for the driver, it is a different unit from the Windsor and the Comet and it looks a bit cluttered and does not show a battery percentage. Instead, it has a battery icon just like on the smartphone and an estimated range indicator. Now, the issue with this is that we know that the range indicator on MGs is not the most reliable and it does not adapt to the vehicle's conditions in realtime.

MG M9: What is the range and battery specs?

JSW MG Motor India is using a massive 90 kWh battery pack that can charge from 30 per cent to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes, if you can find a suitable fast charger. It has a fast charging capability of up to 160 kW. The AC fast charger takes 9.5 hours to fully charge the battery from 0 to 100 per cent. The electric MPV will come with a 3.3 kW portable charger. As of now, the brand has not revealed the driving range of the MG M9.

MG M9: What are the features on offer?

The MG M9 is available in a single, top-spec variant, and while it is clear that the brand has focused heavily on rear comfort, there are other features on offer as well. Enhancing the cabin ambience is 64-colour ambient lighting, while rear passengers benefit from their own climate control zone and an integrated air purifier. There is a an electric sunroof and a panoramic one, adding to the sense of space and luxury. There is also a wireless charger, a household-style outlet and plenty of USB ports on offer to charge mobile devices. The audio setup features a 13-speaker JBL system, which surprisingly sounds just average. As expected, there is all LED lighting on offer but the headlight throw is just average.

MG M9: What are the safety features?

The MG M9 has not yet been tested by Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP, but it's worth noting that it has earned a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. In terms of standard safety features, the MPV comes equipped with seven airbags, electronic stability control, disc brakes on all four wheels, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a 360-degree camera—though the camera quality could be better.

Additionally, the M9 includes camera- and radar-based ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). On the well-marked and smooth roads of Goa, features like lane departure warning performed reliably. The vehicle also offers a driver monitoring system that detects signs of drowsiness, distractions such as mobile phone use, and even smoking. Enhancing visibility, the traditional rearview mirror is replaced by a digital screen that displays a live feed from a rear-mounted camera.

MG M9: Who should buy it?

There is no denying the fact that the MG M9 is a bold new take on luxury mobility. As of now, we do not know about the price of the M9 but we expect it will slot between the Kia Carnival and the Toyota Vellfire. The M9 does make sense for people who will be chauffeur-driven within city limits. The second row is the highlight of the M9 because of how supremely comfortable the seats are. If that stiff suspension does not bother you, then the M9 does make a great buy, considering the quality and the supreme comfort it offers.