MG IM6 first drive | Premium EV makes good impression

MG has produced a credible Tesla Model Y rival, with the IM6, and is squarely targeting company car drivers with the new model.

Overview

Alongside the freshly launched MG IM5 comes the IM6, a larger and more practical mid-size SUV that uses the same advanced platform.

Built to compete with the Tesla Model Y, which was 2024’s best-selling company car, the IM6’s arrival coincides with MG’s desire to increase its market share in true fleet.

Priced from £47,995, the new IM6 brings lots of range, lots practicality and lots of performance to the table.

For company car drivers, the IM6 presents as an attractive alternative to the Model Y, BYD Sealion and Audi Q4 e-tron. Other rivals include the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

There are two versions available: Long Range and Performance. Both use the same 100kWh battery, providing up to 388 miles of range.

A high level of standard equipment is fitted to all IM6 models, including four-wheel steering, a suite of semi-autonomous driver aids and 20-speaker sound system.

It has a distinctive silhouette, as a result of its super-slippery body. The front end is curvy, yet retains a degree of road presence. At the rear, the IM6 has a sportier aesthetic with sharper lines.

Comfort and practicality

Life on board the IM6 is rather pleasant. It has a spacious cabin with a light and airy feel, thanks to its large glass sunroof, and the seats are wide and supportive, offering a commanding driving position.

The interior layout is minimalist and reliant on the car’s touchscreens, but it doesn’t feel lacking in quality. There’s soft imitation leather upholstery throughout the interior, giving an upmarket feel.

A large centre console separates the two front seats and houses storage and wireless phone charging solutions. In the rear, there is plenty of room for adult passengers. A flat floor enables extra legroom.

The boot offers a generous volume of 665 litres, and there’s an additional 32-litre storage space under the bonnet.

Heated seats all-round come as standard and the front ones have cooling and massage functions, too. They are also electrically adjustable.

Safety and technology

The IM6 uses an all-new infotainment system, which is a major step forward compared to MG’s existing setup. Using a giant 26-inch display, the main screen spans across the dash and incorporates the instrument cluster.

A second display, mounted in the lower dash, is used to control key functions, like the dual zone climate control. It also houses the extensive settings menu.

Smartphone connectivity is supported, wirelessly, by Apple Carplay and Android Auto. You also get a powerful 20-speaker audio system with active noise cancellation.

Safety technology, such as blind spot monitor, lane departure warning and forward collision warning, is bolstered by semi-autonomous driving features like automatic lane change and adaptive cruise control. The IM6 also has a fully autonomous self-parking system and, thanks to its four-wheel-steering setup, can also manoeuvre in much tighter spaces.

Driveability and range

The IM6 Long Range has a 407PS motor that powers the rear wheels and accelerates the car to 62mph in a little over five seconds. Combined with a 100kWh battery, it provides a range of 388 miles (WLTP).

Opt for the Performance and you get two motors. Together they supply 751PS and cut the 0-62mph time to just 3.5 seconds. Range is reduced to 313 miles, officially.

Both cars support 350kW rapid charging, too, allowing a 10% - 80% charge in 17 minutes.

In either guise, the IM6 doesn’t disappoint. Its chassis handles the high power output well. You get impressive grip from the dual motor Performance car, while the Long Range feels more playful, owing to its rear-drive layout.

Ride quality errs on the firm side, especially around town. The IM6 has an assured feel and changes direction positively. We did note that the steering was a little light, although there’s sufficient dead-space in the centre to prevent the car from feeling twitchy at higher speeds.

On the motorway the IM6 is extremely quiet and refined, and returns reasonable efficiency. During our test, the Performance car was netting 3.0mi/kWh – enough for around 280 miles of driving. The Long Range car is efficient enough to manage at least 300 miles between charges. A standard-fit heat pump should mitigate any extreme range loss in colder conditions.

Company car tax and running costs

MG has priced the IM6 aggressively. It sits among mainstream rivals like the Skoda Enyaq and Nissan Ariya, yet offers the performance and specification of a high-end competitor.

The Long Range car is £47,995, while the Performance costs £50,995. The latter represents exceptional value, given the available performance. As a fully electric car, all versions of the IM6 will attract a 3% benefit-in kind (BiK) tax rate for company car drivers.

Running costs are yet to be published, as the IM6 won’t hit UK roads until the autumn. We’re expecting it to be highly competitive, however. Given the vast specification, long range and fast charging speeds, the IM6 makes a lot of sense as a company car choice.