In most sports utility vehicles, the third row is meant for children or child seats, and tall adults rarely find it comfortable. MG Bangladesh has now brought in a new plug-in hybrid SUV where even the last row offers relaxed seating. The MG S9 PHEV is the largest vehicle in its class among cars that run on both electric charge and fuel. Thanks to its spacious interior and efficiency, the MG S9 has officially been recognised as the best plug-in hybrid seven-seat SUV at the prestigious What Car? Awards.

Last Friday, MG Bangladesh unveiled the MG S9 PHEV for the local market at the Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Center in the capital. The event was attended by MG Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Hosain Mashnur Chowdhury, division director Imran Zaman Khan and many others. Alongside the plug-in hybrid, the fully electric MG S6 was also launched at the ceremony.

At the launch, Mashnur Chowdhury said, “The daily commuting, family travel and long-distance journey needs of Bangladeshi customers are changing rapidly. Through the MG S9 PHEV and MG S6 EV, we are bringing two distinct electric and plug-in hybrid experiences. The S9 PHEV combines the convenience of everyday electric driving with the flexibility of a petrol engine on long journeys, while the S6 EV introduces a new fully electric driving experience. We are delighted to bring these two new models to the Bangladesh market.”

Imran Zaman Khan said, “The MG S9 PHEV and MG S6 EV have been developed keeping customers’ changing demands in mind. The S9’s practical seven-seat layout, electric driving capability and long-distance flexibility will add extra value for families, while the S6 EV’s electric performance and modern EV technology will deliver a new-generation electric SUV experience. We look forward to welcoming customers to our showrooms to see and experience both cars first-hand.”

The S9 is 4,983 mm long, 1,967 mm wide and 1,778 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,915 mm. The 4.98-metre vehicle provides comfortable seating for adults in all three rows and a versatile cabin. Folding the second and third rows expands cargo capacity to 2,093 litres, enough to carry a medium-sized refrigerator. With ample room for family trips, airport commutes and bulky items, the car can be an excellent companion for journeys of any distance. Even with all three rows carrying passengers, it can still hold up to 332 litres of luggage.

For third-row comfort, the car is equipped with air-conditioning vents, factory-fitted privacy glass on the rear two rows, and headrests, speakers and phone charging ports in the third-row seats. Headroom in the third row is generous — two people up to 5 feet 8 inches tall can sit there comfortably.

The S9 features a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, one electric motor and a 24.7 kWh battery. It can cover up to 100 kilometres on electric power alone, and more than 1,000 kilometres on a full tank and full charge, giving drivers the freedom to travel long distances without planning extra charging stops. Daily office and school commutes can also be handled at minimal fuel cost. The fuel-efficient car offers a ground clearance of 190 mm.

Comfort features include a panoramic sunroof, front seats with massage, heating and ventilation, three-zone climate control and ambient lighting. The cabin also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a 12.3-inch display.

MG Auto Pilot takes safety and driving convenience a step further with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. A 360-degree HD parking camera offers a clear view around the vehicle, making crowded city roads and tight parking spaces easier to handle.

The car also includes a door-open warning, seven airbags, a 12.3-inch multimedia display alongside two driver information screens, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting and an eight-way adjustable driver seat. This front-wheel-drive model rides on 20-inch alloy wheels. Running on fuel alone, it covers 100 kilometres on 5.8 litres; the S9 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 9.6 seconds and can turn around within a 5.75-metre space.

MG Bangladesh has also brought another electric car that covers up to 530 kilometres on a single full charge — the MG S6 EV. Combining a 77 kWh battery, a 180 kW electric motor and 350 Newton-metres of torque, the S6 EV delivers strong all-electric performance. Its long range makes a Dhaka–Chattogram round trip possible on one charge, and its modern EV architecture, spacious SUV design, advanced technology and rear-wheel-drive characteristics add a new dimension to MG’s growing new-energy vehicle line-up in Bangladesh.

The MG S9 PHEV will be available locally in five colours: white, green, black, silver and grey. The first 100 units are priced at 63 lakh 90 thousand taka, after which the price will be 64 lakh 90 thousand taka. The MG S6 EV carries an introductory price of 53 lakh 90 thousand taka, later rising to 54 lakh 90 thousand taka. Both cars come with eight years of after-sales service, and an 11 kW home charging station is provided free of charge.