MG's answer to the Tesla Model Y is here at $49,990. The numbers make a strong case.

MG Motor's all-new S6 EV arrived in Australian showrooms on 25 May, priced from $49,990 driveaway for the Essence RWD and $56,990 for the Essence AWD. That puts the entry model nearly $19,000 below the Tesla Model Y ($68,900 plus ORCs) on a like-for-like basis.

What you get

The S6 RWD runs a 77kWh NMC battery with a single rear-mounted motor producing 180kW and 350Nm. WLTP range is claimed at 530km. The AWD variant pairs front and rear motors for 266kW combined, 540Nm, and a 5.1-second 0-100km/h time, with WLTP range of 485km.

Both variants accept up to 150kW DC fast charging, with a 10 to 80 per cent charge taking roughly 30 minutes. AC charging is 11kW. The interior brings a 12.8-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instruments, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 50W wireless charging. Boot capacity is 581 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,690 litres with them folded. There is a front storage compartment of 86 litres on the RWD. The car is 4,708mm long with real rear legroom for adults.

The warranty number

Seven years and unlimited kilometres, standard. MG also offers an extension to 10 years or 250,000km through its service-activated extended warranty program. That number should move buyers who are sitting on the fence about Chinese brand longevity.

Cartell Assessment

The MG S6 is priced to win business from buyers who want a family EV and cannot or will not spend Tesla money. The spec sheet is hard to fault. What reviewers need to answer is whether the suspension tuning suits Australian roads, how the over-the-air update program functions once the car is in the driveway, and whether that warranty is as easy to claim as it sounds in print. These are not reasons to avoid the car. They are the questions every buyer should ask before signing.

AU Outlook

In showrooms now. MG's service network is broader than most Chinese brands in Australia, which reduces one of the usual friction points. The direct comparison is the BYD Sealion 7, which starts from $49,990 in Standard Range and has more than a year of Australian reviews behind it. The S6 enters at the same price with more range. How the ride quality stacks up will be the deciding factor for most buyers.