2025 MG One LUX: Big that won’t break the bank
Most English speakers are familiar with the idiomatic expression “breaking the bank.”
When I was a kid, I had thought that it meant breaking a ceramic piggy bank (remember those?) so that you could afford something very pricey. But I later discovered that the expression is actually rooted in gambling – you win so much money that the house (or bank) cannot afford to pay you the full amount.
Nonetheless, the lesson of the idiom remains the same in either circumstance. We must always be prepared for the possibility of having our resources drained by a major disaster, such as the aftermath of the back-to-back storms we have faced this past week (I wonder if those who illicitly pocketed funds from the flood-control scandal have this kind of dilemma).
Wise spending and saving are particularly important in big-ticket purchases like cars – no one wants to burn piles of hard-earned (or hard-plundered) cash on an overpriced clunker with all the mechanical integrity of a ghost project. Happily, one brand that has capitalized on offering strong value for money is MG Philippines.
Models like the highly capable ZS Hybrid+ offer rapid and economical mobility for a price that heavily undercuts its Japanese rivals. Does this tradition hold true with its larger cousin, the MG One?
Rakish style
While rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have become rather bloated over the last few years, this Chinese upstart looks taut and athletic.
The familiar MG face, composed of large LED headlights, a prominent front grill and a bevy of air scoops, has literally been elevated thanks to the attractive, two-tone, 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/50-series tires for this top-spec LUX variant. But it’s the side profile where MG really deserves kudos, particularly the beltline that swoops with the extended fenders.
The LUX model is also the only One (pun intended) that comes with a two-tone color scheme –there is gloss-black paint for the roof and side mirrors that really make the Fizzy Orange paintjob stand out. At the rear is a steeply raked windscreen and elaborate tailgate spoiler that help give this big MG a sportier look than traditional crossovers.
Comfortable cabin
The MG One LUX has good space for five passengers, who enjoy fine black leather and soft-touch materials all throughout the cabin (save for the hard, scratchy plastics on the rear door cards).
The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster shares the same mount as the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Although there is an effort by MG to separate the switches for the strong dual-zone climate control system, the controls in the CR-V are far more straightforward.
In addition, something unique to the MG One is the touch panel for the side mirrors, door locks and headlights. Located on the left of the digital gauge cluster, it helps add to the sleek appearance of the interior, but the responsiveness of the panel could be improved for easier operation.
Nonetheless, the front seats offer good support and the aforementioned infotainment screen offers a clear view from the 360-degree camera. Perhaps the only things I’d like are a telescoping steering wheel for a more comfortable driving position, along with a larger cargo area and an electric tailgate.
Sprightly performance
Under the hood of the MG One LUX is the brand’s familiar turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine producing 168 horsepower and 275 Newton-meters of torque.
Acceleration at any speed is strong and I was amused by the sporty exhaust note as you hit the 5,500 rpm redline. The peppy driving experience is helped by the quick and light steering (which could do with more feel), strong brakes (controlled by a spongy pedal) and a composed suspension setup that nicely balances good ride comfort and reasonable body roll.
But something that needs improvement is the continuously variable transmission (CVT) – although it is easier to work with at low speeds compared to MG’s dual-clutch transmission, the CVT lacks the smoothness and responsiveness that the likes of Honda have spoiled us with.
Fuel consumption is also fine for a compact crossover, returning 8 to 11 kilometers per liter in the city and 17 to 20 kilometers per liter on the expressway. However, similarly priced rivals like the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i and the Ford Territory Hybrid can easily hit over 15 kilometers per liter in the worst traffic jams.
But a big plus point for this top-of-the-line MG One LUX is the standard MG Pilot active-safety suite, which includes life-saving features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Departure Warning System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Ripe for electrification
Overall, the MG One LUX is a stylish compact crossover that offers more than its P1,458,888 price tag suggests.
The Honda CR-V V may be nicer to drive and more practical, especially with its massive cargo area and usable third-row seats, but its steep P2,100,000 price would obliterate many buyers’ banks. Indeed, the biggest threats to this MG are the P1,549,000 BYD Sealion 6 DM-i and the P1,599,000 Ford Territory Hybrid.
Both offer more standard features, stronger performance and substantially better fuel economy. As such, although the MG One LUX won’t be breaking anybody’s banks, perhaps putting in the fabulous hybrid-electric powertrain from the smaller ZS Hybrid+ will give it the edge to truly go toe-to-toe with the electrified darlings of the compact crossover segment.
