2025 MG G50 Plus LUX: A pleasant surprise
Life really is full of surprises.
We can preempt all we like, but there are times when you encounter a situation that just leaves you stunned and speechless. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare for what life throws at us, but surprises arguably exist to keep us on our toes – we must learn to find the “silver lining” in everything and, perhaps, to think outside of the box.
Multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) are among the least surprising vehicles in the Philippines. These seven-seat shuttles have happily shaken off the agricultural roots of their Asian Utility Vehicle predecessors – they now use sedan-based platforms and engines, resulting in performance that doesn’t need to be measured with an hourglass.
Front-runners like the Honda BR-V and the Hyundai Stargazer X have proven themselves to be solid and dependable family MPVs. Put another way, you know what you’re in for when you choose cars like these.
But then you get behind the wheel of the top-of-the-line 2025 MG G50 Plus LUX. And once again, life has surprised you.
Boxy looks
What really sets the G50 Plus LUX apart from similarly priced rivals is how enormous it is.
This MG towers over offerings from Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, being unashamedly boxy in shape to maximize interior space. Its front end is perhaps inspired by luxury vans like the Toyota Alphard – powerful LED headlights flank the colossal front grill, which is generously adorned with chrome accents.
Down the side, MG has succeeded in not making the G50 Plus look like a delivery van, with the help of character lines that swoop along the fenders and door handles. These are complimented by the 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55-series tires.
The flat back end is also highly distinctive, thanks to the quarter glass that seemingly extends to the rear windscreen. A large tailgate spoiler, wraparound LED taillights and deep scallops in the lower bumper give this big MPV some personality.
Colossal cabin
Inside, the MG G50 Plus is unquestionably roomier than its rivals from Japan and South Korea – headroom is so generous that small planes can probably fly overhead without colliding into anything.
This top-spec LUX variant also sets itself apart with its soft leather upholstery and second-row captain seats. The latter makes getting in and out of the third row a breeze, although three-abreast out back is a squeeze.
Up front are electrically adjustable seats and a reasonably straightforward dashboard – the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a good size, but the slow response and the use of Android QD Link make it feel a generation behind. The powerful dual-zone climate control system has separate controls, although these are trickier to use than conventional buttons and knobs.
Qualms are relatively minor – the steering wheel doesn’t adjust enough for taller drivers, the rear door cards use scratchy plastic, there is no interior vanity mirror (as my Mom pointed out twice) and, for some strange reason, there is no way for the passenger to adjust the infotainment volume without digging through the screen.
Punchy turbo power
The G50 Plus LUX uses the same powerplant as the excellent MG GT Sport sedan, leading to refinement that is leagues better than the raucous Honda BR-V.
This means a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine producing a class-leading 179 horsepower and 295 Newton-meters of torque, providing superb acceleration and a sporty exhaust note. This is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that, like in the GT, could use some tweaking because of its sometimes-recalcitrant operation.
All this power and all this heft are reined in by strong brakes that are controlled by a rather spongy brake pedal. The steering is also very light, making the G50 Plus LUX a joy in tight city streets, but the vague feel and rather narrow tires makes it difficult to place on the road at higher speeds.
However, the suspension is tuned just right for the vast majority of driving conditions, offering a comfortable ride. And although cruise control is standard, the excellent MG Pilot active-safety suite in the MG ZS Hybrid+ crossover would be hugely welcome in this would-be family hauler.
Lots to love
At P1,288,888, the 2025 MG G50 Plus LUX offers sensational value for money for those who need a big seven-seater, but don’t want the heavy and ponderous handling of a sport-utility vehicle.
Similarly equipped rivals like the P1,295,000 Honda BR-V V and the P1,348,000 Hyundai Stargazer X simply don’t offer the space and pace of the big MG. Perhaps the closest competitor is the P1,381,000 Toyota Innova XE – its size and 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine can go toe-to-toe with the Chinese upstart, but it seriously lags behind on standard equipment and ease of driving.
I guess that I shouldn’t have been entirely surprised about how nice the MG G50 Plus LUX is. This is the same company that produces the stellar ZS Hybrid+, which is one of the very few cars that makes the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i look ordinary.
At least the next time I have to review an MG, I know to expect good things.
