S6

As of August 2026 the MG S6 EV is priced from $49,990 driveaway for the rear-drive Essence and $56,990 for the all-wheel-drive. Both sit on MG's launch drive-away offer, and with just one trim grade, Essence, the only real choice is drivetrain. Both figures are driveaway, meaning on-road costs are already included, which is more straightforward than the before-on-roads pricing many rivals quote. Both also qualify for the fringe benefits tax exemption on a novated lease, which sharpens the case for salary-packaging buyers. Driveaway campaigns change, so confirm the current figure with MG before you sign.

For the vast majority the rear-drive Essence is the pick. It has the longer range at 530km against 485km, costs about $7,000 less (August 2026), and already includes the heated and ventilated seats, the big screens, the head-up display and the 360 camera. The all-wheel-drive adds a second motor for 266kW and a 5.1-second 0-100km/h, plus the panoramic glassroof the rear-driver skips, but it gives up range and front-boot space for the privilege. Australian reviewers are near-unanimous that the extra money buys acceleration most owners rarely use. Choose the all-wheel-drive only if the roof or outright pace matter to you.

The rear-drive Essence claims 530km on the WLTP cycle and the all-wheel-drive 485km, both from the same 77kWh battery. The lighter, more efficient rear-driver goes furthest; the heavier dual-motor gives up about 45km. As with any EV those are laboratory figures, so expect real-world range to land lower, especially in cold weather or at highway speed, because the S6 uses a little more energy than the most efficient rivals. A standard heat pump helps preserve range in winter. For most buyers the rear-drive's 530km comfortably covers a week of commuting between charges.

On a DC fast charger the S6 peaks at 144kW, enough to go from 10 to 80 per cent in around 38 minutes. That is competitive with the mainstream but trails newer rivals reaching higher peaks, a fair thing to weigh if you road-trip regularly. On AC it accepts up to 11kW three-phase, so a home wallbox refills it comfortably overnight. It uses the standard CCS2 plug for DC and Type 2 for AC, so the whole Australian public network is open to it. Both variants charge at the same rate.

The S6 EV holds a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2025 testing, applied to both variants and valid to December 2031. It scored 92 per cent for adult occupant protection and 87 per cent for child occupants, with 84 per cent for vulnerable road users and 81 per cent for safety assist, strong results across the board. Standard active safety runs to autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a driver attention monitor. The common gripe from reviewers is not the hardware but the calibration, with several systems over-eager by default, though MG's Custom mode lets you tailor and save your settings.

As of August 2026 the S6 undercuts the Model Y on driveaway price, with competitive range and more standard equipment. That kit includes the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Tesla omits and the physical buttons the Model Y does without. The Model Y counters with better efficiency, faster charging, access to the Supercharger network and the sharper handling the press still credits it with. The BYD Sealion 7 is the other constant cross-shop, similarly priced and equipped with a more conventional cabin. In short, the S6 is the value and equipment play; the Model Y is the driver's and the road-tripper's pick. If price, kit and range lead your brief, the MG makes a strong case.