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2023 MG F7 review

One of two electric sedans under consideration for Australia, we drive what stands to be badged as the MG F7

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Things we like

  • Impressively luxe to drive
  • It will drift
  • Could be stunning value

Not so much

  • Electric doors will crush your fingers
  • Build quality question marks
  • Feels heavy in the corners

What is the MG F7 and what are its key rivals?

The F7 is an all-electric large sedan sold under the brand Feifan in China – also called Rising Auto (it’s a bit confusing) but forget that because it’ll be badged as an MG if sold in Australia, and that’s looking likely.

At more than five metres long, the five-seat, liftback F7 comes in single-motor rear-drive guise with 250kW/450Nm, or dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration with 400kW/700Nm. Two battery options are available, a smaller 77kWh with a maximum 575km range (CLTC) and a 90kWh pack with up to 666km of claimed range (CLTC). It’s far too early to say what ones might come to Australia.

Rising Auto claims this Tesla Model S rival has a drag coefficient of 0.206Cd, which would make it one of the most aerodynamic cars on sale.

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The F7 we drove had electrically operated front doors, meaning one press of a button and they open up by themselves.

Inside, you’re greeted by a Mercedes-inspired interior trimmed in remarkably soft leather while an enormous 43-inch touchscreen stretches across the entire dash, effectively giving the front passenger their own little TV.

Second-row passengers are treated to abundant legroom and an additional 8.0-inch screen at the rear of the centre console. The white leather interior of our test felt bright and airy, a feeling no doubt helped by the enormous, UV-filtering sunroof spanning much of the length of the car.

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When is the MG F7 due in Australia?

The MG F7 is under “strong consideration” for Australia and could arrive in 2025. MG said it was tossing up whether to bring the F7 or the L7 sedan to Australia. We’ve also reviewed the L7.

What's it like to drive?

Light, easy and brisk are the words that came to mind during our very brief drive of the F7 on an MG test track in Shanghai. While it feels large – long, wide and low – the F7 is silent and smooth like all other electric vehicles.

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Ride quality felt lush in the all-wheel-drive version we drove, which MG claims can do 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds. We do wonder if they recorded that on a road going slightly downhill, and will wait to test it ourselves back in Australia. But it certainly felt brisk.

While it sits flat with the weight low in the car, push the F7 hard into a corner and it eventually lapses into understeer – not helped by its 2180kg weight.

Pleasingly, there’s a menu allowing you to choose between all-wheel drive, rear-drive and even front-drive modes, or to mix front/rear splits as you like. It’s possible to turn the front electric motor entirely off and make the F7 rear-wheel drive. While it ‘only’ has 250kW in this mode, power oversteer is possible – and yes, it will drift. Quite well, actually.

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Is it worth waiting for the MG F7?

If the F7 comes to Australia as an MG, it could be one of the best-value electric sedans on the market. In China, the F7 is priced at the equivalent of between AU$48,000 and AU$63,000 leaving to your imagination how much it might cost if it came here.

Build quality felt good, although some exterior panels on the vehicle we drove didn’t line up as nicely as we’d like.

If they can sort that, for the estimated price you’d get a very smartly-styled luxury electric sedan with ample interior space, acceleration and features – enough to potentially woo you away from a Tesla. MG said it would reveal pricing closer to a 2025 Aussie launch date.

2023 MG F7 specifications
Powertraindual electric motors (F/R)
Max power400kW (150kW F, 250kW R)
Max torque700Nm (250Nm F, 450Nm R)
TransmissionSingle-speed
BodyFive-seat large sedan
L/W/H5000/1953/1494mm
Wheelbase3000mm
Boot space466L
Weight2180kg
Battery size90kWh
Range600km (CLTC, claimed)
SuspensionFront: struts / Rear: multi-link
SteeringElectric rack-and-pinion
BrakesFront: ventilated discs / Rear: solid discs
Wheels20-inch diameter
TyresMichelin Pilot Sport EV
Tyre size & spare255/40R20, puncture repair kit

Things we like

  • Impressively luxe to drive
  • It will drift
  • Could be stunning value

Not so much

  • Electric doors will crush your fingers
  • Build quality question marks
  • Feels heavy in the corners

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