2023 MG LS7 review: First international drive

What is the MG LS7 and what are its key rivals?

It sounds like a V8 engine from General Motors, but in China, an LS7 is a cutting-edge large electric SUV. Badged as an “IM Motors” model in its domestic market, it would be an MG in Australia – and it’s almost guaranteed to come here.

What is less clear is which ones we’d get. There are single-motor, rear-drive and dual-motor, all-wheel-drive versions. The dual-motor we drove had 425kW/725Nm, claimed 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and 625km range (CLTC) from its 100kWh battery.

The five-metre-long LS7 has 22-inch wheels concealing enormous Brembo brakes, while retracting roof-mounted autonomous driving sensors and cameras almost make it look like it has little Shrek ears. The rear styling looks suspiciously, almost shamelessly like an Aston Martin DBX. The boot is an enormous 733 litres.

A Tesla Model Y could be considered among its rivals, although the LS7 would likely undercut it on price while offering more features and performance.

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When is the MG LS7 due in Australia?

The LS7 isn’t yet confirmed for Australia, but MG did say it was “under strong consideration” and could arrive around 2025.

What's it like to drive?

The LS7 is far cooler to just sit in than drive.

Its front doors open electrically to a very bright and light-filled cabin, the enormous, tall windscreen stretching right up over your head. We’re not quite sure how they do it, but the leather quality (part Nappa) and materials feel as nice as high-end cars like the Range Rover Autobiography (whether it’s built as well is another matter).

There’s a flat-bottom steering yoke that looks like something off a posh F1 car while a huge, 26-inch digital display combines with a 15.5-inch monitor for the front passenger to create a screen that effectively spans the entire dashboard.

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To drive, the LS7 is easy, quiet, smooth and offers plenty of punch from its electric motors.

Our test car's second row featured a single seat that could recline almost into a bed (provided nobody was sitting in the front). While using the massage function, you could very easily nod off. We wonder how legal this seating position would be in Australia.

To drive, the LS7 is easy, quiet, smooth and offers plenty of punch from its electric motors. While there were precious few bumps in the MG test track on which we had our very short drive, the LS7’s air suspension felt very comfortable and compliant.

Unlike other yoke steering wheels which are mated to ultra-fast steering racks, the LS7’s is connected to a conventionally-geared system which sort of misses the point. In China, a normal steering wheel is an option.

Push it hard into a corner and the LS7, while feeling dynamically quite good with lots of lateral grip, starts washing into gentle understeer owing to its approximately 2.5-tonne weight.

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Is it worth waiting for the MG LS7?

Were the top-spec LS7 to go on sale in Australia for about $100K – roughly its price in China – you will have to be careful when seeing one in the metal because the impression it makes in a showroom is a very, very convincing one.

In China, the LS7 comes in seven variants priced from the equivalent of approximately AU$60K (for the 250kW, rear-drive 77kWh) to AU$95K for the top-spec 425kW all-wheel-drive version with 100kWh battery.

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The value proposition is off the charts.

The top-spec model adds height-adjustable air suspension, automatic-opening front doors and a 24-speaker sound system. We haven’t mentioned the autonomous driving capabilities as we’d want to test them in the real world before potentially singing any praises.

But the amount of gear you get for the money is enough to frighten the wits out of other brands, particularly the Japanese ones. The value proposition is off the charts.