MG GT

This sporty design is also carried on the interior of the GT. The cabin layout is inspired by a fighter jet, with the layout of the dashboard, aluminium fetching and modelling on the cockpit and turbine-like controls and integrated sport seats all bearing evidence to it.

Interior Highlights

As per trim, there is:

•  10.25-inch HD touchscreen
•  6-speaker sound system
•  Digital instrument cluster
•  Push start button
•  Integrated sport seats
•  Leather upholstery
•  6-way power driver's seat 
•  4-way power co-passenger’s seat
•  Leather steering wheel
•  This front armrest has a built-in storage compartment
•  Electric sunroof
•  Automatic air conditioning
•  Air-quality management is standard on the Luxury trim.

The interior is also available in a dual tone to further establish the GT's sporty character. The bucket-style seats really suit the vehicle. They give you more side support than the flatter, more comfortable seats found in lower-quality sedans. It's also got enough room to be used regularly by a family, so the GT offers a nice balance between sport and family.

This safety gear ranges from one trim to another so one should make sure to consider the variant when purchasing.

The GT has ABS, ESP, electronic parking brake with Auto Hold, Hill Hold, tyre-pressure monitoring, airbags, rear parking assistance and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points throughout the range.

The more luxurious trims come with a more advanced driver-assistance suite, including:

•  Forward Collision Warning
•  Lane Departure Warning
•  360-degree camera
•  Adaptive headlamp control
• Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
•  6 airbags

The assistance features of the model are also underlined on the current MG UAE website, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Emergency Lane Keep Assist.

The 360-degree camera is especially beneficial in the UAE's hectic parking scene, and the high-tech driving support features make the GT more suitable for highway driving.

UAE Ownership Perspective

The MG GT's value proposition is its ownership proposition. Buyers receive a sporty sedan that is turbocharged, features modern connectivity, a digital cockpit and a wide range of features without the price of established premium brands.

MG also boasts a strong presence in the UAE, which is an edge over new-to-the-market brands building up their dealer network and service infrastructure.

The main strengths as an owner are:

•  competitive equipment
•  attractive styling
•  efficient engine options
•  easy daily usability
•  established UAE presence
•  strong feature-to-price proposition

The primary point is how much different the GT is dependent on trim. The top-of-the-range versions offer a far more complete package of performance, comfort and safety technology than the basic version.

One of the areas where the MG GT really impresses is its design. The sedan features a long, flowing roofline and short visual overhangs and is built around a fastback design. Instead of the traditional three-box sedan design, MG has designed the GT in a more sporty coupe proportion but still maintained the practicality of a four-door sedan.

Exterior Highlights

Key features include:

•  LED headlights
•  LED daytime running lights
•  LED tail lamps
•  The rear light signature is a 3D “Race Track” design.
•  Integrated ducktail spoiler
•  Turbo wheels in 17-inch dual tones on turbo variants.
•  Electric rear-view mirrors
•  Fastback body design
•  Available on some models

It is available in 4 exterior colour options: Red, White, Grey, and Black.

The front end is based on MG's 3D digital grille design, and features tight lighting elements and a broad stance to give it an aggressive look. The brochure highlights the high degree of sharpness and sports-coupe-inspired styling of the GT as key pillars of the concept of the GT.

The back is unmistakably more unique. The 3D LED “Race Track” tail lamps give the car a familiar night time identity and the integrated spoiler further emphasizes the performance style of the car.

In general, GT is still much more expensive and fancy than many traditional compact sedans.

Dimensions & Practicality

The MG GT is about 4,715 mm long, 1,842 mm wide, up to 1,473 mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 2,680 mm. Its cargo capacity is 401 litres via its trunk and the rear seats fold 60:40. Combining these dimensions, the GT maintains a helpful mix of road presence and everyday usability.

The long wheelbase is definitely a plus for the rear passenger, while at the same time offering a healthy length of leg space in a small sedan. This low roofline does lend the car a sportier look, but certainly doesn't affect its rear-seat usability significantly.

The 401 litre boot can be used for normal everyday use including:

•  grocery shopping
•  airport luggage
•  business travel
•  family outings
•  weekend trips

The GT is therefore, not just a style driven car. It has the same convenience as a small car, and it's designed for younger people.

There are two different powertrain characters in the MG GT. The standard version has a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with an eight-speed intelligent CVT and the turbocharged versions have 1.5-litre turbo engine and a seven-speed DCT. The naturally aspirated variant is said to deliver 118 PS and 140 Nm, and a 0-100 km/h time of 10.5 seconds, according to the brochure.

The 1.5 turbo variant has 173 hp, 275 Nm and a claimed 0–100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 215 km/h. It's obvious that the turbo version is the enthusiast's edition. The extra torque makes highway acceleration more straightforward and the dual-clutch transmission shifts faster than the CVT equipped naturally aspirated version.

The turbo option is particularly appealing for those in the UAE who frequently drive long-distance on the highways, wanting more power for overtaking but not necessarily a bigger sedan. The naturally aspirated version, on the other hand, appeals to those who value simplicity, reliability, and efficiency.

Ride Quality & Driving Experience

MG has thought of the GT to be both comfortable and responsive. The chassis features MacPherson front suspension and H-Torsional-beam rear suspension and is fitted with electric power steering and disc brakes at both ends.

The GT is easy to drive, and is compact enough for the congested UAE streets and parking areas. It's low enough that the driving position is more like a sedan than an SUV, but it still highlights the sporty nature of the sedan. The turbocharged version will offer a much more interesting ride. The seven-speed DCT helps to keep the engine in its zone of effective power, and accelerates on demand.

The sports chassis is designed to be stable, comfortable and responsive, and this type of chassis is suitable for sports cars. The GT isn't a true sports sedan, but it delivers a lot more driver engagement than some of its economy-minded rivals.

Technology & Connectivity

Another strength is technology.

The GT's infotainment system is a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen, whereas it's a virtual cluster on the higher versions. Easy smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto options.

The addition of the digital instrumentation gives the cockpit a more modern appearance, and steering-mounted multimedia controls eliminate the need to stretch towards the touch screen.

The Luxury version includes extra as follows:

•  adaptive headlamps
•  air-quality management
•  cruise control
•  electric folding mirrors
•  360-degree camera

The overall tech package is on the competitive side for a small sedan and keeps the GT feeling new.

The MG GT is a good case study in the modern relevance of the compact sedan. It's not trying to be as cost-effective as a pragmatic sedan; it's going more of an emotional route. The GT has a fastback shape, high-intensity lighting, a sporty cockpit, sporty seats, and a turbocharged drivetrain, which give the car a clear personality.

The turbocharged version is definitely noteworthy. Its more powerful performance and seven-speed transmission, which adds a DCT to its mix are better suited to those who spend long periods of time on the UAE's highways and who prefer a more responsive vehicle.

Meanwhile, there's no denying the GT's functionality for everyday family driving, including a 401-litre boot, folding rear seats, good leg-room and a modern technology package.

The MG GT is an attractive option for UAE buyers looking for a sedan that stands out, is somewhat personality-packed and has enough equipment to compete with the more expensive options.

Overall Rating:10 / 10

Sporty fastback styling, turbo-boosted performance, modern technology, functional sedan ergonomics and a good choice of features combine to give the MG GT one of the more distinct compact sedans available in the UAE. Its best point is its turbocharged models, which deliver performance and drive without compromising on everyday usability.