MG Motor’s mid-size SUV, the MG RX8 is an extremely well-equipped 7 seater that offers huge amounts of space without breaking the bank. It showcases incredible style paired with modest off-road capability, luxurious comfort, and some of the finest automotive technology available.
The 2021 model of the RX8 has a bold exterior, spacious cabin and practical seven-seater configuration that allows passenger comfort as well as adequate luggage storage. It is noteworthy that this affordable SUV has the largest third-row space in the class.
The robust looking MG RX8 is built on a strong truck chassis frame and appears to be able to handle some of the toughest off-road terrain. Facilitating off-road travel, it has high ground clearance of 202mm, a wading depth of 800mm and when empty, approach and departure angles of 23o.
RX8 has an advanced 4WD system that has six different driving modes: Auto for smart selection; 4L for ‘go-anywhere’ low speed, high torque; Off-road for a pure off-roading experience; Snow for low-adhesion, wet surfaces; Sport for a faster throttle response and more aggressive shifting logic; and 2H for fuel efficient high speed cruising in 2WD mode. The entry level (STD) trim comes with a 4×2 rear wheel drive transmission system.
Every vehicle has room for improvement and for the RX8, it is the suspension and body roll. It is not awful by any means but definitely needs improvement. We also found the steering wheel to be hard and the braking response to be a bit slow.
From a safety features point of view, the RX8 is equipped with front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear sensors with rear view camera, Active Rollover Protection and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Further Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as a Lane Departure Warning System feature on the LUX trim (The trim we were testing).
Considering the large dimensions of the RX8 and the small engine size, the acceleration response is satisfactory enough. No one buys this car to tear down the drag strip so it’s average acceleration should not really matter to it’s core demographic. The 0 – 100 km per hour timing is clocked at 9 seconds though.
We noted a combined fuel economy (inside the city and on the highway) of around 11.4 kilometers per Liter. These numbers might slightly change depending on the occupants and the driving style / traffic conditions etc. but are still very impressive.
Horsepower: 220 Bhp
Torque: 360 Nm
Drive System: All Wheel Drive
Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic
The LED Headlamps are sleek and are lined with small, yet stylish and powerful daytime running lights.
The roof line has a slight slope towards the back and the side profile looks very attractive.
The commanding presence and smooth body lines are set off neatly by the LED Headlamps, LED DRL
The LUX trim we tested featured 20 inch alloy wheels.
In the rear, there is a twin chrome exhaust, LED tail lights and a fully automated tail gate.
The front row seating is fully adjustable and gives a clear view of the surroundings from a driver’s perspective. There is no head up display though but the center console houses a 7 inch LCD screen that operates the AC and the infotainment system. You get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging as well.
There are 8 high-quality speakers and a rain sensor that round off the premium nature of the top of range (LUX) trim.
MG’s 2021 model features a ‘theatre-style’ seating design that incorporates a shallow front-to-rear gradient. It means that even the third row of passengers benefit from an exceptional view.
The adjustable reach in the second row is 230mm, helping to ensure that passengers in the third row enjoy enhanced access to their seats, as well as an unmatched 884mm of legroom – the largest third-row space in the class.
The RX8 sports a panoramic sunroof and a good quality climate control for the second row. There are 37 different storage compartments while the boot capacity extends to a huge 2178 liters, that can hold up to nine suitcases.
The robust looking MG RX8 is built on a strong truck chassis frame and appears to be able to handle some of the toughest off-road terrain. Facilitating off-road travel, it has high ground clearance of 202mm, a wading depth of 800mm and when empty, approach and departure angles of 23o.
RX8 has an advanced 4WD system that has six different driving modes: Auto for smart selection; 4L for ‘go-anywhere’ low speed, high torque; Off-road for a pure off-roading experience; Snow for low-adhesion, wet surfaces; Sport for a faster throttle response and more aggressive shifting logic; and 2H for fuel efficient high speed cruising in 2WD mode. The entry level (STD) trim comes with a 4×2 rear wheel drive transmission system.
Every vehicle has room for improvement and for the RX8, it is the suspension and body roll. It is not awful by any means but definitely needs improvement. We also found the steering wheel to be hard and the braking response to be a bit slow.
From a safety features point of view, the RX8 is equipped with front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear sensors with rear view camera, Active Rollover Protection and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Further Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as a Lane Departure Warning System feature on the LUX trim (The trim we were testing).
Considering the large dimensions of the RX8 and the small engine size, the acceleration response is satisfactory enough. No one buys this car to tear down the drag strip so it’s average acceleration should not really matter to it’s core demographic. The 0 – 100 km per hour timing is clocked at 9 seconds though.
We noted a combined fuel economy (inside the city and on the highway) of around 11.4 kilometers per Liter. These numbers might slightly change depending on the occupants and the driving style / traffic conditions etc. but are still very impressive.
MG RX8 Specs:
Engine: 2.0 Liter – 4 Cylinders (Turbo)Horsepower: 220 Bhp
Torque: 360 Nm
Drive System: All Wheel Drive
Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic
Exterior:
The RX8 has a bold, muscular and yet simple design. In the front, we have a dual-slot bonnet, a silver lower lip, a chrome grille and matrix-style LED fog lamps.
The LED Headlamps are sleek and are lined with small, yet stylish and powerful daytime running lights.
The roof line has a slight slope towards the back and the side profile looks very attractive.
The commanding presence and smooth body lines are set off neatly by the LED Headlamps, LED DRL
The LUX trim we tested featured 20 inch alloy wheels.
In the rear, there is a twin chrome exhaust, LED tail lights and a fully automated tail gate.
Interior:
Inside the cabin, we noticed plenty of premium finishes and fine materials such as wood grain, chrome and soft-touch trim.
The front row seating is fully adjustable and gives a clear view of the surroundings from a driver’s perspective. There is no head up display though but the center console houses a 7 inch LCD screen that operates the AC and the infotainment system. You get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging as well.
There are 8 high-quality speakers and a rain sensor that round off the premium nature of the top of range (LUX) trim.
MG’s 2021 model features a ‘theatre-style’ seating design that incorporates a shallow front-to-rear gradient. It means that even the third row of passengers benefit from an exceptional view.
The adjustable reach in the second row is 230mm, helping to ensure that passengers in the third row enjoy enhanced access to their seats, as well as an unmatched 884mm of legroom – the largest third-row space in the class.
The RX8 sports a panoramic sunroof and a good quality climate control for the second row. There are 37 different storage compartments while the boot capacity extends to a huge 2178 liters, that can hold up to nine suitcases.
2021 MG RX8 price in UAE: Starting from AED 93,450
Prices exclude VAT and include a six-year or 200,000km warranty as standard.MG RX8 Ratings
-
Performance - 6.4/10
6.4/10
-
Driving Pleasure - 7/10
7/10
-
Looks and Style - 8/10
8/10
-
Fuel Economy - 8.2/10
8.2/10
-
Value for Money - 9.5/10
9.5/10
7.8/10
Summary
The MG RX8 offers exceptional value for money. In the UAE, it comes with a 6 year warranty that gives you peace of mind and confidence in your purchase. While it looks robust, it is still a soft off-roader, sheerly because of the small engine. Ideal for daily drive inside the city, perfect for a large family.
Pros
- Fuel Economy
- Affordable
- Comfortable Seating
Cons
- Basic Reversing Camera
- Mild Off-roader
- Small Engine
