Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Call me “traditional”, “old school”, or simply “outdated”, but as a classic car buff, when I think of Morris Garages, or MG for short, I always think of British sports cars – not SUVs, MPVs or pickup trucks. The garage workshop was founded by William Morris, while MG as a car brand actually started in 1924 when Cecil Kimber, who modified Morris Oxford production models in the MG workshop, added “MG Super Sports” emblems at the car’s nose to promote the workshop. MG later manufactured their own car models and became famous for its two-seat sports cars, such as the 1945-1950 TC, 1953-1955 TF, 1955-1962 MGA, 1961-1979 Midget, 1962-1980 MGB Roadster and 1965-1980 MGB GT.
Sporty English roadsters immediately come to mind when you mention “MG”. The TC, TF and MGA (top) and Midget, MGB and MGB GT (bottom) were the most popular MG models, especially in British Racing Green (BRG).
MG eventually floundered in the late 1990’s and marque was acquired in 2005 by Nanjing Automobile Group of China, which was then acquired in 2007 by another Chinese manufacturer, SAIC Motor Corporation. When MG was introduced here in the Philippines in 2018, it felt somewhat deceptive when the former local MG distributor overemphasized its supposed “Britishness” despite the obvious Chinese design, engineering and manufacturing of the new SUV models. Even though the MG brand name and heritage was the only authentic British part of the new MGs, the marketing thrust of the former distributor centered on its “Britishness” instead of its salient features, advantages and benefits. It initially felt like a cheap marketing gimmick.
The former local MG distributor focused their marketing campaign on the “Britishness” of the new Chinese-made MGs. It was overkill.
The One Changed My View
My view slowly softened when SAIC Motor took over local distribution, established MG Motor Philippines, and then proceeded to market their SUVs, crossovers, MPVs and pickup trucks as what they really are – Chinese-made SUVs, crossovers, MPVs and pickup trucks with a British brand heritage. To enhance this message and keep the original MG sports car spirit alive, SAIC/MG Motor introduced their Cyberster 2-seat electric roadster and then continued, without much noise and fanfare, to ingrain their other models with the sporty spirit that MG has been known for. I was unaware of MG Motor’s revived sporty direction until I actually got to drive the 2026 MG One 1.5 CVT Lux.
Will the MG One Lux make me finally see the light and change my view of Chinese-made MGs?
To be clear, the One Lux is not the MG of my youth. It is clearly not a low-slung compact two-seater but a tallish 5-door compact SUV with a highly stylized two-box design. It is clearly not a hairy sports car with rear wheel drive but a thoroughly modern vehicle with a transverse-mounted turbocharged engine in front driving the front wheels. It is clearly not meant for a spirited drive with just two people on board, but it can deliver a spirited drive, nevertheless, with not just two, but five people plus their luggage, enjoying the experience.
Our orange modern Chinese MG SUV is vastly different from the red vintage British MG roadster from which the brand heritage came from. It’s like comparing red apples to oranges, pun intended.
I’m a Sucker for Fast Orange Cars
Old friends and loyal readers know that I have a vintage Camaro that’s undergoing a long, procrastinated restoration. It was (and will be) painted in an age- and brand-appropriate Hugger Orange with black highway stripes. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised when MG Motor PH sent a two-tone One Lux that is finished in a stunning coat of Fizzy Orange contrasted by a black roof. The MG’s glossy orange finish seems to shout, “Look at me! I’m attractive, exciting, and raring to go!” In a parking lot, our orange One Lux really stood out in a crowd and called attention to itself. A female PR-friend loved the youthful color of the MG even though she works for another car brand.
Orange you fast? The two-tone Fizzy Orange with black roof MG One Lux test unit stands out in any parking lot. Inset, the author’s Hugger Orange with black stripes 1971 Camaro RS.
Because of the current trend towards electric vehicles (EV), some onlookers mistakenly thought that our orange media test unit was an EV until we started the engine. Some curious people inquire if it’s a hybrid, and when they learn that it’s not an HEV but has an internal combustion engine (ICE), they mistakenly conclude that this modern MG is “all show and no go”. Little do they know that with double overhead camshafts (DOHC), sixteen valves (16V) and a turbocharger, the 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder pumps out 275 Newton-meters of torque at 4,000 rpm that provides the 2,017-kilogram One Lux with surprisingly quick acceleration. With a factory claimed 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds, it’s almost as quick as my Camaro during its heyday.
It’s an ICE! The turbocharged 1.5-liter inline 4-cylinder TGI DOHC 16V engine pumps out 168hp and 275Nm of torque.
Modern Tech versus Old School Nostalgia
While my Camaro’s V8 engine can pump out around twice of the One Lux’s 168 horsepower, my vintage muscle car does not have the modern SUV’s advanced driving assistance system that makes it accelerate quicker, stop shorter, steer quicker, and drive safer, often times automatically or autonomously. The MG Pilot Safety System installed in the One Lux includes electronic stability program (ESP) that helps find traction during acceleration, especially on slippery surfaces. Where my Camaro will spin its rear wheels and just smoke its tires, the One Lux will deliver or distribute power to the front wheel with the best traction and just simply take off.
The functions of the MG Pilot Safety System are shown on the 12.3-inch virtual instrument display for easy viewing.
The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display at the center of the dash shows images from the 360° camera for safer and easier maneuvering around narrow streets and tight spaces.
Vintage MG sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s were considered small and fragile but our modern MG SUV is neither small nor fragile. Its compact SUV dimensions are just right for the crowded metropolis while its 7-inch ground clearance and fully-independent suspension, comprised of front McPherson struts and rear multi-link system, can easily handle Philippine road conditions. Where I’ll need to carefully plan my braking points in advance when I’m driving a vintage MG sports car with antiquated drum brakes, I can stop more confidently with the One Lux’s all-wheel disc brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD) and cornering brake control (CBC).
The One Lux is sized just right for the urban jungle with ample ground clearance to clear most speed humps and parking ramps around the city.
Those full LED headlights with three-bar LED design and that large unique grille makes the front of the MG One look like a smiling ginger cat.
“Lux” Means Luxury
By now, you might be protesting that it’s not fair to compare a vintage MG sports car with a modern MG SUV and I tend to agree with you. After all, those classic MG 2-seat roadsters were built during the ‘50s and ‘60s for affordable sporty driving fun under the sun. They were seldom driven under inclement weather unlike the One Lux that can be comfortably driven in any weather. Under pouring rain or sweltering sun, the occupants of the One Lux are coddled in dual-zone automatic climate control comfort, perched on soft leather seats with ample side bolsters, and entertained by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto channeling music through six purposely-positioned speakers.
The interior of the MG One Lux feels bright, airy and spacious. A continuous panel houses the 12.3″ instrument display and 12.3″ infotainment touchscreen for a clean, integrated design.
The cockpit is ergonomic and driver-oriented. Thick gear selector handle looks and feels like the throttle control of an aircraft.
Center 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen can display several functions and info at the same time.
The front passenger gets an excellent view of the earth and the sky, as well as a lot of space.
Those who miss catching the sun in a top-down convertible can still let the sunshine in with the One Lux’s huge panoramic sunroof. Those who love to haul some collectible knick-knacks and bulky items will love this MG’s cargo carrying capacity: 336 dry liters (12 cubic feet) with the rear seatback up and 1,120 liters (40 cu. ft.) with rear 60/40 seatbacks folded. Those who love to customize their cars might be a bit disappointed, though. Our two-tone One Lux already looks great just as it is. The 19-inch alloy wheels alone can spark a debate whether it has a modernized five-petal design or ten artistic spokes. There’s no question about the meaty 225/50R19 Continental Premium Contact 6’s grip and road holding tenacity.
Rear bench seat can accommodate 3 adults. There’s a folding center armrest and 60/40 seatback.
Luggage compartment behind the rear seats can hold 12 cubic feet, which is ample space to store a wheelchair for an elderly or PWD passenger and some other stuff.
Meaty 225/50R19 Continental PremiumContact 6 tires are mounted on unique two-tone alloy wheels with a stylized modern 5-petal design. Or are those 10 spokes?
After spending five days with this orange One Lux, I tend to stick to my original opinion that these new MGs do NOT have the beloved character that those old British two-seat sports cars had, even if the orange color of our test unit attracted a lot of attention. However, after driving this MG SUV – often in spirited fashion – I am slowly becoming convinced that SAIC/MG Motor has captured the driving excitement and the sporty spirit of the original MG sports cars, albeit in a compact and practical 5-seat SUV configuration. And that this sporty practicality will be the new character by which modern MGs will be associated with.
A trip to the tire shop to replace the leaking valve of our XJ6 project car’s left rear tire was joined by a trip to the nearby laundrymat because it was on the way anyway. The MG One Lux is a sport UTILITY vehicle, after all.
I believe that driving the 2026 MG One 1.5 CVT Lux made me see the light. (After all, “lux” also is Latin for “light“.) I hope that I can get a chance to drive the MG Cyberster electric sports car soon to further enhanced my newfound respect for the modern MG marque. Well done, MG Motor Philippines!
