Crafting journeys, not just commutes

VELLFIRE'S LUXE AND CARNIVAL'S COMFORT, BUT NOT THEIR RANGE

- VIKRAM CHAUDHARY

VELLFIRE UNDER fire, and Carnival feeling like Carens — is that the effect the new MG M9 can have on the competition? I drove this full-size superluxury MPV for a couple of days — to test if it's as impressive as it's made out to be.

The trio India's three superluxury MPVs represent three powertrains — the Toyota Vellfire is hybrid, the Kia Carnival is diesel, and the M9 is electric. The Vellfire is the priciest (₹1.22-1.32 crore), followed by M9 (₹69.9 lakh), and Carnival (₹63.91 lakh).

How's the design?

Like the Vellfire and Carnival, the M9 has the boxy silhouette of luxury MPVs, and at 5.2 metres long, it is bigger than both. It doesn't have the blingy look of the Toyota or the handsome stance of the Kia, but looks more like a bus. Its thin headlights and closed grille differentiate it from competitors, and the rear has an almost wall-like door.