MG has decided it quite fancies a go at the big, sensible family bus game, and so we get this: the MG S9 PHEV. It’s a full-fat, seven-seat SUV — the kind of thing designed to carry your kids, their friends, the dog, and possibly a small wardrobe. Fold the back row flat and you’re rewarded with a cavernous 1,026 litres of boot space. In other words, enough room for all the stuff you swore you wouldn’t bring.

Under the bonnet, it’s doing the modern thing: a plug-in hybrid setup. That means a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine working alongside a fairly chunky battery, giving you up to 62 miles of silent, smug electric driving — perfect for the school run or sneaking out early without waking the neighbours.

There are two versions — Comfort and Premium — though “basic” doesn’t really apply here. Even the cheaper one gets big 20-inch wheels, heated seats, mood lighting for your inevitable traffic jam existential crisis, and a pair of 12.3-inch screens to remind you you’re living in the future.

Prices start at just over £34k, which in today’s world is suspiciously reasonable for something this large and well-kitted-out. And yes, there’s a seven-year warranty, because MG knows exactly what you’re thinking.

It’s on sale now, with cars landing in showrooms very soon. So if you want a big, practical, electrified family SUV without selling a kidney, MG might just have your number.