There’s little room for sentimentality in the motoring business. Your average car buyer may get all misty-eyed when recalling their first four-wheeled ticket to freedom, but snap back to reality and there are few people willing to spend their hard-earned on a nostalgia trip.

It is this harsh reality that faces the MG6, the first offering from the rejuvenated MG Motor Company that is back selling new cars in the UK.

The previous few years have seen the development of the business and its facilities alongside limited production of the MG TF.

But now it is back with a new product and a production line in the UK, albeit for completion in Birmingham rather than starting from scratch.

The MG6 is a mid-sized hatch that sits between the traditional C and D segments — think Ford Focus and Mondeo — handily priced near the former but with space approaching the latter. It’s a good summation of MG’s approach for its new beginning: paying homage to driving enjoyment like its cars of old but underlined with value.

It’s certainly an attractive car on first meeting. There’s very little in the way of harking back to the past: this is a modern exterior design, and stands up well to rivals that have the benefit of vast resources.

Look closely and you can see the barrel-sided effect last seen on the Rover 75 which helps the strong stance, and although it is less pretty from the rear, MG has done a fine job of creating a modern interpretation of the brand.

Climb inside and there is an immediate feeling of space.

Premium-seeking customers may be a little disappointed: the MG6’s cabin plastics are a little mixed and a shade behind Korean rivals, although the actual build quality appears very sound. Equipment levels are certainly above standard however, with the top-spec TSE models getting satellite navigation, climate control, Bluetooth and a reversing camera as standard. Even the entry-level S model is well kitted-out, giving the MG6 a large dose of showroom appeal.

More important is the fact that the MG6 is spacious, fun to drive and well-specified.

With prices starting at £15,495 for the impressive S model it stands fair comparison with other high-value brands that can’t offer such a good driving experience.

For that reason alone, the MG6 is worthy of careful consideration.

Auto facts MG6 TCI-Tech TSE

  • Price: £18,995
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 35.6mpg
  • Top speed: 120mph (limited)
  • 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds
  • Engine: 1.8-litre petrol unit producing 158bhp and 159lb.ft of torque
  • Transmission: Five-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels
  • CO2 emissions: 184g/km