Since its rise from the ashes, MG has established itself as one of the most popular affordable manufacturers in the UK. In particular, the no-nonsense SUV, the HS, has been a big hit with Brits. The new generation, set to hit showrooms shortly, brings more of the same – just with slightly less conservative styling and a new plug-in hybrid option. It may not be the way many expected MG to celebrate its 100th anniversary, but it will be popular no doubt.
No More Monotony
In recent years, MGs have had incredibly safe, almost anonymous styling. This changed recently though and was compounded by the MG3. The evil smile on the HS’s face isn’t the first time the eye-catching design has been seen. The black line in between the slimmer, more angular headlights adds to the recognisable design. There’s little to say about the side profile, although the sleeker roof lowers the overall height by 30mm. At the rear, the LED lights are apparently linked like the front lights and a unique light signature is created by an X-shape, although MG is yet to reveal the rear to anyone not attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Predictably, the HS has grown in size. The wheelbase has been lengthened by 45mm to 2,765mm, meaning the overall length swells to 4,655mm or 4,670mm for PHEV models. It also grows 14mm wider to 1,890mm. This results in more interior space than before, although you’d hope so as its increased in size.
Everything You Need
The interior may not be snazzy, but even in its most basic form it has almost everything you could expect from a modern car. First off, there are two 12.3-inch screens, one for infotainment and one for the driver. The infotainment screen has live navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the driver’s display can show navigation, the car and its surroundings, or just the basics. MG promises higher-quality materials throughout, particularly in the Trophy where leather upholstery is standard. The three-spoke steering wheel isn’t as quirky as that of the MG4, although the MG4’s wheel is nicer to look at.
Due to the fairly substantial increase in length, boot space rises by 44 litres to 507 in total, while there’s more storage dotted around the interior for the bits and bobs that clutter family cars.
Efficiency is the Name of the Game
Powertrain options are limited to just two: a petrol and a plug-in hybrid. MG promises both will be more efficient than before, although MPG figures haven’t been released yet. The combustion-only HS uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, with a power output of 167hp and 275Nm of torque. A 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds is pedestrian nowadays, especially compared with the PHEV, but the MG4 XPOWER exists if you need a family car that can give a Lamborghini a run for its money. A 6-speed manual is standard, but a 7-speed DCT will also be available.
The PHEV variant will steal the headlines, offering impressive specifications – even more so for the price. It also uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine (although it’s slightly less powerful in the hybrid) alongside a 154kW electric motor. This brings a more impressive 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds, although efficiency is the main priority. The motor is powered by a 24.7kWh battery and a 67kW battery to provide a range of up to 75 miles – a fantastic figure. MG promises it will save on fuel (although it hasn’t revealed fuel economy numbers or the weight difference between the two) and offers company car drivers a 5% Benefit-in-Kind rate.
The Price is Right
The base SE receives a generous level of standard equipment, including a full range of safety features, in addition to rear parking sensors and camera, keyless entry, cruise control and much more. The highlights of upgrading to the Trophy spec are the 360° camera, electrically heated and folding door mirrors,19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and power tailgate.
The improvements MG have brought are tangible, although the increase in price isn’t too steep. The petrol SE kicks off at £24,995, less than £1k more expensive than the previous generation. The combustion Trophy variant starts at £27,495. The PHEV models make the price more sharply. The SE starts at £31,495 while upgrading to the Trophy will set you back another £2.5k. All the models offer the great value previous generations have, so don’t be surprised to see the new MG HS in the best sellers list.
