MG HS review: We test drive the all-new version of Britain’s favourite budget-friendly family SUV

The MG HS is Britain’s hottest budget-friendly household SUV, with the sub-£24,000 automotive sitting eighth within the total automotive gross sales charts for 2024.

However MG Motor – owned by China’s SAIC Motor – will hope to see demand spike within the second half of the 12 months with the arrival of an all-new model with sleeker appears and much more area.

And it truly is ‘all-new’; it has grown in dimension, the inside has been comprehensively overhauled and the engine choices completely up to date.

With the adjustments comes a nominal enhance in worth. However will Britons thoughts the slight hike if the automotive is vastly improved and nonetheless reasonably priced?  We examined the 2024 MG HS at launch in Bedfordshire to seek out out.

How standard is the MG HS in Britain?

Being MG’s best-selling automotive isn’t any imply feat for a model that is had a ginormous gross sales growth in the previous few years.

In 2021, MG was topped the quickest rising mainstream automobile model seeing a 76.3 per cent year-on-year progress by June, outselling 2019 volumes in simply six months.

The corporate was awarded the mantle of quickest rising mainstream automobile model for a second consecutive 12 months simply 12 months later as demand continued to develop.

And 2023 would have sparked loads of smiles in Chinese language boardrooms, with total gross sales of 108 per cent in comparison with 2022.

The HS has been pivotal to this stratospheric rise. 

In January, it grew to become the primary mannequin within the model’s 100-year historical past to prime a UK month-to-month gross sales chart. 

Up to now in 2024, a whopping 16,730 have been offered – way over Ford Focuses and Vauxhall Astras. 

The outgoing MG offered 57,000 models in simply 4 years due to its low cost price ticket. However the brand new HS is simply £965 costlier but has a a lot sleeker design and extra premium inside. MG’s anticipating it to do equally spectacular gross sales figures

Some 57,000 HS’ have been offered in simply 4 years with Britons drawn to its sensible dimension and wallet-friendly pricing, beforehand beginning as little as £23,495.

It accounts for round 5 per cent of the ‘C-segment’ household SUV market.

There isn’t any denying that this is a crucial mannequin for MG, however it’s additionally a really important automotive for the massive SUV market as a result of it affords consumers a less expensive possibility than the opposite hottest similar-engine alternate options: the Kia Sportage goes for £32,575, the Nissan Qashqai from £32,710 and the Hyundai Tucson begins at £33,765.

The Nissan Qashqai – the automotive that may be credited with sparking the crossover craze – has additionally been up to date for 2024 with a recent new look

The Hyundai Tucson prices from £33,765 for the HS-equivalent automotive however it does have a bigger boot

The Kia Sportage goes for £32,575 regardless of it not providing extra by way of practicality than the all-new HS

2024 MG HS: What’s new?

What is not new is perhaps a neater query to reply. 

That is as a result of this is not a run-of-the-mill facelift with just a few delicate tweaks – it is a correctly ‘all-new’ HS.

The automotive is way bigger – it might eat the outdated mannequin for lunch.

The wheelbase is 45mm longer, it is 14mm extensive and the decrease profile reduces the peak by 21mm.

The outside look has been given a way more athletic overhaul with new headlights, new lightbars and a brand new grille shared with the brand new MG3 and the forthcoming ZS.

The outside look has been given a way more athletic overhaul with new headlights, new lightbars and a brand new grille shared with the brand new MG3 and the forthcoming ZS

The wheelbase is 45mm longer, it is 14mm extensive and the decrease profile reduces the peak by 21mm

The inside has had a premium improve with a brand new design, new supplies and up to date trendy tech.

Engine choices now include a brand new era 1.5-litre petrol with both a six-speed handbook or a seven-speed ‘moist clutch’ computerized for larger effectivity, quicker response and smoothness. 

The handbook is most cost-effective, ranging from £24,995, so solely a slight enhance of £1,500 over the mannequin it is changing.

High pace for the handbook is 118mph – the auto can go 3mph quicker, topping out at  121mph.

Nevertheless, the handbook accelerates from 0 to 62mph in simply 9.4 seconds – the seven-speed auto is, surprisingly, marginally slower at 9.6 seconds.

There are security help updates, connectivity additions and practicality enhancements, however the largest change is the improved plug-in hybrid (PHEV) efficiency.

The brand new plug-in hybrid HS – a tax aid sensible purchase?

Prospects on the lookout for a greener possibility can have the new-generation 1.5 turbo petrol engine mixed with a 154kW electrical motor within the new plug-in hybrid variant.

This begins from £31,095, that means drivers should take advantage of cheaper electrical energy than unleaded gas to claw again the £6,100 worth premium spent over the standard petrol.

The Lengthy Vary 24.5kWh battery provides a large 75 miles of pure electrical driving with out help from the inner combustion engine.

Because of this spectacular zero tailpipe emissions driving on provide, the brand new HS PHEV means firm automotive drivers can benefit from a lot decrease benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax charges.

The present fee is 5 per cent for the PHEV fastened till 2025, when increments enhance by 1 per cent till 2028.

MG’s Head of Product David Allison informed us he is anticipating this to offer a monetary benefit over C-Phase competitors that may’t provide this identical BIK, and to doubtlessly mop up clients who do not wish to persist with a fully-electric automotive however nonetheless need the tax financial savings advantages zero emissions provide.

How does it drive?

The HS is a low-cost SUV so driving expectations should not be sky excessive and as anticipated it is a nice drive if not nice

We took each the six-speed handbook petrol and the PHEV out for spins on the official launch.

As a result of HS is a low-cost SUV, our driving expectations weren’t sky excessive.

And, as anticipated, it is a nice drive – although not nice.

MG has made cabin noise quieter, which makes it extra gratifying over just a few hours and it is undoubtedly extra comfy than its predecessor.

I drove the bottom SE trim on the petrol automotive and even with the essential fabric seats, I discovered it very properly cushioned. 

It was simple to regulate the driving place to an acceptable setup for any driver due to multi-way electrical seat on all trims. It supplied me with a very good command over the highway.

I did discover the wing mirrors obstructed visibility considerably at junctions however in any other case the good thing about the upper and wider highway presence made it really feel very secure and dominant on nation roads to the M1.

The gearbox was clean and gratifying to make use of, however the automotive did lag extra underneath acceleration than anticipated, even for its 9.4-second 0-to-62mph ‘dash’ time.

It isn’t probably the most refined automotive in its class however it will probably deal with rougher highway surfaces with sufficient means for day-to-day household driving. It was simple to regulate the driving place to the appropriate setup as the driving force has multi-way electrical seat on all trims, and I had a very good command over the highway

We did not attempt the seven-speed computerized, however efficiency stats are comparable, so it’s going to possible come all the way down to desire on whether or not you want to vary gear your self or not.

The HS handles pace bumps with aplomb and it’s clean at larger cruising speeds. It isn’t probably the most refined automotive in its class however it will probably deal with rougher highway surfaces with sufficient means for day-to-day household driving.

The PHEV is heavier than the petrol, which you do discover round bumpier nation roads, however the noiseless EV driving round small villages and cities makes it a serene experience.

The electrical-only instantaneous acceleration is a winner for households and people susceptible to automotive illness because it removes any friction in acceleration or deceleration.

MG has up to date its plethora of driver help techniques to moreover embrace: door warning beeping, lively rear cross site visitors alerts and a brand new driver monitoring system.

The latter is – to be frank – very annoying.

Driver monitoring is notoriously irritating throughout all producers and fashions however the HS’ system had a thoughts of its personal. It was going off continuously; even sat at a site visitors gentle it pinged once I turned my head fractionally to test if the sunshine had modified to inexperienced.

Add that to hurry restrict warnings, lane departure warnings and site visitors management options and driving finally ends up being a shifting cacophony of very distracting noises. 

Turning them off took a variety of fiddling and menu hopping – extra distracting than something it warns you in opposition to.

Lots of people will want to deactivate them as quickly as they get within the automotive.

MG HS: Will it slot in my storage? 

On sale: Now

First deliveries: ICE already accessible – PHEV September and convectional HEV in 2025

Worth: from £24,995

PERFORMANCE 

Drivetrain: ICE/PHEV/HEV

Engine: 1.5 turbo petrol

PHEV battery dimension: 24.7kWh

Energy: 168bhp (petrol), 206bhp (PHEV)

Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.4s (handbook) or 9.6s (auto)

High pace: 128mph (handbook), 121mph (auto)

PHEV electric-only vary: 75 miles 

DIMENSIONS

Size: 4,636mm

Width (with mirrors): 1,890mm

Top: 1,664mm

Wheelbase: 2,7645mm

Doorways: 5

Seats: 5 

Boot capability: 507 litres (1,484L seats down)

TRIMS

Quantity: Entry-level SE and top-line Trophy 

BENEFIT IN KIND TAX

PHEV qualifies for five% BIK  PHEV electrical vary: 75 miles

The inside – consolation, area and practicality

Because of the elevated dimensions, the 2024 HS is even roomier than the outgoing mannequin – and that already had nice area for passengers over six ft.

The legroom and headroom cannot be faulted: I might add a head and shoulders and nonetheless be comfy and even the longest-legged folks could have loads of area to stretch out.

It is also simple to get little one seats in due to the extensive door openings and you’ll match a pair of kid seats within the again as there are twin ISOFIX factors. 

You possibly can really feel totally assured taking three children abreast within the again on lengthy vacation drives with out anybody throwing a tantrum for being overly cramped.

The legroom and headroom cannot be faulted: I might add a head and shoulders and nonetheless be comfy and even the longest-legged folks could have loads of area to stretch out. Three children or youngsters will not be cramped on lengthy summer season household highway journeys 

With the seats up you get 507 litres and with them folded down you now get 1,484 litres – each measurements are the identical on the plug-in hybrid mannequin too. This beats the Ford Kuga’s 412 litres and the Nissan Qashqai’s 504 litres, however the Tucson nonetheless leads with a dominating 620 litres

An essential practicality enchancment is the boot dimension, which has elevated 44 litres on the earlier automotive.

This might be welcomed as a problem with the outgoing mannequin was that passenger area had been prioritised over boot capability, however MG’s fastened that on the 2024 automotive.

With the seats up you get 507 litres and with them folded down there’s 1,484 litres accessible. Each measurements are the identical on the plug-in hybrid mannequin too. 

This beats the Ford Kuga’s 412 litres and the Nissan Qashqai’s 504 litres, however the Hyundai Tucson nonetheless leads with a capacious 620 litres.

The inside’s had a ‘premium’ makeover, wanting rather more polished and upmarket than earlier than.

Clearly, the Italian leather-based seats for an additional £500 is probably the most opulent possibility, however each the fabric SE and black artificial leather-based Trophy trims are completed to a better degree than earlier than, even when they nonetheless have some plastics to save cash.

What new tech is there?

You get two 12.3-inch HD screens – a driver’s digital show and a touchscreen which seamlessly stretch throughout the sprint. The system’s well-designed with two themes to select from and three modes: Maps, ADAS and Digital

Gone is the outdated single TomTom wanting display screen. Now you get two 12.3-inch HD shows – a driver’s digital view and a touchscreen which seamlessly stretch throughout the sprint.

The system is well-designed with two themes to select from and three modes: Maps, ADAS (Superior Driving Help System) and Digital.

Whereas the extra ADAS are extra of a hindrance than a assist, the ‘Clear Chassis’ digital camera is a good addition. It lets you nearly see what’s underneath the wheels to keep away from costly and irritating errors resembling curbing the wheels or driving over inexplicably excessive manhole covers.

There’s additionally now a 360 digital camera which is HD (some MG cameras is usually a good bit fuzzy, particularly on the MG5).

Sensible telephone integration is on the market for the primary time which permits you, via the iSmart app, to unlock doorways, test the automobile, find it, connect with Wi-Fi and pre-condition the aircon and seats amongst different issues. 

Pricing construction and supply instances

The entry degree ICE SE trim begins from simply £24,995, whereas the Trophy begins from £27,495 and goes as much as £29,495. And the worth enhance from present HS throughout each grades is simply +£965

It can save you round 10 grand when you purchase the brand new MG HS as a substitute of a rival giant SUV.

The entry degree ICE SE trim begins from simply £24,995, whereas the Trophy begins from £27,495 and goes as much as £29,495. And the worth enhance from present HS throughout each grades is simply £965.

The PHEV is coming in a month or so and can value from £31,495. A traditional self-charging hybrid model will comply with early subsequent 12 months.

As beforehand talked about, the HS undercuts the Kia Sportage, the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson by some margin: they every value from £32,575, £32,710 and £33,765 respectively.

It is also cheaper than the Ford Kuga ST Line 1.5 Eco Increase which begins at £37,070.

Then, when you issue within the PHEV firm automotive tax aid you might be laughing all the way in which to the financial savings financial institution.

And the HS continues to have class-leading residual values – on common 6.2 per cent higher than the category common, so your buy will keep sweeter for longer.

MG HS: The Automobiles & Motoring verdict 

When you want a big and sensible household SUV and finances is the precedence over driving expertise, then the HS goes to an the plain selection. Particularly after the leap up in spaciousness and boot capability.

Whereas it is not probably the most highly effective or spectacular to drive, you’ll be clocking up the miles with the information you’ve got most likely saved round £10k.

The design enhancements each outdoors and in have introduced the automotive into the mid-market low premium realm. 

Its solely main downfall is the incessant ADAS bleeping, which must be addressed. In any other case, shortcomings might be missed.

The HS is now an SUV that may mix into any sensible automotive park or faculty drop off line, whereas the outgoing mannequin simply wasn’t fashionable – so gross sales are more likely to be robust from the beginning.

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