MG HS Review 2025

There’s very little in common between the octagon-badged cars of old and the current range of models but for the majority of buyers that doesn’t matter. Today the brand stands largely for modern features and good value — find out more about those and other qualities in our full MG HS review.

The previous-generation MG HS was an undoubted success — in 2024 it was the eighth best-selling car in the UK, so the new version of this family-sized SUV has some big boots to fill.

Usefully that might be easier given the second-iteration of the MG HS has grown in size to be closer to how its competition measures up. Among the very big sellers it’s up against is the excellent Kia Sportage, a model that will be heavily facelifted in early 2025.

Close cousin of the Kia is the Hyundai Tucson, sharing many of that car’s qualities — as well as its engines and underpinnings. Together with the Ford Kuga, they match the MG by being available in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) guise.

Not available as a PHEV but a strong seller all the same is the Nissan Qashqai which received a nip and tuck to freshen its appeal during 2024.

Despite its growth, the MG HS still represents strong value — yes, it has similar dimensions to the Skoda Karoq yet its pricing is closer to that of the smaller Kamiq.

It’s not hard to tell the new MG HS from the old version. There’s a much larger front grille with slimmer headlights, with a redesigned bumper and light arrangement at the rear. Whether you think it looks better than before is a matter of personal taste, but it’s certainly distinctive.

On the inside the change in dimensions has freed up more space in what was already quite a roomy car in the front, back and in the boot.

There’s a more sophisticated infotainment set-up that has a smarter appearance, although if you get a bit too close it’s clear that many of the interior materials aren’t quite as fancy as they might look.

The engine range remains similar to before with a choice of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol working alone or mated with an electric motor with the PHEV version, which boasts a WLTP Combined cycle electric driving range of 75 miles — in the real world it should still be good for at least 50.

Although the MG HS lags behind rivals in some areas, the reality is that it is spacious, well-equipped, decent to drive and — in PHEV form — cheap to run. With a price tag that undercuts much of the competition, its easier to forgive some of the corners that have been cut in terms of interior plushness.

While the company does have some sporty cars in its range — the MG Cyberster being the most prime of examples — the MG HS is designed for more sedate driving.

Its ride quality is somewhat improved over the outgoing HS and is better equipped to deal with poor road surfaces. It does a good job of keeping passengers isolated from the road surface, which makes it comfortable whether you’re in town or on the motorway.

Drive a little more quickly and the shortcomings of the MG HS are more apparent. The steering does not offer a great deal of feel, whichever of the three driving modes you set it to, and at speed it can float over bumps and lean through the corners, particularly in the PHEV version which is considerably heavier.

There is plenty of grip and it never feels anything other than safe and secure but there are better alternatives for anyone seeking a fun driving experience.

The cheapest MG HS model comes with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, offering 169PS and 275Nm of torque and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Performance is sufficient — despite that healthy torque figure the HS weighs over 1500kg — and in normal driving there is enough get up and go to keep pace with traffic. Ask more of it in terms of acceleration and the engine’s noise levels go up, becoming raucous when pushed.

The six-speed manual gearbox works well enough but the seven-speed transmission is slick and works better here, even though the engine noise at higher revs is more apparent when the gearbox is shifting for you.

The PHEV version offers a healthier 299PS and 350Nm of torque, with an electric motor and 23.2kWh usable battery pack plus a two-speed automatic transmission. As well as offering better performance, with a 0-62mph time of only 6.8 seconds, the MG HS Plug-in Hybrid does well at getting around in EV mode only, and when the petrol engine does kick in at higher speeds it is less intrusive in terms of noise.

Although it is more expensive, of the two options the Plug-in Hybrid is the most appealing.

Euro NCAP crash-tested the MG HS in 2024 and it achieved an impressive five-star rating. It scored a strong 90% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 83% for pedestrian mitigation and 74% for safety assist, which is competitive against key rivals and no doubt helped by the generous standard safety kit.

Both the MG HS petrol and Plug-In Hybrid versions offer a braked towing capacity of 1500kg. Not outstanding but sufficient enough for trailering rubbish to the recycling centre.

The previous-generation MG HS was not exactly short on space, so the fact that this generation has grown a little is good news. Although slighter lower than the old car, the latest HS has a longer wheelbase, so passenger space within is greater than before.

Head- and leg-room up front are excellent, even for taller adults, while elbow-room is generous too so you get a good sense of space.

In the rear, leg-room is also excellent and while headroom is not quite as generous as in the front, a six foot-tall adult should have no issues getting comfortable. Three adults can sit across the rear with a slight squeeze but for two it’s perfect.

Boot space is 507 litres whether you go for the petrol or PHEV version, which is 44 more litres than before. It’s a competitive figure, although some rivals without a hybrid powertrain offer even greater capacities, although they are also more expensive too.

Fold the rear bench over and the total capacity expands to a small van-like 1484 litres.

The interior quality of the MG HS has certainly moved up a notch — its new dashboard is lifted with better materials that before, while the mix of textures and colours helps to elevate it.

There’s plenty of soft-touch surfaces around plus fake leather finishes that do a good impression of the real thing.

Cover up the MG’s badges and your passengers would be forgiven for thinking they’re looking at the interior of something more expensive. Once inside, it doesn’t take too long to find some cheaper-feeling plastics but in the main it’s pretty convincing.

As standard all versions of the MG HS get a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen and a second panel forming the digital instrument display. Blended together behind the same pane of glass gives a classy finish.

DAB, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth are all standard on MG HS SE models, together with a six-speaker audio system. Trophy versions add an upgraded eight-speaker system, live traffic information, Amazon Music and a wireless charging pad.

The displays are bright and clear with attractive graphics but almost all of the additional functions have now been added to the touchscreen. Something as routine as adjusting the air conditioning means navigating through several on-screen menus which can be frustrating when on the move.

Also confusingly given that Tophy models have a wireless smartphone charging pad, for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to work you’ll need your cable.

Prices for the MG HS start at £24,995 for the 1.5 SE model with a six-speed manual and £26,995 for the seven-speed automatic, while higher spec Trophy models are £27,495 and £28,995, respectively.

MG HS PHEV models are £31,495 for the SE and £33,995 for the Trophy.

These compare favourably with the smaller Skoda Kamiq which starts at £24,755 and is much less than the similarly-sized Kia Sportage at £29,980 and Hyundai Tucson at £32,400.

Better still there are plenty of nearly-new examples with further savings over list price.

The MG HS should be a cheap car to run, particularly the PHEV version, thanks to impressive fuel economy and the ability to cover good distances on electric power.

The petrol version has an official WLTP Combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 37.2-38.2mpg depending on transmission. The PHEV’s claimed figure of 564mpg is unlikely to be achieved in reality to say the least, but the more you can charge at home, the better.

Insurance groups are middling for SUVs of this size, ranging from group 24 to 27.

MG HS Plug-in Hybrid: Range and charging

The MG HS Plug-in claims an electric-only driving range of 75 miles, which is competitive against alternative models.

Although in the real world the EV range is probably closer to 50 miles, the HS uses its electric power well and can make a lot of journeys without the petrol engine kicking in at all.

Its 23.2kWh net capacity battery pack can’t be charged using a rapid DC connection but that’s unlikely to be too much of a drawback. Using a typical domestic wallbox charger at a 7kW flow-rate, a full recharge will take approximately four hours.

Whether you choose the MG HS in petrol-only or Plug-in Hybrid variety, both can be ordered in either SE or Trophy specification.

As standard the MG HS SE comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, heated door mirrors, air conditioning, keyless entry and start, cruise control (passive on manual versions, adaptive on automatics), a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, DAB radio as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity.

On the safety front you’ll find Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Traffic Jam Assist (on automatic models), Speed Limit Assist, Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Active Rear Cross Traffic Alert plus a Door Open Warning.

Step up to an MG HS Trophy model to add electrically folding door mirrors, dual-zone climate control, an electrically operated tailgate, an eight-speaker audio system, a 360-degree parking camera system, live infotainment services, wireless charging, leather-effect upholstery and electrically adjustable and heated front seats with a driver’s side memory function.