It’s tough out there in the land of the mainstream medium-SUV: there's a relatively large pool of potential customers because it’s still the most popular new-vehicle segment in New Zealand (23% year-to-date and counting), but it's also full of established and highly accomplished players.
Since launch in 2022, the MG HS has had just one job: as the newbie, to get noticed by offering as much space, quality and technology as possible, while undercutting the competition by as much as possible.
The new model aims to continue the mission... only more so. And on the surface, it’s off to a good start. Formerly a handsome but thoroughly generic-looking offering, the HS now has real presence. Lots of the detailing and cabin design echo the acclaimed MG4, reminding us that MG made its name here with electric vehicles.
The original HS was one of those, of course. The HS +EV, later renamed HS PHEV, had a unique selling proposition by bringing plug-in power to the segment at a price equivalent to many conventional ICE rivals. It had its powertrain quirks, as we discovered in a long-term test, but it still made a big impression.
The new HS has been launched with no electrification, which might seem like a teeny step back; less so when you consider how the plug-in market has cooled this year in NZ, but still. There’s hybrid technology for this model coming next year, both with and without a plug; the former has been getting hugely positive reviews in the UK and Europe, by the way, so it might be worth the wait.
Think of this top MG HS Essence as a Toyota RAV4-sized SUV for entry-level Corolla Cross money.
But for now, all three HS variants are powered by a revised 1.5-litre petrol engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. As before, front-drive only.
So that’s the bad news. The good news is that even our flagship Essence version costs just $42,990, which significantly undercuts equivalent SUVs from established brands. Think of it as a Toyota RAV4-sized SUV (it’s actually 55mm longer than the Japanese car) for Corolla Cross money; the HS Essence is actually the same price as the much smaller entry-level Corolla Cross GX and nearly $6k cheaper than a RAV GX. Okay, the Toyotas are both hybrids, but the MG is much more luxurious; you get the context.
Arguably the most impressive aspect of the HS is its refinement at urban speeds and on the motorway. It’s almost luxury-car quiet.
And actually, the HS engine is not really bad news because the powertrain is so smooth. It’s no ball of fire with 125kW/275Nm, but the MG is quite light for a relatively large car (1.6t) and it gets along pretty well.
The dual-clutch transmission shifts with the fluidity of a conventional automatic a lot of the time, although it’s still possible to catch it out in those situations where dual-clutch shifters traditionally struggle, such as uphill parking manoeuvres.
The HS is built for comfort, not cornering speed and the suspension feels a bit soggy once you start turning into corners with enthusiasm.
Arguably the most impressive aspect of the HS is its refinement at urban speeds and on the motorway. It’s almost luxury-car quiet in normal driving, with engine and wind noise remarkably well-contained. It can be a soothing way to travel.
Less so if you’re travelling at speed away from the smooth stuff. The HS is built for comfort, not cornering speed and the suspension feels a bit soggy once you start turning into corners with enthusiasm. It’s not terrible, but questionable body control means it’s not a lot of fun.
It is pretty posh inside, though. There’s a nicely shaped MG4-style steering wheel and dual 12.3in screens; quite a lot of squishy PU trim and faux-stitching, but it looks quite appealing and build quality seems impressive.
The infotainment screen is arranged with four tiles and it’s all pretty clear, but as with other MGs you get the sense it could do with a bit more computing power; when you’re asking it to do more than one thing (like connecting Android Auto once the icon is active and it’s booting up), you find yourself stabbing at the touch-display, trying to get a response.
Speaking of which, when Android Auto or Apple CarPlay does take over the screen, there are no shortcuts for in-car functions like climate control; so you have to click out of phone projection and back into the car OS on the screen. There's a Home button under the screen which helps, but there's still a sense of starting-over for often-used functions.
On the plus side, the now-familiar MG steering wheel has customisable controls, including some fairly clear physical buttons - at least once you’ve worked out stuff like a tiny steering wheel icon means adaptive cruise control, and so on.
You could almost say the tech is a bit overdone... but maybe that’s a compliment of sorts when we’re talking about a budget family car.
But would we recommend the HS? If you want a spacious medium SUV with real presence and excellent urban refinement, absolutely; especially when this one comes with a 10-year warranty.
All we’d say is consider your specification carefully, considering all three models look virtually identical.
Given the sharp pricing, it’s tempting to say just buy the Essence and enjoy the goodies; but if you can do without garnish like memory seats, dual-zone climate control and a power tailgate, the mid-range Excite could well be the sweet spot. It gives you change from $40k, still rides on the larger 19in wheels and retains the high-definition 360-degree camera setup, iSmart remote access app and faux-leather seats.
While we’re at it, the Vibe is still generously equipped (we even prefer the fabric seats to the sticky PU of the Excite/Essence) and offers an outrageous amount of SUV metal for the money at $36,990.
What are the key statistics for the MG HS Essence?
This new model is powered by a revised 125kW/275Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox FWD-only. It's ICE for now, but there are hybrid and PHEV versions on the way for 2025.
Is the MG HS Essence efficient?
All things considered, yes, with an official figure of 6.6l/100km, but you have to bear in mind this is a small petrol engine driving a medium-large SUV, so is easy to work it hard and suffer the consequences.
Is the MG HS Essence good to drive?
The powertrain is very smooth in urban driving and it's astonishingly quiet at city speeds, so it's a great commuter. Great on the motorway too, but on winding roads at higher speed the chassis is soft and lacks control on the bumpy bits.
Is the MG HS Essence practical?
It's on the larger side of medium for SUVs and as a result there's plenty of space for occupants front and rear. Also plenty of storage space, including generously sized door bins.
The boot has grown substantially form the previous model and at 507l can swallow a lot. With the seatbacks folded you also get something close to a flat load-through.
What do we like about the MG HS Essence?
It looks really sharp and represents a lot of family-SUV for the money in its segment. Our top Essence test car is still just $43k but it's absolutely loaded, with power/memory seat adjustment, 360-degree camera and a panoramic roof.
It's really refined in urban driving... and you get a 10-year warranty.
What don’t we like about the MG HS Essence?
It's no athlete in sinewy open-road driving, budget buyers won't appreciate the need for 95-octane fuel and we'd like to see the hybrid options join the range as quickly as possible.
What kind of person would the MG HS Essence suit?
Somebody who wants maximum medium-segment SUV presence and quality for minimum outlay - and somebody who understands family SUVs don't have to be sporty.
