It’s hard to believe that it’s only been just over a year that the MG HS got a facelift – and now they’ve followed it up with a completely new version, nicely timed to coincide with their centenary celebrations. Six weeks ago, we first saw this in the metal, and now – we have the chance to not only get behind the wheel, but to road trip in it also…
To paraphrase a well-loved merc-with-a-mouth…*Let’s king go!
The MG HS Petrol maintains the design language that made it popular in the first place but with a few subtle yet effective refinements. MG has worked on enhancing its road presence, giving the HS a more assertive stance while maintaining its sleek and modern aesthetic.
At the front is a refreshed grille design, which now features a more intricate mesh pattern, giving it a more premium appearance. The LED headlights have been subtly reshaped to create a sharper, more dynamic look, while the integrated daytime running lights add to the SUV's modern appeal.
From the side, the HS retains its muscular and aerodynamic profile, with a slight tweak to the lower body cladding and new alloy wheel’s which are now 19” across the range. The gently sloping roofline and pronounced wheel arches give it a sporty yet robust look.
At the rear, the SUV has a new taillight design, featuring a more sophisticated LED pattern that enhances visibility and style. The dual exhaust tips and a redesigned bumper add to the SUV’s sporty character, ensuring it looks just as good from the back as it does from the front.
Step inside, and you'll find a cabin that exudes comfort and sophistication. MG has made several enhancements to the interior quality and technology, ensuring that the HS continues to appeal to a wide range of drivers, from families to tech-savvy individuals.
The dashboard layout is clean and driver-focused, featuring a new 12.3” virtual driver information display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, offering quick access to navigation, media, and vehicle settings. Higher trim levels come with an integrated satellite navigation system and an 8-speaker sound system, delivering a richer audio experience.
The new HS continues to impress with its spacious and comfortable interior. The seats are upholstered in high-quality materials, with the Exclusive trim offering leather style upholstery for an extra touch of luxury. The driver’s seat is 6-way power-adjustable, and in Trophy trim comes with lumbar support and memory function, ensuring you can find the perfect driving position.
Passengers in the rear seats are treated to generous legroom and headroom, making the HS a comfortable place for long journeys. The panoramic sunroof, available on the higher trims, adds to the sense of space and openness, flooding the cabin with natural light.
The MG HS offers a practical boot capacity of 507 litres, which expands to 1,484 litres with the rear seats folded down. This makes it suitable for a range of uses, from family road trips to hauling sports equipment. The low loading lip and wide opening make it easy to load and unload items, adding to the HS's everyday usability.
Under the bonnet, the new MG HS Petrol is equipped with a 1.5- litre TGDi petrol engine that produces 169 PS and 202 Nm of torque, that deliver a good balance of performance and efficiency. The engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), offering smooth and responsive gear changes.
MG has tuned the HS Petrol to be efficient, with official fuel consumption figures of around 37.2 mpg for the manual and 36.2 mpg for the automatic variant. We had the economy up to the mid-fifties at one point.
The MG HS offers a comfortable and composed ride, with the suspension tuned for a balance between comfort and handling. The steering is light and precise, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight city streets and providing confidence at higher speeds. While it's not a sports SUV, the HS delivers a reassuring drive with enough power for overtaking and merging onto motorways. During the time we spent in it, I can honestly say these were some of the comfiest car seats I’d ever experienced – driver or passenger.
As this is MG, the HS Petrol is packed with technology designed to enhance both convenience and safety, making it a well-rounded choice for modern drivers, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike:
• MG Pilot: MG's comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies, known as MG Pilot, comes as standard on the HS. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, and automatic emergency braking.
• Blind Spot Detection: This system alerts you to vehicles in your blind spot, helping to prevent collisions during lane changes.
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Assists when reversing out of parking spaces by warning you of approaching vehicles from either side.
• Front Parking Sensor: Available on the Trophy Trim, this feature provides a front view of the vehicle, making parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces easier.
If you're in the market for a stylish and practical SUV that won't break the bank, the MG HS Petrol is definitely worth a closer look.
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 😊