MG

HS

The MG HS is a five-door SUV that has proved exceptionally popular here in the UK. An all-new second-generation version has just been launched and this really ups the ante in the sector.

Test Drive

MG HS Second Generation – First Drive (2024)

MG is a company that’s steeped in history so when they announce the latest model is “the most important car it has ever launched” it needs to be something a little bit special.

And in fairness, the all-new second-generation HS is just that. It picks up the baton from the first-gen car which was hugely popular with the UK accounting for 27 per cent of global sales, and it runs with it.

The original five-door HS SUV was launched in 2018 and it has competed exceptionally well in the C-SUV sector. But now the new version is here boasting a stronger design, improved technology and enhanced safety features.

At launch the HS is available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine or with plug-in hybrid technology which sees a 154kW motor and 24.7kW battery added to the mix. Customers can choose from manual or automatic gearboxes and the trim grades are kept nice and simple with just two levels called SE and Trophy.

Prices for the petrol derivative start from £24,995 and the plug-in hybrid models are priced from £31,495.

The HS certainly has a stronger road presence than the outgoing car with a bolder and larger grille, slimmer headlights, a light bar stretching the width of the rear end, new-look bumpers and eye-catching 19-inch alloys.

We opted for the HS PHEV in high-end Trophy specification, costing £33,995 and it’s reassuring to know there are no additional extras on the cars. You can upgrade to a tan interior but the black upholstery in our test car looked and felt upmarket with plenty of cushioning for added comfort on longer journeys.

The cabin has a nice feel to it and one of the upgrades on the latest car is a pair of 12.3-inch screens that merge seamlessly into one another. The left screen is where all the on-board creature comforts, such as smartphone connectivity, sat nav, reversing camera and the likes are located. While all the vital driving data, including the remaining EV range, is clearly displayed on the screen behind the steering wheel. This screen can also be personalised to taste with a number of themes and modes to choose from.

With 371PS and 569Nm of torque, there is plenty of power on tap and the HS can sprint from 0-62mph in just 6.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 102mph. Officially, the combined fuel economy figure is in excess of 670mpg, but like all PHEVs the car would need to be charged almost all the time and run virtually entirely in EV-only mode to get close to that figure. In reality, expect to see around the mid-40s. Probably the most important figures though are the EV driving range of up to 75 miles, which is exceptional, along with the low carbon emissions figure of just 12g/km. That means this car has a very attractive Benefit in Kind rating of just five per cent, which will bring nice savings to business drivers.

When it comes to performance, the new MG HS is a very capable all-rounder with smooth acceleration through the two-speed automatic transmission. It’s nicely balanced when faced with twisting B roads with impressive grip into and out of bends, while it can cruise with ease at 70mph on motorways too. You will notice elevated wind noise at higher speeds due to huge door mirrors and these also get in the way a little when looking sideways at junctions.

Despite stretching 4.67 metres in length, the HS is nimble in busy town centres and easily weaves through the busy traffic. High and Low regenerative braking settings mean you can recoup extra energy in stop, start traffic and there are drive modes to alter the general handling of the vehicle called Eco, Normal and Sport. The same settings can also be applied to the steering feel and these functions are all located within the touchscreen menus.

The comfort levels within the cabin are high and there is ample space in the back for a couple of adults – even of the taller variety. The elevated seating makes the HS ideal for anyone with any mobility difficulties and the wide opening rear doors offer easy access to any child seats. There are Isofix anchors to the outer rear seats.

With adventure breaks in mind, the HS needs to cover the practicality bases well, and it does just that with a boot capacity that ranges from 507 litres to 1,484 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. A low boot lip makes loading heavy items that much easier too. Elsewhere there are numerous handy compartments such as a well-sized glovebox, seat back pockets, front and rear cup holders, deep door bins, a cubby box and some trays.

When it comes to charging the 24.7kWh battery from 0 to 100 per cent, it takes four hours via a 6.8kW wallbox or 7.5 hours if using a domestic three-pin socket.

While the latest HS has not yet been tested for its Euro NCAP rating, it boasts extra features compared to its predecessor which was awarded a maximum five stars, so it should score well.

All in all, the new HS is a hugely important car for MG and with an HEV variant due in the new year, there will be a model to suit all requirements and budgets.