2020 MG HS review

What stands out?

While the MG badge is synonymous with English sports cars, the MG HS is a Chinese-built medium SUV that provides excellent value in terms of pricing and features. Both versions have premium look-and-and feel interiors and a range of driver assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

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What might bug me?

People continuously reminding you that your MG is built in China, not England, as if the fact the iconic brand was bought by Chinese motoring giant SAIC was news to you.

How the adaptive cruise control can struggle to settle into a consistent speed.

The constant beeping by the over-zealous lane-departure warning.

Trying to set the climate control on screen while the car is moving – the MG HS doesn’t have physical air-conditioning buttons.

What body styles are there?

Five-door SUV-style wagon only, with seating for five.

The MG HS drives only the front wheels, and is classed as a medium SUV, lower priced.

What features do all MG HS versions have?

• A 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
  
  
• An advanced driver-assist system, which MG calls ‘MG Pilot’ that includes city-speed autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, blind-spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane-change assist, and intelligent speed assist that can alerts you if you're breaking the current speed limit.
  
  
• A 10.1-inch touchscreen, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone synching, six-speaker sound system with an AM/FM radio, USB and HDMI inputs, Bluetooth audio streaming.

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• Reversing camera with rear-parking sensors.
  
  
• Premium-feel leather-appointed seats with contrasting stitching, and six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment.
  
  
• Tail-lights and daytime running lights illuminated by extremely long-lived LEDs. The headlights are self-levelling and automatically control the high-beam if it senses another vehicle approaching.
  
  
• Power-operated and heated door mirrors.
  
  
• Height and reach adjustment for the leather steering wheel, with buttons to operate the cruise control and multimedia features.
  
  
• Electronic park brake, hill-start assist control, and seat-belt reminders.
  
  
• Smart-key entry and start, which lets you unlock the car and drive away without removing the key from your bag or pocket.
  
  
• Air-conditioning with dedicated vents for rear passengers. Rear seats also get 2 x USB ports.
  
  
• Aluminium alloy wheels (which don’t need pesky plastic trim), and a full-sized spare.
  
  
• Tyre pressure monitors (which will give you early warning of a slow puncture).
  
  
• Six airbags. Stability control, which helps you avoid and control skids. (For the placement of airbags, and more on MG HS safety features, please open the Safety section below.)

Every MG HS comes with a seven-year warranty, with no restriction on distance.

Which engine uses least fuel, and why wouldn't I choose it?

Every MG HS comes with the same engine, a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol. On the official test, it consumes about 7.3 litres/100km (city and country cycles combined).

This is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that can be driven just like a manual but without a traditional foot clutch.

The pricier Excite and Essence versions allow you to manually select gear ratio steps using paddles on the steering wheel.

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What key features do I get if I spend more?

The least costly MG HS is the Vibe which comes with 17-inch wheels, manually operated air-conditioning, halogen headlights, and the features common to each HS version.

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Paying more for HS Excite brings additional convenience and comfort including:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control.
  
  
• Power-operated tailgate.
  
  
• LED headlights and rear indicators with fancy-flowing sequence illumination.
  
  
• Interior ambient mood lighting.
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers.
  
  
• Satellite navigation.
  
  
• Sporty metal foot pedals.

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• Bigger 18-inch alloy wheels.
  
  
• Paddle shifters.
  
  
• Super sport mode that increases the revs and tightens the steering provide add to driver engagement.

The HS Essence tops the range with a host of luxury features, which include:

• Panoramic sunroof.
  
  
• 360-degree parking camera.
  
  
• Two-tone leather sports seats.
  
  
• Power adjusted heated front seats.

Does any upgrade have a down side?

Not really, the entry-level Vibe is marginally the quietest to ride in on coarse-chip roads, because its 17-inch wheels use tyres with deeper and more cushioning sidewalls than the lower-profile 18-inch rubber under the Excite and Essence. Thankfully, the bigger wheels don’t seem to affect ride comfort much.

How comfortable is the MG HS?

The interior feels surprisingly premium, with both versions featuring plenty of soft-touch materials, supportive faux leather seats, a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a leather-wrapped steering wheel that wouldn’t be out of place in a European rival. Fit and finish of trims, carpets and switchgear is pleasing.

The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interface connects and works well, but are a few niggly issues with the infotainment system such as the interplay between the touchscreen and the buttons below that isn’t always intuitive or speedy. With headlights on during the day, indicators for the buttons are rendered invisible. Manual dials for the Excite’s climate control would also be appreciated, as adjusting it can be a little difficult on the move.

The cabin is well insulated from road and wind noise, contributing to a quality feel inside, and the ride is reasonably comfortable despite some harshness on less than perfect road surfaces.

What about safety in an MG HS?

Each MG HS comes with anti-lock brakes, stability control, six airbags, seatbelt reminders for all seats, tyre-pressure monitoring, a reversing camera, and LED daytime running lights.

All versions also come with an active safety suite called MG Pilot that includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC) and advanced safety technology including traffic jam assist, blind-spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane-change assist, and intelligent speed assist that can limit your speed to the current speed limit.

The AEB uses a radar sensor to detect other vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians and applies the brakes if it senses a collision. At speeds below 20 km/h, the HS will automatically apply its brakes to avoid a collision with a vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian. At speeds above 20 km/h, AEB will reduce the likelihood or mitigate the severity of an accident.

MORE: Autonomous emergency braking explained

The adaptive cruise control monitors the road ahead and maintains the speed set by the driver. If the system detects a slower vehicle ahead it gently reduces speed by releasing the accelerator or actively engaging the brake control system. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or changes lanes the system automatically accelerates back to the driver’s desired speed.

ACC also works in heavy traffic. If the system detects dense traffic or a traffic jam at speeds below 60 km/h, the driver can activate Traffic Jam Assist that will automatically follow the vehicle in front, controlling its acceleration, braking and steering within the same lane.

Lane Keep Assist uses a camera to detect lane markings ahead and monitors the vehicle’s position in its lane. When the function detects the vehicle is about to unintentionally move out of its lane, it warns the driver by means of a visual, audible and steering wheel vibration. The car will also control the steering to keep within its lane.

Intelligent speed assist reads speed limit signs and alerts the driver of the current speed limit by way of a symbol on the driver's instrument cluster.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) awarded the MG HS its maximum Five-Star rating in December 2019.

I like driving - will I enjoy the MG HS?

MG has delivered the goods when it comes to the HS' features and packaging, but, while it’s one of the best Chinese-built cars to arrive in Australia so far, its drive is still not quite as refined as its more established Japanese and Korean rivals.

It is a big step up from the GS model it replaces, however, with the steering, braking and handling all as solid as they need to be in a family SUV.

Ride is improved, although some harshness on less-than-perfect surfaces betrays the need for further development work if the HS is to match the class leaders.

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Despite turbo lag off the line, the 119kW turbo engine provides sufficient power for a vehicle this size. It’s not too noisy and revs willingly. The dual-clutch automatic transmission can be indecisive and typically lacks polish particularly at lower speeds, but it’s preferable to the less-sophisticated CVT autos found in rival SUVs.

MORE: 2020 MG HS Excite review

The more expensive Excite version allows for more engaging driving with paddle shifters to give you more control over gear ratios, and a super sport drive mode that tightens the steering and boosts acceleration by allowing for higher revs between gear changes.

How is life in the rear seats?

Rear passengers are well catered for, with two-position (slightly) reclining 60:40-split seat, fold-down centre armrest, ample legroom, air vents and twin USB ports.

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How is the MG HS for carrying stuff?

The MG HS can hold 463 litres of stuff in its boot, which about average for a medium SUV.

Folding the rear seats down can net you up to 1287 litres of space. Both HS versions come with a storage box and luggage cover.

The MG HS has a handy 1750kg maximum braked towing capacity, which is enough to safely tow small to medium caravans, trailers and boats. It can tow unbraked loads of up to 750kg.

Where is the MG HS made?

The MG HS is manufactured in China.

What might I miss that similar cars have?

Not much, the MG HS is very well equipped though there are exceptions to its expansive features list including power-operated driver’s seat, heated seats, sunroof and digital radio. You'll find these in some versions of cars such as the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Peugeot 3008, Ford Escape, Renault Koleos, Nissan X-Trail, and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Perhaps a more efficient hybrid powertrain as found in the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. A plug-in hybrid version of the HS has been revealed for the Chinese market but at this stage there no plans to sell this in other countries.

All-wheel drive for increased traction on slippery or gravelly surfaces, and mild off-road capability as available with the Forester, CX-5, RAV4 and X-Trail.

I like this car, but I can't choose which version. Can you help?

The Vibe and Excite are excellent value for around the $30,000 mark, but we reckon the Excite has more than enough extras to justify the additional cost.

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Are there plans to update this model soon?

No. This first-generation MG HS is an all-new model that replaces the GS as the brand’s medium SUV offering.

A plug-in hybrid version has been revealed for the Chinese market but at this stage there no plans to sell this in other countries.

The top-spec HS Essence (below) was added to the range in August 2020.

Don’t expect any updates before 2021, though MG may introduce new technology to the range or special edition variants.

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