MG bolsters HS range to take on upcoming RAV4 and CX-5 hybrid heavyweights

Lukas Foyle

Contributor

New MG HS plugless hybrid launches in Oz with $42,990 driveaway price

MG’s new plugless HS ‘Hybrid +’ midsize SUV will arrive in showrooms this September, starting at $42,990 drive-away for the base model Excite, and $46,990 for the range-topping Essence.

This means the halfway-hybrid MG HS incurs a $4000 premium over the equivalent, combustion-only MG HS Excite, or $7000 over the base combustion model HS Vibe – a trim level not offered by either the plugless (series-parallel) or plug-in HS.

The plug-in MG HS, known as the ‘Super Hybrid’ will also launch in September. It steps pricing up even further, with the base model Excite costing $50,990 drive-away, and range topping Essence set at $54,990.

MG’s plugless hybrid is good insurance for the Chinese-owned, British named company. Establishing the model early gives it a fighting chance about the soon-to-release Mazda CX-5 hybrid and next-generation Toyota RAV4.

For now, the HS Hybrid+ will butt heads with fellow Chinese midsizer, the GWM Haval H6 Lux HEV ($40,990 driveaway national), as well as the current hybrid market leads, the $51,990 (NSW driveaway) Nissan X-Trail ST-L ePower 4WD and outgoing $46,772 (NSW driveaway) Toyota RAV4 GX FWD hybrid.

The MG HS hybrid’s powertrain utilises a 1.5-litre turbo four cylinder, transmission-integrated electric motor, and 1.83 nominal kWh battery to send a combined output of 165kW/340Nm to the front wheels. MG claims the system decreases fuel consumption from 6.9L/100km to 5.2L/100km.

Equipment for each HS trim level is identical regardless of powertrain. Key features for all Excite badged HS models include:

12.3” Virtual Driver Cluster Display
12.3” Colour Touchscreen
Driver’s 6-way Electric Adjustable Seat
6-Speaker Audio System
360-degree Camera
Reversing sensors
Parking Camera
Rain Sensing Wipers
Roof Rails
19” Alloy Wheels

Stepping up into the Essence grants:

Panoramic Stargazer Sunroof
Wireless Charging
Front Parking Sensors
Drivers Seat Memory
Passenger’s 4-way Electric Adjustable Seat
Heated Front Seats (3 levels)
Dual Zone Auto Climate Control
Power Tailgate
8-Speaker Audio System

MG’s upcoming HS hybrids will be the first new models returning to a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty after MG backed out of its blanket 10-year or 250,000km warranty less than a year after it was introduced.

The seven-year warranty can be stepped up to 10 years or 250,000km provided that the vehicle is used privately and serviced on-time at an authorised MG service centre. Both models additionally offer a seven-years or 150,000km warranty for their hybrid batteries.