2023 (23) MG HS 1.5 T-GDI SE 5dr DCT

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

HS here doesn't designate a super-fast rail route but MG's largest SUV, offered in both conventionally-engined and PHEV plug-in forms and improved in 2023 with smarter exterior styling. It's one of the most spacious mid-sized SUVs you could choose from the 2023-2024 period, yet it retails for thousands less than you'd pay for comparably-shaped rivals. The usual MG formula in other words, backed up by the normal lengthy brand warranty.

History

MG is one of the market's fastest growing brands, with many of its sales currently being of its compact ZS SUV. This HS model was launched here in 2019 to slot in above that car, enabling the brand to hold on to family buyers who might have out-grown its smaller models. And to target new customers who previously would never have considered MG in this segment. These people are going to want a higher standard of luxury and sophistication than anything the brand has previously offered - and the HS range certainly set out to provide just that, with more purpose in the lightly revised sleeker-looking form that was launched in 2023. This updated version of the HS sold until a new generation model was launched in mid-2024. It's the 2023 to mid-2024-era HS models we look at here.

What You Get

Some mid-term facelifts don't appreciably change the visual signature of the model concerned very much: this wasn't one of those. On the contrary, this revised HS looked quite a bit sleeker than before, courtesy of revised bi-function LED headlights, a bolder grille design and a re-styled front bumper. As before, the overall styling's pretty straightforward, taking the family look established with the compact ZS and applying it to a wider, squarer shape. You expect plenty of metal for your money from an MG and, as before, you'll not be disappointed here. Don't be put off by the fact that an HS isn't much cheaper than, say, a Nissan Qashqai; it's quite a lot bigger than one of those, 4,610mm long, 1,685mm high and 1,876mm wide: size-wise, that places it somewhere between a Skoda Karoq and a Ford Kuga. Which means it isn't big enough to be able to offer a third seating row. Silver roof rails supply the required SUV vibe and smarter 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels now fill the chunky arches. At the rear, a new bumper design, revised dual exhaust outlets and LED taillights complete the styling update. Inside, everything falls easily to hand and the digital instrument cluster's clear (though it still can't display route instructions). There are certainly more high-quality soft-touch materials than you'd expect for the money being asked. The dashboard feels of reasonably high quality, doesn't have too much button clutter and features welcome little touches like piano black finishing and satin chrome trim, as well as knurled-effect piano key switchgear and turbine-style air vents. You're seated pretty comfortably: lumbar support is standard, as is black leather-style upholstery. And if you avoid base trim you (somewhat unexpectedly) get rather dynamic-looking power-adjustable bucket-style sports seats, though they're set rather high and don't do much for your over-the-shoulder vision. Customisable ambient lighting features on the top model. As for as cabin changes with this revised model, well there really weren't any, though the brand claimed that the 10.1-inch centre-dash infotainment screen had been upgraded with enhanced hardware, allowing faster and smoother functionality. It continued to be compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone-mirroring, includes navigation and a rear view camera and gives you a DAB audio system with either 4 or 6 speakers, depending on the trim level you've chosen. As before, the central monitor is rather on the low resolution side; and it's a pity that it has to incorporate all the climate functions. Aside from screen stuff, our only other cabin gripe is that the indicator stalks feel a bit plasticky; that's about it on the debit side. As before, interior space is class-leading and there's plenty of room to stash things. There's a reasonably-sized glovebox and the big door bins can take 1.0-litre bottles. The centre console is a little strangely laid out - you store your 'phone in a slot on the tunnel, rather than on a shelf below the centre screen - but you'll adjust to that quickly enough. A couple of USB ports feature too. In the rear, there's vastly more space than you'd get in a Qashqai or an Ateca. In this class, only Skoda's Karoq offers more. Unfortunately, unlike that car, it's not possible to move the rear bench. It's just about possible to fit three adults here, but the centre occupant certainly wouldn't be very comfortable. Headroom across the back is good though. As you'd expect, isofix fittings are provided for child seats. There are reasonably sized bins in the sweepingly-lined door cards. And the centre sliding arm rest has twin cup holders. Rear passengers also get two central air vents and USB ports, plus a reading light on each side. There's a decently-sized 463-litre boot - that capacity measured up to the window line. With the Plug-in version, that figure falls, but not too far: to 448-litres. The boot floor is pretty high off the ground, which isn't helpful when you're trying to get really heavy items in. Nor is the fact that MG didn't offer a variable-height boot floor. The space beneath the cargo base is occupied by a puncture repair kit in the conventionally-engined model, while the Plug-in version offers an under-floor bin to take the charging cables. Fold the 60:40-split rear bench with the conventional model and capacity rises to 1,454-litres; it's 1,375-litres with the PHEV.

What to Look For

There aren't many major issues here, other than a few electrical and software issues; go thoroughly over all the powered and infotainment functions of the car you're looking at. Even if there were, all cars will obviously be covered by MG's warranty, a fully-transferrable 7 year/80,000 mile package. We've heard of issues with the automatic wipers being inaccurate. And a few reports of sunroofs leaking with water dripping down onto the sun visors. There are a few occasional quality issues that come up: things like plastic clips braking and panels not lining up perfectly. And some owners have reported that the car occasionally doesn't recognise the key fob. Otherwise, it's just the usual things; look out for stone chips and alloy wheel scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.

Replacement Parts

MG parts prices are pretty affordable but you'll probably need to source them through an MG dealer. This being an EV, you'll save on a lot of the usual service items - you obviously won't need things like an oil filter and so on. And the brake pads will last a lot longer - possibly the life of the car.

On the Road

Not much was different about this updated 2023 model year H3 beneath the bonnet. As before, the mainstream engine is a 160bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol unit that only drives through the front wheels. This wasn't a very sophisticated engine back when this car was first launched here back in 2019 and nothing had been done to it here - certainly nothing in the way of the kind of electrification you'd have found by 2023 with most other segment rivals. Still, it's a reasonably willing thing with 250Nm of torque, capable of 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 118mph. Customers have the choice of either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT auto gearbox, which on top versions can also be manually controlled using the steering-wheel-mounted paddles. DCT versions also feature a series of drive modes including Eco, Normal, Sport and a driver customisable option. With top 'Trophy'-spec, a steering wheel mounted 'Super Sport' button allows the driver to quickly engage Sport mode and it also illuminates the interior's red ambient lighting. The alternative powerplant is a PHEV version of this same engine mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. In this Plug-in model, this unit works with a 120bhp electric motor hitched to a four-speed drive unit and powered by a 16.6kWh battery pack. The combined power output is 255bhp and 370Nm of torque (which at times, in the wet especially, feels rather too much for the front wheels to cope with). When the battery pack is fully charged, a WLTP-rated pure electric range of 32 miles is apparently possible, which in urban conditions MG says can be stretched as far as 44 miles. Whatever your choice of HS drivetrain, to be frank, there aren't many driving thrills on offer. Still, you probably won't be expecting - or requiring - the ride and handling of this Chinese SUV to be cutting-edge. And we think that typical family buyers will probably be quite satisfied. True, body control through the turns isn't as well sorted as it is in, say, a Qashqai or an Ateca, but the steering's quite well weighted and the car turns in accurately. With the conventionally-engined model, you're probably better off opting for the 7-speed dual-clutch auto transmission, even though it reacts quite sluggishly to throttle inputs; the alternative 6-speed manual stick shift has a rather vague, sloppy change quality. What else? Well the brakes feel strong and positive, refinement at cruising speeds is reasonable and MG's decision to opt for a relatively softly-sprung suspension set-up means that poorer surfaces are ridden over with decent suppleness: It's not a very sophisticated damping set-up though, something revealed in the way that you crash over pot holes and speed humps. Around town, the HS is a surprisingly easy thing to park given that it's over 4.5-metres long and two metres wide, helped by a standard (rather low resolution) reversing camera, which above base trim is upgraded to a 360-degree surround view set-up. You might worry about a petrol engine's relative lack of torque being insufficient for towing duties. This MG's unit develops 250Nm of pulling power, enough to allow it to tug along a braked trailer of up to 1,750kgs in weight - which should be enough for owners to haul medium-sized trailers, caravans, or boats. Because this is a front driven-only model, you shouldn't expect to be able to engage in any serious off road shenanigans - the relatively restricted ground clearance doesn't allow for that anyway. Hill Launch Assist and Hill Descent Control come included though. Braked towing capacity is 1,750kg for the conventionally-engined model; that falls to 1,500kg with the PHEV.

Overall

If you've previously looked at the kind of spacious mid-to-large-sized SUV your family needs, then looked away when you've seen the asking prices, then this MG HS is for you - perhaps especially in this updated 2023 form. It's certainly the case that the cabin finishing isn't quite of the standard you'd find with more established brands. And the same is true of the efficiency figures and the handling. But there's not as much in it as you might think and the potential price savings here are substantial. If that matters, then we think you'll find plenty to like about this HS. It's practical, well equipped and even quite nice to look at. You'll just have to get used to explaining to your neighbours what it is...