MG HS

Budget family SUV is renewed with fresh look, latest tech and updated powertrains

- JACK WARRICK

In MG's century-long history, several model launches have changed the face of the brand. Cast your mind back to 1963's B, deemed by many to be the first 'modern' MG, and 1995's F, which revitalised its sporting image. The HS hasn't institutionalised itself in the same way, but MG thinks that could change with this new second-generation model. It has described it as the most important MG yet launched, which is a pretty bold call.

Arriving six years after the original, the Mk2 HS brings a complete exterior design overhaul, a heavily updated interior and a suite of technology updates. The brand sees the HS as a rival to the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai, but it usefully undercuts all of those cars.

The HS's stature has also grown: it's 30mm lower, 26mm longer and 14mm wider than before, while its wheelbase has been stretched by 45mm to 2756mm.

Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, either working alone to produce 168bhp and 203lb ft of torque, as tested here, or as part of an improved plug-in hybrid powertrain, working with an enlarged 24.7kWh battery and a 151bhp electric motor for 258bhp and 273lb ft. A mild-hybrid petrol is also due at the start of next year.