THIS is the new HS: the latest SUV from MG. Competitive prices and a seven-year warranty have boosted the firm’s popularity, with the electric version of the ZS small SUV showing huge promise; MG took about 2,000 orders in the first month.
But moving into larger vehicles can be more challenging; buyers want something that looks and feels posher – and with such a huge amount of choice in the mid-size SUV class, the HS has a lot to prove. So does this MG have what it takes to rival the Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Karoq?
MG is keeping the HS range simple. There are three trims and one engine to choose from: 1.5-liter turbo petrol with either a manual or a dual-clutch auto box.
The styling is pretty simple, too. The front bears the family MG look, applied to a broader, squarer shape. It’s not particularly distinctive, but not much in this segment is.
Against the tape measure, the HS falls between the Qashqai and Karoq for length and sits within a couple of millimeters of the Skoda for both width and height. MG reckons that cabin space is class-leading, and we’d be inclined to agree. The legroom is generous, the headroom is more than adequate and three people should be pretty happy in the back. At 450 liters, the boot is larger than a Qashqai’s but smaller than the Skoda’s.
This story is from the October 16, 2019 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 16, 2019 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PERFORMANCE review
Updates have transformed the Audi RS 4 before it bows out for good, but can it beat the BMW M3 Touring?
Pick of the Porsches
In its 75 years, Porsche has built some of the most iconic cars ever. We look at the best
The rebirth of cool
Octavia has been the standard-bearer of Skoda's renaissance for 25 years. We mark that milestone by looking at four generations of the popular car
Evolution in action
As the Peugeot 205 turns 40, we look at how this most iconic of French superminis has influenced the brand's latest small car
Volkswagen T-Cross
FIRST DRIVE Updates focus on boosting compact SUV's quality
Vauxhall Astra ST Electric
FIRST DRIVE Estate version of electric family car comes with space to spare
Smart #3
FIRST DRIVE Has Smart righted the 1’s wrongs with the latest addition to its range?
BEAVER TOWN
When Citroen said it was supporting a scheme to rewild beavers in West London wetlands, we were eager to gnaw how it would work
HOUSE OF BUGATTI
| Upon his retirement, the man who's shaped all modern Bugattis SI reflects upon his stellar career with the ultimate supercar brand
AMG weaves its magic as Merc reveals faster CLE 53 coupé
THE new Mercedes CLE coupé is tasked with replacing two-door versions of both the C-Class and E-Class, and the line-up has been bolstered with the arrival of a hot AMG 53 variant.