GOING A SMARTER HS ROUTE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_mghs_2023

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 70

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.

Modelsword count: 5

5dr SUV (1.5 petrol/1.5 PHEV)

Historyword count: 139

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 Getword count: 725

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.

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