2023 MG HS worth and specs

The MG HS has entered 2023 unchanged, although a cosmetic update is due later this year.

The company has yet to reveal any details of the upcoming facelifted line-up for Australia. MG has however already revealed the new model in the Chinese, UK and Thai markets.

MG Australia says it has “drastically reduced” the number of all-wheel drive versions of the current model that it’s importing into the country, which suggests the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine mightn’t be sticking around.

For now, however, it remains on price lists alongside the base turbocharged 1.5-litre and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Prices were increased earlier this year, with MG announcing $1000 increases for the base Vibe and top-spec Essence X and Plus EV Essence. All other models’ prices were unchanged.

MG first began production of the MG HS in 2018, and it arrived in Australia in 2020 initially only with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine.

The range was later expanded to include all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid options, among other new variants.

MG now offers eight variants, with the range opening at $32,990 drive-away for the base Vibe.

Last year, MG Australia sold 10,948 HS SUVs thanks to strong supply. It outsold the GWM Haval H6 (7009), Honda CR-V (8123), Nissan X-Trail (7943) and Volkswagen Tiguan (2658).

Pricing

• 2023 MG HS Vibe: $32,990
• 2023 MG HS Excite: $35,990
• 2023 MG HS Excite X: $38,990
• 2023 MG HS Essence: $39,990
• 2023 MG HS Essence Anfield: $41,690
• 2023 MG HS Essence X: $43,990
• 2023 MG HS Plus EV Excite: $49,690
• 2023 MG HS Plus EV Essence: $53,690

All prices are drive-away

Drivetrains

MG Australia offers three drivetrain options.

The MG HS Vibe, Excite and Essence has a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 119kW of power and 250Nm of torque. It’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

The Excite X and Essence X models receive a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 168kW of power and 360Nm of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic with all-wheel drive.

The flagship MG HS Plus EV uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine combined with a single electric motor on the front axle and a 16.6kWh lithium-ion battery.

Total system outputs are 189kW of power and 370Nm of torque.

Fuel Economy

Claimed combined cycle fuel economy for the 2023 MG HS is 7.3L/100km in models with the 1.5-litre engine, 9.5L/100km with the 2.0-litre engine and 1.7L/100km in the HS Plus EV.

The plug-in hybrid offers 63km of pure electric range and takes five hours to charge on 7kW AC power.

All models require 95RON premium unleaded fuel and have a 55L fuel tank.

Dimensions

The 2023 MG HS Vibe, Excite and Essence measure 4574mm long, 1876mm wide, 1664mm tall with a 2720mm wheelbase.

Excite X and Essence X models are taller by an additional 21mm but otherwise measure the same as the base model.

The MG HS’s luggage space is 463L, increasing to a maximum of 1287L with the second row folded. Plug-in hybrid models have 451L and 1275L of space, respectively, and lose the space-saver spare in favour of a tyre repair kit.

Kerb weight is 1489kg for the Vibe, while the remaining models with the 1.5-litre engine weigh 1550kgs. 2.0-litre models weigh 1700kg and plug-in hybrid models weigh 1775kg.

Servicing and Warranty

MG Australia offers customers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The HS Plus EV also includes a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre battery warranty for private buyers.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, with ten years of capped-price servicing.

Safety

The MG HS was tested by ANCAP in 2019 and received a five-star rating.

That rating was based on an adult occupant protection score of 92 per cent, child occupant protection of 83 per cent, pedestrian protection of 64 per cent and safety assist of 77 per cent.

All 2023 MG HS models come standard with MG Pilot suite of safety features, which includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Intelligent speed limit assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic jam assist

All models have front, front-side and curtain airbags.

Standard Equipment

In addition to the MG Pilot suite of features the base HS Vibe comes with the following standard equipment:

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 10.1-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Rear spoiler
• Roof rails
• Halogen headlights
• Front and rear fog lights
• Automatic headlights
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Keyless entry and start
• Two front and two rear USB ports
• Six-speaker sound system

The Excite and Excite X add:

• Paddle shifters
• Metal pedals
• 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels
• LED headlights with manual height adjustment
• LED tail lights with dynamic indicators
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Dual-zone climate control
• Satelite navigation
• Power tailgate

The Plus EV Excite removes the paddle shifters, power tailgate, LED headlights and LED tail lights with dynamic indicators, but adds:

• PU & PVC upholstery
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Electrically operated door mirrors

The Essence, Essence X and Plus EV Essence include:

• LED ambient lighting
• Welcome lights
• Six-way power driver’s seat
• Four-way power passenger seat
• Front heated seats
• Two-tone leather sports seats
• Panoramic sunroof

The Plus EV Essence also has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Colours

The MG HS Plus EV is available in the following colours:

• Pearl White Metallic
• Diamond Red Metallic
• Sterling Silver Metallic
• Black Pearl Metallic

The remaining models are also offered in:

• York White
• Brixton Blue Metallic

All colours except Brixton Blue Metallic are available on the MG HS Excite X.

All metallic paint colours incur a $700 cost.

MORE: Everything MG HS