Introduction
Every time I try a new vehicle from MG, I am impressed by the company’s successful strategy to penetrate our markets. In this review, I will discuss the sporty MG HS, a crossover that competes with the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5, but offers a starting price of just AED 68,000.
2020 MG HS Design
Let me introduce you to the 2020 MG HS in the Trophy trim, the fully equipped version, and detail what it has to offer in this review.
Exterior Design
MG has begun to establish a unified design language for its vehicles, which is evident with the MG HS. This is particularly noticeable when compared to the sedan MG 6, as there is a clear resemblance in the large, chrome-trimmed front grille.
MG has aimed to give the HS a sporty character with prominent lines on the hood. Overall, the car’s design is very contemporary and stylish, complemented by front LED headlights with daytime running lights, large fog lights surrounded by chrome, and 18-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, we find LED lights and a clear diffuser with genuine dual exhaust outlets.
The trunk opens electrically and remotely from the key in this version, providing ample space.
Interior Features
Inside, the sporty theme continues with large circular air vents, a flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in leather, and electrically adjustable leather and suede seats with a distinctive design that feels reminiscent of much more expensive German cars.
The cabin design and material quality prompt a reassessment of the prices set by other well-known brands in this segment. The MG HS offers an attractive and elegant interior with high-quality materials, featuring stitched leather throughout the cabin, the center console, and the doors, with beautiful chrome and metallic accents in the center console. Details like the metallic-covered buttons for the mirror controls and window opening/closing reflect the superior quality of this car compared to its competitors.
Technology and Equipment
In terms of equipment, the MG HS provides a lot for its price category. It features a 10.1-inch touchscreen in the center console to control most of the car's settings. It offers Bluetooth connectivity, an integrated navigation system (which is not the best available), and support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
From this screen, you can control the dual-zone automatic climate control system, which is also equipped with an air quality measurement feature. When pollution levels rise, it automatically activates an air purification system inside the cabin.
In front of the driver, the HS comes with a 12.3-inch screen instead of traditional gauges, displaying customizable information whose layout changes according to the driving modes. Other features include an electronic parking brake with an automatic hold function, traditional cruise control, a rear parking camera, and sensors, along with alerts for traffic and blind spots, and a full panoramic roof.
Space and Comfort
Rear passenger space is not the largest among its competitors, but it is sufficient, and the material quality is on par with the front cabin, featuring two air conditioning vents and two USB ports for mobile charging.
Vehicle Performance
Let me start discussing the driving experience with some information. The MG HS is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 231 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. This makes the HS one of the most powerful vehicles in its class based on the numbers. This engine is connected to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering power and torque to all four wheels as needed, or in a 50-50 split between the front and rear wheels when the Diff Lock is activated.
Sound insulation in the cabin is very good, with minimal noise from the tires or outside wind; however, the engine can be a bit loud when pushed for power. The car's suspension is excellent, effectively masking most bumps and irregularities on the road.
My Driving Opinion
As for my opinion on driving the HS, I will divide it into two parts. The first is when driving the car in the normal or economical mode, which offers excellent performance and great smoothness. However, my observations begin when switching the car to Sport or Super Sport mode, activated by a button on the steering wheel designed similarly to Ferrari cars. Here, the transmission begins to show some confusion regarding which gear it is in, and there is a noticeable jerk when shifting gears. Additionally, there is a clear delay (turbo lag) from the engine in reaching the required power levels. Although the steering wheel weight adjusts according to the driving mode, it lacks the feedback that would have enhanced the driving experience.
Conclusion
Despite these issues, especially considering that this version of the MG HS comes at a very attractive price of AED 79,000 here in the UAE—especially when competitors in this segment offer fully equipped versions at prices that can reach double this figure—the HS presents itself as a fantastic alternative from MG in this category. I recommend anyone to at least give it a try.
