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By Jonathan Crouch

MG's HS PHEV gets a bigger battery and a smarter vibe. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 68

MG was the first budget brand to embrace full electric powertrain technology. It was also the first budget brand to offer plug-in hybrid tech - on the company's mid-range HS SUV, which we reckon is a very under-rated family crossover. Now that model's been significantly updated, with a bigger battery allowing for a vast increase in EV driving range. There's a smarter look and an upgraded cabin too.

Backgroundword count: 140

MG is one of Britain's fastest growing car brands and its progress has been helped by an early adoption of electrified technology, first in 2019 with the full-EV version of the compact ZS crossover and then, a year later with a Plug-in Hybrid variant of the larger HS model. The HS PHEV's launch was significant for the mid-sized SUV market, which by 2020 had seen a glut of Plug-in Hybrids launched, all at rather over-ambitious prices. This Plug-in HS wasn't inexpensive either, but its initial near-£30,000 price tag made it by far the most affordable car of its kind in its segment at launch. Gratifyingly, the updated version of that model we look at here (launched in mid-2024) isn't all that much more expensive - and now goes a lot further on a single charge. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 178

Quite a lot of work's gone into the PHEV powertrain here. As before, it's based around the ordinary HS model's turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but the previous rather small 16.6kWh battery pack paired with this unit has been replaced by a much larger 24.7kWh battery which, in concert with a high-efficiency 67kW generator delivers an electric driving range of up to 75 miles, a massive 43 miles further than before. The powertrain with its 6-speed DCT auto gearbox combines the 142PS 1.5-litre engine with a 210PS electric motor (up from 123PS before), allowing for a total output of 299PS and a 0-62mph time of 6.8s (much the same as before thanks to the bigger battery's greater weight). Because this is a front driven-only model, you shouldn't expect to be able to engage in any serious off road shenanigans - the relatively restricted ground clearance doesn't allow for that anyway. And, given the extra weight of all that electrical hardware, you shouldn't expect ride and handling to be cutting-edge, though typical family buyers will probably be quite satisfied.

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