2025 Geely Starray EM-i Inspire vs MG HS Essence Super Hybrid Review

Newly arrived Chinese Super Hybrids promise a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario with their impressive ranges in both EV and HEV modes. But which to choose between the MG HS and the new Geely Starray? 

It seems a bit like groundhog day around here, we find ourselves again driving a brace of new hybrid SUVs originating from China. Such is the blitz from these new brands. This month we have the Geely Starray, the PHEV cousin of the electric EX5, while we have yet another MG HS variant, and it’s another plug-in ‘super hybrid’. Both offer good engine-off driving-ranges when their batteries are charged, while efficient management of the petrol side of things means they are economical when driven further afield. By now, you should know that a PHEV’s fuel consumption is tied to how often you charge it, and how far you drive in a day. You should really only contemplate buying a PHEV if you intend to charge it every night to maximise the engine-off miles, for the sake of both local air quality, and cheaper running costs.

How do these two stack up? 

While MG would normally be the ‘value’ offering in a comparison, the likes of Geely are re-defining the concept with even more affordable models. The Starray lands here starting at $45,990, although this Inspire grade is $49,490. Its set-up has a 160kW/262Nm motor working with a 73kW/125Nm petrol engine. The electric motor does most of the grunt work; it’s not until you really force the issue that the engine will add its extras to help proceedings, with a combined figure of 193kW. You get an 18.4kWh battery, said to be good for 83km of EV range. You can DC charge the Starray, but only at 30kW, while the AC maximum if 6.6kW. It also offers a 3.3kW vehicle to load function. Fuel consumption they peg at 2.4L/100km, though the Rightcar website says 1.5. 

The MG HS Super Hybrid starts at $52,990, this better-specified Essence being $56,990. That’s $14k more than the petrol Essence and $8k more than the ‘self charging’ hybrid. It’s actually more expensive than the new MG S5 pure electric. 

It’s got a similar setup to the Starray, but has more of everything. The 154kW/340Nm motor combines with a 105kW/230Nm engine for a total of 220kW and 350Nm. They work via a two-speed transmission, the two ratios apparently optimised for different scenarios ensuring both electric and combined propulsion operate in their efficiency sweet spots. It’s got a bigger 24.7kWh battery, giving it a longer WLTP rated EV range of 120km. The consumption figure is listed at 0.7L/100km, though Rightcar reckons 1L/100km. This lacks the DC charge ability if that matters, and there’s no Vehicle to Load function either. You can switch between EV and hybrid drive modes to suit, and each has a Sport/Power mode for max performance. 

Comparing spec sheets they offer similar amenities; powered tailgates, glass roofs and other things you really don’t need. And lots of ADAS systems to turn off. Convenience features abound; charge pad, wireless connectivity (plugged Android on the Geely until it gets an update), smart key operation, powered and heated seats. The Starray has a few extras like its connected services with intelligent voice control (works pretty well too), a bigger screen, head-up display, ambient lighting (gimmicky, and turned off) and seat ventilation too. It’s well loaded for the price, though Geely charges for colours other than white.

What are the numbers? 

So how far did they go on a charge? We got 75km from the Starray, while the MG gave us 112km, both over a mix of urban streets and motorway running. The MG feels more sprightly in its EV mode, and you’re less likely to fire the petrol engine into action when accelerating more enthusiastically. Both offer the usual, smooth, torque rich delivery, uninterrupted too without gear changes. The MG is the more responsive to throttle inputs, Geely with a slight delay before it gets back into it. 

The smooth operation continues in hybrid mode, just with the added vibration and noise of the engine helping charge the battery. 

Both operate primarily as series hybrids (engine running the generator, electric motor drive) though both can run in parallel mode (engine adding power to the drive) when max thrust is required. 

Both can run in charge mode (engine offering more power to recharge the battery, rather than merely topping it up to keep hybrid mode working) but expect consumption to rise. It’s better to charge via the mains when you get home; it’s cheaper especially considering these both need 95 and it’s best to maximise those cheap EV miles with PHEV RUCs. In hybrid mode, expect the MG to consume between 5.0-5.5L/100km, the Geely around the 6.0L mark. 

Boring to drive but?

Behind the wheel, we favoured the more composed set up of the MG overall. The Starray is typically Chinese spongy soft on the go. Some might like it, we find it just a tad aloof. The HS is a little firmer but more controlled without the wallowing and diving. The Geely’s steering is super light, which is good in town, and it has an easy turn around too. The MG’s wheel is a touch heftier, with a slightly annoying self centring vibe too. Its brake regen is more effective in high mode, the Geely’s requiring more brake pedal use, itself a little too soft under foot, where the MG’s isn’t.

The Starray’s ride is pleasant enough on the highway, smoothing over the smaller irregularities, although it struggles to gel over the more difficult lumps. It’s quiet in a road- and wind-noise sense, though you’ll hear the engine wind up under load. The MG is just that touch more settled, but without degrading the ride.

The Geely doesn’t feel as hasty as its power output suggests, but the performance is adequate. The MG struggles to effectively put its power down, the ESP needed to sort it all out when you give it the jandal. But it does feel the stronger of the two in a performance sense. While it’s not a corner master, as the MG is less inclined to roll, it turns better, holding a line okay but does tend toward understeer sooner than desired. 

The Geely’s lane keeping system corrupts the otherwise okay steering, constantly nudging you around. The wheel at least relays an idea of connection, and loads up a little to provide some resistance in bends, along with some mild kick back in bumpy corners. The roll, while not unruly, still manages to undo the balance, the electronic aids subtly keeping this on line. 

We’d give the Annoying Bong award to the MG; its warnings are more intense. Both however dong and buzz at you all the time via the driver monitor, the over speed warning and lane keeping. You can mess about turning them off every time you go out, but why can’t they just program them to work better?

Geely quality a plus 

The Starray has one of the better interiors you’ll come across for this sort of money. It’s certainly China centric, especially in this optional white hue. It’s uplifting if you’ve got the lifestyle for it (i.e. no grubby kids to ferry about). The one big central touchscreen controls the show, with a couple of extra buttons on the console that aren’t really much help, including a huge volume knob (which also doubles as a fan speed controller). But otherwise you’re delving into the touchscreen for everything. It’s at least quick to switch between its myriad menus. No lack of driver info here with a little screen in front of you and a head-up display. 

There’s a good smattering of quality synthetic materials layering just about everything and good storage too. The seats are pretty squishy and have just enough adjustment to help you get comfortable. Same too for the steering wheel, although it’s a bit too square. 

The stalk-mounted gear selector adds convenience, flicking between drive and reverse seamlessly. And the Starray is on as soon as you get in, no need to wait around for start up, like in the MG. 

The HS isn’t quite as appealing when you step into the cabin; it has more of a value feel to it with more hard plastics, the vinyls are not as good and a few trim bits were misaligned (like the glove box). The infotainment system is slower, the screen smaller (so more scrolling) and the imaging not as clear for the surround view camera. It does the basics well though with good seats and enough storage (though less than the Geely).

There’s oodles of room in the back of the Starray with a completely flat floor, high roof and comfortable seats complete with the usual Isofix for the kids. The MG’s not bad either, though entry and head room aren’t as favorable. 

Both have a good boot, the Geely’s not as well shaped as the MG, but deeper thanks to a variable floor.  And both have the usual 60/40 split folding rear seat for the extras. No spare wheels but. The MG can haul up to 1500kg while Geely doesn’t tow.

So which is it? 

Given the Geely looks okay, has a great interior and is priced well, we can see people leaning toward it over the more pricey MG. The Geely’s quality is better too, with a few extras for less asked. We do however prefer the way the MG drives, its powertrain performs better and gives more EV miles, if that stuff matters.