2025 MG HS Essence Long Term

Having awarded the MG HS our Value Car of the Year award recently, it’s been good to get a few more miles behind the wheel of this family SUV. And we’ll get a few more over the coming months, having just started a long term relationship with it. 

What bagged the HS its award was not just its price vs spec credentials, but that it is also an honestly competent family SUV for the money. There are few compromises here. The ride is particularly pleasant for the grind around the suburbs. MG has come a long way, and in a short time in this regard. Where the previous generation models had both an underwhelming bump absorption and so-so roll control, this HS goes well. It favours ride comfort, soaking large bumps and speed humps without crashing into the bump stops like the old models did. But it’s also got a better idea of roll control in bends too. 

The 1.5T engine gets into its torque quickly, the lag off the line minimal in the context of daily commuting. The take up of power from the dual-clutch transmission is refined when manoeuvring around slowly (parking and the like). And provided you give the brake pedal a quick pump when you’re on an incline, the hill starts are smooth as well; that’s not always a given with twin-clutch devices. The gearlever action is straightforward too, and quick acting when moving from R to D. 

What most buyers will appreciate is the overall refinement here; the trans is smooth, both the engine noise and vibrations are muted and road noise is acceptable. 

The interior quality has taken a big step up. The HS doesn’t feel made to a price point, not too plasticky in other words. And without any odd odours emanating from the interior either. While the seat lacks a tilt adjustment for the squab, it is nice and soft while maintaining good support. 

Yes, the safety minders do go on; the overspeed warning chime would be slightly more tolerable if it just dinged once instead of thrice. And I’ll try Pete’s advice regarding the driver monitor and see if taping over it does work long term.

These are some of the many features on the long, long specification list, the fitout good value for the $42,990 asked for this Essence grade variant. That’s the top spec, but you can nab the HS Vibe for just $36,990, outstanding value in 2025 for a family friendly SUV. That comes with dual 12-inch screens, CarPlay and Android Auto, a smart key, electric driver’s seat adjustment, parking camera and the MG Pilot Safety Suite which includes active cruise control. But the $3K needed to upgrade to the mid-spec Excite is money well spent. Here you get 19s, synthetic leather, nav, the 360 surround camera and the iSmart app. The Essence has even more with a big panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, powered seats on both sides with heating too, a power tailgate, better audio and privacy glass. And in 2025, that’s a lot of SUV for the money, especially when considering the
10-year warranty that MG offers.  

MG HS Essence
$42,990  /  6.9L/100km  /  156g/km
0-100 km/h 9.15s
Engine  1496cc / IL4 / T
Max power  125kW
Max torque  275Nm
Transmission  7-speed twin-clutch / FWD
Weight (claimed)  1599kg