MG’s HS family hauler renewed for the second generation

MG is celebrating its centenary at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. And to mark the occasion it revealed a sporty four-door coupe in the shape of the MG Cyber GTS Concept. However, there’s also something for the real world with the reveal of the second-generation HS SUV. 

As previewed earlier this month, the family-friendly high rider comes with the option of two new powertrains. There’s a fresh petrol and a more potent plug-in hybrid petrol. Both HS versions have gone on sale in the UK already, with deliveries beginning before the end of the month.

The new MG HS reminds somewhat of its forebear while it takes on a grille treatment that reminds of MG3’s. New design features include a full-width rear lightbar, sleeker roofline, slimline headlights and plenty of exterior brightwork. It rides lower by 30mm and is 14mm wider, for a more purposeful stance. There’s more interior space with the added width and a 45mm wheelbase stretch.

A 1.5L 126kW/275Nm turbopetrol is the base engine. It propels new HS to 100km/h from standstill in a claimed 9.4sec. While a manual is available overseas, we’re likely to take only the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The plug-in hybrid model unites a 106kW 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 154kW electric motor. With a system total in excess of 225kW, it shaves almost 3sec off the sprint time of the petrol (6.8sec). Packing a 24.7kWh battery pack, the HS PHEV can evidently run on electric-only power alone for up to 120km. MG claims that’s a best-in-class figure. No overall fuel use figure is available as yet.

Each model is available in two spec levels. The base version gets two 12.3-inch screens with the central touchscreen incorporating sat-nav and smartphone compatibility. Count also on keyless entry, a wireless phone charger and 360-degree exterior camera. MG says interior material quality improves with a focus on primary touchpoints. 

The higher specification brings with it diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated external mirrors, a six-way electric driver’s seat with lumbar adjust, a powered fifth door, an eight-speaker sound system and vehicle-to-load functionality on the PHEV. 

Luggage capacity increases by 44L to 507L and there are more oddments compartments throughout the cabin. Five exterior colours are matched with black leather-style upholstery for the higher spec level, or a tan option.