Used MG HS (Mk1, 2019-2024) buyer’s guide: unrivalled on price but far from perfect

Verdict

It’s easy to think of MG as a niche seller in the UK. But not only does it have more than four per cent of the market, the MG HS was the UK’s biggest-selling car at the start of last year, with 3,500 shifted in a single month. The arrival of a new HS has pushed values of the original down, and when you look at what you can get for similar money, suddenly the HS doesn’t have many rivals. Yet, while there’s a lot to like about it (and potentially a lot to dislike if you look at our Driver Power survey results), this is a car whose value roots are all too apparent when you compare it with other compact SUVs.

For a certain demographic, MG will always be remembered for its sports cars and hot hatches. But for most buyers nowadays the brand has come to stand for something entirely different: family cars, especially SUVs that have a focus on value for money above all else.

An all-new HS mid-sized SUV was revealed by MG in late August, and it takes over from the original HS, which joined MG’s line-up five years ago. That was a car which struck a chord with a lot of buyers who were attracted by the spacious interior, generous equipment, long warranty and keen prices. As a used buy, the HS is even better value, but do its
key rivals make more sense?

History

The first-generation MG HS went on sale in the UK in October 2019. At first only a 160bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine was available, with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with no four-wheel-drive option.

MG’s first ever plug-in hybrid came a year later, when an HS was introduced with a 1.5T petrol engine backed up by a 120bhp electric motor to give an overall output of 254bhp. The HS PHEV came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and once again all cars were front-wheel drive.

A facelifted petrol HS 1.5T arrived in showrooms in summer 2023 with a refreshed nose and tail, but the plug-in hybrid continued to be sold in its original form.

On the road

The HS is unsophisticated in several key respects, and this is most apparent on the road, because poor body control means it won’t win any prizes for its dynamic ability. It’s competent enough, but the lack of refinement is disappointing, with too much engine, wind and road noise.

Performance is okay while the manual gearbox is decent enough, but the auto isn’t as slick as it should be for a dual-clutch set-up.

Which should I buy?

The plug-in hybrid is much zippier than the regular HS 1.5 T-GDi, and if your journeys are mainly short you can run on electricity for much of the time. When new, the PHEV carried a massive price premium and while that has reduced, it’s still significantly more expensive and only you can decide if it’s worth it. We’d say that it is if you’re buying for the long term, because the PHEV offers significantly better performance and economy.

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Ignoring the rare and short-lived Explore trim, entry-level (Excite, then SE) HSs had air-con, navigation, adaptive cruise control plus rear parking sensors and a camera. Top-spec models (Exclusive, then Trophy) added LED headlights, leather trim, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, ambient lighting, privacy glass and a powered tailgate.

Alternatives to the MG HS

While most mid-sized SUV rivals are better overall, they cost more. That’s the case with the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, plus the Peugeot 3008 and its Citroen C5 Aircross and Vauxhall Grandland cousins.

The Ford Kuga feels a lot more modern, while the Volkswagen Group offers the SEAT Ateca, Skoda Karoq and VW Tiguan, but they’re all more costly. That’s also true of the Toyota RAV4, whereas the Renault Kadjar is keenly priced, partly because it came out as long ago as 2015, and it’s the same story with the platform-sharing (and more plentiful) Nissan Qashqai.

The only SUV that comes close on price to the MG is the Dacia Duster, which came first in our 2024 Driver Power New Car survey.

What to look for

Mind the gap

If the panel gaps seems less than perfect, don’t assume the car you’re looking at has been in a crash. Some were made with uneven shut lines.

Chips away

The paint quality of some cars leaves a bit to be desired. Some owners complain about paint being easily chipped or scratched, so check the car for damage.

Radio silence

All HSs should come with a DAB radio, but the microchip shortage means that many cars don’t have one fitted, or there’s a poor-quality work-around installed.

Power outage

Electronic glitches aren’t uncommon, with phones not pairing, key fobs not recognised, touchscreen and reversing camera glitches, plus faulty electric windows and mirrors all possible.

Interior

The cabin doesn’t have the wow factor of some of its rivals, but it’s modern enough with its large infotainment screen, soft-touch materials and pleasant design. Too many functions are controlled via the touchscreen though, including the ventilation, but the graphics are modern and most things (bar the sub-menus) are user-friendly.

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There’s plenty of head and legroom in the back, with space for three adults to sit in comfort, while cubby space is excellent; the front seats could be more supportive, though. Boot space is pretty good, at 463 litres with the back seats in use (448 litres for the PHEV), and this rises to 1,454 litres with the seats folded (1,375 litres in the PHEV).

Running costs

The standard service interval for all HSs is every 12 months or 15,000 miles, but for those who cover a lower mileage, a 12-month or 10,000 miles schedule is available. The typical cost of a service is £420, even though different items are replaced each time, but the auxiliary belts have to be replaced as part of the sixth service, when the cost jumps to about £700.

MG claimed an electric-only range of 32 miles for the plug-in hybrid, which can be achieved easily. Most average 50mpg in mixed driving, but some report more than 90mpg.

Recalls

MG has a pretty good record when it comes to recalls. It has issued just half a dozen of them in the past decade: one each for the MG3, MG4 and MG6, two for the MG5 and a single campaign for the HS.

The latter was issued in March 2023 and it affected 3,291 HSs built between July 2020 and October 2022, potentially with an electrical glitch. Whereas short circuits are a relatively common reason for recalls, with the HS it was the opposite problem: some cars had insulation trapped between the wire and body so the cable didn’t earth properly. All the dealers had to do was trim the insulation to ensure a decent earth for the electrical system.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The HS hasn’t appeared in any Driver Power surveys, but a few other MG models have. The MG5 came 66th out of 75 entries last year, and the ZS managed 61st in 2022, having come 41st in 2021 and 55th in 2020.

More worrying, MG came last out of 32 entries in our 2024 Brands survey, with it coming bottom or near-bottom in categories such as reliability, ride and handling, and infotainment.

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