There is a fair case to be made that we are going to see a resurgence in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV ). This powertrain is essentially a bridge for those who want to stick with a combustion-engine car, while dabbling in the world of electric driving.
But when PHEVs first came onto the scene, they offered drivers very little in terms of benefitting from running solely on electricity; the electric range was low and I don't think many people really understood how to get the most out of their plug-in hybrid.
A PHEV with an all-electric range of more than 100km is what we are now being introduced to. Most of us will drive far less than that on an average day, meaning these longer electric-range PHEVs present a great solution, provided of course that they are charged appropriately.
One such plug-in hybrid that deserves a good showing is the new MG HS, from the British-origin brand now owned by Chinese auto giant SAIC Motor Corporation. The HS PHEV is powered by a 105kW (142ps ) 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 154kW electric motor. A 24.7kWh battery enables an electric driving range of up to 120km (WLTP ), and a combined range of over 1,000km. There is 7.4kW AC charging onboard.
The new MG HS is offered in two trim levels, ‘Excite’ and ‘Exclusive’, with the Excite starting at €40,995 and the top of the range Exclusive variant priced from €43,995 (tested here ). All models are backed by a manufacturer warranty of seven-year/150,000km.
Compared to its predecessor, the new HS has a longer wheelbase for enhanced spaciousness inside the cabin. It is 14mm wider at 1,890mm and 45mm longer at 4,670mm. This updated design, combined with a 45mm increase in the wheelbase to 2,765mm, ensures greater interior space. Boot capacity has increased by 44-litres to 507-litres, with a 60/40 split at the rear.
Inside, two prominent 12.3-inch HD displays dominate the cabin.
However, the central display is a let-down; it feels quite dated and is awkward and unresponsive to use at the best of times. Not to mention the car beeps ferociously at you as soon as you take your eyes off the road to try adjust something on the central screen, where most of the car's controls are housed.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are there too, but bizarrely require a cable to access. Apart from that, the interior is smartly laid out, with my press model coming with a 360-degree surround view camera and wireless smartphone charging as standard.
The top-spec Exclusive model also comes with 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, front fog lights, electrically adjustable and folding heated door mirrors with memory function, an electric six-way driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment and a memory function, a power tailgate, an eight-speaker audio system, MG iSmart with live services, wireless smartphone charging, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L ) functionality as standard.
All models are equipped with the enhanced MG Pilot suite of driver assistance systems, including Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Door Open Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist.
The new MG HS plug-in hybrid is a solid offering, boasting good ride quality and little roll through bends. It is really only let down by its infotainment screen.
The HS stacks up well against rivals and similarly priced PHEVs such as the BYD Seal U and Cupra Formentor, so it is certainly one to consider.
