About MG HS
MG introduced its largest SUV on the market, the HS, in 2019, claiming a seat at the table of compact crossovers in specific markets, fighting against vehicles like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota Rav4.
In 2006, the Chinese automaker SAIC bought the British brand MG and moved the production to China. After years of struggle, the automaker started to increase its presence in the British and the European market. At first, there were mostly refreshed and polished older models of the MG developed in the ‘90s, but then, the automaker launched newly developed products.
While its presence was not noticeable outside the UK, it was later exported to other European countries. Then, in 2018, the HS appeared, trying to compete in the compact crossover segment.
The car’s front sported a broad grille extended downwards into the front bumper and surrounded by a chromed rim. Its 3D pattern mesh, named “stellar field” by the manufacturer, and the center-mounted MG badge looked modern for the time when the car was introduced. Moreover, the LED headlights, with their organic shape and swept-back profile, added a touch of luxury to the car’s look.
Lower, on the apron, MG installed an additional slimmer air intake flanked by a pair of taller side scoops that sported the fog lamps. From its profile, the crossover featured blackened B- and C-pillars and chromed window trims that surrounded them. To create the image of higher ground clearance, the automaker added black side sills and trims extended on the lower side of the sculptured door panels, while at the back, the raked-forward tailgate was adorned by a roof spoiler at its upper side.
Finally, the rear fascia revealed wide LED taillights extended from the quarter panels onto the tailgate, and underneath the bumper, two tailpipes mounted on the sides.
Inside the cabin, MG put everything it had in its parts basket. As a result, the driver enjoyed a semi-digital instrument cluster fitted with two large analog dials for the rev counter and the speedometer that flanked a display.
Atop the center stack, the automaker installed a ten-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system in a free-floating position. From the styling point of view, the HS was a far cry from where the brand was just five years before. But the automaker didn’t forget MG’s sporting heritage and installed high-bolstered front seats, even though this vehicle was a compact crossover, not a hot-hatch.
In the back, the split-folding bench could comfortably accommodate three passengers, and the center tunnel was not too high.
Under the hood, the automaker installed a choice of two gasoline-powered engines, depending on the market. One was a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four powerplant, and the second option was a two-liter turbocharged unit. Both versions were paired with a standard six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox. Power went in all corners as standard.