All-new MG HS to go gangbusters on hybrid tech

UPDATE 7 July, 2025: MG Australia has today announced further details for its mid-size HS Hybrid+ SUV - due on sale Down Under from September 2025 - following last week's price cuts on several hybrid models.

Priced from $42,990 drive-away in Excite form and $46,990 d/a in flagship Essence, every version of the plug-less MG HS HYBRID+ Excite comes powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric, sending combined outputs of 165kW/340Nm to the front wheels.

MG claims a combined average fuel consumption figure of 5.2L per 100km, which is up compared to the class-leading Toyota RAV4's quoted 4.7L/100km.

Both HS HYBRID+ variants run on 19-inch alloy wheels, and come with keyless entry, LED headlights and daytime running lights (DRLs), roof rails, a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a full suite of safety and driver aids.

The range-topping Essence adds a 'one foot kick' electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree parking camera, eight-speaker audio system, PVC upholstery, and heated front seats with memory for the driver.

The new 2025 MG HS HYBRID+ will be in showrooms by September.

ORIGINAL 3 September, 2024: MG Motor Australia has confirmed it will add a self-charging hybrid as well as a plug-in hybrid powertrain to its second-generation HS portfolio next year, with the former tipped to become a best-seller.

Speaking to carsales at the national media launch of the 2024 MG HS, chief commercial officer Giles Belcher said the eventual addition of a self-charging hybrid was in direct response to market feedback and could take the electrified battle to Toyota.

“The feedback is hybrids are gaining momentum in the market – you can see that from the products that are coming [from other OEMs],” he said.

“It certainly seems to be the way the market is going, how long it goes for before the pendulum swings again to EV, who knows, but certainly hybrid seems to be the direction at the moment.

“Hybrids always come with a price premium, it varies product by product, and not everyone can stretch that far, so what we want to do is offer different drivetrains in the same product so everyone has an opportunity … customers can decide which one suits them.”

Both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the HS will arrive Down Under in the first half of next year and will almost certainly undercut the equivalent Toyota RAV4s and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs on price.

“I think over time hybrid will grow and probably outsell petrol, but that’s just initial thoughts,” he said before forecasting an increase in the popularity of plug-in hybrids.

“The technology in that space is going to be really cool when we launch it … we’re confident in the specification, the ability and the technical prowess of that car that I think plug-ins will become more popular than they have been in the past, as the pure-electric range grows it becomes more useful.

“So I think when that happens the market acceptance will grow, of plug-in hybrids.”

MG’s local product boss, Akshat Ahuja, added both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems would offer ‘class-leading technologies’, particularly the PHEV which will have “a few things that do not exist” right now.

“It will have the biggest battery in the segment, the biggest range and all of that,” he said.

Discounting the departing first-gen HS, there are just two plug-in hybrids within the mainstream medium SUV segment: the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the BYD Sealion 6.

The Outlander has long been the benchmark offering across multiple generations while the BYD is its new-age challenger.

If the MG execs are to be taken at their word, the upcoming HS PHEV will have a battery capacity of more than 20kWh and will top 84km on electric power alone, though it remains to be seen if it will be able to top the Sealion 6 for outright performance.

Competition for the self-charging hybrid meantime will include the GWM-Haval H6 Hybrid, Nissan X-TRAIL ePower, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage hybrid twins and of course the all-conquering Toyota RAV4 which moved to an all-hybrid line-up earlier this year.

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