MG HS: Prestige without the price tag

There are some luxuries in life that should remain priceless, but when it comes to driving – whether it is commuting, heading out of town with friends or just popping down the shops – a slice of the good life shouldn’t have to cost a fortune.

Let’s face it, Australians spend a lot of time behind the wheel, so why not drive in style… And comfort… And with all the latest safety aids and conveniences.

That’s exactly what you can do with an MG HS: a funky and family-friendly SUV that offers plenty of prestige without a big price tag – leaving you with more time and money for life’s other luxuries.

So let’s have a look behind the curtain and see what you get for your dollar across the HS range, and how much more you’d have to spend to receive the same features from the HS’s rivals.

For starters, the MG HS is a compact five-door SUV similar in size to the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-TRAIL, and is available in three trim levels – Vibe, Excite and Essence.

All are powered by a peppy 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 119kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which matches the best-in-class CX-5 for pulling power and beats entry-level variants of the X-TRAIL, CR-V and Tucson even though all four have larger-capacity engines.

It is also the best engine for your hip pocket with a claimed average fuel consumption of 7.3L/100km, making it the most efficient thanks also to its smooth-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The MG HS Vibe has a starting price of just $31,990 drive-away. What that means is there are no hidden costs for taxes and dealership charges.

As a result, buying an MG HS will save you around $4000 compared to the most affordable variants of its rivals. And yet it comes equipped with a longer list of standard equipment such as a 10.1-inch colour infotainment display with smartphone mirroring, synthetic leather interior trim and MG Pilot, which is a comprehensive suite of active safety systems and driver aids that includes automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and Traffic Jam Assist – a convenient function that constantly maintains a safe distance to vehicles ahead in stop-and-go traffic.

Some of those features you can’t even get in other mainstream compact SUVs, and you’d have to fork out at least $5K more on the Hyundai Tucson Active X before leather trim becomes available.

For a couple of grand more, the mid-level MG HS Excite ($34,990 drive-away) adds even more value to the equation with extra glitz in its exterior styling thanks to larger 18-inch alloy wheels, MG’s Exclusive star grille and high-tech LED headlights and tail-lights with sequential indicators. This is a feature not offered on any rival and generally found on high-level European luxury cars.

Inside the cabin, the HS Excite tantalises its occupants with customisable ambient lighting (something not found on any other mainstream compact SUV), sports metal trim pedals, and paddle shift gear selectors on the steering wheel that, along with a Super Sport mode, brings an increased level of engagement to the HS’s driving character.

At the top of the range, the MG HS Essence ($38,990 drive-away) is still more affordable than mid-tier variants of its Japanese rivals.

With even more luxury appointments, such as a full-length panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree parking monitor and full leather trim with electrically-adjustable and heated front sports seats, it makes alternative options seem overpriced and underdone.

In the end, the MG HS is a fresh and affordable family-friendly SUV that offers better bang for your buck than any other contender in its class and proves you can have a prestige drive experience without a huge price tag.