MG HS Super Hybrid Excite 2025 Review

The 2025 MG HS Super Hybrid in $50,990 Excite grade (as tested here) and upper-spec $54,990 Essence sits at the top of the MG HS range in terms of pricing, primarily because of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology. You can get a 1.5 petrol Essence, with effectively the same features (less the hybrid powertrain, of course) for $40,236 drive-away.

The Excite (tested in Pearl White; there’s also a choice from six optional colours for an extra $600) offers keyless entry and start, alloy wheels, side steps, roof rails and rear privacy glass, while inside there’s a six-way power driver’s seat and cloth seats. Then there’s the large LCD dash and infotainment screens (12.3-inch each), wireless phone mirroring, AM/FM/DAB radio, satnav and four USB ports.

There’s a year of free access to MG iSmart connectivity included, which provides services such as remote vehicle status checks, remote control of features like air conditioning and locking and location tracking.

The warranty for private use is seven years/unlimited kilometres, extended to 10 years/250,000km if you obtain servicing exclusively with an MG dealer. Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km, with no advertised capped-price service offer.

Safety tech is of the typically high level most expect in this class, with noteworthy active safety features including front/rear cross traffic alert, rear cross traffic braking, lane keeping and lane change assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear camera and active cruise control. With seven airbags (front, front side, centre and side curtain) the MG HS has a five-star ANCAP rating from 2024.

The Australasian body rated the HS 90 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 87 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 83 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 74 per cent for Safety Assist features.

The hybrid powertrain has combined outputs of 220kW and 350Nm, derived from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a 135kW electric motor with starter generator. The hybrid engine/motor propels the front wheels via a two-speed transmission.

Meanwhile, a 24.7kWh lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery supplies juice for up to 135km claimed EV-only range, rechargeable in a minimum of four hours via 6.6kWh AC changing (with no DC charging available). MG claims that with a full 55-litre tank of petrol and full battery, the Super Hybrid has a 1000km-plus range.

The 2025 MG HS Super Hybrid has a good range for the current crop of PHEVs, with more than 100km of real-world EV-only driving before the battery is depleted.

We achieved an average of 5.2L/100km, which isn’t bad considering the petrol engine was left running most of the time in city traffic. The standard AC wall plug charging cable is a good thing where some manufacturers make you stump up for it as an extra.

The hybrid powertrain offers a good amount of grunt and provides a smooth transition between the two power sources. The cabin is quite spacious and comfortable front to back, while the boot is a large enough size for most, too (507 litres with seats up; 1484 litres with rear seats folded).

Even though you need to spend another $5k with the Essence to receive features like power-folding side mirrors, wireless phone charging and powered tailgate, the Excite still has comprehensive infotainment and safety features.

It probably depends on driver stature and preferred seat position, but for mine, I found 90-degree right turns awkward due to the large side mirror blocking the view through the turn. And for a relatively low SUV cabin, the side steps are not only unnecessary but are also easy to bump your shins against.

The standard tyres don’t seem quite up to the task of maintaining grip especially in wet weather – the front (driven) wheels just can’t get the torque to the ground when accelerating with much effort. Handling is nothing special, either. There is a bit of a disconnect with steering input and what’s going on at the wheels, although the way the HS rides over bumps (in part thanks to a hefty 1800kg-plus kerb weight) is quite good.

Dynamically, the HS isn’t too bad, it’s just not really a driver’s car.

Although you can disable the speed chime/visual warning, it must be done every ignition start though a deep menu dive. You’ll be motivated to do that, as the warnings are annoying, especially when the system can incorrectly read speed signs (although the HS isn’t the only vehicle to have this issue).

If you’re charging via 240V AC at home, it’s a pretty slow charging speed, with 16 hours and 16 minutes on test to replenish an empty battery.

With a better than average EV-only range and decent fuel efficiency when running on petrol only, the 2025 MG HS Super Excite also has a comfortable interior and a well-stocked (if not sumptuous) standard equipment level.

Some will lament the lack of fast charging, annoying chimes, less-than-grippy tyres and the $10k price premium on top of the petrol HS equivalent. However, for most who are looking for a PHEV, it’s probably worth it.

2025 MG HS Super Hybrid Excite at a glance:
Price: $50,990 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol electric
Output: 105kW/230Nm (electric motor: 135kW/340Nm)
Combined output: 220kW/350Nm
Transmission: Two-speed automatic
Battery: 24.7kWh lithium iron phosphate
Range: 1000km (claimed); 135km EV-only range (claimed)
Energy consumption: TBC
Fuel consumption: Claimed 0.42L/100km (with full charge; 5.0L/100km when battery depletes)
CO2: 17g/km
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2024)

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