2025 MG HS Essence Long Term
Having awarded the MG HS our Value Car of the Year award recently, it's been good to get a few more miles behind the wheel of this family SUV. And we'll get a few more over the coming months, having just started a long term relationship with it.
What bagged the HS its award was not just its price vs spec credentials, but that it is also an honestly competent family SUV for the money. There are few compromises here. The ride is particularly pleasant for the grind around the suburbs. MG has come a long way, and in a short time in this regard. Where the previous generation models had both an underwhelming bump absorption and so-so roll control, this HS goes well. It favours ride comfort, soaking large bumps and speed humps without crashing into the bump stops like the old models did. But it's also got a better idea of roll control in bends too.
The 1.5T engine gets into its torque quickly, the lag off the line minimal in the context of daily commuting. The take up of power from the dual-clutch transmission is refined when manoeuvring around slowly (parking and the like). And provided you give the brake pedal a quick pump when you're on an incline, the hill starts are smooth as well; that's not always a given with twin-clutch devices. The gearlever action is straightforward too, and quick acting when moving from R to D.
What most buyers will appreciate is the overall refinement here; the trans is smooth, both the engine noise and vibrations are muted and road noise is acceptable.
The interior quality has taken a big step up. The HS doesn't feel made to a price point, not too plasticky in other words. And without any odd odours emanating from the interior either. While the seat lacks a tilt adjustment for the squab, it is nice and soft while maintaining good support.
Yes, the safety minders do go on; the overspeed warning chime would be slightly more tolerable if it just dinged once instead of thrice. And I'll try Pete's advice regarding the driver monitor and see if taping over it does work long term.
These are some of the many features on the long, long specification list, the fitout good value for the $42,990 asked for this Essence grade variant. That's the top spec, but you can nab the ZS Vibe for just $36,990, outstanding value in 2025 for a family friendly SUV. That comes with dual 12-inch screens, CarPlay and Android Auto, a smart key, electric driver's seat adjustment, parking camera and the MG Pilot Safety Suite which includes active cruise control. But the $3K needed to upgrade to the mid-spec Excite is money well spent. Here you get 19s, synthetic leather, nav, the 360 surround camera and the iSmart app. The Essence has even more with a big panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, powered seats on both sides with heating too, a power tailgate, better audio and privacy glass. And in 2025, that's a lot of SUV for the money, especially when considering the
10-year warranty that MG offers.
MG HS Essence$42,990 / 6.9L/100km / 156g/km
0-100 km/h 9.15s
Engine 1496cc / IL4 / T
Max power 125kW
Max torque 275Nm
Transmission 7-speed twin-clutch / FWD
Weight (claimed) 1599kg
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a day ago
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The MG HS just got a performance and economy boost
A new Hybrid+ model joins the MG HS line-up overseas and is due here as well soon, though exact timing is unclear. In the UK, the MG HS comes with either a 125kW/275Nm 1.5 turbopetrol or a plug-in hybrid powertrain. In New Zealand we currently get the former only. However, it comes in three trim levels, Vibe, Excite and Essence. And price ranges from $35,990 to $42,990. Overseas the new Hybrid comes in SE or Trophy guise. Here the MG ZS Hybrid+ is available in Excite or Essence trim so likely as not the HS will too. Which would put it in the $45k-$50k price point, hazarding a guess. There's no official word as yet from MG New Zealand, except to say it's 'Coming Soon' on the website. The MG HS Hybrid+ powertrain comprises a turbocharged 105kW 1.5-litre petrol engine, and a 1.8kWh battery. The latter is the same as that in the MG3 and ZS Hybrid+. Its lithium-ion battery powers an auxiliary electric motor producing 145kW. The combined output is 165kW/340Nm. That allows the HS Hybrid+ to get from zero to the open road limit in a claimed 7.9sec. There's a two-speed automatic transmission that also features in the other Hybrid+ models available here. Fuel efficiency is more important than performance per se and is quoted at 5.5L/100km overall. That compares with 4.7L/100km for the ZS Hybrid+ and 6.9L/100km for the 1.5T pure petrol HS model. Externally the HS Hybrid+ looks the same as the other variants. Standard specification includes LED lights front and rear, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and a 'follow-me-home' light function. Expect also rear parking sensors, a six-way adjustable powered driver's seat, air conditioning, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function. Cabinside are two 12.3-inch displays. The central touchscreen comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The top model gets a 360-degree camera, wireless smartphone charging pad and an uprated eight-speaker sound system. A customisable driver's screen allows you to integrate sat-nav. The battery siting has no effect on the HS's interior or boot space. Like the petrol models, the Hybrid+ offers a 507L boot capacity, increasing to 1484 litres with the rear seats down. We will let you know as and when we hear from MG Motors New Zealand about the availability of this new HS addition.
NZ Autocar
3 days ago
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2025 MG HS Essence Long Term
Having awarded the MG HS our Value Car of the Year award recently, it's been good to get a few more miles behind the wheel of this family SUV. And we'll get a few more over the coming months, having just started a long term relationship with it. What bagged the HS its award was not just its price vs spec credentials, but that it is also an honestly competent family SUV for the money. There are few compromises here. The ride is particularly pleasant for the grind around the suburbs. MG has come a long way, and in a short time in this regard. Where the previous generation models had both an underwhelming bump absorption and so-so roll control, this HS goes well. It favours ride comfort, soaking large bumps and speed humps without crashing into the bump stops like the old models did. But it's also got a better idea of roll control in bends too. The 1.5T engine gets into its torque quickly, the lag off the line minimal in the context of daily commuting. The take up of power from the dual-clutch transmission is refined when manoeuvring around slowly (parking and the like). And provided you give the brake pedal a quick pump when you're on an incline, the hill starts are smooth as well; that's not always a given with twin-clutch devices. The gearlever action is straightforward too, and quick acting when moving from R to D. What most buyers will appreciate is the overall refinement here; the trans is smooth, both the engine noise and vibrations are muted and road noise is acceptable. The interior quality has taken a big step up. The HS doesn't feel made to a price point, not too plasticky in other words. And without any odd odours emanating from the interior either. While the seat lacks a tilt adjustment for the squab, it is nice and soft while maintaining good support. Yes, the safety minders do go on; the overspeed warning chime would be slightly more tolerable if it just dinged once instead of thrice. And I'll try Pete's advice regarding the driver monitor and see if taping over it does work long term. These are some of the many features on the long, long specification list, the fitout good value for the $42,990 asked for this Essence grade variant. That's the top spec, but you can nab the ZS Vibe for just $36,990, outstanding value in 2025 for a family friendly SUV. That comes with dual 12-inch screens, CarPlay and Android Auto, a smart key, electric driver's seat adjustment, parking camera and the MG Pilot Safety Suite which includes active cruise control. But the $3K needed to upgrade to the mid-spec Excite is money well spent. Here you get 19s, synthetic leather, nav, the 360 surround camera and the iSmart app. The Essence has even more with a big panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, powered seats on both sides with heating too, a power tailgate, better audio and privacy glass. And in 2025, that's a lot of SUV for the money, especially when considering the 10-year warranty that MG offers. MG HS Essence$42,990 / 6.9L/100km / 156g/km 0-100 km/h 9.15s Engine 1496cc / IL4 / T Max power 125kW Max torque 275Nm Transmission 7-speed twin-clutch / FWD Weight (claimed) 1599kg
NZ Autocar
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A trio of five-star cars in the latest ANCAP round
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