3 days ago
Stereotypes in the rear-view: driving impressions of the game-changing MG HS Luxury SUV
The MG HS Luxury has a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 125kW and 275NM of torque coupled to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
Image: Supplied
Forget every perception you may have about MGs being a quaint but unreliable car built in a shed somewhere in the English countryside.
Okay, they may have had some success early in the previous century, and it's a bit of an exaggeration to say so, but you know what I mean.
Recognised as a quintessential small British sports car that was fun to drive, they've had their ups and downs, including a short but unsuccessful stint in South Africa a few years ago.
The company has been owned by the Chinese for the last 20 years; first by Nanjing Automobile Group and for the past 18 years or so by SAIC, which also has joint ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen to produce cars for the Chinese market.
Earlier this year, they returned to our shores with, you guessed it, two SUVs and the fantastic-looking all-electric Cyberster roadster.
Exterior
We drove the HS Luxury, currently their largest offering (there's also the ZS) and found it to be a rather pleasant package.
It's still a Chinese-designed SUV but a bit more nuanced with a slimline front design featuring a gaping multi-faceted chrome and gloss black matrix grille contrasted with super slim winged 'hunting-eye' headlights.
The dominating grille, I found, was particularly appealing to the overall look of the front end.
The back looks good with a raked rear window, a dual spoiler, and Shard-inspired LED taillights with a light bar extending across the boot, as well as decorative exhaust outlets.
It rolls on 19-inch alloys wrapped with Bridgestones.
The back of the MG HS Luxury has a dual spoiler and Shard-inspired LED taillights with a light bar extending across the boot as well as decorative exhaust outlets.
Image: Supplied
Interior
The carbon black interior warrants the 'Luxury' moniker with perforated simulated leather upholstery, gloss black and chrome trim, quilted door card inserts and integrated air vents.
As expected, it's dominated by glass with two 12.3-inch floating screens.
The driver's display isn't customisable, but it provides all the information you need.
The touchscreen infotainment system takes a while to work around, but once you've mastered it, it's easy enough.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can be connected via the USB plug, or if you want wireless, a Bluetooth dongle sorts that out while the phone charges on the wireless pad.
It has an impressive list of features that include rain sensor wipers, 360-degree HD view camera, keyless entry, Adaptive Cruise Control, electric panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, eight-speaker audio system, front and rear parking sensors and electric adjustment with seat heating for the front seats.
Engine
Under the bonnet of the MG HS is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 125kW and 275NM of torque coupled to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission featuring wet-clutch technology, driving the front wheels.
It's not going to whizz around quickly, but given the car's purpose, it does exactly what it says on the box.
It will do the school run, home, work, home drive, and with a 507-litre boot (1,484-litres with the 60/40 rear seats folded), take the family on holiday without any problems and with a McPherson set-up upfront and a multi-link rear suspension does so very comfortably.
The interior has perforated simulated leather upholstery, gloss black and chrome trim, quilted door card inserts and integrated air vents.
Image: Supplied
Driving
I was rather sceptical about how the engine and gearbox calibration would turn out.
Almost all Chinese cars struggle to get it right, and they range from downright awful to okay-ish.
Luckily, it turned out not to be the case with the MG HS Luxury, and it competes well with more expensive upmarket imported products.
The changes were smooth and effortless, and the throttle responded well from take-off through to passing slower traffic on the highway, a big bonus in my books.
The steering also proved to be direct and well weighted, which means the British engineers they call on to filter out vibrations, tune the steering and focus on the abovementioned calibration have done their job well.
Another issue that often raises its head with Chinese manufacturers is high fuel consumption.
Consumption and safety
After a week of combined driving, I averaged 7.5l/100km without focusing on consumption, which is perfectly acceptable, and I suspect that its calibration also had something to do with it.
With a five-star EuroNCAP rating, the HS has an impressive list of safety features that include MG's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) Pilot system, seven airbags; front, side, curtain, and a front central airbag, Front Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Door Open Warning, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert coupled with Rear Cross Traffic Braking and Lane Departure Assist.
The MG HS Luxury provides a no-frills option in a very cluttered segment and doesn't rely on a list of gimmicks and tech to attract your attention.
At R534 900, it's well priced, providing good value for money with everything you need. With decent calibration and handling coupled to good fuel economy, it should be on your shopping list if you're in that market.
