BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A MG HS PLUG-IN FROM OSV: https://bit.ly/3rpaV78

MG was the first budget brand to embrace full electric powertrain technology. Now, it's also the first budget brand to offer plug-in hybrid and you can have it on the company's mid-range HS SUV, which we reckon is a very under-rated family crossover. It's quick and can be driven in full electrified form for up to 32 miles.

Background

MG is one of Britain's fastest growing car brands and its progress has been helped by an early adoption of electrified technology, first with the full-EV version of the compact ZS crossover and now with this plug-in variant of the larger HS model.

This is significant for the mid-sized SUV market, which has seen a glut of Plug-in Hybrids launched in recent times, all at rather over-ambitious prices. This Plug-in HS isn't inexpensive either, but its £30,000 price tag makes it by far the most affordable car of its kind in its segment.

Driving Experience

Like the ordinary HS, this Plug-in version uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but in this case, the powerplant in question is a fair bit more sophisticated. It's mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and works with a 90KW electric motor hitched to a four-speed drive unit and powered by a 16.6kWh battery pack. Together, the motor and the engine combine to provide 10 electronically controlled gear ratios that seek to always provide the optimal gear combination. When the battery pack is fully charged, a WLTP-rated pure electric range of 32 miles is apparently possible, which in urban conditions MG says can be stretched as far as 43 miles.

The Plug-in hybrid powertrain has a maximum output of 258PS and 370Nm of torque - sufficient to get the car to 60mph in 6.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 118mph. Because this is a front driven-only model, you shouldn't expect to be able to engage in any serious off road shenanigans - the relatively restricted ground clearance doesn't allow for that anyway. And, given the extra weight of all that electrical hardware, you shouldn't expect ride and handling to be cutting-edge, though typical family buyers will probably be quite satisfied.

Design and Build

Visually, there are no significant changes to the Plug-in version of this HS - unless you spot different badging and the extra charging flap. At first glance, you wouldn't pigeonhole this as a model from a budget brand. In fact, there are elements of Mercedes GLC in its curved sculpted looks. At the front, the latest iteration of MG's stellar field grille frames the largest MG logo yet. At the rear, twin tailpipes and an aluminium lower bumper add a sporty finish.

Inside, if you class match the interior against, say, a Qashqai or an Ateca, you'll agree with MG that space is class-leading. Headroom's good too - even with the panoramic sunroof fitted. Up front, there's a much higher quality dash than you might be expecting. The seats could be a little more supportive and the indicator stalks feel a bit plasticky, but that's about it on the debit side. There aren't many buttons, most features re-located to a large 10.1-inch centre-dash infotainment touchscreen compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In the rear, there's room for a couple of adults to sit comfortably. Out back, MG has managed to package in the hybrid mechanicals without a significant effect on luggage room and as a result, there's a decently-sized 448-litre boot - that capacity measured up to the window line.

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