MG HS gets punchy new 222bhp hybrid variant for £29k

On sale Now Price from £28,995

‘Live Well for Less’ was the longstanding slogan of Sainsbury’s up until a few years ago, but it’s a motto that could easily be transferred onto the MG HS – a family SUV which already represents excellent value for money. So it comes as no surprise that its all-new hybrid variant undercuts most of its rivals on price.

The HS’s new full hybrid system, named Hybrid+, combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a potent 196bhp electric motor, powered by a 1.8kWh battery. As such, it has a total power output of 222bhp – a hefty increase on the current petrol model’s 194bhp, and even more than the hybrid Kia Sportage, which pumps out 212bhp.

Thanks to its beefier engine setup, the hybrid HS can officially complete a 0-62mph sprint in 7.9sec. That’s a full second and a half faster than the petrol models, but the Sportage managed 7.1sec when we tested it. The new hybrid setup also gets the same two-speed automatic gearbox as in its plug-in hybrid sibling – which is the best car of its kind.

The HS hybrid has an official fuel economy of 51.3mpg, which is naturally an improvement on the petrol model’s official 38.2mpg. That’s also more than the Sportage HEV’s official economy of 49.6mpg – but that figure decreased slightly to 44.6mpg in our real-world tests, so we’d expect that of the HS to do the same.

Despite its new tech, the HS retains the inner and outer looks of the petrol and PHEV models, with full LED headlights on the exterior and two 12.3in screens for instrumentation and infotainment inside. Like with the other HS models, buyers can choose between two trim levels: SE and Trophy. Creature comforts include Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity, cruise control and access to Amazon Music, but if you opt for Trophy trim, you get an additional 360-degree parking camera and wireless smartphone charging.

Boot space remains unchanged at 507 litres, as on all models of the HS. That’s not especially spacious compared with other family SUVs, given that both the Sportage HEV and the Honda CR-V HEV benefit from 587 litres – that’s enough room for eight carry-on suitcases.

Prices for the new MG HS hybrid start at £28,995 in SE guise, and rise to £31,495 if you opt for Trophy trim. That undercuts most rivals, and is only slightly more expensive than the full hybrid Dacia Bigster, which starts at £28,190.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Read more: Best hybrid cars >>