MG Ireland have introduced an impressive range of seven new cars, both electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid forms since the brand’s relaunch in the Irish market in 2021. So far this year the Irish franchise - owned by Frank Keane - has sold 1,365 units, representing over a 36pc increase on the whole of 2024. The MG4 leads the way, followed by the ZS, HS and MG3. The brand’s latest arrival, the MGS5 EV, arrived here last June as ‘MG’s most advanced EV yet with up to 480km of range’.
This Chinese-made HS Plug-in Hybrid SUV is a good option for families and eco-conscious drivers who appreciate good styling and strong performance in their cars, but who are not yet read to take plunge to go full-electric, as it combines the space and style of a full-size SUV with the efficiency and low running costs of electric driving. A big plus for many motorists. It competes in the all-important C-segment crossover-SUV.
Although owned by the major Chinese SIAC Motor Company MG cars are produced with European drivers in mind and it shows in their excellent styling.
This big SUV is wider than its predecessor and slightly longer. The updated design has a 45mm longer wheelbase at 2,765mm which allows for a more spacious cabin and more luggage capacity. The front’s diamond grille with the MG badge in the centre, certainly attracts plenty of attention. The MG badge is the largest yet in an MG. My car had side running boards to help get in and out, bright 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels that come as standard on all HS models, and roof rails.
High-quality materials and premium finishes are evident throughout the cabin. Nicely designed soft leather sports seats offered big comfort and supported me up my back. Front seats in the top Exclusive trim come with integrated headrests.The driver’s seat has power 6-way adjustments but no memory settings while the front passenger’s seat has just 4-way adjustments. Both seats can be heated. However, the bright tan coloured upholstery in my car wouldn’t be my everyday choice.
The non-curvy dash is dominated by the 10.1-inch floating infotainment touchscreen provides live navigation services that include weather updates, live traffic information, access to Amazon Music, and smartphone connectivity for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the customisable 12.3-inch virtual cluster shows your current speed in large white numbers and provides more information and a selection of drive modes of Comfort, Normal and Sport.
There is a power source option of EV for emission-free driving or HEV for petrol hybrid.
Cubbies included big front door bins, a decent bucket type glovebox, and a small area below the front armrest.
Big side mirrors are set high and merge with the thickness of the A-Pillars which made me extra cautious especially when approaching roundabouts. Blind spot monitors helped a lot. The automatic gear lever is located on the flat of the central console with the electric brake, is easy to operate. Features include silver roof rails, keyless entry, push button engine start, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and rear wiper, dual zone auto air conditioning, ambient lighting, 12v power socket and USB port, an electric parking brake with Auto Hold, and Downhill Descent. The 360deg surround view camera allows great visibility all around the car and underneath your car in the top trim with a Panoramic sky roof, rear privacy glass, power tailgate, metal pedals and wireless smartphone charger.
There’s no volume button on the dash, only on the steering wheel along with voice control and a ‘favourites’ star button that takes you to the driving assist screen where you can turn off all the annoying alert noises before you drive off.
The rear provides good leg even behind a 6ft tall person in front, and good headroom for most adults. Rear seats split 60:40 and can incline for extra comfort. A very low tunnel won’t cause any feet problems for the person in the middle rear seat.
Luggage space of 507 litres can extend to 1,484 litres with rear seats down so can accommodate a big amount of the ‘stuff’ a family needs to take along with them. The boot has a high floor and an area below for storage.
The PHEV powertrain consists of a 142ps 1.5 petrol engine paired with a 154kW electric motor and 24.7kWh battery which make the car quite spritely and allows a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds and a fully electric range of up to 120km, ideal for urban commutes. The 258hp entry Excite model has an electric range of 52km. The combined petrol/EV driving range is over 1,000kms.
When the electric range runs out, the car automatically switches to the petrol hybrid engine. This means considerably lower running costs.
This is a frugal car returning 4.8 L/100km over a lengthy drive.
I turned off the really annoying Driver Distraction Monitoring - the monitor is fitted on the lower part of the A-Pillar and scolds you with a vivid screen alert telling you ‘to focus on your driving’ if you glance away from the road for a few seconds but retained the Active Emergency Braking with pedestrian and bike detection, rear cross traffic assist, door opening warning, and rear collision warning, all excellent features to have in a family car. However, I believe it is high time the EU backtracked on making many of these distracting alerts compulsory in new cars. Other irks were how the voice control was unable to understand when I asked to change a radio station and how the big reversing camera decided not to cooperate on the first day, but returned fine the next morning.
The model is one of the best-value large PHEVs on the Irish market. A lovely car to drive once you have turned off the distracting alerts. While MG was originally a British brand mostly known for its sports cars, it is now a subsidiary of the major SAIC Chinese automotive company with its vehicles currently produced in China.
All models are backed by a manufacturer warranty of 7-year/150,000kms.
Priced from €40,900; Exclusive from €43,995. Prices include VAT and VRT but not dealer delivery and related charges.
