2025 MG HS review: Australian first drive

It has only been four years since MG joined the medium SUV fray with the first-generation MG HS for Australian shores.

But in 2024, this growing brand has renewed its offering in this highly competitive segment with an all-new model.

And in terms of major components, there is no carryover from the previous-generation model (which globally speaking, dated back to 2018). This 2025 MG HS brings a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, new seven-speed automatic transmission and new longer, underpinnings.

Back when the MG HS first arrived on Australian shores, it came with an asking price starting at $30,990 drive-away for the entry-level Vibe variant.

Fast-forward to 2024, and the pricing dial has jumped up a few thousand dollars for this new model. Drive-away pricing remains, but you're looking at $33,990 in the traffic for the entry Vibe model.

From there, Excite goes up three grand to $36,990 drive-away, while top-spec Essence is a $40,990 drive-away affair.

MG executives told us that while the current drive-away offers don't have a set date of expiry, it will be contingent on the success of this new model, and how supply balances with demand.

This new-generation MG HS has grown in comparison to what it replaces, with increases to interior space and the vehicle's wheelbase. Its 4655mm of overall length pins it right among the likes of a Kia Sportage, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4. And with 1655mm of height, it is lower overall, if only slightly.

And while the asking price comfortably undercuts most of its mainstream rivals, the 2025 MG HS doesn't feel anything like a stripped-out econobox.

Even the entry-level Vibe gets twin 12.3-inch digital instrument and infotainment displays, automatic LED headlights, six-way electric adjustment for the driver, rain-sensing wipers, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping up to Excite specification gets you faux leather seat trimming (over the cloth seats in Vibe), a 360-degree camera system, 19-inch alloy wheels and native navigation. This model also gets internet connectivity, which allows for remote app-based controls like location, air conditioning and lock/unlock capabilities.

Top-spec Essence gets a panoramic sunroof as standard fitment, rear privacy glass, an electric tailgate, heated front seats and lumbar control for the driver's seat. There's also a dual-zone climate-control system, wireless phone charging, driver's seat position memory, and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system.

One strength of the HS is the amount of space available in the second row, a crucial consideration for family buyers. It's quite spacious here, with soft and spongy-feeling seats giving ample comfort. Leg room is in particularly commodious supply, giving enough room to install a rearward-facing baby seat and be clear of the dashboard in the front seat.

Up front, the HS is comfortable and well-appointed. In terms of storage and practicaliy, the usual range of spots are covered. Cupholders are positioned forward of the gear shifter, and a relatively small centre console bin gives you room for some other bits and bobs.

The top-spec Essence spec gets a wireless charging pad, but the HS doesn't have the same range of useful extra storage that you find more commonly these days in other SUVs. There's room for bottles in the doors, and a relatively small centre console, and that's about it.

Build quality overall feels good, and the selection and execution of materials belie the sharp asking price. While the MG HS is no doubt cheap, it doesn't feel it from the inside.

Although, the piano-black materials around the gear shifter might start looking scuffed and cloudy, especially if you're reaching for your coffee every morning with a bracelet-laden hand.

The steering wheel feels good, and an overall pared-back design without much in the way of buttons and control panels is aesthetically pleasing. But, that also means some basic functions are buried within the infotainment display.

Similar to what many new makes and models are coming out with these days, the 2025 MG HS gets twin 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and driver's cluster duties. They are arranged as one huge slab on the dashboard, with air vents built into a contemporary wide and squared-off design.

The screen is relatively large, and functions well through my testing of a wired Android Auto connection. Screen loading and input response times are occasionally tardy, telling me that perhaps the computer behind the screen doesn't have a whole lot of capacity in reserve.

And with only five piano-black physical buttons for some basic controls (demisting front and rear windscreens, hazard lights, fan speed on/off and a home button), you often find yourself going through menus and finger prods to get what you need.

For example, changing climate temperature, fan direction or recirculation will (more often than not) require you to press the home button, go into the climate menu, and make your adjustments.

The driver's position memory function is buried further within a sub-menu as well, making that feature feel a little bit redundant in terms of accessibility.

The digital instrument set-up is further augmented in this Essence spec as well, giving you the ability to run maps instead of just basic trip computer and driver assistance displays.

Otherwise, the important functions are covered off, like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM/FM and digital radio. The base model HS Vibe lacks native navigation, along with 'Ismart' connected services for remote, app-based controls and tracking, but these features are standard in the Excite and Essence.

Being a relatively new car to the Australian market, ANCAP is yet to publish any crash-test findings or ratings for the 2025 MG HS. However, we understand that that process is underway, and findings will be published in due course.

While some nice bits of comfort and convenience tech have been retained for only higher-specification models of the HS, MG has equipped the full range of active driving aids and safety features for all variants.

This range of technology is referred to as MG Pilot, and it includes all of the important elements of modern-day safety in a modern-day car.

But the somewhat common malaise of overeager technology getting in the way of your everyday driving is evident here. A small camera and sensor on the A-pillar of the HS seem to be the main culprits here, watching the driver zealously for any action that isn't looking dead-ahead on the road.

I find this frustrating, because I am in the habit of using my head, neck, and eyes to observe my surroundings constantly: looking through the windows, using the mirrors and checking out my maps on that big infotainment display. According to this car, I do it way too much and it sends me visual and audible warnings to redirect my attention.

Ironically, I find this annoyingly distracting, drawing my attention away from driving.

A caveat in defence of the car is that maybe it just doesn't like me and my driving habits (I think I'm a relatively safe and observant driver, for whatever that is worth). Your mileage may vary in this regard, so get yourself behind the wheel and see if you have the same experience as I did.

Traffic sign recognition can be painful as well, as it reads signs incorrectly at times and then makes more annoying noises and sounds for no benefit. But this is common for just about any overspeed warning I have come across, reading speed signs on buses and school zones out of time, and taking them as gospel.

While the asking price is particularly cheap, the service costs of the MG HS are a little higher than leaders in the segment. At $1144 over three years that averages out to $381 per year, while five years of servicing bumps that average up to $470 per year.

For comparison's sake, a Haval H6, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are all cheaper to maintain over three years.

However, where no other car can match the MG is in the warranty stakes. A new 10-year, 250,000km warranty for private use puts MG right at the top of the list in terms of warranty coverage. Vehicles used commercially (like rideshare or delivery) revert to a seven-year, 160,000km warranty.

You can get unlimited kilometres of coverage in other places, but 250,000km will cover 25,000km a year over the next decade, which is more than double the average distance Australians travel each year. That's 12,100km, according to the Bureau of Statistics

For the most expensive Essence variant, insurance costs are $1715 for 12 months of coverage. This is a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

With a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission feeding the front wheels, efficiency for this new model is improved over the outgoing HS.

Compared to a claim of 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres for the previous model, the new MG HS has a fuel consumption claim of 6.9L/100km. We weren't able to match the combined claim, however, and we saw an indicated average of around 8.2L/100km after our time with the car.

However, those who want the best fuel-sipping credentials will be thinking about waiting for the forthcoming hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the HS.

The new engine and gearbox in this 2025 MG HS – and the combination of the two – is a big step forward in comparison to what it has replaced in the old MG HS.

The old dual-clutch automatic transmission, which was a dry-clutch design, wasn't particularly great. It felt jerky and rough at times, especially from take-off.

This new seven-speed set-up, which has a 'wet' design (where the clutch plates are immersed in oil) is a clear and obvious improvement. Jumping off the brakes and rolling onto the throttle feels more smooth and intuitive, with drivers being (at times) hard-pressed to tell the difference between this and a torque converter automatic.

However, it's not perfect and the usual kryptonite of a dual-clutch transmission (slow reversing uphill, into a parking spot for example) can feel a bit tricky through the management of brake and throttle pedals.

The overhauled 1.5-litre turbocharged engine matches well with this transmission, giving suitably responsive reactions to throttle inputs in around-town driving. It's responsive enough for around-town driving, feeling urgent when you need on take-off and merger, but relaxed enough on the cruise.

It does emanate a bit of sound under load at times, but at least enough performance for everyday driving is there when you need it.

The overhauled driving experience extends to the chassis as well, which feels more pointed and tied down than the previous-generation model. Its steering feels fast and precise, and there isn't much in the way of tipping or dipping through big changes of momentum or direction.

However, this does come at the expense of ride quality a little, where the MG HS can feel a little unsettled and bobbling over rough surfaces and pockmarks.

Typical for most vehicles out there, this MG HS has an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg. This would be suitable for your average box trailer, and occasional runs to the tip.

If your trailer happens to have a braking system fitted, you can double that towing capacity up to 1500kg, for something like a small camper trailer.

If it weren't for my experience with the clumsy and overeager driver monitoring technology, the MG HS would be a much more straightforward recommendation. Even though the price in this segment remains razor-sharp, the quality of the vehicle has leapt forward in this generation and buyers now enjoy the benefits of a 10-year, 250,000km warranty.

To be clear, it's not the best in the segment hands-down in any real discipline, but balancing the overall quality against the asking price makes it highly compelling. However, you will need to get yourself behind the wheel of one, and see if the onboard technology disagrees with your everyday driving as much as it did for this poor soul. Because that could easily become a deal-breaker.

If you are a big fan of sunroofs in your new car purchases, then Essence will be the model you are looking at.

However, Excite saves $4000 off the asking price and feels like it might be the best pick of the range. Entry-level Vibe isn't too bad either, we think, and provides an impressive amount of metal and features for the asking price.

In terms of supply, MG is expecting examples of the 2025 HS to arrive at dealers in the coming days, and go out to first customers soon thereafter. Demonstrators and examples should be available as well, so your next step would be to get in touch with your local dealer to see what's around.

Also, don't forget to check the MG website for stock of your preferred HS variant. You can also find MGs for sale at Drive Marketplace.

We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. Find your nearest MG dealer via this link. We’d also recommend test-driving the GWM Haval H6 as a price point competitor, or the Honda CR-V as being one of the most accomplished offerings in the segment.

If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.