The MG HS PHEV has now won the What Car? Plug-in Hybrid of the Year award in both 2025 and 2026. That kind of repeat recognition in a competitive category is not given lightly. After time spent with the latest version, it is not hard to see why the judges keep returning to it.
On the Road
The PHEV powertrain is genuinely impressive. A 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine pairs with a 181bhp electric motor for a combined output of 295bhp — enough to dismiss the sprint to 62mph in 6.1 seconds during our testing, which is meaningfully quicker than the equivalent Jaecoo 7 PHEV (7.6 seconds) and BYD Sealion 5 (8.6 seconds).
In electric mode, the HS PHEV delivers a smooth, confident drive. There is no hesitation or shuddering as the powertrain transitions between electric and petrol, and the brakes are progressive and natural — something not all PHEVs manage. The 75 miles of official electric range is a headline figure; during our dedicated EV-only test loop, we achieved 68.1 miles — the best result we have recorded from any PHEV in this class.
The ride is firm by MG HS standards — the PHEV's additional battery weight required revised suspension tuning — but this actually helps. The car handles speed bumps and urban imperfections more capably than the standard petrol model, without feeling harsh on the motorway.
Efficiency and Running Costs
With CO2 emissions of just 12g/km, the MG HS PHEV sits in the 5% BiK tax band for 2026/27. For a company car driver paying 40% income tax, annual personal tax on the Trophy trim is well under £500 — a compelling figure.
Prices start from £32,500 in SE trim, rising to around £35,000 for Trophy. That undercuts the Kia Sportage PHEV by approximately £4,000 and the Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid by nearly £10,000.
If you charge at home regularly, expect real-world fuel economy of around 46mpg when driving on petrol alone — solid for a car of this size. The 6.6kW onboard charger means a full charge from a home wallbox takes approximately three to four hours.
MG backs the HS with its standard seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty.
Interior and Equipment
The HS cabin is spacious by class standards — the 507-litre boot is notably large and, unusually, the same size whether you choose the petrol or PHEV. The dual 12.3-inch dashboard screens are clear and well-integrated, though wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are limited to Trophy trim, which is a frustration at this price point.
SE trim comes with 19-inch alloys, heated leatherette seats, a 360-degree camera and keyless entry as standard. Trophy adds ventilated front seats, a head-up display, and wireless smartphone charging.
Verdict
The MG HS PHEV succeeds because it does the fundamentals exceptionally well for the money. The 75-mile electric range is class-leading among mainstream family SUVs, the cabin is genuinely spacious, and the pricing makes it accessible to private buyers and company car drivers alike. It is not the most exciting car to drive — the steering lacks feel and the dynamics are functional rather than engaging — but as a practical, efficient and affordable family SUV it is hard to fault.
For buyers seeking a PHEV that works as hard as advertised, this remains the benchmark.
