MG is now one of the most popular electric car brands in the UK, with its ZS EV proving a big hit with buyers looking for an affordable battery-powered car.
And now the firm is expanding its range of electrified models with a new MG5 estate and also this – a new plug-in hybrid version of the roomy HS crossover.
Due to arrive in showrooms shortly, MG’s first PHEV is set to be a hit. Here are five things you need to know about it.
Good electric range
When it comes to plug-in hybrids, what most people want to know is how far it can travel on electricity. And with the HS, you’ll be able to travel for 32 miles on battery power alone, which means the majority of small journeys could be completed as an EV if you topped up the charge regularly, which can be done from flat to 100 per cent in just three hours.
That electric range gives the opportunity for this Plug-in model to be substantially cheaper to run than the petrol HS, with MG claiming it will have CO2 emissions of just 43g/km and a benefit-in-kind of just 10 per cent for company car drivers. No fuel consumption figure has yet been released.
It’s by far the most powerful HS derivative available
The standard MG HS utilises a 160bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and it’s that unit that underpins this plug-in hybrid model, but combines it with a 90kW electric motor to produce a total of 254bhp.
That makes it much more powerful than the standard HS, and means it can go from 0-60mph in just 6.9 seconds.
It undercuts key rivals for price
Key to MG’s success has been its low pricing, and that’s set to be the case with the HS Plug-in as well, with prices starting from £29,995.
While that might be noticeably more than the standard HS, you need to consider the additional performance and also the low running costs on offer. It’s also noticeably more affordable than other similarly-sized plug-in hybrids – including the Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid, Vauxhall Grandland X Hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Loads of standard kit
All MGs are known for giving buyers plenty of standard equipment for their money, and nothing’s changed here.
Even entry-level Excite versions get a generous amount of kit – including 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, electric and heated front seats, along with a large 10.1-inch touchscreen.
Top-spec versions gain even more luxuries, such as a digital dials system LED headlights, ambient interior lighting and a panoramic glass sunroof.
You get MG’s seven-year warranty
If you’re looking to keep your car for some time and want extra reassurance once the traditional three-year warranty, it’s well worth looking at the HS.
That’s because it comes with a seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty, which is longer than just about all of its rivals.
Enquire on a new MG HS
