SPOT.
Photo of a MG GS

MG GS

MG’s first SUV: the first Chinese five-star ANCAP vehicle for builds from August 2017.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 29 sources

At a glance

0150300
160–220 hpPower
07.515
8–11 s0–100 km/h
0125250
180–208 km/hTop speed
0200400
249–350 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,385–1,642 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.131113141516

Engine
1.5 L SGE or 2.0 L MGE turbocharged gasoline inline-four1
Layout
Front engine; FWD or AWD (UK: FWD only)1
Gearbox
1.5T: 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT; 2.0T: 6-speed DCT6
Built at
Lingang, Shanghai, China; Laem Chabang (SAIC-CP), Thailand1

The story

SAIC-owned MG built its first SUV for the global SUV boom. Styled by Anthony Williams-Kenny’s Shanghai and Longbridge teams, the GS debuted SAIC’s SSA platform, developed with UK and Porsche input.1345

2013: MG CS previews the first MG SUV20132015: China launch: seven GS versions · iGS previews driverless maneuvers20152016: Bangkok debut: 2.0T, 2WD or AWD · UK debut: 164 hp 1.5-liter turbo · CCPC fuel-economy win at Karamay · China facelift adds 20T and 30T20162017: First Chinese five-star ANCAP vehicle20172019: AS21 production ends; HS follows2019 MG CS concept: 2013MG CS conceptMG GS (AS21): 2015–2019AS21 20122014201620182020202220242026
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2013MG CS concept
2015–2019MG GS (AS21)
2013MG CS previews the first MG SUV
2015China launch: seven GS versions
2015iGS previews driverless maneuvers
2016Bangkok debut: 2.0T, 2WD or AWD
2016UK debut: 164 hp 1.5-liter turbo
2016CCPC fuel-economy win at Karamay
2016China facelift adds 20T and 30T
2017First Chinese five-star ANCAP vehicle
2019AS21 production ends; HS follows
  1. 2013

    MG CS previews the first MG SUV

    The MG CS appears at Shanghai, previewing the GS; Anthony Williams-Kenny leads the design across the Longbridge and Shanghai studios.1

  2. 2015

    China launch: seven GS versions

    GS comes from MG’s Grand SUV brief. China gets seven 1.5T and 2.0T versions on March 18; the 2.0T claims 0–100 km/h in 8 seconds.167

  3. 2015

    iGS previews driverless maneuvers

    The GS-based iGS concept appears at Shanghai, claiming cruising, overtaking and lane changes without a driver at 60–120 km/h, plus remote parking.1

  4. 2016

    Bangkok debut: 2.0T, 2WD or AWD

    Thailand’s GS arrives with a 215 hp 2.0-liter turbo and 6-speed DCT. MG quotes 8.2 seconds to 100 km/h; both 2WD and AWD trims are offered.8

  5. 2016

    UK debut: 164 hp 1.5-liter turbo

    UK buyers get manual or 7-speed DCT gearboxes. Quoted figures for the 1.5-liter turbo include 9.9 seconds to 60 mph and a 190 km/h maximum.19

  6. 2016

    CCPC fuel-economy win at Karamay

    In the 2.0T sport-SUV class, the GS wins the long-distance fuel-economy contest at Karamay, ahead of the Buick Envision and Ford Kuga.10

  7. 2016

    China facelift adds 20T and 30T

    December’s Chinese update brings new grille, lamps and bumpers, plus a redesigned dash. The 1.5T and 2.0T become 20T and 30T; CarPlay joins.11

  8. 2017

    First Chinese five-star ANCAP vehicle

    Upgrades lift the GS from four to five ANCAP stars for builds from August 2017, sold from October; AEB and lane support remain unavailable.212

  9. 2019

    AS21 production ends; HS follows

    The AS21’s production run closes after 2015–2019, with Thai assembly spanning 2016–2019. The MG HS succeeds it.1

Every generation

  • MG CS concept
    MG CS concept2013
  • MG GS
    AS212015–2019
  • MG HS
    MG HS

Power over the years

From 164 hp to 220 hp in 0 years.

0100200300 20162018 hp 2016 · 164 hp · UK 1.5 L turbo2016 · 169 hp · China facelift 20T 1.5T2016 · 215 hp · Thailand 2.0 L turbo2016 · 220 hp · China facelift 30T 2.0T2017 · 160 hp · Australia 1.5 L turbo2017 · 217 hp · Australia Essence X 2.0T 220 hp China facelift 30T 2.0T 164 hp UK 1.5 L turbo
3891113
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2016164UK 1.5 L turbo
2016169China facelift 20T 1.5T
2016215Thailand 2.0 L turbo
2016220China facelift 30T 2.0T
2017160Australia 1.5 L turbo
2017217Australia Essence X 2.0T

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Explore (UK)

    2016–2019

    164 hp

  • Standard

    Excite (UK)

    2016–2019

    164 hp
  • Exclusive / Exclusive DCT (UK)

    Standard

    Exclusive / Exclusive DCT (UK)

    2016–2019

    164 hp

  • Standard

    Vivid / Core / Soul (Australia)

    160 hp

  • Standard

    Excite (Australia)

    160 hp

  • Standard

    1.5 Turbo / 1.5 Turbo X Sunroof (Thailand)

    165 hp

  • Standard

    1.5T / 2.0T early range (China)

    2015–2016

  • Standard

    20T facelift (China)

    169 hp

  • Standard

    30T facelift (China)

    220 hp

  • Standard

    2.0T D 2WD / 2.0T X AWD (Thailand)

    215 hp

  • Standard

    Essence X (Australia)

    217 hp
  • Liverpool FC customized edition (China)

    Special

    Liverpool FC customized edition (China)

    2016

How to spot one

Look for

  • Big headlights, a narrow connecting grille and a prominent MG octagon.49
  • Original nose: black lower bumper with silver inserts around the LED running lights.4
  • Thick, sloping rear roof pillars meet the taillights above a stubby tail.4
  • A black rear-window extension wraps onto the tailgate to join the light clusters.4
  • Original rear bumper: reflectors sit in silver inserts that echo those at the front.4

Year by year

  1. 2016 (China)

    Chinese models moved from a 6-inch to an 8-inch touchscreen with inkaLink and Apple CarPlay.20

  2. December 2016 (China)

    The facelift brought a new grille, lights and bumpers; upright LED lights flank winglets in the front bumper.11

  3. December 2016 (China)

    The redesigned dashboard has round vents, a new steering wheel and shift lever; infotainment offers CarPlay and Baidu CarLife.11

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a MG GS
    GS
    Photo of a Renault Kadjar
    Renault Kadjar

    Renault Kadjar

    Similar headlights and grille; look for the GS's prominent MG octagon and its taller, boxier body.4921

  • Photo of a MG GS
    GS
    Photo of a Nissan Qashqai
    Nissan Qashqai

    Nissan Qashqai

    Similar running lights and hood creases; the GS is taller and boxier, with a large MG octagon in its grille.4921

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $3.0K–$7.3K1326

Price when newValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K 20142016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $3,000–$7,300 2015 · $19,152 · China Urban MT; approx $0.16/CNY2016 · $20,243 · UK Explore; approx $1.35/GBP2016 · $23,618 · UK Excite; approx $1.35/GBP2016 · $26,318 · UK Exclusive MT; approx $1.35/GBP2016 · $28,343 · UK Exclusive DCT; approx $1.35/GBP2017 · $19,624 · UK Explore; approx $1.30/GBP2017 · $18,472 · AU list Vivid; approx $0.77/AUD2017 · $20,012 · AU list Core; approx $0.77/AUD2017 · $21,552 · AU list Soul; approx $0.77/AUD2017 · $26,942 · AU list Essence X; approx $0.77/AUD 2016 · £14,995 · UK Explore, 2016; approx. US$1.35/GBP
1369131415
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2016Launch price$20,243UK Explore, 2016; approx. US$1.35/GBP
2015Price when new$19,152China Urban MT; approx $0.16/CNY
2016Price when new$20,243UK Explore; approx $1.35/GBP
2016Price when new$23,618UK Excite; approx $1.35/GBP
2016Price when new$26,318UK Exclusive MT; approx $1.35/GBP
2016Price when new$28,343UK Exclusive DCT; approx $1.35/GBP
2017Price when new$19,624UK Explore; approx $1.30/GBP
2017Price when new$18,472AU list Vivid; approx $0.77/AUD
2017Price when new$20,012AU list Core; approx $0.77/AUD
2017Price when new$21,552AU list Soul; approx $0.77/AUD
2017Price when new$26,942AU list Essence X; approx $0.77/AUD
2026Value today$3,000–$7,300

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “China's first 5-star ANCAP vehicle”
    • “Fuel-economy win over Envision and Kuga”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. MG GS - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. First Chinese vehicle to rise to 5 star standard. ancap.com.au
  3. Used MG GS review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  4. MG GS (2016-2019) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  5. SAIC MOTOR saicmotor.com
  6. 【图】售11.97-17.97万元 名爵锐腾正式上市_汽车之家 autohome.com.cn
  7. 【图】造型与人性化并举 解读MG GS内外饰设计_汽车之家 autohome.com.cn
  8. A Driving Experience Like No Other with the Superior NEW MG GS ex-prod.mgcars.com
  9. MG GS - First UK Road test - Buying an MG mgcc.co.uk
  10. 上汽集团官网 saicmotor.com
  11. Facelifted MG GS Hits The Chinese Auto Market carnewschina.com
  12. MG GS | Safety Rating & Report | ANCAP ancap.com.au
  13. MG GS SUV launches in Australia - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  14. MG GS review | Car Reviews | The Car Expert thecarexpert.co.uk
  15. MG GS Reviews & Road Tests | GreenCarGuide greencarguide.co.uk
  16. MG GS 2017 Review - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  17. MG GS SUV (2016-2019) - Interior & comfort | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  18. MG GS 2018 Excite Pricing & Specifications - carsales carsales.com.au
  19. ทดลองขับ MG GS 1.5 Turbo X Sunroof 7DCT 2WD : "จ่ายแพงกว่าทำไมละคะ?" - HeadLight Magazine headlightmag.com
  20. 上汽集团官网 saicmotor.com
  21. MG GS vs Renault Kadjar vs Nissan Qashqai | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  22. MG CS SUV – MG-Wiki mg-wiki.britische-klassiker.de
  23. SAIC MOTOR saicmotor.com
  24. MG GS 2016 Review - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  25. MG comes up Trumps — New Car Net newcarnet.co.uk
  26. MG GS 2017 Pricing & Specifications - carsales carsales.com.au
  27. 33 used MG GS for sale | AskCar askcar.co.uk
  28. MG GS Owner Reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  29. MG GS มือสอง พร้อมราคาและรถในสต็อก | ดรีมคาร์ drmcars.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • ancap.com.au
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • saicmotor.com
  • autohome.com.cn
  • ex-prod.mgcars.com
  • mgcc.co.uk
  • carnewschina.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • thecarexpert.co.uk
  • greencarguide.co.uk
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • headlightmag.com
  • mg-wiki.britische-klassiker.de

Photo credits

Other car files