MG HS: history, nicknames and how to spot one

At a glance

160–334 hpPower

5.8–9.9 s0–100 km/h

164–220 km/hTop speed

250–480 N·mTorque

1,489–1,930 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.^1,3,7,14,15

Engine: 1.5/2.0 L turbo I4 petrol; 1.5 L full hybrid and plug-in hybrid^3,13
Layout: Front engine; FWD, with AWD on Gen 1 2.0T versions^3,7
Gearbox: 6MT; 6/7DCT; 9AT; Gen 1 PHEV: 10-speed; Gen 2 hybrids: 2-speed DHT³
Built at: Gen 1: Ningde, China; Laem Chabang, Thailand; Lahore, Pakistan; Taoyuan, Taiwan³

The story

SAIC's MG HS arrived in 2018 to replace the GS above the ZS. Its original EHS plug-in hybrid combines 6 engine gears and 4 motor gears into a 10-speed automatic.^3,4

GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones^3,22

Show the numbers

Year	What happened
2015–2019	MG GS (AS21)
2018–present	MG HS (first generation) (AS23)
2024–present	MG HS (second generation) (AS33)
2018	HS replaces the GS
2020	Anfield puts Liverpool red inside
2020	EHS plugs in with 10 speeds
2021	2.0T AWD reaches Australia
2023	UK facelift brings SE and Trophy
2024	3,500 sales take the UK monthly crown
2024	Goodwood debut in MG's centenary
2024	Wet DCT smooths the new petrol HS
2025	Full hybrid joins as Hybrid+

2018
HS replaces the GS
SAIC launches the HS above the smaller ZS, turning the X-Motion concept into a production SUV.³
2020
Anfield puts Liverpool red inside
Australia's Essence Anfield celebrates Liverpool's Premier League win with a black-and-red cabin, launched as a permanent range member.⁵
2020
EHS plugs in with 10 speeds
Mainland Europe's EHS pairs a 16.6 kWh battery with a 10-speed transmission for up to 52 km of WLTP electric driving.⁴
2021
2.0T AWD reaches Australia
Excite X and Essence X gain a 2.0-liter turbo with 225 hp and 360 Nm, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and all-wheel drive.^3,6,7
2023
UK facelift brings SE and Trophy
Britain's petrol HS gets new lights and grille. SE and Trophy replace Excite and Exclusive; the plug-in hybrid keeps its pre-facelift shape.^8,9
2024
3,500 sales take the UK monthly crown
The first-generation HS becomes Britain's best-selling car for a month at the start of 2024, with 3,500 sold.¹
2024
Goodwood debut in MG's centenary
The second HS generation is unveiled on July 11 at the Festival of Speed during MG's 100th-anniversary celebrations.^3,10
2024
Wet DCT smooths the new petrol HS
Australia's second-generation 1.5T pairs 168 hp and 275 Nm with a wet seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, replacing the old dry-clutch unit.^11,12
2025
Full hybrid joins as Hybrid+
Australia gets the front-drive Hybrid+: 221 hp and 340 Nm, a 1.83 kWh battery, and claimed fuel use of 5.2 L/100 km.¹³

Every generation

AS212015–2019
AS232018–present
AS332024–present

Power over the years

From 169 hp to 334 hp in 6 years.

^{1,3,4,7,13,16}

Show the numbers

Year	Horsepower	Model
2018	169	Gen 1 1.5T
2018	231	Gen 1 2.0T
2019	160	UK 1.5T
2020	254	UK plug-in hybrid
2020	280	Thailand PHEV
2021	225	Excite X / Essence X AWD
2024	168	Gen 2 1.5T
2024	334	Gen 2 PHEV / Super Hybrid
2025	221	Hybrid+
2025	295	Australia Super Hybrid

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

Standard

Explore / Excite / Exclusive (UK launch range)

160 hp
Standard

Core (Australia, first generation)

166 hp
Standard

Vibe (Australia, first generation)

166 hp
Standard

Excite (Australia, first generation)

166 hp
Standard

Essence (Australia, first generation)

166 hp
Standard

SE / Trophy (UK, first-generation facelift)

2023–2024

160 hp
Standard

SE / Trophy (UK, second generation)
Standard

EHS Plug-in Hybrid (Europe, first generation)
Special

Essence Anfield (Australia)

2020–2023

166 hp
Limited

HS i-SMART Liverpool FC Limited Edition (Indonesia)

2021

100 built

How to spot one

Look for

Original HS: star-pattern grille and headlights echoing the smaller ZS.¹⁴
Original HS: large side windows, with their lower edge climbing toward the tailgate.¹⁴
Original HS: black body cladding and silver bumper inserts shaped like skid plates.¹⁴
Second generation: slim, pointed headlights and a prominent grille.^10,17
Second generation: a detailed rear light bar.¹⁷

Year by year

2020 (China)
The Linghang facelift introduces MG's newer family styling; its larger-grille look reaches UK petrol cars in 2023.^3,8
2023 (UK plug-in hybrid)
The plug-in hybrid keeps its original nose and tail while petrol cars switch to the facelift body.¹
2024 (second generation)
The body grows longer and wider but sits lower, with slimmer headlights, shorter overhangs and a rising shoulder line.¹⁰
September 2026 (UK)
Trophy gains an opening panoramic roof and leather- and suede-style upholstery; red interior trim becomes optional.¹⁸

Don’t confuse it with

HS
MG ZS
MG ZS
The original HS shares the ZS's star-pattern grille and headlight style; the HS is the larger, compact SUV.^3,14
HS
MG 3
MG 3
The second-generation HS resembles the MG 3, but is a midsize SUV; the MG 3 Hybrid+ is a small hatchback.^11,13

Against its rivals

HS vs Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI ACT SE

On-road price lower is better

HS22,995 £

Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI ACT SE23,880 £
²³
HS vs Kia Sportage

Trunk capacity

HS463 L

Kia Sportage591 L
⁹
HS vs Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV

Trunk capacity

HS507 L

Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV460 L
¹⁷

Prices

Value today $18.0K–$29.0K²⁸

Price when newValue today

^{1,3,8,9,14,18}

Show the numbers

Year	Price	Amount	Detail
2019	Launch price	$23,034	UK Explore base, 2019; GBP 1 ≈ USD 1.28
2019	Price when new	$23,034	UK Explore; GBP≈USD 1.28
2019	Price when new	$26,234	UK Excite; GBP≈USD 1.28
2019	Price when new	$29,434	UK Exclusive; GBP≈USD 1.28
2023	Price when new	$29,233	UK SE; USD conversion as printed
2023	Price when new	$32,343	UK Trophy manual; GBP≈USD 1.2442
2023	Price when new	$34,209	UK Trophy DCT; GBP≈USD 1.2442
2026	Price when new	$39,644	UK SE Hybrid+; GBP≈USD 1.30
2026	Price when new	$43,544	UK SE PHEV; GBP≈USD 1.30
2026	Value today	$18,000–$29,000

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 10 versions matters
Legend
- 14 stories from its legend
- “3,500 sales and a monthly UK number 1”
- “An HS planned for the first Rally Jameel”
Generations
- The story of each of the 3 generations
Market
- 5 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 28 sources

Used MG HS (Mk1, 2019-2024) buyer’s guide: unrivalled on price but far from perfect | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
ทดลองขับ MG HS 1.5 Turbo 7 DCT fWD : อย่าเพิ่งลุ่มหลง จนกว่าจะลองขับ - HeadLight Magazine headlightmag.com
MG HS - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
The new MG EHS Plug-in Hybrid: the best of both worlds news.mgmotor.eu
MG HS Essence Anfield edition revealed | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
Used MG HS review - ReDriven redriven.com
2021 MG HS price and specs | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
Facelifted MG HS Finally Arrives In The UK Three Years After Its Original Debut | Carscoops carscoops.com
MG HS 1.5 T-GDI DCT Trophy review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
Allrounder der nächsten Generation: neuer MG HS in Goodwood enthüllt | MG Motor Deutschland mgmotor.media
2025 MG HS review | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
2025 MG HS price and specs: New SUV gets more tech for more money | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
2026 MG HS Hybrid+ price and specs | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
All-new MG HS SUV launched | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
Test MG HS: Was kann der China-Tiguan zum Preis eines Golf? adac.de
2025 MG HS Super Hybrid prices cut ahead of Australian release | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
MG HS Review 2026 | Performance & Pricing | Carwow carwow.co.uk
MG announces sweeping updates for key models – The Irish News uk.irishnews.com
GIIAS 2021: MG Dikepung Oleh Fans Liverpool FC, Ada Apa? - AutonetMagz autonetmagz.com
Fans Fanatik The Kop Jadi Pemilik Pertama MG HS Liverpool FC Limited Edition di Bandung soundandmachine.com
Fan Manchester United Jangan Beli Mobil MG Ini, Dijamin Sakit Hati liputan6.com
MG GS - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
MG HS vs Skoda Karoq | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
Jiad Modern Motors Launched in collaboration with MG Motor Middle East the All-New MG HS Premium SUV | MG Saudi Arabia mg-sa.com
Arab News | Saudi’s Hambazaza and Hamza geared up for first all-woman rally arabnews.com
Euro NCAP | MG HS euroncap.com
Dauertest: MG HS PHEV+: Licht und Schatten. | ÖAMTC oeamtc.at
4,517 used MG MG HS for sale | AskCar askcar.co.uk

autoexpress.co.uk
headlightmag.com
en.wikipedia.org
news.mgmotor.eu
carexpert.com.au
redriven.com
carscoops.com
mgmotor.media
carbuyer.co.uk
adac.de
carwow.co.uk
uk.irishnews.com
autonetmagz.com
soundandmachine.com

At a glance

The story

HS replaces the GS

Anfield puts Liverpool red inside

EHS plugs in with 10 speeds

2.0T AWD reaches Australia

UK facelift brings SE and Trophy

3,500 sales take the UK monthly crown

Goodwood debut in MG's centenary

Wet DCT smooths the new petrol HS

Full hybrid joins as Hybrid+

Every generation

Power over the years

Versions

Explore / Excite / Exclusive (UK launch range)

Core (Australia, first generation)

Vibe (Australia, first generation)

Excite (Australia, first generation)

Essence (Australia, first generation)

SE / Trophy (UK, first-generation facelift)

SE / Trophy (UK, second generation)

EHS Plug-in Hybrid (Europe, first generation)

Essence Anfield (Australia)

HS i-SMART Liverpool FC Limited Edition (Indonesia)

How to spot one

Look for

Year by year

Don’t confuse it with

MG ZS

MG 3

Against its rivals

Prices

The rest of the story is in the app

Versions

Legend

Generations

Market

Sources

Photo credits

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