2022 MG HS Plus EV: Price and specs detailed for Australia, from $48,690 drive-away

The Shanghai-made PHEV SUV is based on the petrol-powered MG HS.

Outside, it boasts a familiar design with eye-shaped LED 'London Eye' daytime running lights, a diamond-like grille and 17-inch alloy wheels standard on the Excite. Stepping up to the flagship Essence gains sequential rear LED indicators and larger 18-inch alloys.

Inside, the Essence offers artificial PU and PVC leather seats, while the Excite features 'Bader' leather sports seats with red contrast stitching and Alcantara trims.

The MG HS Plus EV has two ISOFIX child seat anchorage points and the rear seats can fold in a 60/40 split.

The MG HS Plus EV combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 55-litre fuel tank and a 16.6kWh battery and electric motor.

The Chinese automaker claims it consumes 1.7-litres/100km of fuel and 39g/km of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on the conservative combined ADR testing cycle when using both the engine and electric motor.

Electric-only range is a claimed 63km on the unrealistic NEDC combined cycle.

Using a 10-speed automatic transmission, it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds.

The five-seater family SUV can also tow a 1500kg braked or 750kg unbraked trailer.

The five-seater PHEV runs on a minimum 95RON premium unleaded petrol and charges at up to 7kW AC only speeds.

MG estimates a full charge on a 7kW AC wallbox takes up to five hours.

It uses a Type 2 connector positioned on the rear-right side of the vehicle, whereas the fuel flap is on the left-right side.

The HS Plus EV isn’t compatible with vehicle-to-load nor vehicle-to-grid.

MG HS pictured

The MG HS Plus EV hasn’t been tested by ANCAP yet, but its pure combustion engine counterpart has obtained a five-star ANCAP safety rating under the 2019 criteria.

The company packs its complete active safety assistance suite dubbed 'MG Pilot'. This includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist.

There’s also a speed assistance system, auto high beam headlights, and rear view camera and sensors, while the top-spec Essence gains a 360-degree surround view camera setup.

On the infotainment front, all HS Plus EVs feature a 10.1-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, and wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. It’s also responsible for adjusting some climate control settings. MG says it uses a 1280p resolution display.

Meanwhile, the driver is faced with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster – exclusive to the PHEV – showing pertinent information including a speedometer, remaining range and fuel readouts and more.

HS Plus EV Excite – $48,690 drive-away

The Excite comes with as standard:

• 16.6kWh battery and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• MG Pilot safety assistance suite (details above)
• Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
• 10.1-inch touchscreen with built-in maps, wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
• 12.3-inch digital driver's display
• Six-speaker audio system
• Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents
• LED daytime running lights and taillights
• Halogen projector-type auto headlights
• PU and PVC artificial leather seats
• Six-way electric driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment
• Heated front driver and passenger seats
• Leather perforated steering wheel
• Auto dimming rear view mirror
• Keyless entry and push button start
• Rain sensing wipers
• Chrome window trim
• Roof rails
• Metal trim pedals
• Welcome light function

HS Plus EV Essence – $51,690 drive-away

The flagship Essence gains:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• 360-degree camera
• Two-tone leather sports seats with Alcantara trim and red stitching
• Powered tailgate
• Interior ambient lighting
• LED headlights
• Rear sequential indicators
• Front fog lights
• Panoramic sunroof with sunshade
• Four-way electric front passenger seat

MG HS pictured

Options

Metallic paint – no cost: Sterling Silver, Diamond Red, New Pearl White

All MGs are covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle and battery warranty.

However, commercial buyers are limited to a seven-year/160,000km battery warranty.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 10,000km with capped prices and roadside assistance coverage for up to seven years.