2026 MG HS Review, Specs, Price
2026 MG HS Review, Specs, Price – For drivers looking to maximize their savings or who may be on a low budget but still want a useful SUV for their next family car, the 2026 MG HS is a compelling alternative. MG’s mid-size SUV emphasizes value for money despite offering a variety of comforts and a starting price that is lower than that of the best-selling Ford Puma. It seems spacious as well.
Rather than settling with the loud pure-petrol version, we highly recommend waiting for the hybrid version. If business drivers absolutely can’t wait, the considerably more sophisticated plug-in hybrid (PHEV) HS should spark their attention with its vast 75-mile EV range. Fortunately, the PHEV costs little more than the average petrol-automatic car (beginning at £31,495) and is just as handy. 2026 MG HS Review
2026 MG HS Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
There is no shortage of equipment included with the 2026 MG HS. Two 12.3-inch display displays, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED headlights, keyless entry, a reversing camera, and 19-inch alloy wheels are standard on every model in the range. Moreover, blind spot assistance, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic congestion support, and rear cross-traffic warning are all provided as standard features.
All of this comes standard on the somewhat more expensive Trophy model, which also includes dual-zone temperature control, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging for devices, better audio, and heated front seats. The 2026 MG HS is superior to the previous model in a number of respects. Sharp headlamps, a broad front grille that resembles the MG3, and a full-width rear light bar are features of the new design. It is also more appealing and smaller than the previous one.
The interior, which was remodeled from the inside out, appears far more modern than it did. Considering the price, we were pleased with the material and construction quality because everything fits together flawlessly and most of the surfaces are coated with soft-touch or squishy materials. Only further down will you detect lower-quality, rougher-feeling plastics in the door cards and center console.
There have been major advancements in technology since the 2026 MG HS. The huge central touchscreen and digital driver’s display make up for the lower-than-average resolution and loading times compared to other MG models. Another one that we are familiar with is the infotainment system; it is stable but may be difficult to use. We believe that the majority of customers will just utilize Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to get around it. Unfortunately, none of them are wirelessly compatible, thus a cable is needed to utilize them. 2026 MG HS Review
2026 MG HS Specs
Engine & Performance
It would be an understatement to say that our automatic pure-petrol 2026 MG HS driving experience wasn’t particularly enjoyable. The constant, pointless ringing and bonging that the numerous safety mechanisms produce is the most annoying thing we have.
Another caution advised us to keep our eyes on the road as a result of our constant need to peer below to see what was wrong. Another pain while shutting down the systems is having to navigate menu after menu on the touchscreen. It may also be difficult to press the little icons while traveling, even if you do end up on the right page. You may then need to verify that you truly wish to turn off the function, depending on the specifics.
This indicates that because the brakes lose their efficacy around halfway through the pedal stroke, it requires a lot of force to apply them before the automobile begins to slow down. Though the steering is a tad heavy in the “normal” setting, we much like the lighter “comfort” option. It doesn’t matter which setting you use; you still have to forecast how much lock you’ll need to round a turn because the steering is still slow and confusing.
But we also had a quick look at the plug-in hybrid version, which quickly showed itself to be the better option. The shift to physical discs was barely noticeable, and the brake pedal felt much more natural now that regenerative braking had taken care of the issue.
With 167 horsepower and 275 Nm of torque, the 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine of the gasoline HS can reach 60 mph in less than 10 seconds. But when we pressed the throttle to accelerate quickly with the automatic version, the car remained unresponsive for a few seconds. It groaned and produced a loud, strained, gravelly noise as we moved steadily.
On the other hand, the 366-horsepower plug-in hybrid HS did not experience any problems of this nature. Its electric motor delivers power instantly, allowing for smooth acceleration and a 6.8-second 0-62 mph pace. There were moments when we thought we were driving an electric vehicle since the electric motor gave us enough power to keep up with traffic without the need to start the engine, even when we stepped on the accelerator hard. 2026 MG HS Review
2026 MG HS Fuel Economy
As per MG, the six-speed manual gearbox of the petrol-powered HS is expected to yield an average fuel economy of 38.2 mpg, whilst the seven-speed automatic transmission that is available may attain up to 37.2 mpg. The automatic model we drove got 33.6 mpg in both town and highway driving; given the same conditions, the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage should score more than 40 mpg.
The full-hybrid HS, which will be introduced in 2025, could have a higher adjustable fuel efficiency than the gasoline form as it can run totally on electricity for brief periods of time without an engine. Unlike the PHEV, it doesn’t need to be plugged in, making it simpler to use. It charges its battery using the engine and regenerative braking, just as older full-hybrid vehicles.
The big news is that the Kia Sportage PHEV can only travel so far on a single charge, whereas the plug-in hybrid HS can travel an incredible 75 miles on a single charge thanks to its large 24.7kWh battery. We haven’t yet had an opportunity to independently verify that range’s accuracy, though.
According to MG, if a 7kW charging station is used at home, the HS should be fully charged in about four hours. Applying a standard three-pin plug from home takes seven and a half hours.
2026 MG HS Safety Features
We believe the most current 2026 MG HS will perform well even if it hasn’t yet gotten a crash safety rating from Euro NCAP. This is because the previous model earned the highest rating of five stars, and all HS models come equipped with the full package of driver assistance technology known as “MG Pilot.”
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) with bicycle and pedestrian recognition, lane maintain assist, blind spot detection, and driver attentiveness warning are features that come standard on all HS versions. As we’ve already discussed, the incessant beeping of these devices is highly inconvenient and distracting when driving.
Due to its recent release, the 2026 MG HS was left off of the list of top models in the Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. In the manufacturer poll, MG came in last overall, as the most current study clearly shows, indicating that the brand still has to improve its attractiveness to consumers.
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- eCall
- Adaptive cruise control (DCT only)
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assistance
- Traffic sign recognition
2026 MG HS Release Date & Price
With a rush of new models set for debut in 2026, including the highly anticipated MG Cyberster sports car and the MG3 supermini, which we just named our Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year, MG has us extremely interested.
The all-electric roadster with scissor doors is more important for the corporation even though it isn’t as exciting as the second-generation 2026 MG HS. The model that is leaving is in the top 10 cars sold this year and was formerly MG’s best-selling vehicle in the UK.
Like the most recent HS, it attracted drivers on a tight budget by significantly undercutting rivals in the highly sought-after mid-size SUV sector. Less than £25,000 is the starting price, which is less than £1,000 higher than the previous model.
A broad standard equipment list expands the variety as usual. Two 12.3-inch displays, LED headlights, a reversing camera, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels are included in the lowest SE model’s features list. The “MG Pilot” package of driving assistance technologies is also included with every HS.
It is anticipated that the majority of buyers will upgrade to the Trophy specification, which includes improved acoustics, a wireless charging pad, dual-zone air conditioning, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a heated front seat with black leather-style upholstery as standard (or tan for an extra £600).
The 2026 MG HS comes with two different trim levels and two powertrain options: plug-in hybrid and pure petrol. Early in 2025 is when the full-hybrid vehicle is projected to go on sale. A 1.5-liter gasoline engine powers each of them, and the hybrid models additionally include an electric motor for higher output.
The 2026 MG HS plug-in hybrid is extremely efficient for a car that only costs less than £31,500 and is a regular petrol-automatic. It is projected that the next full-hybrid will bridge the gap between entry-level pure-petrol versions and plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) by providing a more advanced and seamless driving experience than the gasoline-powered vehicle.
Conclusion
Priced around £7,000 less than a Ford Kuga or Hyundai Tucson and £5,000 less than a base Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage, is the 2026 MG HS. The Ford Puma and other compact SUVs are even more affordable than the HS. But the bigger, more family-friendly MG even beats the vehicle at launch, costing more over £26,000.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
