Vehicle Description

The MG HS 1.5 T-GDI Excite 5dr Hatchback (71 Plate) is a compact SUV that offers a practical, stylish, and affordable option in the increasingly competitive crossover segment. With its turbocharged engine, high-tech features, and spacious interior, the MG HS is designed to appeal to buyers seeking a well-rounded vehicle with a good mix of performance and value. The Excite trim offers an excellent entry point for the HS range, offering impressive technology, safety features, and a surprisingly premium feel for the price.

Performance and Efficiency
Under the hood, the MG HS 1.5 T-GDI Excite is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 162 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. This engine offers a decent amount of power, allowing the HS to accelerate from 0-60 mph in around 8.6 seconds. It’s quick enough for day-to-day driving, whether it’s city commuting, highway cruising, or overtaking slower traffic. The power delivery is smooth, and the turbocharged engine ensures a punchy and responsive drive, particularly when you need to accelerate quickly.

Paired with a 6-speed manual transmission (the Excite trim doesn’t come with an automatic option), the MG HS provides a satisfying driving experience. The manual gearbox feels precise, and while it might not be the most refined transmission in its class, it gets the job done with no issues. The steering is light and easy to handle, making parking and maneuvering through tight spaces hassle-free.

Fuel efficiency is also quite good for an SUV of this size and engine type, with the MG HS 1.5 T-GDI achieving an average of around 35-40 mpg depending on driving style and conditions. This is decent for its class, and the vehicle’s CO2 emissions are reasonable for a petrol-powered SUV, making it a relatively eco-friendly choice in comparison to other compact crossovers.

Interior and Comfort
Inside, the MG HS impresses with a spacious, modern cabin that feels far more premium than its price tag suggests. The Excite trim offers a well-equipped interior, featuring soft-touch materials and a simple yet elegant design. The central touchscreen is large, at 10.1 inches, and it dominates the dashboard, offering a clear and user-friendly interface for media, navigation, and climate control.

The seats are comfortable, with plenty of support for both the driver and passengers. The front seats are adjustable, ensuring drivers can find their ideal driving position, and there’s plenty of legroom and headroom in both the front and rear of the cabin. The rear seats are spacious enough for adults, and the flat floor means there’s no intrusive tunnel, offering additional comfort for rear passengers.

The boot space is generous, providing 463 litres of cargo capacity, which is great for a family SUV. This makes the MG HS a practical choice for those who need to transport luggage, sports equipment, or groceries. Additionally, the rear seats fold down easily to expand the boot space even further, allowing you to carry larger items.

Technology and Features
The MG HS 1.5 T-GDI Excite comes well-equipped with technology that enhances both convenience and entertainment. The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system includes features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing easy integration of smartphones for navigation, music, and calls. The system is intuitive and responsive, providing an easy-to-use interface for drivers.

In terms of audio, the MG HS offers a decent 6-speaker sound system, providing clear sound quality for music, podcasts, and phone calls. While the system may not have the premium sound quality of some higher-end vehicles, it delivers satisfactory performance for everyday use.

Other tech features include Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and DAB radio, which add to the convenience of driving the MG HS. The MG Pilot suite of advanced driver-assistance features includes lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, all of which add an extra layer of safety and convenience.

Safety Features
Safety is a priority for MG, and the HS 1.5 T-GDI Excite comes with a comprehensive suite of safety features. The MG Pilot package, available as standard, includes a variety of driver-assistance systems designed to help prevent accidents and make driving safer. These include:

Lane-Departure Warning: Alerts the driver if the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane.
Lane-Keep Assist: Helps the driver steer the vehicle back into the lane if it detects the vehicle drifting.
Adaptive Cruise Control: Maintains a set speed while automatically adjusting the car's speed to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Detects potential collisions and applies the brakes if necessary to avoid or mitigate a crash.
Traffic Sign Recognition: Displays important road signs such as speed limits directly on the driver’s display.
The MG HS has performed well in Euro NCAP crash tests, earning a solid 5-star rating, which further highlights its commitment to safety. The standard airbag system and stability control also contribute to keeping all occupants safe in the event of a collision.

Driving Experience
The MG HS 1.5 T-GDI offers a solid driving experience that is comfortable and easy to handle. The ride is well-balanced, offering a smooth experience on highways and urban roads. The suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps and imperfections in the road, making the ride more pleasant on longer trips.

The handling of the MG HS is not particularly sporty, but it’s composed and stable, with enough responsiveness to feel in control when navigating twists and turns. The steering is light, which makes parking and city driving more manageable, and there’s no excessive body roll when cornering.

In terms of driving dynamics, the MG HS isn’t built for performance, but it’s perfectly suited to daily driving, with an emphasis on comfort and practicality. It’s ideal for those who prioritize an easy-going driving experience rather than a performance-oriented ride.

Verdict
The MG HS 1.5 T-GDI Excite 5dr Hatchback (71 Plate) is an excellent value-for-money option in the compact SUV segment. It combines a strong list of features, a decent engine, and an impressive amount of interior space with a practical driving experience that makes it well-suited for both urban and longer trips. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine provides enough power for most drivers, while the 6-speed manual transmission is easy to operate.

The Excite trim offers a solid set of features, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of driver-assistance technologies that are typically found in higher-end models. The spacious interior and generous boot space make it an appealing option for families or anyone who needs more room.

Safety is a key selling point, with the MG Pilot system adding advanced safety features that contribute to a more secure driving experience. While it may not be the most exciting car to drive, the MG HS 1.5 T-GDI Excite offers great value, practicality, and modern technology for buyers who want a reliable and affordable crossover.

If you’re in the market for a well-equipped, family-friendly SUV with strong safety credentials and a reasonable price tag, the MG HS 1.5 T-GDI Excite is certainly worth considering.