Used MG HS (Mk1, 2019-2024) buyer’s guide: unrivalled on price but far from perfect
A full used buyer's guide on the MG HS covering the HS Mk1 that was on sale between 2019 and 2024
Verdict
It’s easy to think of MG as a niche seller in the UK. But not only does it have more than four per cent of the market, the MG HS was the UK’s biggest-selling car at the start of last year, with 3,500 shifted in a single month. The arrival of a new HS has pushed values of the original down, and when you look at what you can get for similar money, suddenly the HS doesn’t have many rivals. Yet, while there’s a lot to like about it (and potentially a lot to dislike if you look at our Driver Power survey results), this is a car whose value roots are all too apparent when you compare it with other compact SUVs.
For a certain demographic, MG will always be remembered for its sports cars and hot hatches. But for most buyers nowadays the brand has come to stand for something entirely different: family cars, especially SUVs that have a focus on value for money above all else.
An all-new HS mid-sized SUV was revealed by MG in late August, and it takes over from the original HS, which joined MG’s line-up five years ago. That was a car which struck a chord with a lot of buyers who were attracted by the spacious interior, generous equipment, long warranty and keen prices. As a used buy, the HS is even better value, but do its
key rivals make more sense?
History
The first-generation MG HS went on sale in the UK in October 2019. At first only a 160bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine was available, with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with no four-wheel-drive option.
Used - available now
MG’s first ever plug-in hybrid came a year later, when an HS was introduced with a 1.5T petrol engine backed up by a 120bhp electric motor to give an overall output of 254bhp. The HS PHEV came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and once again all cars were front-wheel drive.
A facelifted petrol HS 1.5T arrived in showrooms in summer 2023 with a refreshed nose and tail, but the plug-in hybrid continued to be sold in its original form.
Prices
The Mk1 MG HS is a popular car, so there's plenty of choice on the used market. You can get your hands on a used MG HG from just over £10,000 through our Buy a Car service.
On the road
The HS is unsophisticated in several key respects, and this is most apparent on the road, because poor body control means it won’t win any prizes for its dynamic ability. It’s competent enough, but the lack of refinement is disappointing, with too much engine, wind and road noise.
Performance is okay while the manual gearbox is decent enough, but the auto isn’t as slick as it should be for a dual-clutch set-up.
Which should I buy?
The plug-in hybrid is much zippier than the regular HS 1.5 T-GDi, and if your journeys are mainly short you can run on electricity for much of the time. When new, the PHEV carried a massive price premium and while that has reduced, it’s still significantly more expensive and only you can decide if it’s worth it. We’d say that it is if you’re buying for the long term, because the PHEV offers significantly better performance and economy.
Ignoring the rare and short-lived Explore trim, entry-level (Excite, then SE) HSs had air-con, navigation, adaptive cruise control plus rear parking sensors and a camera. Top-spec models (Exclusive, then Trophy) added LED headlights, leather trim, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, ambient lighting, privacy glass and a powered tailgate.
Alternatives to the MG HS
While most mid-sized SUV rivals are better overall, they cost more. That’s the case with the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, plus the Peugeot 3008 and its Citroen C5 Aircross and Vauxhall Grandland cousins.
The Ford Kuga feels a lot more modern, while the Volkswagen Group offers the SEAT Ateca, Skoda Karoq and VW Tiguan, but they’re all more costly. That’s also true of the Toyota RAV4, whereas the Renault Kadjar is keenly priced, partly because it came out as long ago as 2015, and it’s the same story with the platform-sharing (and more plentiful) Nissan Qashqai.
The only SUV that comes close on price to the MG is the Dacia Duster, which came first in our 2024 Driver Power New Car survey.
What to look for
Mind the gap
If the panel gaps seems less than perfect, don’t assume the car you’re looking at has been in a crash. Some were made with uneven shut lines.
Chips away
The paint quality of some cars leaves a bit to be desired. Some owners complain about paint being easily chipped or scratched, so check the car for damage.
Radio silence
All HSs should come with a DAB radio, but the microchip shortage means that many cars don’t have one fitted, or there’s a poor-quality work-around installed.
Power outage
Electronic glitches aren’t uncommon, with phones not pairing, key fobs not recognised, touchscreen and reversing camera glitches, plus faulty electric windows and mirrors all possible.
Interior
The cabin doesn’t have the wow factor of some of its rivals, but it’s modern enough with its large infotainment screen, soft-touch materials and pleasant design. Too many functions are controlled via the touchscreen though, including the ventilation, but the graphics are modern and most things (bar the sub-menus) are user-friendly.
There’s plenty of head and legroom in the back, with space for three adults to sit in comfort, while cubby space is excellent; the front seats could be more supportive, though. Boot space is pretty good, at 463 litres with the back seats in use (448 litres for the PHEV), and this rises to 1,454 litres with the seats folded (1,375 litres in the PHEV).
Running costs
The standard service interval for all HSs is every 12 months or 15,000 miles, but for those who cover a lower mileage, a 12-month or 10,000 miles schedule is available. The typical cost of a service is £420, even though different items are replaced each time, but the auxiliary belts have to be replaced as part of the sixth service, when the cost jumps to about £700.
MG claimed an electric-only range of 32 miles for the plug-in hybrid, which can be achieved easily. Most average 50mpg in mixed driving, but some report more than 90mpg.
Recalls
MG has a pretty good record when it comes to recalls. It has issued just half a dozen of them in the past decade: one each for the MG3, MG4 and MG6, two for the MG5 and a single campaign for the HS.
The latter was issued in March 2023 and it affected 3,291 HSs built between July 2020 and October 2022, potentially with an electrical glitch. Whereas short circuits are a relatively common reason for recalls, with the HS it was the opposite problem: some cars had insulation trapped between the wire and body so the cable didn’t earth properly. All the dealers had to do was trim the insulation to ensure a decent earth for the electrical system.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
For a car that arrived almost six years ago, and which is now obsolete, the fact that the HS is in the top half of the 2025 Driver Power survey is cause for celebration for MG, because that’s quite a result.
Helping the HS to achieve its 21st place are some strong top-20 scores across five categories, along with a couple of near misses. The MG’s best ranking is second for rear-seat legroom, although this is one of just two top-10 scores, the other being a fifth place for running costs, such as road tax and insurance.
The HS also notches up a few top 20 places, including an 11th spot for front seat comfort. The interior and exterior design are both ranked 14th, as are the quality of the interior and the number of child-friendly features. Not far behind, in 17th place, are seating versatility and oddments space in the cabin; boot space and practicality are ranked 18th.
But there are other areas where the MG fares quite badly, with scores at or around the bottom of the table. These include the drivetrain, the balance between physical and touchscreen controls, the infotainment system as a whole, and the fuel economy. Owners also aren’t impressed by all-round visibility, which is ranked 36th, while they like the acceleration even less; this comes in 42nd spot.
| What owners said |
| “It’s large enough for my family, it’s fast enough, while the CarPlay and nav are great. It also drives nicely on long journeys.” |
| “Very comfortable, great safety features and stylish, with a good warranty into the bargain. My wife and I are happy with our HS.” |
| “My HS has all of the functionality of a more expensive plug-in hybrid and its real-world range is better than most. I love it.” |
| “While the ride is generally smooth, it can be a bit firm when going over really bumpy roads. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I do notice it, especially on rough country roads.” |
| “For what I paid, it was great value and with an EV range of 75 miles and a list price of under £40K, there was no road tax penalty.” |
| “The design of my HS is so sleek and modern. I love the lines and the way the grille looks; it has a sporty vibe without being too flashy.” |
| “One thing I really appreciate about my MG HS is the infotainment system, which is super-intuitive, and I love that it has Apple CarPlay. All of the on-board tech makes life much easier, and the best thing is that it all comes as standard.” |
| “I love how spacious my MG HS is. It’s perfect for even the longest of road trips, with plenty of room for luggage, and the back seats are comfortable too. It’s the kind of car that makes you feel relaxed on long drives.” |
| “On even the longest of journeys, I find my MG very comfy, helped by the fact I sit higher than in a normal hatchback, so I can see further ahead. As a disabled driver, the seating position also makes it a lot easier for me to get in and out.” |
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