MG HS 1.5 Turbo Review

Muscling in on any arena where competition is stiff and the players are well-established can be tough for a new name.

But with its unique radar chart of qualities, the first MG HS brought the fight well against others in the compact SUV business. For starters, practicality was commendable with its size, and power was easily plentiful with its 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. But it was also its solidly-packaged cabin and generous list of features - all at an incredibly alluring price point - that saw it take to our roads by the hordes.

Can the new HS scale the heights of its wildly successful first-gen predecessor? 

Returning now to Singapore, the second generation soars to new heights by building convincingly on the strengths of the original car. Still, at its time of release now, one large caveat looms over. 

Unique new suit

Whereas its predecessor was quite prominently noted for its slightly derivative sheet metal, the new HS proves it has what it takes to look smart even in a more original suit.

With its L-shaped chrome pieces, the car's grater-like grille is still more flashy than it is understated - almost as if a great white shark were baring its teeth at you. But its slim and elongated profile, coupled with the narrow head lights, lend an added air of grown-up aggression. Accentuating this are its relatively high shoulder line and the angular aesthetic of the full length taillight bar, which is flanked on each end by hyper-modern X-motifs.

More aggressively styled than before, the HS cuts a more distinctive figure than its predecessor. Extra size and standard 19-inch wheels also lend the car good presence on the road 

Growing up aside, the HS has done a fair bit of physical growing in both length and width too.

On top of its fresher styling, what's striking about it is thus also its sense of presence, especially when riding on those standard 19-inch wheels. As such, based purely on looks, this second-generation HS should have no trouble winning fans over again.

Grown up on the inside too

In a sea of single-colour interiors, the original HS made a striking impression with its black and velvet red tones on the dashboard and seats. These were nicely complemented by surfaces that mimicked brushed metal, and also a good dose of physical buttons.

The new HS has since traded some of that colourful, metallic goodness for a more pared back interface cloaked in a darker aesthetic. The only pop of colour in an otherwise black cabin comes from the orange stitching tying all the leather surfaces together - but the result is still pleasing, if less distinct than before.

Overall, what one is greeted with is an interior that may admittedly feel more austere and conservative, yet also exudes a heightened sense of robustness in build quality. (As an example, look to the dedicated buttons for the individual reading lights on the rear bench, which feel pleasantly weighty.)

The HS's dashboard feels far more modern than before, thanks especially to its 'single panel' integrating a fully digital driver's display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen

Unequivocally snazzier than before, on the other hand, are the fully digital driver's display (the previous car had a partially analogue cluster) and enlarged infotainment screen, which are integrated in a trendy single panel. While the graphics are not the coolest in the business, the screens here at least delight with their vibrancy and sharpness.

In fact, while laggy infotainment systems have traditionally been an MG-specific pain point, the one on the new HS feels quicker to respond than before. Only a couple of confusing disappointments await here: Smartphone mirroring for both Android and Apple users requires a cable, and strangely, only USB-A ports await up front. 

Space on the new HS is excellent: A cavernous second-row bench greets those who climb into the rear with an impeccably flat floor, while the car's 507-litre boot is one of the best in the segment

Those on the rear bench, however, will have absolutely nothing to complain about. Thanks to the lengthened wheelbase and flat floor on the new HS, fitting three abreast here is an effortless affair. (A panoramic sunroof - not seen on this test unit but soon to arrive on incoming batches of cars for customers - should further amplify the sense of space.) Its boot has also swelled to an impressive 507 litres in capacity, making it even adept at hauling items. 

Sanding out the rougher edges

For a name that's still relatively new, the HS continues to be propelled by a setup that's relatively old-school: Pure combustion power. (For those that seek some electrification, MG has already stated that a PHEV variant will hit Singapore before year-end.)

On paper, things sound relatively similar to what was found on the first-gen car. Under the hood lies a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that has gotten a slight bump in power and torque over the previous unit (to 168bhp and 275Nm now), mated to a new seven-speed dual clutch transmission sending power to the front wheels. 

In reality, however, the driving experience has been vastly improved, with the new HS packing newfound levels of sophistication and polish.

Arguably the most noteworthy flaw of the first HS was the clunkiness of its gearbox at lower speeds, which sounded rough and felt jerky. Those traits have now been traded for smoothness and refinement, making getting the car up to speed a much more pleasant affair. Raw power was never the problem anyway - only the manner in which it was delivered - and with that rough edge sanded out, the HS feels all the more the easygoing SUV it was designed to be. 

The car's 1.5-litre turbocharged engine now produces 168bhp and 275Nm of torque - slight bumps on both fronts - but the real highlight is the improved smoothness of its seven-speed dual-clutch transmission 

On this note, keener-eyed folks may note that the new HS drops the cheeky Super Sport red button of before. Still, the loss isn't really felt on a machine that has always felt more in its element when ferrying the family around than when chasing down a hot hatch. 

Since the HS was never meant to be a performance SUV, its more outwardly mellow nature now feels more coherent with its enduring strength as a comfortable cruiser.

Cabin insulation is commendable; its softly sprung suspension means it wafts about excellently; and its steering, though not particularly quick or communicative, is light and easy for the city. A generous range of safety assistance systems rounds off this impressive mixture of qualities, for extra ease on the road. Adulthood brings with it more confidence in shedding all the identities that never really suited oneself - and in this second rodeo now, the HS feels more assured than ever of what its mission (as a family-oriented machine) should be.

Hitting new highs - albeit also in pricing

Perhaps the only real criticism one could level at the new HS comes back to the allure of the original car: Pricing. 

One gets the sense that the first generation succeeded so well precisely because buyers were willing to sacrifice brand cachet considerations for what was a solid machine offered at a bargain. Slice it however you may now, nothing about a $200,000 price tag car is easy to swallow.

Yet to be clear, $200,000 is also not outrageous given today's COE climate; neither does it look unreasonable considering how much its main competitors are asking for. In fact, a steeper price tag feels commensurate to the more sophisticated machine that the HS has morphed into too.

While no longer fighting as capably against the others now on price, its radar chart has arguably shifted such that it compels on more fronts than before than just being a bargain purchase. That makes it more than worthy of a second look. 

Don’t forget to check out these other family SUVs on the market! 

Now equipped with mild-hybrid technology, the Mazda CX-5 returns to compete with the Subaru Forester for the hearts and minds of your entire family

The Corolla Cross is as easy-to-drive, practical and efficient as crossovers come. In delivering a zero-shock, 100%-approachable factor, it more than satisfies its family name