MG HS PHEV road test: Good enough to tempt Tiguan drivers?

With up to 370 bhp and a lengthy electric-only range, the new MG HS PHEV touts some impressive numbers. But, do these figures tell the whole story? Vicki finds out.

Acting as a steppingstone between ICE and fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are often seen as the gateway to a greener future. And, as one of the UK’s top 10 best sellers, MG’s HS is one of the most popular. But does this latest model have what it takes to sell on more than price alone? 

Well, it’s certainly no eyesore, for one. Starting at the front, a gaping grille is teamed with ultra-slimline headlights — a little like Audi’s latest Q3 — offering plenty of road presence. Then, moving towards the rear, there’s a couple-like profile which reminds us more of Ford’s new all-electric Capri. Overall, though, while Vicki is fairly complimentary about the MG’s new look, she does argue that it’s a tad generic. 

But things get more impressive when you dig a little deeper. Seen here in £34,000, top spec Trophy guise, the HS sports a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol that’s mated to a sizeable electric motor. That means it’ll travel around twice as far (75 miles) as a comparable Kia Sportage using just its battery. What’s more, thanks to the plug-in status, the PHEV HS benefits from an attractive 5% benefit in kind rate — a big pull for company car buyers.