2021 MG HS pricing and specs detailed: Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester-rivalling SUV scores new all-wheel-drive variants

The MG HS 2021 range has expanded once again, with the ever burgeoning mid-size SUV now adding all-wheel-drive (AWD) options with a more powerful turbo engine to the mix.

The MG HS 2021 range now encapsulates 1.5-litre turbo front-wheel-drive models, 2.0-litre turbo all-wheel-drive variants, and a high-tech 1.5-litre turbo plug-in hybrid 2WD model. It’s a busy range - rivalling the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander.

The entry point remains the attractively priced HS Core 2WD, listing at $29,990 drive-away, followed by Vibe 2WD at $31,990, the Excite 2WD at $34,990, the Excite X AWD at $37,990; the Essence 2WD at $38,990, and the Essence X AWD at $42,990. There’s also the plug-in hybrid Essence PHEV 2WD, at $46,990.

And if those options aren’t enough for you, there’s also the HS Anfield 2WD, a special edition based on the Essence grade that costs $40,690.

Here’s a rundown of what you get in each spec - and all come with comprehensive safety tech, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a reversing camera with rear parking sensors. The HS was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating against 2019 criteria.

The entry-level Core FWD model has 17-inch alloy wheels, auto halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, power-adjustable side mirrors and LED tail-lights, as well as a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a four-speaker stereo, three USB ports, a multifunction display, keyless start, manually adjustable front seats and fabric trim. 

Stepping up to the Vibe model costs $2000 more, but adds keyless entry, six-speaker stereo, a leather steering wheel, front fog lights, heated side mirrors, a boot cargo cover, auto-dimming rearview mirror, silver roof rails, a shark fin antenna, leather-look seats and a cooled front console.

The Excite model is a further $2000 upstream, but over the Vibe it adds 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sequential indicator lights (LED), ambient interior lighting, satellite navigation, sports pedals, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, paddle shifters, a 'Super Sports' driving mode, and an electric tailgate. The Excite X doesn’t add any special features over the excite, but the additional $3000 adds all-wheel drive and more power and torque from its bigger engine.

The Essence range-topping model is the only model available in PHEV FWD, petrol FWD or petrol AWD, and it justifies its flagship pricing position with an extensive standard equipment list. It has a panoramic opening sunroof, 360-degree surround view camera, two-tone leather sports seats, heated front seats, electric front seat adjustment, and rear row reading lights. 

The special edition Anfield version is “a nod to MG’s partnership with British soccer club Liverpool”, and gives a red leather interior trim and a choice of white or black metallic paint at no extra cost.

Colour choices for the MG HS range vary depending on the grade you select, but there’s only one no-cost paint option - York White. Other choices (metallic paint - $700) are: Surfing Blue, Black Pearl, Phantom Red and New White Pearl.

The front-wheel drive petrol models all make use of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, with 119kW of power and 250Nm. Those models use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine is fitted to the Core, Vibe, Excite and Essence 2WD models.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder in the all-wheel drive models ups the power to 168kW, while torque also jumps to 360Nm. This powertrain uses a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and is available in the Excite and Essence AWD models. There is a weight penalty for this drivetrain - these versions are about 150kg heavier than the non-AWD versions. 

The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the MG HS has the same engine as the FWD models, but uses a 10-speed automatic, and combines the petrol unit with a 90kW/230Nm electric motor and a 16.6kWh battery pack, which is claimed to offer 52 kilometres of electric only driving range.

Official combined fuel consumption figures are: 1.5L turbo FWD - 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres; 2.0L turbo AWD - 9.5L/100km; 1.5L turbo PHEV FWD - 1.7L/100km. Remember, that last official figure is reliant on battery electric running over a mix of combined driving.

All MG models are covered by a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty plan.

Stay tuned for coverage of the 2021 MG HS range.

MG HS 2021 pricing - drive-away:

Variant	Price
HS Core 2WD	$29,990
HS Vibe 2WD	$31,990
HS Excite 2WD	$34,990
HS Excite X AWD	$37,990
HS Essence 2WD	$38,990
HS Anfield 2WD	$40,690
HS Essence X AWD	$42,990
HS Essence PHEV 2WD	$46,990