Cheaper Toyota Kluger hybrid rival detailed: 2026 MG QS PHEV hits the market overseas as new plug-in rival to Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Chery Tiggo 8

MG’s three-row QS has launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with the long-promised hybrid SUV getting closer to an Australian debut.

The QS PHEV, which is called the MG S9 in the UK, scores a new plug-in hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor.

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While detailed specifications are yet to be revealed, it's likely the QS PHEV will share its main powertrain components with its smaller HS sibling. That means the 1.5-litre engine produces 105kW/230Nm, with total combined power when blended with the transmission-mounted motor coming to 220kW.

The MG QS currently sold in Australia is only available with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (153kW/360Nm) driving the wheels via a nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission. This version of the car is not sold in the UK.

It comes in two grades priced at $46,990 drive-away for the base Excite FWD, or $50,990 drive-away for the top-spec Essence AWD.

In the UK, the new PHEV starts from the equivalent of A$64,500, which is a realistic price considering the PHEV version of the HS costs $12,000 more than its combustion equivalent.

Despite the addition of a comparatively large hybrid battery, the new QS PHEV maintains more than 1000 litres of boot capacity with the third row folded down, and a claimed 332 litres with the third row up.

MG says it will come with features like synthetic leather interior trim, panoramic sunroof, heated, ventilated, and messaging seats, as well as tri-zone climate control.

MG Australia has stated in the past that a hybrid version of the QS would join the range at some point in the future, and the right-hand-drive debut of this PHEV version seems to move it one step closer.

The brand has been contacted for an update on the PHEV version for Australia.

It's likely the QS launched as a hybrid in the UK first due to that market’s more stringent emissions requirements.

MG sold 1023 examples of the QS over the course of 2025, leaving it behind almost all of its major rivals, including the Toyota Kluger (8098 units), Kia Sorento (8745 units), Hyundai Santa Fe (6264 units), and the Chery Tiggo 8 (3571 units).

MG ended 2025 in 10th position overall in Australia, down 18.4 per cent for the year, having been overtaken by both GWM (seventh position) and BYD (eighth position).