Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gets more competition! 2022 MG HS Plus EV gives plug-in hybrid buyers a second PHEV option with cheaper new entry-level Excite grade

MG Australia has added a second grade to the HS Plus EV line-up, with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV now available in entry-level Excite form.

The Excite is priced from $46,990 drive-away, while the HS Plus EV’s flagship Essence grade will move to $49,990 (d/a) when MY22 stock starts arriving next month. MY21 examples of the latter currently cost $48,990 (d/a).

As such, Excite buyers stand to save $2000 or $3000 over their Essence counterparts, although they naturally some sacrifice some standard equipment along the way.

Read More About MG HS

2022 MG HS price and features: Upcoming cost jump detailed for Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-Trail rival Is the bubble going to burst for MG Australia? Why the pressure is on the MG ZS, MG HS and MG3 as the Chinese brand tries to continue its meteoric rise MG HS news and reviews

Coming with the Essence but not the Excite are front foglights, heated side mirrors with puddle lights, a power tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, front sports seats (including four-way power adjustment for the passenger) and ambient lighting.

The Excite also trades the Essence’s LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, two-tone artificial leather upholstery and surround-view cameras for halogen headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, PU/PVC upholstery and a reversing camera.

That said, the Excite still gets LED DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, LED tail-lights, a 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a six-speaker sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Advanced driver-assist systems in both grades extend to autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Excite and Essence also share their PHEV drivetrain, which pairs the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with a front-mounted electric motor for combined outputs of 209kW/580Nm.

Of note, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid-rivalling HS Plus EV also has a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and a 16.6kWh lithium-ion battery that provides a claimed 52km of electric-only driving range.

2022 MG HS Plus EV drive-away pricing