2002 MG TF Reviews

MG has released a teaser of its new HS ahead of a full reveal at this month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 11, 2024. The Australian release of the MG HS mid-size SUV is not locked in but the new car will very likely arrive in early September.Though we have no full images of the HS, we have a fairly good idea of what to expect from the Toyota RAV4, GWM Haval H6 and Nissan X-Trail rival thanks to various compliance documents that hint at its design and features. The nameplate appeared in Australian compliance documents as the ‘AS33’ update, which suggests a pair of engines including a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a dual-clutch auto transmission and a new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with nine-speed automatic transmission.Additionally, three trim levels – abbreviated COM, DEL and LUX – appear in the documents.  MG has promised an HS plug-in hybrid in the UK press release. Using the China-market Roewe RX5 (on which the HS is based) as an indicator, a 20kWh-plus battery pack could offer up to 135km electric-only driving range with outputs approaching 180kW and 570Nm.Distinguishing it from the RX5 is the MG Hs’s heavy styling update reminiscent of the MG3 hatch. Interior design is yet to be revealed but expect a decently-sized touchscreen, digital driver’s display and a layout similar to the MG4 and MG3. The current model starts at $29,990, drive-away, and we expect the new car to climb in price, likely in excess of $5000 if the MG3 is anything to go by.A new HS mid-size SUV would boost sales. The current HS was the brand's lowest selling model in May (279 registrations) a long way shy of segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4 (5517) and Mitsubishi Outlander (2500).MG Senior Product and Strategy Manager Akshat Ahuja told CarsGuide, "With new products coming through, especially really important products such as new HS and ZS, we definitely focused on providing those great offerings to the market."MG is lining up for a big 18 months. The Cyberster electric sports car hopes to rekindle some of the brand’s history, with volume models including a new ZS small SUV and as-yet-unseen seven-seat SUV expected, too.

If you think electric vehicles might be just a fad, like a Rubik’s Cube or a Livestrong bracelet, or even those Oakley stickers everyone had on their windscreens that said “Thermonuclear Protection”, we have news for you: EVs aren’t going anywhere. They’re going everywhere.

MG has returned to drive-away pricing for the 2024 MG3, effectively making the light car $1500 cheaper to buy.

A new version of the MG HS mid-size SUV has appeared in Australian government approval documents.We have been expecting a replacement for the existing 'AS23' launched here in 2019, providing a much-needed freshen up for MG's rival in Australia's most competitive segment.There is no word on a new MG HS hybrid yet. Instead, a turbocharged 1.5-litre with a dual-clutch auto and 2.0-litre with a regular nine-speed automatic are complied.“With new products coming through, especially really important products such as new HS and ZS, we definitely focused on providing those great offerings to the market," Senior Product and Strategy Manager Akshat Ahuja told CarsGuide.The new MG HS coming to Australia is distinct from the deep facelift revealed for the Thai market late last year.Expect the coming 'AS33' MG HS to be a re-engineered version of the China-market Roewe RX5 – launched in August 2022 – with a visual make-over tying it into the MG3 hatch's new look.A patent image lodged in China gives a pretty clear look at the new HS. A similar, but larger grille filters the air with headlights linked by a single bar in the middle.The rear end has a full-width LED light bar while the sloping roofline gives the China-made SUV a slicker look than the car it replaces.Inside, expect a new architecture based around a generously-sized touchscreen. Familial design details, including the MG4's hexagonal wheel and thin indicators, are expected to appear.The China-market Roewe RX5's 1.5-litre turbo-petrol develops 138kW and 300Nm and is paired-with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.The 2.0-litre turbo is yet to be detailed, but around 160kW will be needed to be competitive.It looks like the new plug-in hybrid system will have similar outputs, with 180kW rated in China's eRX5. A bump to 570Nm (over the MG HS+'s 370Nm figure) is likely, too.The eRX5 features a 21.4kWh battery for a 135km NEDC electric driving range rating. The plug-in hybrid HS is expected to arrive in Australia after the petrol-only models.Currently, there are three trim levels – COM, DEL, LUX – with the 1.5-litre complied for all three and the 2.0-litre reserved for DEL and LUX.The HS range currently starts at $29,990 drive-away, though expect the new model to follow the MG3's lead and jump significantly.A starting price around $35,000 would keep it under key rivals and give MG the ability to fit crucial safety technology for a respectable ANCAP score.MG's HS mid-size SUV needs a sales boost, with sales sitting at less than half of last year's result (1404 vs 3807). It was the brand's lowest selling model last month (279 registrations) a long way shy of segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4 (5517) and Mitsubishi Outlander (2500).A local release of the new MG HS is expected before the end of 2024 followed by a new ZS small SUV. The brand is also investigating a larger seven-seat Kia Sorento rival.

Give the people what they want. It sounds simple enough, as long as you know what people are going to want before they want it.

The automotive world is at war with Chinese brands like BYD, levelling profit-sinking tariffs designed to protect existing industries. But Australia is set to benefit.

The cost of electric cars is coming down at last and it’s happening fast, too, with big brands slashing prices.

MG has firmly established itself as a mainstream brand and it believes an influx of new products will help drive more growth and ward off fresh Chinese competition.

A short 15 years ago, the Hyundai Getz was available for as little as $12,990 drive-away, but the cheap end of the new-car market has nearly evaporated today. 

Once Australia's cheapest new car, the MG3 is now decidedly more expensive but that's for good reason. With a new platform, upgraded cabin, the latest safety technology and an all-new hybrid powertrain MG's new city car isn't just a replacement for your clapped out Hyundai Getz, this promises to be a true rival fro the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo.