MG HS 1.5 Exclusive DCT
Took delivery about 4 weeks ago and we have covered just over 700 miles to date.
Initially the MG was not on our radar as I had concerns about reliability issues and with the dealer network, we looked at many of the ‘Large’ SUV’s on the scheme of which we narrowed down to a couple of vehicles that met our needs all of which had AP’s in excess of £4k.
These high AP’s made us have another look at the MG what also helped was that the excellent dealer we used for the then current MB car had become a MG franchise.
We were pleasantly surprised by the MG on the test drive, had everyting my wife needed out of a car, heated seats, driving and parking aids, electronic tailgate and was big enough just to accomodate a hoist and a chair for a ‘reasonable’ AP.
Car is built very well considering its price, the cabin is a very pleasant place to be indeed, tactile and quality looking materials used, no hard plastics or looks like its been built to bargain price like a Dacia, in fact you could easily think you are sitting behind the wheel of a premium brand vehicle.
Outside the fit and finish is very good, the paintwork has a good depth and lustre while the panel gaps are good and the doors shut with a reasuring clunk.
Being the Exclsusive the equipment levels are exellent, luckily enough ours had the factory glass roof and factory tinted windows, sports seats are excellent and have plenty of comfort options (all electric), though for some reason no 360 camera only a rear view one (standard on both PHEV trim versions). Plenty of room in the cabin, especially with the panormic roof.
On the road it performs as you would expect, takes most ruts and uneven surfaces in its stride, handles very well and should be more than adequate for most drivers.
However as always there are trade off’s and as would expect the HS is not as fully polished as many of its more expensive rivals in particular the Infomation system could be better not as well laid or user friendly as some, Sat Nav system while OK i prefer to use google via the phone, I dont like the heater controls would much rather have a good old fashioned knob, also the info system has rebooted while driving leaving a blank screen.
Cruise control works fine but the controls are fiddly and as mentioned earlier the steering wheel controls would be better the switched around.
Though listed as a large SUV the HS is really only a meduim sized SUV, boot space is only average though as already mentioned taking the boot floor out makes a big difference.
Fuel economy is not the HS’s strongest point, we are currently averaging around 38mpg.
Despite all its niggles the HS is a lot of motor for the money and whats better is with the fit, finish and equipment you get you dont feel your in a budget brand like you do in a Dacia.
If you after a well equipped motor that drives well and is value for money then the HS is worth a look and should’nt be discounted by badge snobbery.