New MG HS Plug-In hybrid SUV: prices, specs and on-sale date

This is the new MG HS Plug-In – a plug-in hybrid version of the HS SUV that's now on its way to the UK, having been reserved for the Chinese market until now. The car will slot into the existing MG HS range and is available to order from October 2020, priced from £29,999. 

The car uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine in conjunction with a 120bhp electric motor; total system output is 254bhp, while a competitive all-electric range of 32 miles is claimed. The HS uses a 10-speed automatic gearbox, but it's not clear if four-wheel drive will feature; performance is set to be brisk in any case, with 0-62mph taking 6.9 seconds – not far off the MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid's figure.

Most importantly for a plug-in hybrid SUV, the MG HS Plug-In has a claimed CO2 emissions figure of 43g/km, which ensures the model will make sense for company-car users. Fast charging is supported up to 7kW, with MG claiming a full charge in three hours at that speed. It's likely that a three-pin charging cable will also be supplied.

MG has fitted the plug-in HS with a suite of driver-assistance and active safety technologies called MG Pilot, as seen on the conventionally powered HS SUV. Autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane-changing assistance and a range of blind-spot detection and alerts all feature as standard.

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The HS Plug-In will be offered in the same well equipped trim levels, Excite and Exclusive, as the rest of the HS range. Excite cars get dual-zone climate control, keyless go, automatic wipers and a leather steering wheel as standard, with Exclusive trim bringing ambient lighting, a powered tailgate and a panoramic sunroof amongst its upgrades.

Both models come as standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring sat nav, DAB radio, a 360-degree parking camera and Bluetooth, plus all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity.

The MG HS Plug-In was introduced to MG's UK range alongside the new MG 5 EV, the only pure-electric estate car on the market. Both models join the highly successful MG ZS EV in the brand's line-up of electrified cars.