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MG HS 2021 review

SUV Petrol

Photo: RL GNZLZ, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The MG HS arrived in Britain in 2019 as the flagship of MG's reboot under Chinese giant SAIC — a C-segment family SUV priced to embarrass the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. The 2021 car is the one to have on the used market: by then the range had grown to include the plug-in hybrid, and early build gremlins were being ironed out.

The core engine is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 162bhp and 250Nm, good for 0–62mph in 9.9 seconds and 37.9mpg WLTP with the six-speed manual. But the clever buy is the HS Plug-in Hybrid, launched in October 2020: a 1.5 turbo plus an electric motor for 258bhp combined, a 16.6kWh battery good for 32 miles of electric running, and 43g/km CO2. Note the combined figure is 258PS — not the 339bhp some early listings claimed.

What sells the HS is the value equation: a 463-litre boot, MG Pilot driver-assistance kit, a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a five-star Euro NCAP rating (92% adult occupant) — all wrapped in a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty that transfers to each new owner, provided servicing stays with MG dealers.

In 2026, a 2021 petrol Exclusive changes hands for roughly £10,500–£14,000 and the PHEV for £13,000–£16,000. Test the infotainment thoroughly, listen for clutch-bearing noise on manuals, inspect the rear brake discs, and walk away from cars with incomplete service records — the warranty is only as good as its stamps.

UK price from: £21,000

Related buying guides:
Best small SUVs UK

Specifications

Engine	1.5L turbocharged petrol (1.5T-GDI)
Power	162 PS (162 bhp)
Torque	250 Nm
0-62 mph	9.9 seconds
Top speed	118 mph
Transmission	6-speed manual / 7-speed dual-clutch
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	37.9 mpg combined (WLTP)
CO2 emissions	168 g/km
Boot space	463 litres (petrol); 448 litres (PHEV)
Euro NCAP	5 stars (2019)
Insurance group	16-18 (range)
Warranty	7 years / 80,000 miles

Features

1.5T-GDI turbo petrol: 162bhp, 250Nm, 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds
HS Plug-in Hybrid: 258bhp combined, 16.6kWh battery, 32-mile electric range
43g/km CO2 and 155.8mpg WLTP (weighted) on the PHEV
7-year/80,000-mile transferable warranty — the longest in the class
5-star Euro NCAP (2019): 92% adult, 81% child occupant scores
463-litre boot (petrol), 448 litres on the plug-in hybrid
MG Pilot suite: adaptive cruise, blind-spot detection, lane-keep assist
10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£29.99	Pattern part; typical retail
Oil filter	£9.99
Engine air filter	£15.99
Cabin pollen filter	£14.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£19.99
12V battery	£89.99

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Seven-year transferable warranty is unmatched among family SUVs
Enormous equipment per pound — panoramic roof, heated seats and 360-degree camera on top trims
PHEV gives 32 miles of electric commuting and 43g/km company-car-friendly CO2
Five-star safety with 92% adult occupant protection
463-litre boot swallows a family's luggage

Cons

Infotainment glitches and electrical niggles are the most common owner complaints
Poor reliability record — MG was near the bottom of 2022 owner surveys
Petrol manages only high-30s mpg in real driving
Warranty claims demand full MG dealer service history

Frequently asked questions

What should I pay for a used 2021 MG HS?

Roughly £10,500–£14,000 for a 2021 petrol Exclusive depending on mileage and gearbox, with Excite models from around £9,500. The plug-in hybrid commands £13,000–£16,000, and dual-clutch automatics typically ask £1,000–£2,000 more than manuals.

Is the 7-year MG warranty transferable and still valid?

Yes — it transfers to each new owner from the original registration date, covering 7 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. So a 2021 car runs to 2028 if it stays under 80,000 miles. But full MG dealer service history is required, and wear-and-tear items are only covered in the first 12 months — check the service record carefully.

What real-world MPG does the 1.5T get?

The WLTP figure is 37.9mpg. Owners report high-30s in day-to-day driving, with some managing high-40s on a gentle motorway run — roughly honest claims for a petrol SUV of this size. The plug-in hybrid is the economy answer if you charge it regularly.

What reliability problems should I check for?

Test the infotainment thoroughly: pair your phone, try the navigation and reversing camera, and cold-start the car to watch for warning lights. Ask for proof of software updates, inspect the rear brake discs, listen for clutch-release-bearing noise on manuals, and confirm the central locking works on both key fobs.

Is a used 2021 HS Plug-in Hybrid worth it?

It is good value against rivals: 32 miles of WLTP electric range (expect less in winter), a 16.6kWh battery, 43g/km CO2 and 258bhp combined. But check the car has actually been charged regularly — a neglected PHEV runs as a thirsty petrol car — and ask the seller about battery charge history.