Used MG HS for sale: everything you need to know

The MG HS is the Chinese-owned British brand’s equivalent to the popular Nissan Qashqai, and it’s not a bad alternative before. Conservatively but handsomely styled, very well equipped and with a much more upmarket cabin than you might expect, it’s good value new and even better as a used buy.

MG offers a long seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty too, which means many used models will still have several years left for extra peace of mind, and while there’s no diesel option, the plug-in hybrid offers brisk performance and impressive economy.

It’s a good all-rounder then, just like the Nissan Qashqai it competes against. They’re far from the only two choices in this section of the market though, and if the HS is a little too bland to behold or the MG badge doesn’t appeal, then alternatives include the Skoda Karoq, Peugeot 3008, Kia Sportage, or for even better value for money, the Dacia Duster.

Should you buy a MG HS?

The MG HS makes a lot of sense as a new purchase, as it represents good value for the space and equipment it offers. That value proposition doesn’t fall off when used either, in part because MG offers a seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty with the HS, and with the oldest models hailing from 2018, even the very earliest cars still have a year left on that warranty as we write this in 2024 (provided they’ve not gone over the mileage limit).

The HS is a Nissan Qashqai-sized crossover, and like the best-selling Nissan it doesn’t shout too loudly about its abilities. The styling won’t win any design awards but it’s far from ugly, and the cabin is smart and modern without being excessively flashy - though we do like the Mercedes-Benz style turbine air vents at either side of the dash.

Space is the HS’s real trump card, with plenty of legroom and headroom from and rear. The tradeoff is a slightly smaller boot than some rivals (and thanks to battery packaging, the plug-in hybrid’s boot is smaller still), but at 463 litres it’s still practical, even if the folding seats don’t lie flat.

MG might once have been a sports car brand but today comfort is the focus, and the HS rides very well, without rolling all over the place as soon as you get to a corner - just how it should be in a family SUV. It’s light and easy to drive, and while the 1.5-litre petrol engine used in both regular and hybrid models is nothing special, it’s punchy and refined enough for most.

The Nissan Qashqai is still the car to beat from a sales perspective in this class, while cars like the Peugeot 3008 and Mazda CX-30 are the style leaders. If you truly want to maximise value for money then a used Dacia Duster is hard for even the MG to beat, but the MG does feel more upmarket. The Skoda Karoq and SEAT Ateca meanwhile are probably the most satisfying cars in this class to live with.

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What’s the best used MG HS model to buy?

A look at the used market reveals more 1.5T GDi models than plug-in hybrids, likely due to a starting price £7,000 lower when new. That may limit your choices, though given the hybrid’s extra performance and economy, we’d call a nearly-new version a pretty good substitute for a brand-new non-hybrid. Naturally, you’ll get the biggest benefits of the plug-in hybrid if you’re able to charge it regularly.

MG has changed the trim lines in the HS a couple of times. Among earlier models Exclusive trim makes sense as a used buy, as it only costs a little more than Excite trim but has desirable features like leather-effect seats and a better audio system. The two older trim lines align with the modern SE and Trophy, but as the SE now includes most of the kit from the older Exclusive, it’s the one we’d choose.

Used MG HS fuel economy and performance

• MG HS 1.5T GDi: With no hybrid assistance the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine in the HS makes 126PS, for 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds with either the six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. Combined economy is 37.9mpg with the manual, 36.6mpg for the auto.
• MG HS 1.5T GDi Plug-in Hybrid: The plug-in hybrid gets a 10-speed automatic and a combined power output of 258PS. The 0-62mph time drops to 7.1 seconds, and with 32 miles of EV range in mixed conditions, combined economy is quoted at 155.8mpg.

What used MG HS trim levels are available?

The MG HS has two trim levels regardless of engine, but plug-in hybrid versions have a slightly higher level of equipment than the regular petrol. We’ve covered both below so you can see the differences, but some features are unchanged across the lineup, including 18-inch alloy wheels and a 10.1-inch infotainment display with the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Older models may lack some of the equipment found on later cars.

• The MG HS SE gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, artificial leather seats, keyless entry and start, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and four-speaker audio, six-way driver seat adjustment and four-way passenger, air conditioning, rear parking sensors and reversing camera, auto wipers, LED headlights, and on dual-clutch auto models, adaptive cruise control and Traffic Jam Assist.
• The MG HS Trophy adds heated sports seats with integrated headrests, dual-zone air conditioning, ambient lighting, six-speaker audio, switchable driving modes, privacy glass, and on auto models, gearshift paddles, metal-finish pedals, and a power tailgate.
• The MG HS SE Plug-in Hybrid is as per the non-plug-in SE, but gets six-speaker audio, electric driver seat adjustment, a 360-degree parking camera, adaptive cruise, and heated front seats.
• The MG HS Trophy Plug-in Hybrid has similar spec to the regular Trophy but adds electric adjustment for the passenger seat too.

Used MG HS dimensions and boot size

The MG HS’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4610mm
• Width: 1876mm (without mirrors), 2078mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1685mm

The MG HS’s boot size is:

• 463 litres (448 litres plug-in hybrid)
• 1454 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof, 1375 litres plug-in hybrid)

Used MG HS road tax

Low pricing means this section is fairly simple. Non-hybrid HS cost a flat rate of £180 per year in VED or ‘road tax’, while the plug-in hybrid models, which are classed as alternative fuel vehicles, are £10 cheaper each year, subject to any changes at the next government Budget.

How much is it to insure a MG HS?

Insurance for the MG HS varies between group 16 and a surprisingly lofty group 33. The car responsible for the latter is the plug-in hybrid in Trophy trim, yet step down to the 1.5T GDi with a manual gearbox and in the same Trophy spec, that drops to group 21. The car down in group 16 is an earlier, lower-spec Excite model with the 1.5T GDi engine.

Read our full MG HS review