The largest of the MG SUV fleet, the HS probably had some linguistic reasonfor its name like ‘Highly Specified’ or some such, but today it might well stand for something like ‘Hold on, Sweetie.’

You see, back when we tested the HS model, we did so without fore knowledge that MG had a PHEV version on the horizon, and in fact the official release of the HS PHEV missed its scheduled arrival here thanks to the latest September lockdown.
The OG petrol HS was tested a few months earlier, and was set to be published in this edition as a road report, so here it is:  
This is the Excite model – one step up from the entry level Vibe model and a little less sparkly than the Excite X.
The range is completed by the Essence, Essence X and the top end Essence Anfield models but the Excite is a very good representation of MG’s largest SUV range.  
On that subject, some consider the MG HS to be a large SUV, which it is not, according to our accepted definition.
It is a medium SUV under $60k and accordingly competes directly against 23 models, with a further 22 in the over $60k bracket, putting it right in the middle of one of the most hotly contested segments of the market.
First, there is the element of practicality. A medium sized vehicle trumps a large and a small SUV in this regard inasmuch the medium has the right amount of cargo space and carrying capacity combined with a highly efficient engine.
Second, there is the consideration of – and this sounds tacky but is still true – perceived prestige.
A company investing in larger SUVs is definitely the company you want to be working for, but larger SUVs tend to be more expensive – or at least they did until SUVs like the MG HS arrived.
Yes, but is the HS any good?
Good question, considering MG refers to it as ‘the SUV you’ve never seen before,’ which is kind of an odd tagline, for a brand quite happy to trade on a 97-year heritage, but the answer to the question is: yes; yes, it is, and more than just good.
Treading gently the HS does have some features onboard which are usually reserved for SUVs with more significant prices.
A good example is MG Pilot – the collective safety umbrella which should not be sniffed at as it is central to the five-star ANCAP safety rating of the HS (and other MGs, BTW).
MG Pilot gives you intelligent lane assist, traffic jam assist, rear cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera view, adaptive cruise control, active emergency braking, lane assist system, door opening warning and blind spot detection. See? MG Pilot’s so much easier to say.  
MG Pilot demonstrates a very high level of sophistication and MG’s commitment to safe motoring.
Combine this with the brand’s commitment to refinement and sophistication – essential elements of the MG HS especially – and you can see by just observing these features, the MG HS has some sharp credentials – including satellite navigation – setting it up well against other medium-sized SUVs.
We do, however stand by our opinion that while the HS is the talk of the town – especially now the PHEV version is here – the ZS does have an edge over its bigger stablemate.
If you were looking at the HS as your MG of choice, we’d suggest spending a little more and opting for the two-litre engine of the AWD Excite X or Essence X. It has the extra grunt needed for the HS’s heavier than the ZS’s weight.
The 1.5-litre turbo petrol of the HS range will do the job, but it does lack the balance of power and performance seen in the ZS.    
This would be our one criticism – if you can call it that – of the MG HS, an otherwise excellent vehicle which looks likely to gain considerably more respect as its PHEV offshoot gains momentum.