FIRST Drives: THE NEW METAL THAT MATTERS, TRIALLED AND TESTED

REBORN MG STEPS UP WITH COMPACT SUV

- SIMON TELFORD

IS THERE a more hard-fought segment of the Aussie car market than the medium-size SUV? The choice for consumers is bewildering, with a number of stand-out cars available for well under $40K. What to do, then, if you’re are a challenger brand seeking a slice of the pie? MG has a clever strategy to do just that, as we found on the Australian launch of its new HS.

MG’s previous offerings in Australia have been akin to taking a knife to a gunfight. They’ve been cheap, but the build quality and drive haven’t been good enough to be deemed cheerful. Nevertheless, MG has made inroads. Brand recognition of the octagon badge has given it a considerable edge over previous attempts by Chinese makers to woo Aussie buyers – consider the struggle for brand recognition faced by the likes of Foton and Chery.

This familiarity, plus decent ANCAP safety ratings and long warranty periods, have also helped MG establish a foothold in the Aussie market. Sales rose 177 percent in 2019 to 8326 units – more metal moved than by either Volvo, Jeep, Skoda, Peugeot or Mini. Now, MG has replaced the GS mid-size SUV with the HS. The strategy and execution has sharpened significantly, creating a value proposition some will find hard to resist, particularly with a five-star ANCAP rating and seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Unlike the GS, which came in three 1.5-litre variants and a 2.0-litre, the HS solely has two 1.5-litre specs – the entry-level Vibe for $30,990 and the Excite for $33,990 driveaway. Both are front-drive and powered by a version of the turbo four-pot (and seven-speed, dual-clutch auto) from the GS.