MG’s new HS serves as the brand’s entry into the compact crossover SUV segment. Specifically, this is the top trim MG HS Trophy, which means you get a lot of bells and whistles for an attractive P1,308,888 price tag. Unlike past MGs though, this one manages to be a better car overall.

It starts with how this MG HS Trophy looks. While it will not win any design awards just yet, it certainly carries much more charisma than its siblings, the RX5 and the ZS. The chrome grille is flanked by LED headlights with sweeping LED turn signals, reminding us of the Porsche Cayenne.

However, the MG HS Trophy makes it even more impressive. At its price point, the HS may have the best interior design and quality, and that’s thanks to the generous use of soft-touch plastics and padded surfaces on huge areas of the dash and doors. Ditto this Trophy variant’s sporty bucket seats, though whether this SUV is actually sporty is something you have to find out later in the review. Configurable ambient LED lighting further makes the cabin feel special, especially at night.

Now, when it comes to cabin tech, the 2022 MG HS Trophy is a mixed bag. The hard buttons are appreciated, but they are mostly just buttons to access the various features in the vehicle. The infotainment’s graphics do look good, but its response is not as snappy as I’d like. All the climate controls are buried in a menu and take time to load. This is made worse when you simply want to change the temperature, which would have been a single-step process when there are dedicated knobs for it. On the upside, at least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard.

Space on all two rows of the MG HS is very spacious, and that is despite the fact that the front sports seats reduce rear legroom by a bit. For those seated at the back, the seats are wide enough to accommodate three adults. Trunk space is at 463 liters behind the second row and 1,454 with those folded down, which is on par with competitors like the Ford Territory.

The MG HS Trophy comes with a turbocharged small displacement gasoline engine. In this case, it is a 1.5-liter mill that produces 169 hp and 250 Nm of torque. While these numbers are strong, they are not exactly that felt out on the open road.

The MG HS is not underpowered; but all that power is somehow hindered by a bit of turbo lag. Put your foot down, and the turbos take time to spool up. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic that drives the front wheels is not the most refined or responsive either. While the tuning this time around is much better than past MGs, there is a bit of hesitancy during stop-andgo traffic or even worse, at inclines. I even encountered a time when I was parking the HS in reverse incline at a restaurant and there was a sudden feeling as if a manual driver accidentally slipped the clutch. Not exactly the most confidence-inspiring feeling when you simply just want to park at an incline.

Other than that, the MG HS feels like a much more cohesive vehicle than its past offerings. Apart from those powertrain quirks, the engine and gearbox are much more refined and cooperative once you are at higher speeds. Even the ride is good as the MG HS manages to absorb road imperfections with delicacy. Combined with the excellent sound insulation, the HS makes for an excellent long-distance cruiser.

Now, regarding those sports seats, they do not match the car’s demeanor. The softly sprung suspension, as well as its light and numb steering does not encourage any form of sporty driving. Oh, and I also must mention that the brake pedal feel is a tad soft at low speeds. It is not exactly a negative, but more of an observation that you will eventually get used to.

As for fuel economy, the MG HS under my hands achieved around 9.2 to 9.7 km/l. If you know my driving situation, I do not live in Metro Manila, and thus I often report double-digit fuel economy figures. The HS, therefore, is not as efficient as I expected, though it is not what I would consider as thirsty, either.

The 2022 MG HS Trophy makes a great case for itself in the brand’s lineup. For just a little more over the RX5, what you get is a much more well-engineered and cohesively designed SUV. While its main selling point is still its affordable price, its main draw is not just its affordable price tag anymore. Despite its quirks, it is a much more well-engineered product compared to past MGs, making the HS a solid step forward for the brand.