MG HS 2020 Review

In recent years, the compact SUV market in Malaysia has become increasingly competitive. Consumers want both spacious interiors and basic requirements for intelligent features and performance. As a popular player in this market segment, the 2020 MG HS public model has maintained considerable attention with its high cost performance and youthful design. This time, through a static experience and dynamic test drive, we fully evaluated whether this car can truly meet the core needs of family users and young consumers.

From a distance, the overall style of the 2020 MG HS public leans towards sportiness. The front face employs a large black honeycomb grille, surrounded by chrome trim that connects to the sharp LED headlight clusters on both sides, which effectively widens the visual width of the front and enhances its recognition. The body side lines are smooth, with a waistline stretching from the front fender to the rear and a slightly sloping rear design, preventing the body from appearing bulky. At the rear, the through-type taillights are a design highlight, providing striking effects when illuminated at night. The dual exhaust layout enhances the sporty feel. In terms of lighting, the entire series comes standard with LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights, ensuring brightness and durability for daily use.

Sitting inside, the interior adopts a black-and-red contrasting color design, with the central console tilted towards the driver for easier operation. In terms of materials, the upper part of the central console and the inner side of the door panels are wrapped in soft-touch materials, giving a fine texture that matches this price range. The central control area is equipped with a 10.1-inch floating touchscreen, supporting CarPlay and CarLife smartphone connectivity, with fairly responsive operation, though the interface design appears somewhat outdated. The instrument cluster combines traditional mechanical gauges with a 7-inch LCD screen, displaying basic information such as fuel consumption and speed. In terms of configuration, the car is equipped with keyless entry, one-touch start, automatic air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, a 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat, and a manually adjustable passenger seat, covering most convenience features needed for daily use.

In terms of space, the 2020 MG HS public has body dimensions of 4574×1876×1664mm and a wheelbase of 2720mm. The front-row seating space is ample; for a person 175cm tall, there is a headroom surplus of one fist and two fingers after adjusting the seat position. Rear-row space is equally impressive, with legroom exceeding two fists and headroom of one fist. The center floor protrusion is not high, so it doesn't feel overly crowded even with three people in the rear. For storage, the front row includes two cup holders, a central armrest box, and door storage compartments, while the rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and two USB charging ports. The trunk provides a standard capacity of 463 liters, which can be expanded to 1,287 liters by folding down the rear seats, meeting the needs of family road trips or transporting large items.

In terms of performance, the 2020 MG HS public is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 169 horsepower and a peak torque of 250N·m, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. During daily driving, the engine delivers maximum torque at around 1,700 rpm. The start acceleration is brisk, and power responds promptly at low speeds without significant lag. When the accelerator is pressed deeper for acceleration, the transmission shifts gear quickly, providing ample power reserves in the mid and high range. Overtaking is effortless with a gentle press on the accelerator. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more sensitive, and the engine maintains higher revs, suitable for users who enjoy driving fun.

In terms of handling and chassis, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play, and it becomes more stable during high-speed driving, which gives sufficient confidence. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. It effectively filters out most minor vibrations when driving over speed bumps or rough roads, ensuring no significant bumps are transmitted into the cabin. When cornering, the body roll is well-controlled within a reasonable range, and the suspension offers decent support, providing a balanced overall performance.

As for fuel consumption, we conducted practical road tests. The fuel consumption in city traffic is about 8.5L/100km, on highways it is 6.8L/100km, and the combined fuel consumption is 7.6L/100km. Its fuel economy is average among 1.5T models in the same class. In a braking performance test, its braking distance from 100-0km/h is about 38.5 meters, which is excellent. The brake pedal feels linear, and the braking force output is uniform.

In terms of ride comfort, the vehicle performs well in noise control. The interior remains relatively quiet at low speeds, while wind and tire noise increase at higher speeds but do not interfere with normal conversations. The seat cushions are soft with moderate support, ensuring comfort even during long drives. However, the dual-clutch transmission occasionally causes slight jerks during low-speed gear shifts, slightly affecting smoothness.

Overall, the 2020 MG HS public's core strengths lie in its spacious interior, abundant features, and balanced performance. Compared to its competitors like the Haval H6 and Geely Boyue PRO, this model has a longer wheelbase, offering better rear row space. While its configurations aren’t the most advanced, it has comprehensive basic practical features and offers greater cost-effectiveness in terms of pricing.

This vehicle is suitable for family users who prioritize spaciousness and practicality. It accommodates daily commuting as well as weekend family trips. Moreover, its sporty exterior design also appeals to some younger consumers. If you're looking for a compact SUV with ample space, adequate features, and balanced performance, the 2020 MG HS public is worth considering.