Anyone help with these questions before I buy MG HS PHEV

[Captin1234x]

Hello, always had an ICE car (not MG) up to now but want to try electric power. The new MG HS with its up to 75m range seems to fit the bill as don't think I am quite ready for full EV. I have some questions of the expert users here that I hope you can help with:-

1. When the battery is low I appreciate regenerative braking can out some energy back but one dealer told me that the engine can recharge the battery on the go. This sounds like a hybrid set up with plug-in on top. Hope someone can clarify!
2. Most of my days are spent doing <75 miles so hopefully run on electric. What sort of MPG can I expect if a did a long run say 300-400 miles?
3. How much are service costs, dealer was a bit vague? Think he also mentioned once per year or 15K miles for interval. Are there A/B services etc. He advised that as this car is not a year old he could not offer any service plans (weird).
4. Does the parcel shelf come out?
5. Does the car get software updates and how (over air!)? Do MG solve problems they hear about. E.g. am hearing on YouTuber that infotainment is non-intuitive, might they be able to fix that in software and would they?
6. Most people sound quite positive in this forum about their MG HS PHEV, curious of any other thoughts to consider before I make my purchase.

As I am buying privately I need to get best bang for my pound.
Cheers

 

[aerofurb]

Some answers based on what I know from researching the 2025 HS PHEV - Google the Roewe D5X - the sister car to the MG.

1. The 2025 MG HS PHEV is both a parallel hybrid and a series hybrid in operation. The ICE will charge the battery as well as having the option to charge from the mains (ie plug in). The ICE will also drive the wheels. It's extremely clever with two motors - one mainly to charge the battery driven from the ICE, the other to drive the wheels from the battery.

2. Range is dependent on the driver, road, speed, temperature - loads of variables. The mpg readout tops out at 99.9 mpg. I tend to use the EV mode only on <75 mile journeys. On longer journeys, I keep the EV for <40 mph sections and then aim to use up the battery by the time I get home. This normally works out at a perceived (by the car) mpg of 60-70mpg. But remember, when in EV mode it's all a bit of a guess and EV range is an approximate figure and is getting better with more miles on the car and with the warmer weather. I recently got 60 miles of mixed roads, with the last 17 mile journey of that recording 4.6 mi/kWh.

I have found that the ICE kicks in with under 6 miles to go. The car has two gears and I think it uses EV power to pull away, so must have some battery power at all times. That said, I have managed to eek out

3. No idea on the service costs yet. I will probably go with the service plan.

4. Parcel shelf is a retracting 'soft' unit and the whole thing can be removed easily - the ends of the bar that the shelf rolls up into, has sprung ends.

5. There is a facility to check for 'FOTA' for which I presume it means 'Free Over The Air' SW updates. I have no idea if it does do this but find it strange that mine has lost the power to read road signs at around 6000 miles when it was okay before that and that others have suffered the same issue and a SW update should fix it. Mine goes in the week after Easter. I wonder if there are minor FOTA SW updates and one of these has screwed the road sign recognition and requires a dealer SW upload to put it right.

6. Thoughts. Despite a couple of issues, the car is brilliant. I came from 55k miles in a Skoda Superb iV (PHEV) so I have PHEV experience. The range is great, as is the handling and ride, fit and finish. It's got really impressive performance, especially with the EV and ICE combined.

 

[PDaddy]

Thats really helpful, just ordered a new 2025 PHEV HS, difficult to find any "real life" reviews of living with the car. Bit of a leap into the unknown as not had MGs before or PHEVs, just liked the car when we drove it compared to Honda, Toyota and Skoda alternatives.......

 

[Captin1234x]

Some answers based on what I know from researching the 2025 HS PHEV - Google the Roewe D5X - the sister car to the MG.

1. The 2025 MG HS PHEV is both a parallel hybrid and a series hybrid in operation. The ICE will charge the battery as well as having the option to charge from the mains (ie plug in). The ICE will also drive the wheels. It's extremely clever with two motors - one mainly to charge the battery driven from the ICE, the other to drive the wheels from the battery.

2. Range is dependent on the driver, road, speed, temperature - loads of variables. The mpg readout tops out at 99.9 mpg. I tend to use the EV mode only on <75 mile journeys. On longer journeys, I keep the EV for <40 mph sections and then aim to use up the battery by the time I get home. This normally works out at a perceived (by the car) mpg of 60-70mpg. But remember, when in EV mode it's all a bit of a guess and EV range is an approximate figure and is getting better with more miles on the car and with the warmer weather. I recently got 60 miles of mixed roads, with the last 17 mile journey of that recording 4.6 mi/kWh.

I have found that the ICE kicks in with under 6 miles to go. The car has two gears and I think it uses EV power to pull away, so must have some battery power at all times. That said, I have managed to eek out

3. No idea on the service costs yet. I will probably go with the service plan.

4. Parcel shelf is a retracting 'soft' unit and the whole thing can be removed easily - the ends of the bar that the shelf rolls up into, has sprung ends.

5. There is a facility to check for 'FOTA' for which I presume it means 'Free Over The Air' SW updates. I have no idea if it does do this but find it strange that mine has lost the power to read road signs at around 6000 miles when it was okay before that and that others have suffered the same issue and a SW update should fix it. Mine goes in the week after Easter. I wonder if there are minor FOTA SW updates and one of these has screwed the road sign recognition and requires a dealer SW upload to put it right.

6. Thoughts. Despite a couple of issues, the car is brilliant. I came from 55k miles in a Skoda Superb iV (PHEV) so I have PHEV experience. The range is great, as is the handling and ride, fit and finish. It's got really impressive performance, especially with the EV and ICE combined.

Absolutely excellent, thank you. This is info you just can't get anywhere else. Hope to get mine in next couple of months and very much looking forward to it.

 

[aerofurb]

I remain somewhat surprised that MG (UK) haven't pushed the tech side of the 2025 HS PHEV. The latest Chinese offerings are now far advanced from European etc PHEV from my studies.

When I was researching it before placing an order, I searched for the Roewe D5X DMH as it is essentially the same car.

The opening video here:

https://www.roewe.com.cn/vehicles/d5x-dmh/

Shows some good graphics of the drive train etc. Further info can be gleaned by looking for Dual Motor Hybrid etc and the differences between Series Hybrid and Parallel Hybrid - two of the drive modes available on the 2025 HS PHEV.

 

[Uptodat]

I picked up my MGHS PHEV Trophy in December & am very pleased so far, minor gripes aside - the horn alert for keys left inside, mud trap running boards, touch screen use to open tailgate etc. Economy is excellent & it is no slouch.
I concur with Aerofurb's answers to your specific questions.
I picked mine up with a full tank, & service plan, have only refuelled twice, using it as an EV only, unless on long runs, when it sips petrol in HEV mode. ( previously had 2 Outlander PHEVs which still gave 50mpg on 300 mile plus journeys without charge, but this MG is way better.)

 

[CTRLALTDefeat]

I've driven plenty of cars over the years.. and Currently own a MG HS Phev 2022 plate. and for anyone purchasing a MG.. I would suggest to go out and test drive similer cars of other brands before blindly buying one.

Issues that I have noticed:

Rubbish suspensions. It's like a bouncy castle - Not the car for London Roads. It cannot handle sharp humps. The damping is awful.
When you have driven enough cars.. you will notice the cheapness. You can install aftermarket suspension... But this will void your warranty.

Sound system - media system.. Again of poor quality. And NO.. you cannot install a after market headunit. As this unit controls important functions of the car.

Changing the cheap speakers may help.. But over-powering the headunit with powerful speakers will make the cars head-unit warranty void.

The cars rear locking unit has a built in - plastic casings - which overtime will jam.. Cable needs lubricant and will need replacing eventually - warranty Job.

Media unit / Head unit... is poor - to the point it will crash on you. Go blank... very laggy. Turning cameras crashing. doesn't matter what update MG does will ever fix this. It's under-powered for the job it needs to perform and this lag is a problem.

Andriod auto - crashes the unit - Laggs. Even with a 10g charger cable. This port also charges the phone very slowly. Second port is under-powered and doesn't charge your device (like s24 ultra)

Rear ports are 5v.. Fast charge capability.

Brakes - regenerative braking - causes the bakes to dampen.. so No sharp braking is available.. On certain conditions it will give you a heart attack or worse - make you have a crash.

Wiper system is too rigid - Causes wear on wipers.

Mine developed a steering rack problem within 2 months. - This maybe a one off.. But not great if you have just purchased a new car.

NO spare wheel... the Repair kits damage the inside of the rims.. (repair Glue) I'd suggest you get a AA or RAC cover that includes wheel replacements.

If headlights go faulty.. whole unit will need changing. No bulbs for replacement.

MG Pilot - awful... go and test drive a hyundai ioniq phev... and you will see what i mean. Cruise control is OK... until someone pops in front of you and the car goes crazy... Again - test drive a hyundai, Toyota. KIA... you will get the picture.

Door seals have 2 parts... which is great.!! except first outer part allows dirt to get into the inner parts.

Heated seats are again - Cheap. Not the seats... but the function. Thermal cutoff is crappy.

Interior is great... doesn't feel cheap.

Engine seems OK - Can pull for 1.5L...

It can self charge - But drinks petrol like crazy..

Cameras are helpful - great feature.

Seats are comfy- Rears can be tilted - not many cars have those options.

You cannot add screens to these cars.. the car seats do not allow for this to happen.. So kids will drive you crazy..

I drive professionally - I understand cars differently then most - as Most of my time is spent driving it. What i look for is the quality that will help me drive for 8-10hrs a day - 5 Days a week.

In all honesty - It does feel cheap. But you can't have everything for the price they are selling for.

If money is not a concern, I would get a Hyundai Senta Fe (Not the new model).. Kia sorento, volvo x60 (x90 is to big - like range rovers) - Audi Q's overrated and expensive for the purpose.. Range rovers are too expensive to maintain. All others in similer range are rubbish and cheap and are not worth throwing your money on.

 

[CTRLALTDefeat]

Also - Any add-ons will cause your warranty to be VOID...

 

[aerofurb]

With all due respect to the above 'not so happy' poster above, the OP is considering purchasing a '2025' MG HS PHEV (ie Dual Motor Hybrid) - not a 2022 model.

Therefore, whilst there might be some merit in having a list of things to check, there is zero merit in effectively dissing the 2025 model because of alleged issues with a 2022 model.

The 2025 car is completely different to the 2022 version - for sure it has MG badges but even they are a different size. The 'body', suspension and engine, motors and drivetrain are completely different.

Note to the site owner/mods - is there a possibility of creating a sub-category here for the 2025 HS PHEV?

Previously, I have owner a number of Skodas and the models had their own sub categories on the main Skoda owner forum, such as Super Mk I, Superb Mk II, Superb Mk III.

As it stands there is much confusion on many posts as people do not appreciate the 2025 HS is a completely new car. It's bad enough on FB with the misinformation and trolls, I'd hoped for a simpler life here!