MG announces HS Super Hybrid
The battle to deliver Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is well and truly on with MG announcing pricing for its MG HS ‘Super Hybrid’.
Despite the heroic name the new MG HS is a conventional PHEV with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine, 24.7kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor that sends a healthy 220kW/350Nm to the front wheels.
The combination is claimed to be good for up to 135km (NEDC) of electric driving and 1,000km of range with a fully charged battery and brimmed 55-litre tank of petrol, given claimed fuel efficiency of below 5.0L/100km.
How much will the MG HS Super Hybrid cost?
The new drivetrain will be available in MG HS Excite and Essence trim levels, with the Excite model priced from $52,990 driveaway and the Essence priced from $55,990 driveaway.
That pricing compares favourably with fellow Chinese brand GWM’s H6GT PHEV which undercut established PHEV rivals the BYD Sealion 6 Premium and Mitsubishi Outlander when launched earlier this year with $53,990 driveaway pricing.
While the entry-level MG HS PHEV undercuts the dual motor all-wheel drive GWM by $1,000, it can’t match the former’s performance courtesy of a 1.5-litre petrol turbo and two electric motors delivering combined outputs of 321kW/762Nm, or its class-leading 180km of electric range.
Nevertheless, MG is confident that its new PHEV variants are just what fuel-conscious Australian consumers are looking for right now, with full specifications not yet released but due closer to the model’s September launch date.
Data shows decline in PHEV sales
Despite growing competition in the PHEV space, the latest sales data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries shows a sharp decline in sales of PHEVs following the removal of the fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for these models at the end of March.
During April, 2,601 plug-in hybrids were purchased, representing 2.9% of sales. This was down from 4.7% of sales year-to-date to March 2025.
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the figures highlighted the impact of government policy decisions on consumer behaviour in the automotive market.
“The earlier inclusion of PHEVs in the FBT exemption played a critical role in making these vehicles accessible to more Australians,” Mr Weber said.
“Removing that support has led to an immediate and disappointing drop in demand in a price-sensitive vehicle market.”
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