2026 MG HS Hybrid+ is a Potent underdog
Everyone loves an underdog, as the saying goes.
The notion of someone with humble means and few opportunities achieving immense success is one that resonates deeply in the Filipino psyche. This is largely because of cultural and political factors that have created a social structure that deliberately and forcibly concentrates power and prosperity to a selected few (a narrative that is truly overdue for rewriting).
The likes of Manny Pacquiao, who gained huge fortune as an internationally renowned boxer, come to mind. And even in the world of cars, underdogs abound as the market grows more competitive – on paper, the 2026 MG HS Hybrid+ doesn’t look like it has a chance in hell against popular electrified crossovers like the hot-selling BYD Sealion 6 DM-i.
But we’ve found that this big MG is can certainly punch above its weight.
European style
As I had written when I first tested the HS Hybrid+ last November 2025, this big crossover carries on the stylistic legacy of the handsome MG One.
Unlike the Sealion 6 DM-i, this MG has a more aggressive aesthetic that makes it more akin to Audi and Volvo. Its swept-back LED headlights dominate the hoodline and extend into the fenders, balancing out the enormous scowl of the black front grill and faux brake ducts.
I am particularly fond of the Champagne Silver paint scheme in our HS Hybrid+ test unit, which nicely compliments the gloss-black paint on the wheel arches, lower doors, side mirrors and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Alenza tires. The prominent beltline and wide fenders give this crossover a flowing yet muscular look.
Out back, this big MG has a coupe-like appearance, thanks to the steeply raked rear windscreen that leads your eye to the large protrusion above the Tesla-esque LED taillights (similar to the MG4 battery-electric hatchback). These all work well with the flat tailgate that includes a subtle spoiler and a pert rear bumper.
Comfortable cabin
As with last year’s model, the 2026 HS Hybrid+ has an interior that prioritizes function over flair.
You get black leather upholstery and soft-touch materials all around (besting even the significantly more expensive Honda CR-V e:HEV). And though you get a panoramic moonroof, red contrast stitching and textured, piano-black trim, this MG doesn’t quite have the truly luxurious feel of the Sealion 6 DM-i with its light upholstery and attractive ambient lighting.
But where the MG outshines the BYD is the simplicity of its controls – for instance, you don’t need to dig through seemingly endless menus to adjust the powerful dual-zone climate control system (that sometimes takes a while to cool down this particular test unit). However, I wish the controls for the fog lights and driver’s seat memory were not in the touchscreen.
Speaking of which, the HS Hybrid+ comes with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that are integrated into one seamless unit. There’s also a clear 360-degree camera system that is immensely helpful because of the considerable blind spots created by the large side mirrors.
My other gripes include the lack of a spare wheel (a trend that I hope goes away as battery technology becomes more advanced) and the rather small 441-liter cargo area with the rear seats up. Thankfully, the electrically adjustable front seats offer superb support, making this crossover a nice place to sit in.
Best-in-class performance
The HS Hybrid+ also exceeds other electrified crossovers by being quite exciting to drive.
It comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to a 1.8-kWh battery pack and an electric motor for a class-leading combined output of 222 horsepower and 340 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a 2-speed hybrid transmission. Acceleration is stellar and offers superior response to its rivals.
Thankfully, this heave is reined in by powerful brakes that are operated by a slightly spongy pedal. However, I wish that my preferred driving modes could be saved, instead of having to reset these every time I start the car.
But the biggest improvements to this 2026 HS Hybrid+ include the meatier steering feel and the substantially better suspension – although the dampers still have too much movement, it no longer has the wallowy, nausea-inducing ride of last year’s model.
Fuel economy is likewise superb, achieving 15 to 18 kilometers per liter in the city and 19 to 22 kilometers per liter on the expressway. But because this big MG doesn’t have plug-in capability, its battery-only range isn’t as impressive as the Sealion 6 DM-i.
Nonetheless, MG Philippines very wisely equipped the HS Hybrid+ with the comprehensive MG Pilot active-safety suite, which comes with a bevy of life-saving features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Braking.
Serious potential
The 2026 MG HS Hybrid+ is the compact crossover for those who want the perks of electrified mobility, but don’t need the frills and complexity of rivals with plug-in-hybrid systems.
At P1,398,888 (with an introductory price of P1,388,888, as of press time), this big MG is considerably cheaper than the likes of the P1,548,000 BYD Sealion DM-i and the P1,848,000 Jetour Dashing Lightning i-DM, which cost more because these both have more toys and a much longer battery-only range.
The closest rival of the MG HS Hybrid+ is arguably the P1,399,000 Ford Territory Trend Hybrid – however, the latter is pipped because it doesn’t drive as nicely as the former nor does it have a moonroof or ADAS (you get these in the top-spec Territory Titanium variant worth P1,599,000).
Overall, this electrified MG truly fits the definition of an underdog because it is an attractively priced option in an increasingly ferocious and expensive market segment (much like its smaller cousin, the ZS Hybrid+). Just a few more suspension tweaks and the HS Hybrid+ will truly have the bite to take on the best.
