Last week we set out on our mission to put the MG HS Super Hybrid Essence’s claim it can drive 1000km between recharges and refuels to the test.
We ended chapter one after 400km of fascinating driving. This week we press on with part two of our lap of south-eastern Victoria all the way to the final refuel.
But before we continue the journey, let’s delve a little more into the technology we’re driving here and MG’s claim it’s been tuned specifically for Australia.
We’ve really been pushing MG Australia to cough up more info on the car, but so far to no avail. It’s seems odd that it’s willing to hand over a car for three months, but not be prepared to actually explain the details of its most important aspect.
We’ll keep trying.
For now, we’ll reiterate what already know. The HS PHEV system pairs a 105kW/230Nm petrol engine with two electric motors. The larger 135kW electric motor helps power the wheels, contributing to a claimed 0-100km/h dash of 6.8 seconds. The smaller motor makes 61kW and is used purely as a generator to recharge the battery.
That LFP battery holds 24.7kWh of electricity for a claimed EV range of 120km.
The Aussie-specific bit is the software tune that is designed to support local driving conditions. Essentially, from what we can gather, the idea is to run as an EV as much as possible at low to middling speed, with the petrol engine assisting as speeds rise.
OK, let’s back to our journey. We pick it up with the sun sinking and plenty of range still in the tank.
Just as a reminder, here are the stats after 400km:
Petrol range: 485km
Battery range: 6km
Fuel consumption: 5.3L/100km
Electricity consumption: 4.0kWh/100km
Speed average: 66km/h
Leg 5
I still feel comfortable in the seat, no aches no pains. It’s quite soft and not that heavily bolstered, but the truth is in the experience.
The ride is good, the cabin is quiet. Overall, the HS is more refined than I expected it to be.
The most annoying thing is the laborious transition between the Apple CarPlay and infotainment homescreen if I want to adjust air-con or get into the settings, such as the energy discharge page.
We’re doing a long run on the freeway before a turn south at Trafalgar toward Mirboo North.
Then we’re on winding roads climbing and descending through valleys where foggy rain disrupts spectacular views. Rainbows add a patch of colour.
The PHEV system is clawing back battery range 1km here and 1km there.
We stop at the site of what was claimed to be the world’s tallest tree. Like millions of its ilk, it was chopped down as settlers swept Gippsland of its native vegetation.
Past Mirboo North it’s onto the lovely Grand Ridge Road, which wends its way along the Strzelecki Range.
We reach a tipping point on this leg. Kilometres completed is now a higher number than kilometres to empty.
For the first time the battery indicates zero kilometres range.
With that long run on the freeway and some hill climbing after that, the fuel consumption average has continued to climb.
Bar a miracle, I’ve pretty much conceded 1000km is no longer a target. But it’s still gonna be fascinating to see how far we can go.
400km-500km
Petrol range start-finish: 485km-383km
Battery range start-finish: 6km-0km
Fuel consumption: 5.5L/100km
Electricity consumption: 3.3kWh/100km
Speed average: 67km/h
Leg 6
What a drive the Grand Ridge Road is! Even wet, with broken edges and blind corners, milk trucks, school buses and dual cab utes, it is a joy.
Thousands of people see these hills to their south as they drive on the Princes Freeway. They’ll get where they are going sooner than me, but they won’t be enjoying it as much.
A second stick gets stuck in the left side step, disturbing my reverie. Doh!
There’s even a few short few kilometres on gravel and the HS is lapping it up. The e-motor’s torque punches out of every corner, the grip is good enough and so is the handling and ride.
I am genuinely enjoying this car on this road and I honestly did not expect to.
More roadkill. This time two dead Wombats lie together in the grass saluting. Two?
Through Korumburra, Bena, Kongwak and Glen Alvie we drive on roads where generations of Holdens were tuned. We’re only a few kilometres from the famed Lang Lang proving ground. The HS feels at home, which is saying something.
In Kongwak there’s a beautifully presented historic Mobil garage. How many photos must have been take here I wonder as I add to the list.
I’m enjoying myself so much on these lovely roads I blow right through the 100km mark without even noticing. We’ve gone another 10km before I twig.
Range is starting to really diminish now and the fuel consumption average has edged up that bit more. The end is in sight.
500km-610km
Petrol range start-finish: 383km-240km
Battery range start-finish: 0km-5km
Fuel consumption: 5.9L/100km
Electricity consumption: 2.4kWh/100km
Speed average: 67km/h
Leg 7
Well, maybe not as close as I thought. The next 90km starts with winding roads driven at fairly moderate speeds. Lots of lifts, lots of brakes.
These are the driving conditions where the MG’s PHEV system really prospers. The kilometres to empty gauge is glacially diminishing. Damn. I’m gonna be out here all night at this rate.
Weird to be wanting a car to consume more fuel.
The sun set is marked by obligatory photography seaside at Coronet Bay.
From here much of the rest of the run is dual lane highway and freeway. I’m anticipating a more rapid fall in fuel level.
And yep, retracing my steps along the Bass and South Gippsland Highways the distance to empty gauge consistently clicks down as we cruise at a steady 105km/h indicated.
Tyre roar is evident on coarse chip. The headlights are passable, not great. But the overall feel is of a chunky, substantial drive.
The plan is to cut north onto the Monash Freeway and then turn south for the final freeway run south on Eastlink and Penlink to the same service station where this long day began. By then the fuel gauge should be getting pretty low.
But the PHEV system tries foils that plan. We start Narre Warren Rd, and its 80km/h limit and frequent traffic light stops with 179km to empty. Then as we stop-start our way northward the range starts climbing.
By the time we hit the Monash and 700km completed, the gauge reads 187km!
610km-700km
Petrol range start-finish: 240km-187km
Battery range start-finish: 5km-0km
Fuel consumption: 5.9L/100km
Electricity consumption: 2.2kWh/100km
Speed average: 67km/h
Leg 8
But now we are back on the freeway, traffic is light and at this steady 105km/h indicated cruising state the forecast range is falling once more.
Until the road works. Gack! At 80km/h the PHEV system kills the engine and cruises on battery power even though we’re going slightly uphill. The ‘end road works’ sign is a relief.
Time to chew fuel. All my normal fuel-saving/money-saving driving instincts have now turned on their head.
By the time we peel off Peninsula Link in Dromana the gauge is under 100km. The final chapter is a series of energy-sapping climbs starting with Arthurs Seat.
But the feisty PHEV system gives up only 2km of range on the climb. It’s does it a lot more easily than the runner we pass, puffing her way upwards in the dark.
When the range clicks down to 77km the petrol pump symbol in the instrument cluster turns yellow.
The owner’s manual advises: “The warning lamp illuminates when the fuel remaining in the fuel tank is low. If possible, please refuel before the low fuel warning lamp illuminates.”
Well, that boat’s sailed. But we’ll take that as formal permission to soon stop driving, refuel and call it a day.
As we head for our refuelling point the range keeps clicking down. By the time we’re pulled up at the bowser the trip meter is at 809km and the forecast range is 66km.
Done.
700-809km
Petrol range start-finish: 186km-66km
Battery range start-finish: 0km-4km
Fuel consumption: 5.9L/100km
Electricity consumption: 1.7kWh/100km
Speed average: 68km/h
Overall trip data after refuelling
Total km: 809km
Fuel consumed: 49.95 litres
Fuel consumption average: 6.174 litres
2025 MG HS Super Hybrid Essence Verdict
Yep, we didn’t make it to 1000km. It was clear early-on we were going to fall short.
Nevertheless this experience convinced me the MG HS Super Hybrid Essence really could achieve 1000km on a single full battery charge and tank of fuel.
It would have to be in the right circumstances though, where its excellent battery-replenishing abilities are able to be fully exploited.
So that’s a lot of stop-start and relatively low speed running we’re talking about. What most people do most of the time.
Sure, 1000km is beyond it on the open road in the way we’ve attempted it, but to go more than 800km averaging 6.174L/100km is still a pretty impressive effort.
And to emphasise, we drove it in no special way, made no concession to our target. This was how anyone would drive this vehicle any time.
Beyond that, the actual competence with which the rest of the HS package performed was a pleasant surprise. It does all the basic stuff cars should do without much sign of the calibration issues Chinese cars often encounter.
Yes, it’s got its foibles, the speed monitoring has to be turned off unless you want to go insane, but nothing fundamentally horrendous.
It says a lot that at the end of an 800km 13 hour driving day I still felt fresh. All in all, impressive stuff.
2025 MG HS Super Hybrid Essence specifications
Price: $54,990 drive-away
Basics: PHEV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, FWD
Range: 120km (EV)
Battery capacity: 24.7kWh (23.2kWh usable)
Battery warranty: 10 years/250,000km (7 years/160,000km for commercial use)
Energy consumption: 18kWh/100km (ADR)
Fuel consumption: 0.7L/100Km Combined (ADR)
Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo with 135kW/340Nm electric motor, combined outputs 220kW/350Nm
AC charging: 6.6kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: NA
0-100km/h: 6.8 seconds