2022 MG HS Plus EV Excite Review
MG MOTOR Australia recently added a new variant to its HS Plus EV range with the introduction of the mid-tier Excite.
Priced from $46,990 drive-away – it undercuts the asking price of the top-spec derivative by just $2000 – the petrol-electric hybrid SUV features the same driveline and safety technology as found in the high-grade HS Plus EV Essence, but with marginally fewer features.
The HS Plus EV Excite comes with 17-inch alloy wheels (with repair kit spare), “London Eye” LED daytime running lights and taillights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with native satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a six-speaker 3D surround sound audio system.
The mid-sized five-seat SUV also includes, as standard, dusk-sensing halogen headlights, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and push-button start, an electronic park brake, metal-faced pedals, a six-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, leather-look trim and dual-zone climate control.
Like the HS Plus EV Essence, the Excite is equipped with the full suite of MG Pilot safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, forward-collision warning, intelligent headlight control, intelligent speed-assist system, lane-assist system, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic-jam assist.
The newcomer is powered by MG’s direct-injected 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which is paired to an electric motor. With a total system output of 189kW and 370Nm, the MG HS Plus EV Excite is claimed to have a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of just 1.7 litres per 100km. CO2 emissions are listed at 39 grams per kilometre.
Courtesy of its liquid-cooled 16.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack, MG says the HS Plus EV Excite can travel up to 63km on electric power alone. Like the top-spec Essence, the new Excite is said to have a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds.
The HS Plus Excite is available in four colours: Phantom Red, New Pearl White, Sterling Silver and Clipper Blue, the last of which is the only paint colour to not attract a $700 price premium.
