Headache incoming for BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: 2025 MG HS plug-in hybrid details revealed ahead of 2025 release for cut-price family hybrid

First details of the MG HS plug-in hybrid have been revealed. 

The Australian government’s Road Vehicle Regulator requires manufacturers to submit technical specifications before a vehicle goes on sale, and MG has made its submission prior to releasing official details. 

The submission reveals two variants of the new HS plug-in hybrid have been complied for Australia, with a turbo-petrol four-cylinder petrol engine paired with electric motivation for a combined output of 224kW. 

Expected to arrive in Australia in the third quarter of this year after the petrol version hit dealers in 2024, MG’s punchy new plug-in hybrid could prove a headache for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and BYD Sealion 6. 

Using a detuned 105kW 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder at its heart, the documents say the HS PHEV will drive its wheels through a three-speed transmission. 

This is likely a version of the MG3’s transmission, which uses a low ‘launch’ ratio and high ‘cruise’ ratio for the petrol engine, with the electric motor filling the gaps with its punch, and able to drive the vehicle in electric-only mode. 

Weight is listed at 1820kg, or about 250kg more than the equivalent petrol HS. 

There is no battery capacity listed in MG’s approval documents, however the UK-market HS is equpped with a 24.7kWh battery for a competitive 120km of electric-only driving range (WLTP) and a four-hour charge time. 

So far, the new model is looking like a generous upgrade on the outgoing car.

As for trim levels, there are two listed in documents with ‘COM’ and ‘LUX’ tags. These are likely to correspond to up-market Excite and Essence variants, the former of which is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels and the latter 19-inch. 

MG would be wise to offer a few more niceties on the flagship plug-in hybrid, such as an uprated sound system, added electric adjust for front seats along with heating and ventilation. 

Along with the plug-in hybrid, MG will add a regular plugless hybrid HS to the range at some point. Both will complement the existing 125kW turbo-petrol HS, which has broadly been considered a little lacking in outright punch. 

BYD’s Sealion 6 has proven that a well-priced PHEV can resonate with buyers, instantly becoming Australia’s best-selling plug-in hybrid. Price will be key for the HS PHEV — if MG can get a well-equipped variant starting under $50K drive-away, it could be a winner. 

The current HS petrol is available from $34,990 drive-away to $40,990. New variants will aid the HS’s popularity come the PHEV’s release in Q3 2025. The car notched up 558 sales in December 2024.