Considering MG HS PHEV for Uber + Long Trips – Honest Thoughts?

[AtikDrivesPHEV]

Hi everyone,

I’m new in this forum
Hopefully we’ll be helping each other to sort problems out and share knowledge along the way.

I’m thinking of making the jump from Skoda to an SUV, and going full PHEV is my one and only choice now, especially since I drive part-time for Uber in London alongside my full time job.


I recently test-drove the MG HS PHEV Trophy 2024 and have some concerns / impressions I’d like to ask about:

1. The steering feels noticeably heavier compared to my current petrol Skoda (or other petrol cars). Is that normal in this model, or with PHEVs generally?
2. When I ease off the accelerator, the MG drops speed quite quickly — unlike my Skoda, which tends to “glide” more. The dealer staff said this is just how PHEVs work. Is that a feature / limitation of the MG HS PHEV, or something that could be different with other PHEVs?
3. I often make long holiday drives in Europe — how reliable is the MG HS PHEV on long trips? What kind of fuel / battery consumption should I expect (especially when mixing motorway / city / hills)?
4. Some build / design niggles I noticed: there’s no passenger overhead light; in the door bottom opening corner there is no light or reflector; a cheap‐looking plastic cover at the rear; the steering wheel feels thin. Are these just minor trim issues in the model I saw, or are they common criticisms of this car?
5. Finally, the deal on the table: ~£17,000 for a 2024 MG HS PHEV Trophy, ~20,000 miles. Good value or should I keep looking / go with another PHEV make/model?

Would love to hear from anyone who owns one, or has driven it extensively. What are your real-world impressions, especially if you use it for both city work (Uber / daily commuting) and longer journeys?


Thanks in advance!

 

[Wode]

I mainly do short journeys in mine so rarely use petrol at all, but can answer some of your points. I had a Skoda Karoq 1.5 previously.

1. I can’t say I found the steering heavier. The MG weight varies according to mode. Comfort, normal or sport. Comfort is lightest.
2. The MG has 2 regeneration modes. Light and heavy. Light ‘glides’ more like a conventional ICE car. Heavy regen is akin to one pedal driving, although unlike full EV one pedal modes it won’t bring you to a halt. Heavy regen recovers more power to recharge the battery.
3. I have only done one long journey of 550 miles to Ireland. Did not recharge from mains at all. Could have done whole journey on one tank of fuel and full charge at start, but topped up about £35 fuel in Ireland. So what’s that? About 5.5 gallons - circa 100 mpg? I wasn’t heavy footed as wife was in car. . I started in HEV and noticed car maintained about 40 miles battery range, meaning town driving was all electric. I thoroughly enjoyed the drive experience, better than my Skoda.
4. I don’t find the steering wheel thin. In fact I prefer the squared design. You can add stick on reflectors or lights to the doors if it’s important for you as a taxi driver. Some of the trim will be lower quality although generally it’s OK. It’s a budget car in the grand scale of things. Not sure what passenger light (lack of) you are referring to.
5. I can’t really comment on this point, as I have no idea how the car and battery will be at 20k miles. I think the battery is warranted to be at least 70% good within 7 year warranty? I paid approx £27k for a nearly new 5 month old car with 4K miles.

In summary you get a lot of bang for buck and IMO a better driving experience than my Karoq. The MG has about 280 plus BHP available vs about 140 on the Karoq. I love the car and hopefully it will prove reliable. Boot space is smaller than Karoq though due to battery under boot floor.

Hope this helps.

 

[AtikDrivesPHEV]

Thanks a lot, Wode!
Really appreciate your detailed reply — that’s super helpful!


Good to know about the regen modes. I didn’t actually try switching between Light and Heavy during the test drive, so that probably explains the difference I felt when lifting off the accelerator. I’ll definitely test that again next time.


Also interesting that you didn’t find the steering heavy. Maybe I had it in Sport mode without realising. I actually drive a Mercedes Citan (’74 plate) for work, and even that steering feels noticeably lighter than the MG’s, so maybe I just need to get used to how it’s set up.


Regarding the passenger light, I meant the overhead reading light above the rear/back passenger seat. In my Skoda, both front seat and back seat have individual lights you can turn on separately. but in the MG there is none in the back.


Your 550-mile trip experience is really reassuring, though. Getting close to 100 mpg sounds impressive, especially without recharging along the way! That kind of efficiency is exactly what I’m hoping for when mixing long and short trips.


Yeah, I agree — the MG definitely offers a lot for the money, even if some trims feel a bit budget in places. Still, if the drive and reliability hold up, I can live with a few small niggles.


Thanks again for sharing your experience — really appreciate it!

 

[Speakasyoufind]

Hi. I think Wode is referring to the later model, 2025 spec, with larger battery capacity as he mentions maintaing 40 mile battery range. I have have a 21 plate and the range is 31 miles on battery alone and on a long run the most I get is early to mid 40s (in auto mode) at best, and that is with partner, 2 kids and all that goes with that. Only way I can get 100plus mpg is by switching over to full EV after using ICE to warm the inside of the car up. Plus regen is set and not readily changed (have read it can be changed in the engineer mode once accessed but don't quote me) The newer model is a totally different beast and from what I have enviously read much, much better....oh well
Just felt I needed to comment as I am sure you are referring to the older spec HS (at £17k it won't be the latest version, they are £25k or there abouts as mentioned) with the lower EV range and totally different set up, just trying to avoid any confusion. Forgive me if I am wrong.