Fuel Consumption

[Captainfieldmouse]

Had my HS PHEV now for 5 months, and whilst it's a very pleasant car to drive, I'm a little disappointed with the fuel consumption, or more specifically the interaction between the battery and the ICE.
I've got it set to HEV mode, but it doesn't seem to matter whether I'm doing short or long runs it seems to default to battery first then the ICE kicks in when I'm down to around 28 miles on the battery. From then on the ICE is on 80-90% of the time on its own.
I would have expected a more even battery/ICE load so they're both 'helping' each other. At the moment the car is an EV for the first 50 miles then pretty much an ICE the rest of the time. There's really not much hybrid going on here at all. Hence my mpg is around 38, nowhere near the optimistically advertised 155.8!
Am I missing a trick here?
TIA

 

[Totti1001]

You just have to intervene manually a little, whether it's HEV or EV.
I've had mine since 25 July 2025 and have driven 6,000 km so far. In the summer, I only drove in EV mode and always drove around 100 km electrically (in Germany we only have a 21 kWh battery, you have 24 kWh).
Now in winter, I switch to HEV for certain routes that drain the battery a lot. Once I've completed these routes, I switch back to EV.
For the 6,000 km, I am now at 2.7 l/100 km and 14.5 kWh/100 km.
Now in winter, my consumption is up to 5 l/100 km and 25 kWh/100 km.
I find it unfavourable to drive in pure HEV mode, but that also depends on your driving profile.
Assign HEV/EV to one of the star buttons on the steering wheel and test it out a little.

 

[Captainfieldmouse]

You just have to intervene manually a little, whether it's HEV or EV.
I've had mine since 25 July 2025 and have driven 6,000 km so far. In the summer, I only drove in EV mode and always drove around 100 km electrically (in Germany we only have a 21 kWh battery, you have 24 kWh).
Now in winter, I switch to HEV for certain routes that drain the battery a lot. Once I've completed these routes, I switch back to EV.
For the 6,000 km, I am now at 2.7 l/100 km and 14.5 kWh/100 km.
Now in winter, my consumption is up to 5 l/100 km and 25 kWh/100 km.
I find it unfavourable to drive in pure HEV mode, but that also depends on your driving profile.
Assign HEV/EV to one of the star buttons on the steering wheel and test it out a little.

I guess my point is that there should be more intelligence in the management of EV and ICE, I shouldn't really have to manually switch between EV and HEV. I have driven mild hybrids and full hybrids before (Skoda Octavia and Ford Kuga) and there is a much stronger collaboration between the battery and engine in both. I agree the battery has to work harder in winter as there is more of a drain for heating, AC and windscreen demisting, but all year round with the Kuga I was getting 70-80 mpg and it has a much smaller battery. In addition I am having to charge the MG HS battery 2 or 3 times a week to reduce my fuel consumption which is inconvenient to say the least, and costly at £3.50 per charge.

 

[Totti1001]

I completely agree with you! I also had the Kuga Phev before, and despite its 2.4L petrol engine (without turbo), it was more economical. The switch between petrol and electric was also much smarter than in the MG. Unfortunately, I was somewhat blinded by the HS's longer range. In hindsight, the Kuga was the better car, despite its smaller battery.

 

[Captainfieldmouse]

I have a Landrover Discovery Sport which I use to tow my 2000kg caravan, it's beautiful car. When that dies I'll be buying a full hybrid (not PHEV). Like you I was seduced by the battery size and advertised fuel consumption of the MG. Never again!

 

[benrb7]

I just keep mine in EV mode and charge it at work, and sometimes at home. After about 500 miles of driving, I’ve only used around 13% of the fuel. As long as you don’t have a heavy foot, it stays in electric mode most of the time.

My old Mercedes did offer more drive mode options, but I generally left that in electric mode too. The longest range I’ve managed on electric alone so far is about 65 miles, even with the heating, lights, and everything else on. Merc would have been half that this time of the year.

I've yet to go further afield though. We have a Southampton trip in April and Scotland in September!

 

[Captainfieldmouse]

I just keep mine in EV mode and charge it at work, and sometimes at home. After about 500 miles of driving, I’ve only used around 13% of the fuel. As long as you don’t have a heavy foot, it stays in electric mode most of the time.

My old Mercedes did offer more drive mode options, but I generally left that in electric mode too. The longest range I’ve managed on electric alone so far is about 65 miles, even with the heating, lights, and everything else on. Merc would have been half that this time of the year.

I've yet to go further afield though. We have a Southampton trip in April and Scotland in September!

OK, I'll try that, but the point is that HEV mode should mean more collaboration between battery and ICE, perhaps draining at the same rate? Shouldn't have to manually prioritise one over the other.
Assume on EV mode the battery drains to a low level then the ICE kicks in until the battery has regened to a certain level?