The Quiet Conquest of the Family SUV

In its century-long history, MG has launched several vehicles that fundamentally shifted the brand’s trajectory. While enthusiasts might cast their minds back to the MGB, deemed the first ‘modern’ MG, or the mid-engined MGF that revitalised the marque’s sporting credentials in the nineties, the MG HS has not yet institutionalised itself in quite the same emotive fashion. Yet, in pure commercial terms, it has become one of the UK’s greatest unsung success stories, now sitting comfortably on the fringes of the top five most popular new cars.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveal that MG shifted more than 28,000 units of the HS by the end of November 2024, seeing off stiff competition from household names like the Tesla Model Y, Audi A3, and Volkswagen Polo. While the brand was ranked eighth from bottom for reliability by What Car? in 2023, the manufacturer attempts to allay consumer fears with a comprehensive eight-year/80,000-mile warranty. Arriving six years after the original, the second-generation HS brings a complete exterior redesign, a heavily updated interior, and a suite of technological improvements intended to cement its position as the alternative value option in an increasingly crowded segment.

A Value Proposition for the Fleet Market

The crowning glory of this new generation, particularly for business users, is the plug-in hybrid powertrain. Housing a near-25kWh drive battery, it boasts an official electric-only range of some 75 miles. Crucially, this qualifies the vehicle for a Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate of just 5% for the 2024-25 tax year. With a showroom value securable at little more than £30,000, the HS makes a compelling case for being the UK’s best-value real-world fleet car.

For private buyers, the proposition remains aggressive. In pure petrol form, the HS undercuts rivals such as the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, and Nissan Qashqai, with a starting price of £24,995. The visual overhaul aligns the SUV with the new MG 3 hybrid supermini, featuring slimmer headlights, a revised front grille, and a new rear light bar. The famous octagonal badge has migrated from the grille to the bonnet, adopting a flattened aesthetic in line with the brand’s modern ethos. Physically, the car has grown; it is 26mm longer and 14mm wider than its predecessor, with a wheelbase extended by 45mm. In the metal, it appears more a rival to the larger Skoda Kodiaq or Peugeot 5008 than the segment below against which it is priced, though it lacks a seven-seat option.

Under the bonnet, buyers choose between a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 168bhp, or the improved plug-in hybrid. The latter combines the petrol engine with a 207bhp electric motor for a total system output of 295bhp, capable of hitting 62mph in 6.8 seconds. While the petrol variant can feel lacking in power and the driver assistance systems can be frustrating, the PHEV’s 75-mile electric range puts competitors to shame, with most rivals struggling to offer even 45 miles.

Geely’s Calculated Entry into Germany

While MG solidifies its hold on the British fleet market, another Chinese giant is executing a similar, albeit more targeted, strategy on the continent. After a long lead-in, Geely’s premium subsidiary, Zeekr, is officially launching in Germany, adopting a business model that initially appears somewhat unconventional. Having already established a presence in Sweden, the Netherlands, and other European nations since late 2023, the brand is now entering France, the UK, Italy, and, as of December 1st, the German market.

Unusually, Zeekr is exclusively targeting commercial customers at launch. The brand is establishing a direct sales model via digital channels, supplemented by personal contacts specifically for fleet and commercial clients. This strategy is bolstered by a service landscape tailored to the needs of medium-to-large vehicle fleets. At launch, Zeekr is partnering with GAS Global Automotive Service GmbH to provide 40 service centres, with plans to expand this network to over 100 establishments by the second quarter of 2026. These centres will handle maintenance, repairs, and spare parts, leveraging a network that already supports other Chinese entrants like Nio.

Tailored for the Autobahn

From Zeekr’s perspective, this fleet-first approach is entirely logical. Germany is Europe’s largest company car market, where nearly two-thirds of all new registrations are attributed to commercial customers, and the share of battery-electric company cars continues to rise. Lothar Schupet, CEO of Zeekr Europe, notes that the German corporate market sets high standards, and their offer is designed specifically to meet them. Whether the brand will eventually open its doors to private buyers remains an open question.

The initial lineup consists of three models. The entry-level Zeekr X, a compact crossover similar in size to the VW ID.3, starts at €37,990. Sitting above it is the Zeekr 7X at €54,990, a mid-sized electric SUV targeting the Tesla Model Y demographic, while the range is topped by the Zeekr 001, a shooting brake starting at €59,950. All three purely electric models qualify for Germany’s reduced 0.25% company car tax rate.

To ensure competitiveness against established German marques, Zeekr claims to have adapted the vehicles for European usage profiles. This includes tuning the steering, suspension damping, and pedal feel for European roads and high-speed Autobahn driving, as well as adjusting the acoustic profiles and menu logic of the infotainment systems. Furthermore, the pricing structure avoids complex options lists, with models arriving with extensive standard equipment—a tactic that mirrors the high-value approach MG has successfully deployed across the Channel.