Last checked September 2026. MG prices from dealer and review listings; confirm with your local MG dealer.
The MG HS is one of the best-value family SUVs you can buy, and the Kia Sportage is one of the most popular. Both come with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options and a seven-year warranty. So is the MG’s price advantage enough to beat the Kia?
MG HS vs Kia Sportage at a glance
| MG HS | Kia Sportage | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | £27,495 (1.5 petrol SE) | £31,395 (1.6 mild hybrid Pure) |
| Full hybrid from | £30,495 (Hybrid+ SE) | £34,895 (HEV Pure) |
| Plug-in hybrid | From about £33,495; 75 miles electric range | Listed as coming soon on Kia UK |
| Hybrid economy | 51.3mpg | 50.4mpg |
| Boot | 507 litres | 540 to 591 litres |
| Length | 4,655mm | 4,540mm |
| Warranty | 7 years / 80,000 miles | 7 years / 100,000 miles |
| Insurance group | 24 to 27 | 15 to 26 |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2024) | 5 stars (2022) |
Price: MG is around £4,000 cheaper
The MG HS undercuts the Sportage by roughly £4,000 like for like, for a car that is actually slightly longer. That gap holds across the range: the HS Hybrid+ starts at £30,495, against £34,895 for the Sportage HEV. Few rivals come close to the MG on space and kit for the money.
The plug-in hybrid: MG’s trump card
The HS plug-in hybrid can travel around 75 miles on electric power on the official test, and about 68 in real-world driving, which is among the best of any plug-in hybrid. What Car? has named it Plug-in Hybrid of the Year twice. For drivers who can charge at home and mostly do local journeys, it can run on electricity most of the time. It charges only on AC at around 7kW, though, with no rapid charging. Kia’s UK website lists the new Sportage plug-in hybrid as coming soon.
Quality and driving
The Sportage feels better built inside, is more refined on the motorway and has a bigger boot, at up to 591 litres. Reviewers find the MG’s petrol engine unrefined, its steering lifeless and its infotainment slow, with frequent driver-assistance warnings. The hybrid versions of the HS are much nicer than the petrol. Neither car is exciting to drive; the Kia is simply more polished.
Warranty, reliability and resale
Both offer seven years, but Kia covers 100,000 miles against MG’s 80,000. Kia has a stronger reliability record and better resale values, while MG has scored poorly in recent owner surveys. The HS scored slightly higher in Euro NCAP’s more recent 2024 test. See our warranty comparison and depreciation guide.
Verdict
The MG HS is the value choice; the Kia Sportage is the quality choice. If you want the most space and equipment for the least money, or a plug-in hybrid with a long electric range right now, the MG HS is outstanding, and the plug-in hybrid is the one to buy. If you can afford the extra, the Sportage is better built, more refined, more practical and likely to hold its value better.
Also consider the Jaecoo 7 (see our Jaecoo 7 vs Qashqai comparison), the Chery Tiggo 7 and the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MG HS as good as a Kia Sportage?
It is not as refined or well built, but it is around £4,000 cheaper, similarly spacious and offers a class-leading plug-in hybrid.
How far can the MG HS plug-in hybrid go on electricity?
About 75 miles on the official test and around 68 miles in real-world driving.
Which has the bigger boot, MG HS or Kia Sportage?
The Sportage, with 540 to 591 litres against 507 litres for the HS.
Which has the better warranty?
Both offer seven years, but Kia covers 100,000 miles and MG 80,000 miles.