MG HS

The China-controlled British car company MG presented another affordable crossover on their lineup called the HS and this new affordable crossover, which slots above the ZS, promises to be one of the most affordable people movers in Britain unless you have a second opinion about this Chinese-imported British cut-price crossover.

2020 MG HS

With prices start at a very reasonable 17,995 Pounds plus on-road costs, the first-ever MG HS is all about space and affordability this crossover's focusing on and it will give its Asian competitors a run for its money.

Starting on the styling department, the HS is bigger and better looking compared to its little brother, the ZS, and while this is basically as big as its Asian competitors, it feels surprisingly as small as a city car when you take it round the city streets and on the open roads because the HS is not concerned about what SUV traits it lacks and for a real kicker, it wasn't really rugged at all for a crossover.

2020 MG HS interior

2020 MG HS interior

Although somewhat regular for crossover standards, the HS is a lot roomier than the ZS and while it fits up to five people on board, the space is worth noticeable. You can use it on the trip to the groceries or take it for a camping trip as a nice little sleeper. Such space is the true beauty of this cut-price crossover and it's very accommodating, except for its plain quality and gadgetry that is as functional as the ones you bought from the thrift store.

2020 MG HS

The HS's only engine offered is a 1.5T GDi engine which produces a mild 162PS of power, 250Nm of torque, and with the 6-speed manual gearbox, which sounds enjoyable to some, it goes from 0-60mph in less than ten seconds and a top speed of 118mph, slightly quicker than most Japanese crossovers do. As for fuel economy, the HS returns a combined WLTP MPG of 37.2 miles per gallon. Impressive.

As for dynamics, the HS drives like a city car with its front McPherson Struts, rear Multi-Link suspension, and EPAS, among many others, which is not bad but since being front-wheel drive only without all of the clever stuff as seen on the Citroen C3 Aircross, you can cross out the elephant attempt on its checklist so sorry about that. Anyway, while the dynamics are fit for normal roads rather than offroad because of being FWD only, the HS features MG Pilot Advance Driver Assistance System which features Active Emergency Braking, LKA, LDWS, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, BSD, RCTA, and Intelligent High Beam Assist, all of which makes the HS an intelligent cut-price crossover available on the British motoring public.

Despite its flaws, the MG HS is worth promising for a rising star in the crossover market and with such reasonable price, there's no doubt some will have a go with MG's latest crossover.

Photo: MG

2014 Lexus HS 250h minor change

The Lexus HS...

If my memory serves me correctly, this is what's known to be an entry-level hybrid sedan Toyota Motor Corporation ever made for the Lexus brand. It went on sale on July 2009 and then later exported to the USA. Sadly, this car never found a mass audience and as a matter of fact, sales of the HS 250h in the USA were discontinued last year due to poor sales.

Which meant, for the first time ever, despite Toyota USA removed the Lexus HS 250h from their lineup, it seems that the HS 250h will soldier on in the country where it was made: JAPAN.

2014 Lexus HS 250h

It's available ONLY in Japan, for the first time, and not for export use because the whole world has the CT 200h hatchback instead. For the 2014 model, the HS 250h gets Lexus' new signature Spindle Grille as seen on last year's GS executive sport saloon. The Spindle Grille is good though but it looks like this luxury brand's been run amok by predators, giving new and upcoming Lexus cars the Predator-influenced schnoz. Very awkward eh? And as for the interior though...

2014 Lexus HS 250h interior

...uh nope. Nothing's changed except the speedo. The pre-facelifted model has a speedo that reads up to the Japan-regulated 180kph but for the 2014 model, the HS 250h's speed now reads up to 220kph. Heh, guess no wonder Lexus has changed, giving their cars the world-class quality but sadly though, the 2014 HS 250h is not destined to go around the globe because it's now available ONLY in the Japanese market for 4.1 million Yen.

2014 Lexus HS 250h

Despite having a minor change, it comes with the same hybrid powertrain that includes a 147HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine and a 40HP electric motor, which generate a combined output of 187hp. Thing is though, the fuel economy for the 2014 HS 250h has now been improved so that now, fuel consumption is 20.6kmpl based on JC08 mode standards.

They've added SPORT MODE to the HS 250h's Drive Mode Select, which comes with EV Mode and Eco Mode. How does these three work? I'm sorry but this is a total waste of time to explain how does the Drive Mode Select work on the Japan-only 2014 Lexus HS 250h. You have to find out for yourself.

Do I need to repeat myself? This 2014 model year HS 250h is Japan-only and Toyota Motor Corporation has NO PLANS to export it worldwide because the CT 200h have them covered. Geez...you're stressing me out though. If you have any questions, do please leave your comments below.

Available Colors: Platinum Silver Metallic, Quartz White Crystal Shine, Moonlight Opal Crystal Shine, Mercury Grey Mica, Platinum Silver Metallic, Black, Black Opal Mica, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Fire Agate Mica Metallic,  and Lapis Lazuli Mica.

PRICE LIST:

HS 250h - 4,100,000 Yen
HS 250h version C - 4,360,000 Yen
HS 250h version I - 4,700,000 Yen
HS 250h version L - 5,520,000 Yen

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Lexus HS 250h

When Honda returned the Insight hybrid to the world market and Toyota made a full model change to the Prius, the battle for hybrid supremacy brings on a new contender, but this time it is from the Toyota side via Lexus brand. From the Japanese luxury car brand behind the sporty IS, the elegant GS, the beautifully handcrafted LS, and the crossover RX, the first-of-a-kind hybrid sedan, known as the HS 250h, is here.





The Lexus HS is truly a first-of-a-kind of premium hybrid sedan that is the “luxury version of the Prius” and it is not going to be easy getting this new hybrid sedan made by Lexus because of such price. Despite the pricing, let us check what is on the outside and what is on the inside the Lexus HS. On the exterior, this car has the combination of the Toyota Prius and the Lexus IS, but with the incisive simplicity, intriguing elegance and seamless anticipation, just like what you learned from Lexus’ design philosophy called L-Finesse, the perfection of the styling is truly a masterpiece for this hybrid sedan.





On the interior, it is mostly a harmony between a man and machine; especially you can feel the wood panels from the inside. To add conveniences for the HS, a Harmonious Driving Navigator (similar to the eco-drive monitor on the new Prius) checks the fuel efficiency of the HS wherever you go. Aside from the Harmonious Driving Navigator, the Remote Touch (also found on the new RX & the new RX Hybrid) provides the driver a variety of options such as music, audio, navigation and more.





Now, the truth is come clean with Lexus Hybrid Drive crafted for the HS. To put this, a powerhouse of 2362cc hybrid engine that releases the economical power of over 150ps at the fuel economy of over 23.0km/L. That is not all; a high-performance 145ps motor is equipped on this hybrid engine for the well-behaved performance of the Lexus HS, giving the Lexus Hybrid Drive a totality you can depend on. There are three modes to choose from, the Eco Mode allows the driver to maintain the best fuel efficiency on the go, the EV mode allows the HS to use the electric power inside for more quiet driving, and the Power Mode unleashes the full capacity of the HS. The Power Mode is perfect when you are cruising through higher roads but the Eco Mode might be a recommendation for normal roads.

NEED TO SAY MORE?
With the Insight, Prius, Mitsubishi i-MIEV, Hyundai Avante LPI Hybrid, and other hybrid machines battling out for hybrid supremacy, the HS from Lexus became a new contender for this type of challenge. Despite the price tag that reaches over the 5,000,000 yen mark (or the equivalent of over 3,000,000 pesos), the fuel economy might be a slight chance to look at but if you really want a hybrid sedan with the essence of a luxury car, just make some choices to choose the Lexus HS.