Volkswagen Golf VS MG HS
Volkswagen Golf
Likes
- Superb engine
- Nice to drive, even around town
- Good space utilisation
Dislikes
- Too much road noise
- Annoying touchscreen
- Pricey
MG HS
Likes
- New design looks sharp and appealing
- Pleasant to drive when safety alerts are switched off
- Cabin space is class-leading
Dislikes
- Comfort of seats leaves a lot to be desired
- Annoying to drive when safety alerts are on
- Technology needs serious work
Summary
Volkswagen Golf
In a world where hatchbacks are being cancelled left, right and centre, it was super refreshing to get into the Volkswagen Golf GTI hot-hatch recently.
I’d driven other Mk 8 Golf models including the R flagship wagon, but this was my go in the car I’d long considered to be the best Golf for the money.
But with prices continuously cruising north - this car is now a $54,990 prospect before on-road costs - does it still make dollars and sense? And what’s it like to live with in the daily grind?
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
MG HS
If the previous MG HS was a kid, the next-gen model is well and truly an adult. Stylish and mature with its new design, the mid-spec Excite brings some serious pulling power for families thanks primarily to its low pricing.
Being a mid-sized SUV means it re-enters the most popular segment and the new model has its work cut out as it rivals the GWM Haval H6, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5.
The new features, including its safety systems and engine, have to be up to snuff. In this review we’re going to see if they are and if this MG's low pricing delivers good value overall.
Read more about
- MG's most popular car gets powerful hybrid makeover: 2025 MG ZS revealed ahead of imminent Australian release for Toyota Corolla Cross and GWM Haval Jolion rival
- Massive $15,000-plus price cut for family SUV: MG HS plug-in hybrid price slashed as next-gen SUV prepares to hit Aussie roads to tackle the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander
- New cut-price small hybrid SUV confirmed: 2025 MG ZS Hybrid locked in for Australia to rival the Hyundai Kona, Haval Jolion and Toyota Corolla Cross
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.5L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.9L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Volkswagen Golf8/10
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is still a standard-setter when it comes to the “do it all” style of sporty hatch.
I wish the media screen was simpler, and that it wasn’t so loud inside on rougher road surfaces that are so common around Australia, and I wish it was cheaper, too.
But if you can justify the cost, and you want a five-door hatch with plenty of power and presence, then the Golf GTI could well be the go. But I’d also personally be checking out the Cupra Leon, which I think looks better and has a bit more individual appeal.
MG HS7.4/10
The MG HS Excite is a mixed bag and difficult to score. What it does well, it does really well. And what it does poorly, well...
The pricing is great, the driving is pleasant (when those alerts are switched off) and the new design is sharply styled. Plus the space in the cabin will offer even larger families room to move.
However, the overall comfort, technology and some of the big safety systems need serious work and let down an otherwise decent mid-sized SUV.
Design
Volkswagen Golf
You can tell it’s a GTI at a glance, and that means it’s off to a good start. There’s the telltale red grille strip, sitting proud above a very aggressive lower bumper with chequered-flag style daytime running lights.
In profile there’s a GTI badge on the front fender, and I think the 19s on this particular car sit a lot nicer than the ‘Richmond’ 18-inch rims on the standard car. There are red calipers, too, and tinted rear glass.
At the rear there is a minimalist approach to the badging - just the three important letters ‘GTI’ below the VW emblem, which doubles as the boot opening handle. The lower bumper features a pair of round exhaust tips, which poke out a bit more than you might expect.
The inside has the iconic - but not identical between generations - tartan seat trim, and I love it. Got a few really nice compliments on the design, which is called ‘Scale Paper’, in this gen and spec.
Otherwise, it’s a pared back affair, and you could be sitting in any other high-grade Golf.
MG HS
The previous shape of the HS was pleasant, if unremarkable but the new-gen model offers bigger dimensions being 81mm longer, 14mm wider and riding on a 45mm longer wheelbase.
A new grille with slim LED headlights headlines the redesign but the body features crisp pleating that runs into a shapely rear. It's bolder, more distinct on the road and far sharper than before.
The new design should make it a firm competitor against rivals like the Sportage and CX-5, which offer a sportier vibe for the segment.
Head inside and the interior has had a thorough look-in, as well. Additional soft touchpoints are scattered throughout to elevate the premium feel. There's a new steering wheel and a heavier use of soft materials versus harder plastics.
The dashboard is slick-looking and features an eye-catching technology panel that houses the dual 12.3-inch screens.
There is still a lack of personality inside that seems inherent with these more affordable Chinese makes but it looks far more premium than its grade level might suggest.
Practicality
Volkswagen Golf
You’ll fit more in the Golf hatch than you might expect. I took myself, my daughter and both my parents for a few-hour drive in it, and there were no complaints about comfort or space.
The 374-litre (VDA) boot space was large enough to fit the pram, a few shopping bags and a baby backpack, though for families with a baby or toddler, longer trips with more baggage might prove a squeeze. If you need more space and don’t have a child-seat in the back, you’ll get 1230L (VDA) with the back seat folded down. And there’s a space-saver spare under the floor.
The back seat is easily roomy enough for smaller adults and kids, and I could even slot in behind my own driving position (I’m 182cm/6’0” tall) with enough room. Three across will be a squishy, but it is possible.
There are dual ISOFIX and three top-tether points for kid seats, plus there’s a fold-down armrest with cup holders, big door pockets for a bottle or loose items, and a few pockets on the front seat-backs, too. There are USB-C ports (x2), and directional air-vents.
Up front you’ll find similar storage - cup holders between the seats, a pair of big cubbies in the doors, and additional holsters for a phone (with wireless charging) and 2x USB-C ports, a centre console bin, and reasonable glovebox.
The usability of the media system is not terrific. There are menus upon menus, and nothing as intuitive as it could be because so much of it is touchscreen-based. There are only a few hard buttons below, and then you still need to use the screen to get where you need.
I also think the much-criticised lack of knobs and buttons for volume and temperature control is an issue. There are controls below the screen, but they aren’t illuminated, and they aren’t always the most receptive.
I also didn’t love the haptic touch buttons on the steering wheel. I kept bumping buttons inadvertently when driving enthusiastically.
MG HS
Access and space for both rows would have to be class-leading and you don't feel like you're in a 'mid-sized' SUV.
When it comes to comfort you're bang out of luck, though, as the front seats aren't the most comfortable, even on shorter trips.
The driver's side is the better of the two (the front passenger seat isn't as wide) but both are too hard, narrow and the front passenger side sits too high. Limited adjustments are available and you miss out on lumbar support, which is crucial on a longer trip.
The and higher than drivers side and no height adjustment is available on the passenger side.
The back seats are marginally better with more padding under the butt but there's still a bench-seat element in cornering, which means you'll be jostled in turns.
The back seat is wide, though, so you can take advantage of the three top-tether points if you have a few tots in tow.
Storage is average for the class and the cabin lacks some of the clever cubbies competitors feature but the glove box and storage bins are XL and there is a dedicated phone tray up front.
Four cupholders, two drink bottle holders and two map pockets round out the individual storage.
The boot now offers 507L of luggage capacity and that’s plenty big enough for a decent grocery haul but it is on the lower end for the class.
You get a temporary spare tyre under the floor but no powered tailgate, and the lid is heavy to open and close.
The technology isn't great despite looking flash because the touchscreen on the multimedia system is slow to respond and most systems are accessed via the menu screens with limited physical buttons available.
That means its a punish to access climate control or music while on the go.
Climate control is a bit dodgy as the AC function seems to dip in and out and will just blow air occasionally despite the car not having an auto start/stop function which might have explained it.
The built-in satellite navigation is clear, however, and easy to use but it alerts loudly whenever you enter a new suburb and in the city, that means it chimes a lot.
Coupled with all of the other alerts this car bangs out, which I'll get to in the Safety section, it’s a bit much.
You only get wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means a messy cable in the cabin and charging options are basic with four USB-A ports and a 12-volt socket. Big brand rivals have it beat on that front.
Price and features
Volkswagen Golf
As I mentioned, the 2023 VW Golf GTI lists at $54,990 (all prices listed are MSRP, or before on-road costs). So, on the road, you’re up over sixty grand. That used to be more than enough for a Golf R, but times they are a-changin.
And don’t go thinking you’re getting 15-inch touchscreens and leather trim for that money, either. The Golf GTI runs the iconic tartan cloth trim as standard, has the typical exterior styling treatment with red highlights, and it has LED headlights, keyless entry and push-button start, electric heated folding side mirrors, standard-fit 18-inch alloys and adaptive chassis control dampers.
Inside you’ll find a 10.0-inch touchscreen with sat nav, digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, wireless phone charging, auto-dimming rearview mirror, a digital instrument cluster, front, side and rear parking sensors with auto-parking, sports front seats with manual adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
The car I drove had the $2500 Sound and Style pack, which adds 19-inch wheels and Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 (235/35/19) tyres as well as a Harman Kardon stereo with subwoofer, plus a head-up display.
If you want leather trim, you’ll have to option the Luxury Package ($3900) which adds Vienna leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, electric driver’s seat adjustment and electric driver’s lumbar adjustment, too.
Colour options include the no-cost Pure White and Moonstone Grey, Atlantic Blue metallic, Dolphin Grey metallic, and Deep Black pearl. Only the eye-catching Kings Red metallic costs $300 more.
Rivals for the VW Golf GTI include the Hyundai i30 N (from $46,200 for the manual; $49,200 for the dual-clutch auto), Renault Megane RS Trophy (from $62,300) and the mechanically related Cupra Leon VZ (from $52,990).
MG HS
The model line-up for the new HS includes three petrol-powered variants, the version on test for this review being the two-wheel-drive mid-spec Excite.
There are hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants arriving in 2025, to offer further choices.
Its direct rival is the Haval H6 Lux, which has the same drive-away price of $36,990, but the nearest and similarly-specified big-name competitor, the Kia Sportage SX+ 2WD, costs $42,050 MSRP while the Mazda CX-5 GT-SP starts at $50,310 MSRP.
While it offers better value than most, the price point for the HS has jumped $5000 for the new-gen model but some great features are included as standard like synthetic leather upholstery, a 360-degree view camera system, satellite navigation, dual 12.3-inch tech screens and MG’s 'iSmart Connect' app.
Other standard features include keyless entry and start, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, fog lights, LED exterior lights, a temporary spare tyre, a retractable cargo cover and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Under the bonnet
Volkswagen Golf
You know the VW Golf GTI formula. Punchy engine, front-wheel drive.
In this iteration, the engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol with 180kW of power (from 5000-6200rpm) and 370Nm of torque (from 1600-4300rpm).
This generation doesn’t come with the option of a six-speed manual transmission like GTI models before it - instead, you get a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard.
The 0-100km/h claim is 6.4 seconds. But in some situations it feels faster than that.
MG HS
The new HS has a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine that produces 125kW of power and 275Nm of torque, outputs that are both slightly up from the old model.
If that combo doesn't ignite any passion, there are new hybrid and plug-in hybrid models coming in 2025.
The HS is front-wheel drive only and has a new seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission that is very smooth with its gear changes.
Efficiency
Volkswagen Golf
The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres. That’s what you should be able to achieve across a mix of driving.
During my time in the Golf GTI, I did a few hundred kilometres of mixed driving, and saw a real-world return of 8.1L/100km. Respectable, I think. Undoubtedly it would be higher if all you do is drive hard - but this test was about how usable the car is in normal life.
It has a 50-litre fuel tank that needs to be filled with 95RON premium unleaded at a minimum.
MG HS
The Excite has a low official combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel economy figure of 6.9L/100km and based on its 55L fuel tank, you should see a theoretical driving range of up to 797km, which is respectable for a family SUV.
My real-world usage sat at 6.6L/100km after mostly open-road driving with a smattering of urban stuff thrown in. It's a great result but may be higher in a straight urban environment.
Driving
Volkswagen Golf
This was an urban test first and foremost, and the Golf GTI still is one of the most liveable sporty hatchbacks on the market.
There are things you will need to contend with - the amount of coarse-chip road road that intrudes into the cabin is downright nasty at times, and even in the most comfortable drive mode it’s quite firm over Sydney’s pockmarked city roads - but otherwise, this thing is great.
The steering has heaps of weight to it, and is super direct. The heftiness of it might take some getting used to, especially when negotiating tight parking spaces, but there’s always the auto-parking function if you’re nervous.
Now, the adaptive chassis control dampers will be stiffer or softer depending on the drive mode you choose. There are Eco, Comfort, Sport and the configurable Individual setting, and when my family was on board I had the car in Comfort mode. Again, no complaints about ride comfort.
In Sport mode, it is sharper and lumpier, but never lacking in control or refinement. Yes, you do feel sharp edges, and it might be too edgy for full-time use, but it really does help the car feel more confident and planted.
The engine is terrific. It has more than enough grunt to make easy work of daily duties, and you needn’t fear about whether you’ll have enough squirt to make it for overtaking moves. It has an abundance of torque and the linear way in which it builds power from low in the rev range is superb.
I also had no complaints about the dual-clutch auto transmission. The action of it can take some getting used to at lower speeds, where it can feel like it’s slurring a bit, but it really is a super gearbox, with snappy shifts at speed and smooth changes when you want them.
MG HS
The new HS is better than the previous model with power delivery and on-road performance. You feel like you have a decent well of power to dip into and it’s delivered promptly - making the Excite a pleasant open-roader and a fun urban dweller.
The handling is well-tuned with good suspension that lets you ride over bad bumps without too much fuss and the steering is direct, which makes it feel nimble and sure footed.
The cabin is more refined with very little road or engine noise creeping in, even at higher speeds. Visibility is excellent thanks to wide windows and none of the pillars get in the way.
It’s great to see the addition of the 360-degree view camera system and although it’s not the best quality it’s a bonus for a family SUV.
The reversing gear is pretty much the only blip on an otherwise great transmission, though, as it tends to judder and feels hesitant when you are reversing into a spot.
Safety
Volkswagen Golf
The Golf 8 range scored a maximum five-star ANCAP crash test rating in 2019. Standards have changed a bit since then, but it still has plenty of standard active safety tech.
The list includes forward AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus it has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reversing collision avoidance, lane keeping support, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.
If you’re waiting for a new VW Golf GTI, the brand has confirmed that from November production, the R-Line, GTI and R models pick up a front centre airbag. That’ll make the tally seven airbags, with dual front, front side and full-length curtains fitted to all earlier and future models.
MG HS
The new-gen HS just received a five-star ANCAP safety rating. It has seven airbags, including a front centre bag.
The Excite also includes a long list of crash-avoidance features like AEB, blind-spot monitoring, rear and front cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure alert, emergency lane keeping, forward and rear collision warning, tyre-pressure monitoring and a 360-degree view camera system.
It's nice to see MG includes a full suite of safety features for even it's base model which, frustratingly, is not always the case across the segment.
However, several systems are the most intrusive I've experienced in everyday driving. I’m looking at you driver monitoring system, but the speed sign recognition tech is a culprit, too. And there are too many chimes, alerts, bings and bongs to distract you. Both of these technologies were also called out by ANCAP in its assessment.
It's awesome to see such a great safety features list but it's not enough to just tick the box of inclusion... these systems do have to work well otherwise they become a distraction rather than helpful.
Ownership
Volkswagen Golf
Buying a VW? You’ll score a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. That’s good, but not as good as Skoda, MG, GWM Haval or Kia. But none of those brands have a real hot-hatch like this.
Servicing is every 12 months/15,000km. There’s a capped-price plan or “Care Plan” prepay packs for three years/45,000km ($1600) or five years/75,000km ($2800). Choose the latter and you’re saving heaps over pay-as-you-go ($786, to be precise).
You get a year of roadside assistance included, but that renews each time you service your car with VW.
MG HS
The HS is offered with an excellent 10-year/250,000km warranty which is the best unconditional warranty offer in this segment at the moment!
The five-year servicing program is a bit expensive as it averages at $507 per service but the servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12-months or 15,000km whichever occurs first.
The HS loves a premium drink, though, and only takes 95 RON fuel.