MG HS PHEV Vs Toyota Corolla Cross – Which Hybrid SUV is the Best?

Based on several recent reports, it seems that the carmakers in Pakistan are finally gearing up to embrace the alternative power source revolution. Several companies are reportedly gearing up to introduce a lineup of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) in Pakistan.

Morris Garages (MG) JW SEZ Pakistan and Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC) are currently at the forefront in terms of adapting to the ongoing paradigm shift. Toyota IMC currently has three HEVs in its lineup, including Prius, Camry Hybrid, and the Corolla Cross, whereas MG JW SEZ has two such environment-friendly vehicles in its lineup, namely the MG ZS EV and the recently launched MG HS Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

Curiously, Toyota IMC and MG JW SEZ are the only two companies with hybrid crossover SUVs in their lineup at the moment. While the Corolla Cross has been a unique offering in its segment for a while, it now has a direct competitor in the form of the MG HS PHEV.

With that said, let us put both vehicles head to head and see which of the hybrid crossover SUVs is the better value:

Design
Toyota Corolla Cross:

Although the preference in terms of design and aesthetics is largely a subjective matter, there is a consensus by and large among the car buyers and automotive journalists that the Toyota Corolla Cross is a handsome-looking crossover SUV.

The Corolla Cross looks like a baby version of the off-road mid and full-sized SUVs in Toyota’s lineup. The vehicle borrows the front bumper and grille design from the new Hilux, the headlight design from the Fortuner, and the rest of the silhouette and the side profile from the RAV-4. On the side, you also get 17″ or 18″ alloy rims, depending on the variant that you opt for.

The rear design is also adopted from that of the RAV-4, with a sloping rear windshield, sharp and angular LED taillights, an edgy rear bumper design with a couple of reflectors, and a scuff plate-like silver trim piece in the middle of the black garnish that encircles the entire vehicle.

The rear also features a ducktail spoiler and a shark-fin antenna to make the vehicle look premium and sporty. Overall, the design makes for a fairly stylish crossover SUV.

MG HS PHEV:

We are already quite familiar with the design and looks of the MG HS, and the PHEV variant is no different from the is the non-hybrid counterpart. This is a positive attribute, as it is widely acknowledged that the MG HS is quite a good looking vehicle.

On the front, headlights have a subdued, yet elegant design, with projector lamps and uniquely arranged DRLs that also work as sequential indicators. The front of the vehicle is made more attractive thanks to an impressive grille that is surrounded by a chrome trim piece. The large MG logo in the middle adds to the vehicle’s premium feel.

The SUV looks fairly typical from the side, however, the 18-inch alloy wheels, the chromed side-impact strips, the brush-aluminum roof rails, and a chrome strip surround the A, B, and C pillars of the vehicle add more flamboyance to an otherwise subtle yet clean and attractive side profile.

The rear of the vehicle looks a bit familiar, which is due in large part to its taillights that look awfully similar to the 3rd generation BMW X3. This is a good thing, as a pair of sleek taillights, sharp reflectors, and dual exhausts allow for a sporty look, and a scuff-plate-Esque trim below makes gives the vehicle a tough look.

The design of the MG takes in a win against the Corolla Cross by the narrowest of margins because the former might be a good-looking regular commuter vehicle, but the latter is a good-looking vehicle with a bit more panache.

Interior

Toyota Corolla Cross:

Although not ostentatious in any way, the Corolla Cross boasts a fairly intuitive, modern-looking, and elegant interior. As is a custom with the Toyota vehicles, the Corolla Cross’s dash design is simple yet familiar, featuring a scarce number of buttons and screens, allowing for a clean look.

The materials used on the main touch-points of the vehicle’s interior are fairly premium, while the lower portion of the interior does have a few plastic trim pieces that are cheap feeling, yet quite durable.

Since the Corolla Cross is classified as a C-segment compact SUV, it has a fair amount of room in the cabin for a family of five. The larger dimensions of the vehicle provide more room for passengers – particularly those in the back seat – and an impressive cargo space of 722 liters, which can be extended with the rear seats folded down.