Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV vs MG HS Plus EV Review

That’s where today’s subjects, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and the MG HS Plus EV come into the picture.

They’re two of the most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from a pair of manufacturers that are recognised for their well-priced vehicles, with each offering a family-friendly SUV platform with the reduced emissions and all-electric potential of a plug-in hybrid.

Let’s take a closer look at the Eclipse Cross PHEV and HS Plus EV and see how they stack up on value, fuel economy, space and family-friendly practicality to find the best option.

Starting Prices

Prices for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV lineup kick off from $46,490 for the entry-level ES PHEV, with prices rising to $49,990 for the Aspire PHEV and to $53,990 for the range-topping Exceed PHEV.

The MG HS Plus EV range kicks off from $48,690 for the entry-level Excite variant, while the range-topping HS Plus EV Essence is priced at $51,690.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (ES PHEV) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross car page.

MG HS +EV (PHEV EXCITE) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check MG HS +EV car page.

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What Features Does the MG HS Plus EV Have?

The MG HS Plus EV Excite comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys, and receives LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a powered boot lift, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, leatherette upholstery, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, reversing camera with rear parking sensors and a 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Moving to the range-topping Essence variant adds a surround-view camera, sports seats and a panoramic sunroof.

MG HS Plus EV Colours

The HS Plus EV range is available in York White, Black Pearl, Brixton Blue, New Pearl White, Phantom Red and Stirling Silver.

What Features Does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Have?

Mitsubishi’s entry-level Eclipse Cross ES PHEV comes riding on 18-inch alloys and receives a set of LED daytime running lamps, cruise control, climate control, rear-view camera with parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with DAB+, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Aspire PHEV adds LED headlights, a surround-view monitor, heated and front seats with microsuede and leatherette upholstery, eight-speaker sound system and adaptive cruise control.

Finally, the range-topping Exceed PHEV adds a head-up display, heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, a pair of sunroofs, a black headliner and satellite navigation.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Colours

The Eclipse Cross range is available in a choice of seven colours, including Black, White, Titanium Grey, Sterling Silver, Lightning Blue, Red Diamond and White Diamond.

Which is More Comfortable to Drive?

The MG HS Plus EV comes powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol paired with an electric motor that produces 189kW of power and 370Nm of torque sent to the front wheels, which translates to some zippy acceleration thanks to the instant torque boost.

The platform as a whole lends itself perfectly to daily drives around town and even country roads thanks to the soft suspension package, although the steering is heavier than you might first anticipate.

Having said that, though, the HS remains very user-friendly around town and makes for a very accommodating SUV experience, particularly while driving on electric power alone.

The Eclipse Cross PHEV features a more sophisticated hybrid engine that uses a 2.4-litre petrol throwing out 94kW/199Nm and a dual-motor configuration that sees a front-mounted e-motor producing 60kW/137Nm and a rear-mounted motor producing 70kW of power and 195Nm of torque.

The end result is even more acceleration under heavy throttle than the MG, and an extremely comfortable ride quality thanks to the soft suspension that irons out the bumps that frequent Australian roads.

Both feature a regenerative braking system that lightly applies the brakes as you lift your foot off the throttle to recuperate some of the energy that would otherwise be lost. There are three levels of adjustment in the HS Plus EV compared to the five in the Eclipse Cross.

The regenerative brake system takes a little bit of getting used to, but once you’re familiar, it becomes quite natural in traffic and low-speed driving situations.

Overall, while the MG HS Plus EV is impressively capable, the Eclipse Cross PHEV offers a more versatile and slightly comfortable package as an effortless daily commuter and soft long-distance tourer with the added bonus of an all-wheel drive system.

How Far Can You Travel on Electric Power Alone?

The MG HS Plus EV comes fitted with a 16.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack that the company says offers an all-electric driving range of 63km on the NEDC testing cycle.

This claimed range is slightly longer than you’ll find in the Eclipse Cross, which comes fitted with a smaller 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack that Mitsubishi says translates to 55km of all-electric driving.

Which is More Practical and Spacious?

Both the MG HS Plus EV and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV offer a comfortable cabin for families, although one offers a significant premium in terms of rear legroom and boot space.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross’ cabin showcases a sleek new design and offers buyers a heap of space to stretch out and get comfortable in the front of the cockpit, with the only noticeable negative here coming in the form of an outdated infotainment system that is due for an update.

Storage options in the front cabin include a small storage tray behind the gear lever, a pair of cupholders, storage inside the large folding armrest, and a pair of sizable door bins either side.

In the front of the MG HS Plus EV cabin, you’ll find a heap of headroom for tall passengers, with a heap of storage options for the loose items that families accumulate and a digital display that adds to the modern cabin.

Practical elements in the front of the cabin include a folding storage area behind the gear lever, a pair of cup holders with storage beside, as well as a folding armrest with storage inside, offering more practicality than you’ll find in the Eclipse Cross.

The MG HS Plus EV also has a slight advantage when it comes to second-row headroom over the Eclipse Cross PHEV which features a sloping roofline design that eats up some valuable space; this won’t prove much of a problem for most rear passengers, but it’s worth noting.

The same applies when you move to the rear of both cars and take a look at their boot, with the Eclipse Cross’ boot measuring in at 359L compared to the 463L in the MG HS Plus EV, making the MG the clear pick when it comes to family-friendly space and practicality.

What is the Better Safety Pick?

The Eclipse Cross PHEV has been awarded five-star safety ratings from ANCAP, while the MG HS Plus EV is yet to receive an official score.

To sweeten the deal, though, the MG is significantly better-equipped when it comes to active safety gear as standard.

In base form, the Eclipse Cross receives just autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure alerts, cruise control, and a rear-view camera, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, a surround-view camera, and lane-change assistance are reserved for Aspire variants and above.

Which is More Fuel Efficient?

Both the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and MG HS Plus EV return extremely low fuel economy figures, although this points more to the flaws in measuring fuel efficiency for plug-in hybrids.

Officially, the MG HS Plus EV is rated at 1.7L per 100km on a combined cycle, while the Eclipse Cross PHEV is rated at 1.9L/100km, making the MG slightly more fuel efficient on paper.

These figures are, however, dependent on the battery being charged, with fuel economy figures rising when the battery is depleted.

Our Verdict: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV vs MG HS Plus EV

Both the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and MG HS are important stepping stones for customers as the market moves toward electrified vehicles.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross platform offers a more sophisticated powertrain, all-wheel drive system and more comfortable package on a mix of town and country driving. It does, however, offer less space in the second row as well as less boot space than the HS platform, which is worth comparing to your priority list for a plug-in hybrid SUV.

In base form, you’ll find more features and safety equipment on offer in the MG, as well as a longer ownership program (seven years compared to Mitsubishi’s five-year plan), making the entry-level MG HS Plus EV variant a great option for buyers looking for a value-pick within the plug-in hybrid market.

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV & MG HS Plus EV Competition