2024 MG HS Earns Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating for Non-Hybrid Models

The 2024 MG HS has achieved a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), becoming the second model in MG’s Australian lineup to earn top safety marks. This rating, which applies to all 1.5-litre turbo variants of the non-hybrid MG HS, was awarded based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP under ANCAP’s latest 2023-25 criteria.

The ANCAP rating underscores the new MG HS’s solid safety credentials, particularly in several critical areas. The SUV scored impressively on various tests, including pedestrian impact, side-impact, oblique pole, whiplash, and far-side impact tests. The HS also provided “good” protection across all critical body regions in child occupant testing, a key metric for family-oriented buyers.

However, there were a few areas noted for improvement. In pedestrian safety, the MG HS showed mixed results in pelvis protection, achieving both 'good' and 'poor' scores in certain zones. Additionally, the reverse autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system was rated ‘marginal’ in tests at 4km/h and 8km/h, and rear adult chest protection in full-width frontal impact tests received a ‘marginal’ rating. The HS also received a slight penalty (0.98 points out of 8) for its impact on oncoming vehicles in head-on collisions.

The MG HS is equipped with advanced driver monitoring technology, including a camera designed to detect driver drowsiness. However, ANCAP did not award points for this system, as it did not meet the latest safety requirements. The vehicle also lacks a child presence detection system, which could alert the driver if a child remains in the car after locking.

Despite these findings, the MG HS achieved impressive overall scores, with 90% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 83% for vulnerable road user protection, and 89% for safety assistance. These scores exceed ANCAP’s five-star rating thresholds, which require minimums of 80% for adult and child occupant protection, and 70% each for vulnerable road user protection and safety assistance.

Carla Hoorweg, CEO of ANCAP, highlighted the significance of this rating, especially as ANCAP has upgraded its protocols twice since the previous generation MG HS earned its five-star rating in 2019. “It is positive to see MG continue to invest in the safety of the HS,” said Hoorweg.

Currently, only two MG models in Australia hold a five-star ANCAP rating: the MG 4 electric hatch, rated under less stringent criteria in 2022, and now the non-hybrid MG HS. In contrast, the MG 3 hatch received a three-star rating in 2024, and the MG 5 sedan scored zero stars in 2023.

MG has also announced that hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the HS will arrive in Australia by June 2025, with their ANCAP ratings expected to follow. Additionally, the new-generation MG ZS SUV is set to launch this month with a hybrid variant, with an ANCAP safety rating anticipated soon.

For buyers seeking a family SUV with robust safety features and a strong ANCAP rating, the 2024 MG HS continues to make a compelling case, particularly as MG advances its focus on safety and new technology in the Australian market.