MG HS vs Omoda 5: which Chinese compact SUV offers the best value for money in 2026

Two Chinese compact SUVs, the same entry price of around 37,000-38,000 €, and two completely different ways of understanding electrified mobility. The MG HS bets on the plug-in with a supporting petrol engine; the Omoda 5 goes all in with a 61 kWh battery and zero tailpipe emissions. On paper they compete in the same segment and almost the same price bracket. In practice, they cater to very different driver profiles.

This comparison does not aim to crown a universal winner — that would be cheating. It aims for something more useful: helping you decide according to how you actually drive, not according to what sounds best on a spec sheet.

MG HS PHEV, from 37,340 €: the plug-in that bets on combined range

The MG HS comes in the PHEV 1.5T 339 Comfort version with automatic gearbox, and its proposition is clear: drive electric around town and let the petrol engine take over on the road. With a 21.4 kWh battery it offers an electric range of around 100 km, enough to cover the daily commute of most users without touching the fuel tank.

Combined power is around 339 CV, a figure that surprises in a compact SUV — and it shows in overtaking, although that is not where the MG HS wants to shine.

The homologated consumption of 0.5 l/100 km only makes sense if you charge the car regularly. Without a plug to hand, the MG HS becomes a heavy hybrid hauling a battery it does not use — and the appeal fades.

Omoda 5 electric, from 37,900 €: the 100% electric bet with 430 km of range

The Omoda 5 plays a different game. No supporting petrol engine: a 150 kW (204 CV) electric motor and a 61 kWh battery homologated for 430 km of range. It is, by far, the figure that will weigh most in the purchase decision for anyone with a wallbox at home or a garage with an accessible charging point.

It is 204 CV against the 339 of the MG HS, and it shows in daily life: the Omoda 5 does not aim to impress at the traffic light, it aims to get you to your destination without range anxiety. Its top speed of 172 km/h sits about 28 km/h below that of the MG HS — a figure that on Spanish motorways, limited to 120, is almost anecdotal.

MG HS vs Omoda 5: direct technical comparison

Side by side, the difference in philosophy translates into very different numbers despite the similar price.

The score takes into account power, range useful for real use, entry price and the fine print of each technology. The Omoda 5 earns an extra point for handling long trips without a hitch; the MG HS recovers almost all of it if your daily mileage fits within those 100 electric km.

Which one suits your real use best? Urban, mixed and long distance

Urban use

For the city, either one does more than enough. The MG HS runs in pure electric mode with no noise or emissions, just like the Omoda 5. Here the tie is almost total — the difference appears when you leave the city.

Mixed use

If you combine short weekday trips with the occasional weekend getaway, the MG HS makes sense: you charge at home, do the week in electric, and the petrol engine covers the getaway without depending on a public charging point. The Omoda 5 requires planning your charging if the trip exceeds 400 km, something we already analysed when comparing the KIA EV5 against the Skoda Elroq in terms of real fast charging.

Long distances and access to charging

Here the advantage is reversed. If your day to day often involves motorway driving and you have a wallbox at home, the 430 km of the Omoda 5 are enough for the vast majority of journeys without stopping to refuel. The MG HS, by contrast, works as a conventional hybrid on the road — efficient, but without the tax advantage or the silence of pure electric.

Price, incentives and real cost of ownership

The 37,340 € of the MG HS and the 37,900 € of the Omoda 5 are the manufacturer’s recommended RRP, with no dealer discounts or one-off campaigns — worth keeping in mind before comparing real quotes. Both models may benefit from the Plan Auto+ in force in Spain, whose exact amount should be checked on the official website before closing the deal, as it varies by autonomous community and whether a scrappage is involved.

Highmotor verdict: which Chinese compact SUV offers the best value for money

There is no trick in this conclusion: it depends on your access to charging. If you have a wallbox and your annual mileage is not extreme, the Omoda 5 offers more useful range for about 560 € more. If your parking has no charging point or you frequently make long journeys, the MG HS frees you from that dependence without giving up daily electric driving. On gross value for money, the Omoda 5 has a slight edge — but the MG HS compensates with power that, for those who value overtaking, weighs more than the spec sheet suggests.

Frequently asked questions

What is the real electric range of the MG HS PHEV?
The MG HS PHEV is homologated for around 100 km in electric mode, enough to cover daily urban journeys without burning petrol if it is charged regularly.

How much does the Omoda 5 cost in Spain?
The Omoda 5 204 61kWh starts at an indicative RRP of 37,900 €, not including dealer discounts or public purchase aid.

Is a PHEV or a pure electric better for a compact SUV in 2026?
It depends on access to charging: with a wallbox at home and frequent long journeys, a pure electric like the Omoda 5 pays off; without a reliable charging point, the PHEV of the MG HS gives more room for use.

Which environmental label do the MG HS and the Omoda 5 carry?
Both models carry the DGT ZERO label, as the former is a plug-in with sufficient electric range and the latter is a pure electric.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

Off-RoadMG HS8 versions · from 30,340 €

CrossoverSkoda Elroq6 versions · from 34,530 €

K

CrossoverKIA EV53 versions · from 46,070 €