MG HS vs Omoda 5: which Chinese compact SUV with petrol engine offers more equipment for less than 28,000 euros

The Chinese compact SUV has become the arena where brands fight hardest in Spain. A rock-bottom price is no longer enough: buyers want serious equipment, a long warranty and a screen that doesn’t look like it came out of a router. That is why MG HS vs Omoda 5 has become one of the most searched comparisons in the segment, especially among those who limit their search to under 28,000 euros and rule out diesel from the entry level.

Before getting into it, an uncomfortable but necessary warning: the prices you will see below are indicative manufacturer RRPs, without dealer discounts, financing campaigns or subsidies. Real street prices often shift the final figure by several thousand euros.

Why the Chinese compact SUV with petrol engine is taking over the segment

Three years ago, a compact SUV buyer looked at Peugeot, SEAT or Nissan. Today they also look at MG and Omoda — and sometimes first. The reason is simple: a well-equipped Chinese compact petrol SUV comes in under 28,000 euros with dual-zone climate control, a central screen of 10 inches or more, a 360° camera in many cases and a warranty that reaches seven years. European mainstream makers find it hard to match this, and in that price band they are cutting equipment as if there were no tomorrow.

The typical buyer here is not looking for a sports car: they want a family car for 15,000–20,000 km a year, with a C label, able to enter ZBE zones without restrictions and to make a Madrid–Valencia trip without drama. That is exactly the ground on which MG and Omoda compete.

MG HS: the veteran that has learned to dress up (from 37,340 €)

MG has been in Spain for several years and it shows. The HS is its reference compact SUV, with an exterior look more restrained than the Omoda’s — clean lines, little theatrics — and an interior that has made a leap in quality over the previous generation. The plastics are still not premium, let’s be honest, but the ergonomics work and the boot volume convinces.

Now, here is the important nuance. In our official data sheet, the MG HS we are handling is the PHEV Comfort variant, a plug-in hybrid that goes above 37,000 euros RRP. In other words: if your budget ceiling is 28,000 euros, you will have to look at pure petrol versions from the entry range, whose exact prices should be confirmed with the dealer because MG’s commercial policy changes frequently.

In practice, the HS PHEV is a very capable car — 268 CV combined is no small thing — but it falls outside this article’s price target. For the buyer who insists on pure petrol below 28,000 euros, the conversation with MG turns to more modest entry versions with somewhat reduced equipment.

Omoda 5: the newcomer that bets everything on design (from 34,295 €)

Omoda plays in a different aesthetic league. The 5 is probably the Chinese SUV with the most striking look in the segment in Spain: huge grille, knife-edge lines and an interior that, in my view, has more personality than the MG’s. The two screens merged into a single horizontal panel are the obvious nod to what we have already seen in other Chinese SUVs with serious onboard technology.

Again, mind the nuance. The version in our official data sheet is the Omoda 5 61 kWh electric, which starts at around 34,295 euros RRP. The petrol variant that does fit below 28,000 euros exists on the Spanish market, but with different power and equipment from this data sheet, so it is best not to mix the figures.

The Omoda 5 electric is a good car, with reasonable real-world range for mixed use and an acceptable, if not cutting-edge, charging curve. But we insist: if your final choice is a petrol Omoda below 28,000 euros, the technical data for that specific version must be requested from the dealer, because the data sheet we use here as the canonical source does not cover that variant.

Standard equipment: where the purchase is really decided

This is where the comparison gets interesting. Both SUVs come with climate control, a large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the mid-level trims, and an ADAS package that includes emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control. In the entry band, MG tends to be somewhat more generous on seats (upholstery quality), while Omoda wins on screens and on the perception of modernity.

And the warranty? Both brands offer 7 years, although it is worth reading the small print on the maximum covered mileage. In our view, it is the strongest argument the Chinese brands have for dispelling the conservative buyer’s fear.

Summary comparison table with score

For the buyer strictly looking for a Chinese SUV under 28,000 euros, both models have entry versions below that figure — confirm them with the dealer — but with engines and equipment different from the data sheets we have used as source. Do not mix figures: ask for a closed price, the specific unit and the warranty kilometres in writing. And remember that subsidies are available under the Plan Auto+ scheme for electrified vehicles; check the amounts on the official website before signing anything.

So, which one should we buy?

If design and screens matter to you above almost everything else, the Omoda 5 pulls harder. If you prefer a more sober proposal, with a commercial track record already established in Spain and a more mature service network, the MG HS weighs more heavily. Neither is perfect — hard plastics show up in both if you scratch the surface — but for the money they ask, they offer a equipment-to-price ratio that is hard to find among European mainstream makers. For those who want to keep exploring, the comparison with other Chinese hybrid SUVs under 35,000 euros also helps put the segment in context.

Frequently asked questions

Do MG HS and Omoda 5 have the same warranty in Spain?
Both brands offer 7-year warranties on their compact SUVs sold in Spain, subject to mileage limits and servicing at the official network. It is advisable to check in writing exactly which components each policy covers before signing.

Are there pure petrol versions of both models below 28,000 euros?
Yes, both MG and Omoda sell entry petrol variants on the Spanish market that may fall below that figure depending on trim and current campaign. The technical data for those specific versions must be confirmed with the dealer, as they differ from the hybrid/electric data sheets used in this article.

Which one has the better screen and infotainment?
In general perception, the Omoda 5 offers a more modern and visually striking panel, with its merged dual screen. The MG HS is more conventional in layout, though equally complete in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Do the prices quoted include discounts or subsidies?
No. The amounts quoted are manufacturer RRPs, without dealer discounts, financing campaigns, one-off promotions or public aid such as Plan Auto+. The final purchase price is usually considerably lower after negotiation.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadMG HS8 versions · from 30,340 €