This is our third follow-up on the comparison series of the Corolla Cross with its multiple competitors. In this blog, we will compare the Corolla Cross non-hybrid with the MG HS, specifically the Essence variant, which is the CKD unit.
Their pricing is:
- MG HS Essence: PKR 8.1 million
- Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 X: PKR 8.9 million
Both cars are C-segment crossovers with similar specs and features and of the same league. Before making the comparison, note that we’ll compare the top-of-the-line variants of both cars, i.e., HS Essence and Corolla Cross 1.8 X.
Also read, A Comparison – Toyota Corolla Cross Non-Hybrid Vs. Hyundai Tucson
A Comparison – Toyota Corolla Cross Non-Hybrid Vs. Kia Sportage.
Interior
Both cars offer elegant and beautiful interiors, and both interiors are based on a new and modern philosophy of using minimal and simple interiors with leather stitching on both models. MG HS has the majority of the car controls in the infotainment system, including vehicle controls, air conditioning, seat adjustments, and even climate control. On the other hand, the Corolla Cross 1.8x comes with a Terra Rosa interior and is completely wrapped in leather with dotted seats for ventilation.
Both cars have standard features, including steering controls, telescopic steering, climate control, electronic driver seat adjustments, headlight adjustments, infotainment systems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multiple driving modes, manual driver adjustments on the passenger side, rear AC vents, and rain sensors.
The MG HS takes the lead here with the addition of a sunroof and heated seats, which the Corolla Cross 1.8 X lacks. For Pakistanis, this is an important consideration when buying a vehicle.
Exterior
MG offers a chrome-finished mesh grille along with projector lamps and LED DRLs on the headlight side, fog lamps with chrome accents, and a matte white underskirt on the bumper. Whereas Cross comes with a piano black mesh grill and a matte black bumper with fog lamps. It also features projector lamps with LED DRLs, the same as HS. So overall, besides fog lamps, both models have identical specs and looks depending on person to person. However, from our perspective, the design cuts of MG HS headlights give it a more aggressive look than the Cross.
On the side view, Cross offers 17-inch alloy rims, while Essence comes with 18-inch rims straight from the factory. Both cars have side mirror indicators and a character line that flows from the front to the back. The MG HS takes the lead here with a dedicated chrome and matte black foot bar, which facilitates easy access when getting in and out of the car. Additionally, both cars offer power boot features for easy trunk opening.
MG, again, takes the edge here with the addition of a front camera and a spare that is lacking in the Corolla Cross.
Under the Hood
Here’s the 1-1 comparison of engine and performance details of both cars:
| Specs | Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 X | MG HS Essence |
| Displacement | 1798 cc | 1490 cc |
| Horse Power | 103 HP @ 6400 RPM | 160 HP @ 5600 RPM |
| Torque | 172 Nm @ 4000 RPM | 250 Nm @ 4400 RPM |
| No. of Cylinders | 4 | 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 13:1 | 10:1 |
| Valves per Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Transmission Type | Automatic (CVT) | Automatic (DCT) |
| Gearbox | 7 – speed | 7 – speed |
| Fuel System | Direct Injection | MPI |
Dimensions
Here’s the 1-1 comparison of the dimensions of both cars:
| Dimensions | Corolla Cross | MG HS Essence |
| Overall Length | 4460 mm | 4574 mm |
| Overall Width | 1825 mm | 1876 mm |
| Overall Height | 1620 mm | 1685 mm |
| Wheel Base | 2640 mm | 2720 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 161 mm | 175 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1395 KG | 1523 KG |
| Boot Space | 436 L | 463 L |
Safety Features
Of course, no one can beat MG’s ADAS (MG Pilot) in terms of the safety features in the local CKD market. MG Pilot is a suite of clever assistance technologies made up of 10 safety features that are all designed to keep passengers protected in accidents and crash situations. It covers:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Intelligent High Beam Control
- Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection (disabled in Essence variant)
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
- Lane Change Assist (LCA)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
On the other hand, the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 X also offers some safety features, such as an immobilizer, ABS, traction control, and VSA, but MG’s safety features are one step further than those of its competitor.
What is your take on this comparison? Which crossover SUV will you chose? Please tell us in the comments section.
