MG Motor UK’s new HS C-segment SUV is now on sale in the UK, setting its sights at rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar.

The Qashqai-rivalling MS HS is priced from £17,995

Offering a low starting price of £17,995, the HS joins the MG3 hatchback, ZS compact SUV and the electric ZS as ahead of the 2020 arrival of a flagship SUV and will play a key role in growing both retail and fleet sales for the brand. It arrives as MG appoints a national fleet sales manager to help drive its fleet presence, building on plans revealed a year ago for an eight-fold increase in fleet volumes by 2023.

Billed as sporty on the outside, family friendly on the inside, the HS features just one engine from launch – a 162hp turbo petrol engine – while a plug-in hybrid will arrive in around 12 months. There are no plans to offer diesels.

Three trims will be on offer; entry-level Explore, mid-level Excite and top-level Exclusive, with the latter two offering the option of a seven-speed DCT transmission instead of the six-speed manual. DCT versions also get a steering wheel-mounted ‘Super Sport’ button that activates a Sport mode and illuminates the interior’s red ambient lighting.

Standard features on the entry-level model include 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry with push button start, a 10.1-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and electric folding and heated door mirrors.

The HS also gets the MG Pilot suite of driver assistance aids as standard, bringing Active Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Intelligent Headlight Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection and Door Opening Warning.

The HS also features MG’s seven-year warranty, which is now standard across the MG range.