2022 MG HS vs Ford Territory: The compact crossover war is on
MG Philippines has just released the all-new HS compact crossover. This of course means that it now has a stronger lineup for the local market.
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Beyond that though, this also means that the competition in the local compact crossover segment has gotten tighter as well.
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So how does the new MG HS fare against the Ford Territory, its primary rival, at least on paper? To find out, let’s compare the top-spec MG HS Trophy against the top-spec Ford Territory Titanium+.
2022 MG HS vs Ford Territory: Exterior
Size-wise, the MG HS is 4,574mm long, 1,876mm wide, and 1,664mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,720mm.
The all-new MG HS
Meanwhile, the Ford Territory has a length of 4,580mm, a width of 1,936mm, and a height of 1,674mm. The Ford model also has a wheelbase length of 2,716mm.
The Ford Territory
MG HS Trophy 1.5 DCT | Dimensions | Ford Territory Titanium+ EcoBoost 1.5 CVT |
4,574mm | Length | 4,580mm |
1,876mm | Width | 1,936mm |
1,664mm | Height | 1,674mm |
2,720mm | Wheelbase | 2,716mm |
N/A | Ground Clearance | 180mm |
From this, we can see that the Ford is slightly larger compared to the HS. In turn, the MG model has a longer wheelbase, but the difference is negligible.
The MG HS from the side
For exterior equipment, both the HS Trophy and the Territory Titanium+ come standard with LED headlamps, LED taillights, daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, roof rails, and power-folding side mirrors.
The Ford Territory from the side
Both also come with rear spoilers and use a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. The MG model, however, does come with a power liftgate. On the flipside, the Ford has rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps which the MG model lacks.
MG HS Trophy 1.5 DCT | Exterior Equipment | Ford Territory Titanium+ EcoBoost 1.5 CVT |
LED | Headlights | LED |
With | Daytime running lights | With |
LED | Turn signal lights | LED |
LED | Taillights | LED |
With | Front fog lamps | With |
With | Roof rails | With |
18 | Wheel size | 18 |
Alloy | Wheel type | Alloy |
2022 MG HS vs Ford Territory: Interior
As compact crossovers, both the MG HS and the Ford Territory offer plenty of space for five occupants. Both also have sizable trunks.
Inside the MG HS
Inside, common between these two are leather seats, electronically adjustable driver’s seats, a tilt and telescopic steering column, a leather-wrapped and multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning with rear vents, and ambient lighting.
MG HS Trophy 1.5 DCT | Interior Equipment | Ford Territory Titanium+ EcoBoost 1.5 CVT |
Leather | Seat material | Perforated leather |
Electronic | Driver’s seat adjustment | electronic |
Tilt and Telescopic | Steering wheel adjustment | Tilt and Telescopic |
Dual-zone automatic w/ rear vents | Air-conditioning type | Automatic w/ rear vents |
Push button | Ignition | Push button |
None | Seat cooling | With |
With | Power liftgate | None |
5 | Seating capacity | 5 |
Both also provide an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a push-to-start button, a digital gauge cluster, and plenty of USB charging ports. Moreover, both also come with 60:40 split-folding rear seats. These two top-spec variants are also each equipped with a sunroof.
However, the Territory Titanium+ comes with seat cooling, and the MG HS does not have that feature. In turn, the HS Trophy comes with MG Sport Bucket Seats, whereas the Ford model has a pair of conventional front seats.
The Territory's cockpit
For on-board entertainment, the MG HS gets a 10-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is then linked to a six-piece speaker system.
Meanwhile, the Territory is also kitted out with a 10-inch touchscreen. For connectivity, it has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets more speakers numbering at eight.
Both head units are of the same size, but the one on the Ford is clearly more capable. The Ford model also has a wireless smartphone charger, which is absent on the MG model.
MG HS Trophy 1.5 DCT | On-board tech | Ford Territory Titanium+ EcoBoost 1.5 CVT |
10-inch touchscreen | Infotainment system | 10-inch touchscreen |
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB | Connectivity options | Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB |
6 | Speakers | 8 |
None | Wireless charger | With |
With | Power-folding side mirrors | With |
With | Auto-dimming rearview mirror | With |
None | Rain-sensing wipers | With |
2022 MG HS vs Ford Territory: Engine and Performance
For power, the MG HS uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine which can produce up to 167 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox with paddle shifters for its manual mode.
The HS's 1.5-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine
The Ford Territory, meanwhile, gets a 1.5-liter inline-4 EcoBoost engine that can make up to 141 horsepower and 225 Nm of torque. It then uses a continuously variable transmission sending power to its front wheels. There’s also a manual mode, but it uses the gear shift lever.
In summary, the MG HS is the more powerful of the two crossover models. One can also argue that it is also sportier due to the presence of paddle shifters.
The Territory's 1.5-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine
For suspension, both the MG HS and the Ford Territory use a MacPherson strut for their front ends, and a multi-link for the rear. Both also have disc brakes for all four wheels, as well as an electronic parking brake with auto hold function.
Specs | MG HS Trophy 1.5 DCT | Ford Territory Titanium+ EcoBoost 1.5 CVT |
Engine | Inline-4 turbo gasoline | Inline-4 EcoBoost gasoline |
Displacement | 1.5-liters | 1.5-liters |
Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission w/ paddle shifters | Continuously variable transmission |
Horsepower | 167 | 141 |
Torque | 250 | 225 |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel-drive | Front-wheel-drive |
2022 MG HS vs Ford Territory: Safety
Both the HS and the Territory come with safety features you’d expect from a modern vehicle. Anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution is standard, along with stability control, hill-start assist, and ISOFIX child seat tethers, among others. Both also have six airbags.
A closer look at the HS's touchscreen and center console
For further safety, these two models also come with blind-spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert and lane departure warning. The MG model does have lane change assist, which is not included in the Territory.
In turn, the Territory is equipped with active parking assist and automatic emergency braking, which are both absent on the MG. Furthermore, the Ford crossover also has adaptive cruise control, while the MG has standard cruise control.
The Territory's headunit showing its 360-degree panoramic view
Lastly, both models do come with reverse cameras. Only the Territory, however, has a 360-degree view camera.
MG HS Trophy 1.5 DCT | Safety equipment | Ford Territory Titanium+ EcoBoost 1.5 CVT |
6 | Airbags | 6 |
With | Anti-lock braking w/ EBD | With |
With | Reverse camera | With |
None | 360-degree camera | With |
Standard | Cruise control | Adaptive |
With | Hill-start assist | With |
With | Stability control | With |
With | ISOFIX | With |
With | Lane departure warning | With |
With | Blind-spot warning | With |
With | Tire pressure monitoring | With |
N/A | Engine immobilizer | With |
N/A | Security alarm | With |
N/A | Speed sensing door lock | With |
None | Emergency braking | With |
2022 MG HS vs Ford Territory: Price
2022 MG HS Variants | Price |
MG HS Alpha 1.5 DCT | Php 1,158,888 |
MG HS Trophy 1.5 DCT | Php 1,208,888 |
2022 Ford Territory Variants | Price |
Territory Trend 1.5 EcoBoost CVT | Php 1,277,000 |
Territory Titanium+ 1.5 EcoBoost CVT | Php 1,310,000 |
2022 MG HS vs Ford Territory: Conclusion
As you can see from the price tables above, the MG HS is looking to undercut the Ford Territory. And if you check out our carguide section, you’ll find that it is gunning for many other compact crossovers, too.
The MG HS from the rear
But then, which is better on paper? Well, if you’re the type who leans more towards sporty rides, the HS might be your thing. It has bucket-type front seats, paddle shifters, and a stronger engine afterall.
However, if you want the convenience of adaptive cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay and active parking assist, then the Territory is your bet.
Do you prefer the look of the Territory's rear end?
Like we always say though, it would be prudent for would-be car buyers to give each model a test drive.
For more car comparisons like this, keep it here on the Philippine’s largest automotive portal.