Before the release of the Moskvich M70 and Moskvich M90 crossovers on the Russian market, it is logical to turn to the experience of foreign buyers of the models that formed their basis. We are talking about MG HS and MG QS, which have long been sold in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Persian Gulf countries. It was the MG HS that turned out to be the most massive and in demand, so it is most often discussed by real owners.
The history of the donor models turned out to be ambiguous. The large MG QS debuted in China in 2023 under the name Roewe RX9, but was quickly withdrawn from the local market. But the MG HS, known in China as Roewe RX5, continues to be popular. The Moskvich M70 is based on the second generation MG HS, which in China is already considered the third generation RX5.
The main advantage of the MG HS, owners almost unanimously call the price. In many countries, the model is noticeably cheaper than direct competitors. In the UK, the starting price of a crossover is about 26.2 thousand pounds sterling, while the Hyundai Tucson costs at least 33.1 thousand. It is the attractive price that often becomes the decisive argument when buying, even despite some simplifications in the design.
The second important advantage is the rich equipment. For its money, the MG HS offers what competitors offer only in more expensive versions: all-round cameras, wireless charging, a panoramic roof, and electric seat drives. In Europe and Australia, this set is perceived as a serious advantage.
The interior and space have been particularly praised. With dimensions of 4655 × 1890 × 1664 mm, the crossover offers a spacious second row with good legroom and a central armrest. The 507-liter trunk also pleases with its capacity, although owners often complain about the lack of convenient organization elements — hooks, nets and niches.
In terms of dynamics, the MG HS does not disappoint. Even with a 1.5-liter engine, the car confidently stays on the track, accelerates calmly after 100 km/h and is suitable for overtaking. In urban mode, power is also enough. According to reviews, the robotic gearbox works smoothly and does not cause problems.
Driving comfort is another strong point of the model. The suspension smoothes out road irregularities well, without transmitting vibrations to the cabin. Although longitudinal rolling is noticeable on waves and bumps, it does not cause discomfort. The light steering wheel makes the MG HS convenient in dense urban traffic.
However, there are also disadvantages. The most frequent complaints are related to the multimedia system. Two 12.3-inch screens look impressive, but the central display responds to touches with a delay, and small icons complicate control. The standard navigation system for many owners works incorrectly, making mistakes in determining the location, so most prefer to use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Another controversial point is the suspension setting. For the sake of comfort, the engineers made it quite soft, which causes the crossover to noticeably roll in fast corners. Owners note that the MG HS is better suited for relaxed driving than for active driving.
Savings are also noticeable in the interior trim. Hard plastic predominates on the door cards, center console and tunnel, quickly scratches and looks cheap. In hot climates, many complain about the persistent smell of plastic in the first months of operation and advise to ventilate the cabin more often.
Sound insulation has also been criticized. Engine noise is isolated well, but road sounds penetrate into the cabin too actively. A more serious problem, owners call air suction in the area of the driver's door at speeds above 80 km/h. The draft cannot be eliminated even by replacing the seals, which indicates a design flaw.
Finally, fuel consumption raises questions. With a 1.5-liter engine, real consumption is most often in the range of 8–10 liters per 100 km, while official European data show values of less than 7 liters. For its class, the indicator cannot be called critical, but it is higher than the expectations of many buyers.