Verdict
The MG HS brings the stronger petrol drivetrain: 160 hp and 250 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo, against the Corolla Cross’s 138 hp and 172 Nm from a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine. It is also 114 mm longer, rides on a 80 mm longer wheelbase and has a 463-litre boot. But the Toyota counters with seven airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, where the MG has six airbags and passive cruise. For family buyers, that safety margin matters more than the MG’s panoramic glass roof.
Pick the MG HS if you want 160 hp, 250 Nm, a longer 2,720 mm wheelbase and a panoramic glass roof.
Pick the Toyota Corolla Cross if active safety, seven airbags, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera are priorities.
Key differences
- Engine output: MG HS 160 hp and 250 Nm; Toyota Corolla Cross 138 hp and 172 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: MG HS 4,574 mm and 2,720 mm; Toyota Corolla Cross 4,460 mm and 2,640 mm.
- Boot space: MG HS 463 litres; Toyota Corolla Cross 440 litres.
- Safety: MG HS has 6 airbags and no autonomous braking; Toyota Corolla Cross has 7 airbags and autonomous braking.
- Cruise control: MG HS has passive cruise control; Toyota Corolla Cross has adaptive cruise control.
- Wheels: MG HS has 17-inch alloys with 215/60R17 tyres; Toyota Corolla Cross has 18-inch alloys with 225/50R18 tyres.
HS
- 160 hp and 250 Nm turbocharged engine
- 463-litre boot and 55-litre fuel tank
- Panoramic glass roof
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or collision warning
- Passive rather than adaptive cruise control
- No front parking sensors or 360-degree camera
Corolla Cross
- Seven airbags, autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction
- Powered contactless boot and 360-degree camera
- Lower 138 hp and 172 Nm engine output
- Smaller 440-litre boot
- No panoramic glass roof
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,900✓ | RM133,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM359 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing (Dual VVT-i) |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 160 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ | 138 hp at 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 4,400 rpm✓ | 172 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74 mm × 86.6 mm | 80.5 mm × 88.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed, Twin-clutch Transmission | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,574 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,876 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,664 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 463 litres✓ | 440 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Bravo HPM5 | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used HS & Corolla Cross for sale
HS vs Corolla Cross FAQ
Is the MG HS or Toyota Corolla Cross better?
The Corolla Cross is the better safety-led family choice, with seven airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Choose the MG HS for its 160 hp turbo engine, bigger boot and panoramic roof.
What is the price difference?
The MG HS costs RM129,900 and the Toyota Corolla Cross costs RM133,800, so the Corolla Cross is RM3,900 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The MG HS has the larger boot at 463 litres, 23 litres more than the Toyota Corolla Cross’s 440 litres. Its 55-litre fuel tank is also 8 litres larger than the Toyota’s 47-litre tank.
