Crossover clash: Spec-checking the Ford Territory vs. MG HS

Fresh from having a go with the Territory crossover SUV, we're now thinking "What other vehicle in the crossover segment can rival the Ford's contender"? 

After all, there's plenty going for the Territory. The Territory catches the eyes by way of its trapezoidal grille that's flanked by slim LED headlights, muscular wheel arches on the sides, and a wraparound-style windows that appear to flow around the car. 

The 2022 Territory also offers a wealth of convenience features. For starters, a 10-inch fully digital instrument panel can be redesigned in three selectable themes, the steering column can be adjusted for tilt and reach, while the power windows have a one-touch up and down function. Cabin pollen and PM (particulate matter) 2.5 filter with activated carbon cleans up the cabin air, ambient lighting with seven color options and panoramic sunroof jazz up the interior, heated and cooled front seats pamper passengers, and the driver can adjust their seat 10 ways. 

You'd always be safe inside the 2022 Territory, too.  The vehicle features autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, enhanced active park assist with parallel and perpendicular parking assist, blind spot information system, front and rear parking sensors, and a high-definition 360-degree camera.

Then we get to the Territory's performance specs, which delivered a decent driving experience. Under the hood of the Territory is a turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which sends 141hp and 225Nm of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with Sport mode, straight to its two front wheels. 

All of these could be matched by the HS, a promising crossover entry from MG. 

"The new MG HS is the embodiment of the high standards in design, quality, technology, safety, and value that we at MG Philippines perpetually aim to uphold as a brand,” MG Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Alberto Arcilla boasted as the HS was launched. 

In terms of design, the 2022 HS sets itself apart with swooping body lines and an athletic stance, while MG's signature Stardust Grille lends an elegant look. The Nine-Crystal Lighting units and bright LED headlights with sequential turn light capability,  which is also found on the taillights, serves both aesthetic and function. Eighteen-inch diamond cut alloy wheels round out the HS exterior. 

Inside, the HS once again serves looks and comfort starting with the six-way power-adjustable MG Sport Bucket seats that hug the body in all the right places. The 12.3-inch Virtual Driver Information Center and large 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multimedia functions are the centerpiece of the HS interior.  The 2022 HS' panoramic Stargazer Sunroof provides clear views of the sky, and the car's configurable ambient lighting system allows the occupants to customize the interior lighting color to fit their mood.

To assure drivers of worry-free driving, the 2022 HS comes with a five-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty and access to MG Hero Services that provides 24/7 roadside assistance through the MG Philippines hotline. Through My MG mobile app, the HS driver can book vehicle service appointments online. And if that isn't convenient enough, through the app one can schedule a visit from a Mobile Garage service caravan, which offers MG vehicle owners in-home service for major technical issues. 

Behind the HS's stylish grille resides a 1.5-liter inline-four DOHC turbocharged petrol engine that churns out 169ps and 250Nm of torque to the front wheels. The engine is mated to a seven-speed twin-clutch Sportronic Transmission (TST). The 2022 HS' Sport driving mode not only sharpens engine response, but also enhances steering feel. 

The spec sheets of the Territory Titanium Plus and HS 1.5 TST Trophy below make for an interesting comparison. 

SPECIFICATIONS	Ford Territory Titanium+	MG HS 1.5 TST Trophy
Overall Length (mm)	4,580	4,574
Overall Width (mm)	1,936	1,876
Overall Height (mm)	1,674	1,664
Wheelbase (mm)	2,519	2,720
Engine	1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged	1.5-liter Inline-4 DOHC 16V, Turbocharged, Intercooled Direct Injection
Displacement (cc)	1,500	1,500
Power Output (hp)	141	169
Torque (Nm / rpm)	225	250
Transmission	Continuously variable transmission (CVT) transmission with Sport mode	Seven-speed Twin-clutch Sportronic Transmission (TST) with Manual Tiptronic Function
Drive Wheel	Front Wheel Drive (FWD)	Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
Suspension	Front: McPherson Independent  Rear: Multi-link independent Suspension	Front: MacPherson Strut Rear: Multi-link independent Suspension
Brake	Front: Ventilated Disc Rear: Solid Disc	Front: Ventilated Disc Rear: Solid Disc
Wheels	17-inch Alloy	18-inch Alloy
Tires	235/50R18	235/50R18
Steering Type	Electric Power Steering (EPS)	Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Steering Wheel Controls	Multimedia, Call, and Audio Switches	Multimedia, Call, and Audio Switches
Steering Wheel Heater Function	Without	Without
Headlamps	LED	LED with Snake Light and Follow-Me-Home Function
Daytime Running Lights	LED	LED
High Mount Stop Lamp	With	LED
Side Mirrors	Integrated Turn Signal, Power Adjust,	Integrated Turn Signal, Power Adjust
Tail Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	Rear	Rear
Front Wipers	Variable	Frameless, Variable
Interior Color	Black	Black
Driver Information Center	Trip, Fuel Range, Average Fuel Economy,	Trip, Fuel Range, Average Fuel Economy
Seats	Driver: 10-way Power Adjust  Passenger: Four-way Manual  Rear: Bench Type, 60/40 Split Folding with Retractable Headrest	Driver: Six-way Power Adjust, MG Sport Bucket Seats with Manual Lumbar Passenger: Four-way Power Control Rear: Bench Type, 60/40 Split Folding
Seat Material	Leather	Leather
Seating Capacity	Five	Five
Panoramic Sunroof	With	With
Climate Control	Automatic	Automatic
AC Cabin Pollen Filter	With	Without
Rear View Mirror	Day-Night	Day-Night
Power Windows	Auto Up/Down with Anti-Pinch Feature	Express Up/Down with Anti-Pinch Feature
Infotainment System (Head Unit)	10-inch touchscreen with adjustable quad view, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, four USB ports	10-inch Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Speakers	Six	Six
Entry	Smart Entry	Smart Entry
Push Start/Stop Ignition	With	With
Hands-Free Power Liftgate	Without	With
Active Park Assist	With	Without
Seatbelts	Five with Force Limiter; Driver Pretensioner	Five with Force Limiter; Driver Pretensioner
SRS Airbags	Driver, Front Passenger, and Sides	Driver, Front Passenger, and Sides
Isofix Child Seat Anchorage	With	With
Side Door Impact Beams	With	With
Parking Sensors	With	Rear
Reversing Camera	With (360-Degree)	With
Blind Spot Monitoring	With	With
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	With	With
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)	With	With
Brake Assist (BA)	With	With
Traction Control System (TCS)	With	With
Hill Start Assist (HSA)	With	With
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	With	With
Anti-Theft Alarm System	With	With
Engine Immobilizer	With	With
Lane Departure Warning	With	With
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Without	With
Panic Brake Assist	Without	Without
Cornering Brake Control	With	Without
Crumple Zones	With	With
Forward Collision Alert	With	Without
Following Distance Indicator	With	Without
Automatic Emergency Braking	With	Without
Front Pedestrian Braking	Without	Without
Lane Change Alert	With	With
Rear Park Assist Sensors	With	With
Tire Pressure Monitoring	With	With
Available Body Colors	Crystal White Pearl, Diffused Silver, Moonstone Blue, Panther Black, Ruby Red	Brighton Blue, Extreme Speed Red, Pearl White, Meteorite Black, and Moon White
PRICE	P1,310,000	P1,308,888

 

 Photos from Ford Philippines, The Covenant Car Company, Inc.