Competitive pricing of the MG HS means you get a lot of metal for your money.

With the entry-level Explore version costing £17,495, rising to nearly £25,000 for top-spec, it significantly undercuts many of its SUV rivals.

But does that relatively low price tag equate to a lack of quality?

The answer is no, not noticeably.

Materials throughout the cabin are surprisingly plush, while the HS also feels pretty decent to drive.

In terms of looks, it boasts a sporty exterior, with a purposeful-looking front end and bold, strong lines throughout.

At the front, the latest iteration of MG’s stellar field grille frames the large MG logo - said to be the largest yet.

Roof rails, twin tailpipes and an aluminium lower bumper add to the eye-catching appearance, while large 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels provide a bold statement.

The bright LED headlights and rear lights both feature sequential indicators on Exclusive versions, such as the one tested here.

Under the bonnet, the widely re-engineered 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine feels well-matched to a car of this size and character.

It performs the sprint from a standing start to 62mph in under ten seconds, which certainly feels swift enough for a family vehicle.

The four-cylinder, 16-valve unit starts pretty quietly, running smoothly at lower revs, before become rather more noisy under heavy acceleration.

But at least that noise comes with plenty of accessible torque as the turbocharged engine leaps into action and heaves the car’s bulk forwards.

While it won’t provide any driving thrills, the car’s handling is trustworthy enough, with body roll well contained, partly thanks to the all-new model platform beneath it.

Once inside, drivers and passengers are presented with a spacious interior, with a variety of soft-touch and pleasingly tactile materials, contrasting colours and metallic accents.

The top spec Exclusive version comes with a choice of a black leather or a red and black leather interior scheme.

Ambient lighting also runs throughout, creating a warm and inviting space.

Technology and connectivity are impressive in the HS, with a large infotainment screen located front-and-centre of the dashboard.

Featuring a bold 10.1” colour touchscreen, the system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

If there was one criticism of the touchscreen - and it’s rather subjective on my part - it’s that the colours are slightly garish when matched together, with blue, light green and orange making for a somewhat sickly combination.

However, what really matters is that it’s responsive and easy to use.

The interior is also comfortable and spacious. There’s a large boot (450 litres with the seats up) and there’s ample room for tall adults in both front and back.

Another huge plus point for the HS is safety, with the vehicle just having received the coveted Five Star Euro NCAP rating

MG says the vehicles is designed and engineered for safety from the ground up, with features such as the high-tech MG Pilot driver assistance suite coming as standard on all versions.

To underline its commitment to safety, the car also has a habit of making some curious musical noises - the kind you’d expect from a classical musician having an off day - whenever it thinks you’re doing anything that might develop into a safety issue.

Perhaps the theory is that - if the noise is irritating enough - you’ll stop doing it!

In conclusion, the HS looks smart, has a decent engine, an impressive interior and bundles of space. When you factor in those assets, it does everything that some of its more expensive rivals do - if not more.

MG HS 1.5T GDi Exclusive

PRICE: £21,995

ENGINE: 1.5-litre petrol turbo, four cylinder, 16-valve

EMISSIONS: 148g/km

PERFORMANCE: 0-62 in 9.9 seconds and max speed of 118mph

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual, front wheel drive

ECONOMY: 37.2mpg