Toyota GR86 vs MG HS

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Toyota GR86 in South Africa

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 173 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 10.9 km/l
VS
MG HS in South Africa

MG HS

2.0T AT Luxury Petrol 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 665,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 170 kW 🔧 370 Nm ⛽ 11.63 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Toyota GR86 vs MG HS: the short answer

HS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

HS starts ZAR 250,000 cheaper GR86 from ZAR 749,900 · HS from ZAR 499,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification GR86 HS
Maximum Power GR86173 kW @ 7000 rpm HS170 kW
Maximum Torque GR86250 Nm @ 3700 rpm HS370 Nm
Engine Size GR862387 cc HS1986 cc
Combined Fuel Economy GR8610.9 km/l HS11.63 km/l
Ground Clearance GR86130 mm HS145 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

MG HS

2.0T AT Luxury

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

GR86

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

HS

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

GR86

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

HS

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec GR86 HS
360 Degree Camera Not Available Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Standard
Around View Monitor Not Available Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking Not Available Standard
Auto Lights Standard -
Auto Wipers Standard Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring Not Available Standard
Blind Spot Warning Not Available Standard
Cruise Control Standard Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert Not Available Standard
Emergency Braking Not Available -
EV Mode Not Available -
Lane Departure Warning Not Available Standard
Lane Keep Assist Not Available Standard
Parking Distance Sensors Rear -
Parking Sensor Rear -
Parking Sensors Rear Standard
Pre-Collision System Not Available -
Rain Sensor Wipers Standard -
Rear View Camera Standard Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Not Available Standard
Rear View Camera Standard -
Reverse Camera Standard Standard
Reverse Camera Type Standard -
Reversing Camera Standard -
Surround View Camera Not Available Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition Not Available Standard
Rear Parking Sensors Rear Standard
Auto Highbeam Not Available Standard
Park Assist Not Available Not Available
Forward Collision Warning Not Available Standard
Spec GR86 HS
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Standard
Axle Layout RWD Front-wheel drive
Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Available
Differential Type Front Not Available -
Differential Type Rear Not Available -
Drivetrain RWD Front-wheel drive
Drivetrain Layout Rear Wheel Drive Front-wheel drive
Engine Position Front Longitudinal -
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Available
Number of Gears 4 9
Gear Shift Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic
Gearbox 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters 9-Speed Automatic
Gearbox Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic
LSD Available Torsen LSD Not Available
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Standard Standard
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard Not Available -
Transmission Speeds 4 9
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Clutch Type Not Applicable Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Standard

In depth: how these cars differ

This GR86 and HS comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: GR86 67 vs HS 70.

Efficiency index: GR86 45 vs HS 46.

Safety-equipment index: GR86 96 vs HS 98.

Practicality index: GR86 46 vs HS 57.

Ownership-cover index: GR86 43 vs HS not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

HS leads by 8 points

HS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 78% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

HS

78% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Efficiency 46
Performance 70
Efficiency 46
Safety 98
Practicality 57
Leads by 8 points
61
#2

GR86

87% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 67
Efficiency 45
Safety 96
Practicality 46
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance HS +3 Efficiency HS +1 Safety HS +2 Practicality HS +11

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

HS

Performance 70/100
Efficiency 46/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 57/100

GR86

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 46/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index MG HS leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 61 pts for GR86

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, HS leads. However, GR86 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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GR86 vs HS questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.