The upcoming MG QS Super Hybrid is poised to enter the Australian market, directly competing with established models from Toyota and Kia, as well as other challengers in the expanding plug-in hybrid SUV segment. According to government certification documents reviewed by CarExpert, the QS Super Hybrid has received approval for sale in Australia, unveiling significant details about its innovative plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The QS Super Hybrid combines a 105kW turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single-speed automatic transmission and a 170kW electric motor. MG claims a total system output of 150kW, which closely mirrors the existing petrol-powered QS that launched earlier in 2025, producing 153kW from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. While the approval documents do not disclose battery capacity or electric-only range, they indicate that the model will only be available with front-wheel drive.
In terms of design and layout, the QS Super Hybrid will maintain a seven-seat configuration, matching its rival, the Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid, and providing a distinct advantage over the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq PHEV, which offers only a five-seat option. The new model is rated to tow up to 750kg unbraked and 2000kg braked, with a weight of 2124kg and a gross vehicle mass of 2717kg.
Key Features and Market Positioning
According to the documents, the QS Super Hybrid features 20-inch alloy wheels similar to the petrol-powered QS Excite. Its dimensions remain unchanged from the regular QS, measuring 4983mm in length and 1967mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2915mm. This positions it comfortably between the Hyundai Santa Fe and Palisade in terms of size.
The exterior styling of the QS Super Hybrid has been confirmed through a recent Euro NCAP report, where it achieved a five-star safety rating. The model is also set to launch in Europe under the nameplate MG S9 PHEV. Following the filing to trademark the QS Plug-in Hybrid name last year, MG further secured the QS Super Hybrid name in August, aligning it with the HS Super Hybrid.
In the HS model, MG typically charges a premium of $15,000 to $16,000 for plug-in hybrid variants over base petrol models. If a similar pricing strategy is adopted for the QS, the expected drive-away price could fall in the low to mid-$60,000 range. This pricing strategy positions the QS Super Hybrid competitively against models like the Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid, priced at $59,990 before on-road costs. The QS could also undercut the base Toyota Kluger, which features a conventional hybrid system, and significantly reduce the cost compared to the Kia Sorento PHEV, starting from $70,880.
MG launched the QS in Australia in mid-2025, marking its entry into the three-row SUV market. The model is a rebadged version of the RX9 from MG’s parent company, SAIC Motor. So far this year, the QS has recorded 777 deliveries in Australia, surpassing the Nissan Pathfinder (with 636 deliveries) and approaching the Skoda Kodiaq (with 1035 deliveries).
As anticipation builds around the MG QS Super Hybrid, its launch is expected to provide consumers with an affordable option in the increasingly popular plug-in hybrid SUV market in Australia. As MG Motor Australia continues to finalize the launch details, the automotive landscape remains keenly focused on the competitive dynamics this new entrant will introduce.
