Verdict
The MG HS costs RM3,988 less at RM129,900, yet brings 160 hp and 250 Nm against the Nissan X-Trail’s 142 hp and 200 Nm, plus a far lower RM120 annual road tax versus RM439. Its 10.25-inch screen, panoramic glass roof and six airbags make it the sharper five-seat proposition. The RM133,888 X-Trail answers with seven seats, a 550-litre boot and Around View Monitor, while its CKD status may matter to buyers. Choose by use case: the MG is stronger value for five; the Nissan is for families needing the extra row.
Pick the MG HS if you want stronger 160 hp/250 Nm performance, lower annual road tax and richer cabin equipment for less money.
Pick the Nissan X-Trail if seven seats, the 550-litre boot and an Around View Monitor matter more than outright performance and running tax.
Key differences
- Price: MG HS RM129,900; Nissan X-Trail RM133,888.
- Output: MG HS 160 hp and 250 Nm; Nissan X-Trail 142 hp and 200 Nm.
- Road tax: MG HS RM120 per year; Nissan X-Trail RM439 per year.
- Seating: MG HS five seats; Nissan X-Trail seven seats.
- Boot space: MG HS 463 litres; Nissan X-Trail 550 litres.
- Airbags: MG HS six airbags including front and rear curtain airbags; Nissan X-Trail four airbags.
HS
- 160 hp and 250 Nm beat the X-Trail’s 142 hp and 200 Nm.
- RM120 annual road tax, versus RM439.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen, panoramic glass roof and six airbags.
- Five seats versus the X-Trail’s seven.
- 463-litre boot versus the X-Trail’s 550 litres.
- Reverse camera lacks the X-Trail’s Around View Monitor.
X-Trail
- Seven seats with a sliding, reclining middle row and 50:50 third row.
- 550-litre boot and 60-litre fuel tank.
- Around View Monitor and dual-zone automatic climate control.
- 142 hp and 200 Nm trail the MG’s 160 hp and 250 Nm.
- RM439 annual road tax is RM319 higher than the MG’s.
- Four airbags and halogen reflector headlamps versus the MG’s six airbags and LED projector headlamps.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,900✓ | RM133,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Horsepower | 160 hp✓ | 142 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 200 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74 mm | 84 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5 | 11.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed, Twin-clutch Transmission | XTRONIC CVT with 7-speed Manual Mode |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 7.5 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,574 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,876 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,664 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,705 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,558 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 463 litres | 550 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Bravo HPM5 | Continental ContiCrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Five Twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Five Twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Engine Brake, Intelligent Trace Control, Active Brake Limited Slip |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Driver and front passenger only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Manual Reclining and Sliding Middle Row with 60:40 Split-folding, Last Row 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB | 2 Front, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 7" Touchscreen Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Support |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Around View Monitor (AVM) |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 5" Advance Drive Assist Display (ADAD) within Instrument Cluster, Under-boot Tonneau Cover |
| 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 & X-Trail for sale
HS vs X-Trail FAQ
Is the MG HS or Nissan X-Trail better?
The MG HS is the better five-seat buy: it costs less, has 18 hp and 50 Nm more, and carries much lower annual road tax. Pick the Nissan X-Trail only if its seven seats, larger 550-litre boot or Around View Monitor are essential.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan X-Trail costs RM3,988 more than the MG HS: RM133,888 against RM129,900.
Which is safer, the MG HS or Nissan X-Trail?
The MG HS has the stronger passive-safety count, with six airbags including front and rear curtain airbags versus four airbags in the Nissan X-Trail. Both have ABS/EBD, stability control, ISOFIX and hill start assist.