Our opinion on the MG ZS
MG is going from strength to strength in the UK, with new models appearing left, right and centre, including this latest ZS. From the humble MG3 hybrid supermini to the head-turning Cyberster sports car, the brand is attacking the automotive establishment from all angles – and usually with strong results when put through our tests.
That bodes well for the ZS, whose closest rival is the Dacia Duster when it comes to price and powertrain. However, that’s not the only competition that this model must overcome; buyers can’t get enough of the Ford Puma, and it’s easy to see why when it drives so brilliantly. Other popular choices in the segment include the Nissan Juke and one of our class favourites, the Renault Captur, both of which are also offered with hybrid power.
About the MG ZS
The second-generation MG ZS has jettisoned its electric powertrain completely, with the MGS5 EV taking on small electric SUV duties instead. Now, the ZS is only available with petrol or full-hybrid power. This latter suits this car particularly well and sets it apart from a number of competitors, in what is fast becoming a vastly overcrowded market.
While the ZS is good enough to drive, spacious and economical, the real selling point is its low list price, which allows it to undercut rivals by several thousand pounds. Even on a monthly finance deal, MG claims it’s cheaper than a like-for-like Hyundai Kona. That alone is almost certainly contributing towards this SUV becoming an increasingly common sight on Britain’s roads.
We’ve tested the MG ZS against the Dacia Duster in our real-world twin test. The MG couldn’t quite manage an outright win, but we found it did at least offer superior performance and a very generous amount of standard kit when compared against an equivalent Duster.
MG ZS prices and latest deals
How much does the MG ZS cost? Well, official ‘on the road’ prices range from £19,975 to £25,015 but you can currently save an average of £3,977 through the Auto Express Find A Car service, where prices start at £17,145. You can lease a MG ZS from £258 per month or buy a used model at prices starting from £16,500.
Check out our latest new car deals, leasing deals and used car deals for the top offers available now on Auto Express. And don’t forget we can help you sell your car, too.
The MG ZS range starts with a regular 1.5-litre petrol engine to keep things ultra affordable, while a more potent (and more recommendable) hybrid powertrain is also available. The hybrid set-up is shared with the smaller MG3 hatchback, which means the petrol engine can drive the wheels directly if necessary, but for the most part, it acts as a generator, sending energy to charge the 1.83kWh battery, which powers the electric motor.
On paper, a three-speed automatic gearbox sounds like a throwback to MGs of the ‘70s, but it’s all that is really needed as a result of that electric motor. The engine itself is a development of the 1.5-litre petrol used in earlier MG models; while we’ve found it pretty unpleasant in the past, here it’s very much taking a back seat, and as a result, it’s easier to live with.
The cheaper petrol model is also powered by a 1.5-litre engine, but there’s no electrical assistance to be found here. If you prefer automatic cars, you’ll have to go for the hybrid because the petrol is only available with a five-speed manual.
