MG ZS review – even better value than before

Verdict – is the MG ZS a good car?

MG has been on a bit of a roll of late, and the MG ZS is a massive improvement over its predecessor. You get so much for the money because the MG ZS is the size of cars from the class above at the same price as smaller SUVs. Its hybrid system makes it very economical to run, too, and although rivals offer a more fun driving experience, it’s perfectly good enough for most buyers’ needs. It’s not the most refined car to drive as there’s lots of road noise and the driving position isn’t the most adjustable, but with such a competitive list price it’s hard to find fault.

MG ZS models, specs and alternatives

The MG ZS is now in its second generation and it’s been brought back as a small hybrid SUV. Unlike before, however, the latest MG ZS is no longer available as an EV, with that version set to be replaced by a standalone model currently known as the ES5 in China, but likely to be renamed before it reaches our shores.

The name of the game for MG is affordability, though, and despite the extra hybrid tech, it’s not crept up in price; the MG ZS Hybrid+ starts from just £21,995 in entry-level SE trim, making it cheaper than the Ford Puma by a substantial £4,000 and the Hyundai Kona Hybrid by a whopping £8,000. In fact, its price puts it on par with what you can expect to pay for a mid-range Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid supermini, except here you’re getting the fashionable SUV shape and extra practicality.

If that wasn’t affordable enough, a petrol version may join the lineup later down the line as an even more accessibly-priced option. While details of the petrol model are yet to be confirmed, the MG ZS Hybrid+ will be available from launch with a 1.5-litre engine paired with an electric motor; a similar setup to the one used in the MG3 supermini, which produces 197bhp.

Like the rest of MG’s lineup there’s just two trim levels: SE and Trophy. SE cars are well equipped for the money with everything you’d expect of a car in 2024, such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a rear-view camera and lots of safety assistance kit. Go for Trophy and you’ll get heated faux leather seats and steering wheel, tinted glass and a 360-degree parking camera.

From launch, at least, the MG ZS is hybrid only, so it’s very fuel efficient and should be fairly cheap to run. There’s no electric version this time around, but EV buyers should be catered to when a separate new model replaces the outgoing MG ZS EV. It could be worth waiting for that model if you’re interested in a company car, because its zero tailpipe emissions will make it cheaper to run for business users. Read more about the MG ZS's MPG, running costs & CO2 emissions...

The MG ZS is solely offered in Hybrid+ guise from launch, which uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor. The ZS Hybrid+ is very EV-like to drive because the electric motor propels the wheels for most of the time, while the petrol engine acts like a generator. The ZS Hybrid+’s powertrain offers a healthy 197bhp for punchy, but not necessarily sporty performance. Read more about the MG ZS's engines, drive & performance...

While the ZS’s interior is much nicer than you might expect, and for the most part the brand has done well to disguise its budget-friendliness. There’s lots of tech as standard – so much so that we struggle to see the point in going for the higher-spec Trophy model over the SE. Read more about the MG ZS's interior & comfort...

Some hybrids can suffer in terms of practicality because of the need to make space for the powertrain, but clever packaging means the ZS Hybrid+’s boot is still a good size, and the rear passenger space is generous. Read more about the MG ZS's boot space, practicality & dimensions...

Unfortunately, MG customers report higher instances of faults with their cars than average, and MG ranks poorly in terms of customer satisfaction, having placed last out of 32 manufacturers in 2024. Safety isn’t as good as it could be, with the MG ZS receiving a four-star crash-test rating from Euro NCAP in December 2024. Read more about the MG ZS's reliability & safety...

MG ZS alternatives

Alternatives to the MG ZS include budget-friendly SUVs like the Dacia Duster that are closer to it in size, but also smaller SUVs from well-established brands like the Ford Puma and Renault Captur. Cars like the Nissan Juke and Nissan Qashqai can both rival the MG ZS because while the Juke is smaller, it costs around the same but the Qashqai is closer to the MG ZS in size despite costing thousands more.

• Nissan Qashqai
• Nissan Juke
• Ford Puma
• Renault Captur
• Dacia Duster
• Skoda Kamiq
• SEAT Arona

Should you buy an MG ZS?

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The MG ZS is a great improvement over the last model and it really is impressive how much small SUV you can get from the brand for supermini money. While better-established rivals such as the Ford Puma and Renault Captur are out there, the MG ZS manages to stand out better than before by offering hybrid tech at a great price and lots of equipment.

Sure, a Puma is better to drive and the Captur is a little more stylish, but the MG isn’t by any means bad to drive and it’s an affordable and economical all-rounder with a good amount of space on the inside, too.

Even more impressive is that it’s set to get cheaper with the arrival of a petrol version later down the line. We’ll reserve full judgement until we drive the pure petrol, but so far the Hybrid+’s powertrain has proven itself well suited to the ZS and it’s already cheap enough.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the MG ZS range?

We think buyers will be happy enough with everything that’s offered on SE trim, but while that’s the case, if you want all the bells and whistles and would appreciate its leather-style upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel and 360-degree parking camera, the Trophy is still competitively priced against rivals.

How we tested the MG ZS

We tested the MG ZS on British roads in September 2024 in Hybrid+ Trophy specification.

Visit our sister site Auto Express for an alternative view on the MG ZS ...