MG ZS Review 2023

The MG ZS was updated in 2020, but the pace of change in the small SUV class is demonstrated by how rapidly it now feels left behind in most key areas by newer, better rivals and even models from within MG’s own line-up, such as the MG ZS EV. The MG ZS offers cheap family transport, but faces plenty of competition from rivals such as the Suzuki Vitara, popular Dacia Duster and South Korea’s SsangYong Tivoli. Read on for our MG ZS review.

First launched in 2017, the MG ZS landed right in the heart of the affordable SUV sector. With prices starting from less than £18,000, it is one of a growing army of cheap SUVs.

In terms of price versus interior space, it looks a bargain, with a roomy cabin and plenty of boot capacity. There is also a lot of standard equipment, with every version gaining LED headlights, air-conditioning, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

Following a facelift in 2020, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity was made standard across the range.

The facelift also improved cabin quality, but it still lags behind most mainstream rivals. There is lots of shiny black plastic to remind you of the budget price tag.

On the road, the driving experience also reflects the budget price, with vague steering and plenty of body roll. Many newer MG models are engaging to drive, but the MG ZS is not one of them.

The engine range has been kept simple for the MG ZS, with just two petrol options available to choose. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine has been used in previous MG models, while the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit is more modern.

When first launched, the latter engine could only be combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox, but a six-speed manual is now available as well.

Neither engine is particularly quick, or that economical, with official figures showing a combined average of up to 42.7mpg with the 1.0-litre T-GDI.

There is, of course, a separate, all-electric MG ZS EV, which solves many of the issues found in the regular MG ZS. As one of the cheapest electric cars around it is worthy of your attention, with a competitive battery range and no real loss of boot capacity. It also comes with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The MG ZS is a demonstration of how rapidly the MG brand has developed in only a short space of time. New models such as the electric MG4, and indeed the larger MG HS, have made the MG ZS look behind the times.

There is certainly value for money to be had with the MG ZS, but the Dacia Duster does the budget SUV role much better if you want a new car. For those considering used options, the Kia Stonic and stablemate the Hyundai Kona both offer a strong warranty.

Unless you are considering the electric MG ZS EV, which has many more redeeming features, the MG ZS is now too outdated in this ultra-competitive market to recommend.

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar’s MG ZS review.

One of the most impressive aspects of the MG ZS is its practicality and spaciousness. Calling it ‘Tardis-like’ would be stretching things, but the car is roomier inside than its relatively compact dimensions suggest.

Space in the front is generous, with plenty of headroom and legroom on offer. The seats themselves have lots of adjustment, but the steering wheel can only be moved for rake (up and down), not reach (in and out).

There is also a useful number of cubbies and cup-holders.

In the back, the MG ZS is even more impressive. Three adults can fit across the rear bench without feeling squashed, and there is lots of legroom.

The rear doors open wide as well, making life easy for those lifting kids into child seats.

The rear bench splits 60/40 to boost boot capacity, but even with the back seats in use, the MG ZS can hold a considerable 448 litres of luggage. That is more than the rival Renault Captur, and also a fraction bigger than the Dacia Duster.

There is an adjustable dual-height boot floor, while folding the rear seats flat increases boot capacity to 1375 litres.

Given that the cheapest MG ZS costs from less than £18,000, expectations have to be set accordingly.

Following a facelift in mid-2020, the interior design is at least passable. The top of the dashboard features some soft-touch materials, but the majority of the cabin is finished in hard-wearing plastic.

Exclusive trim levels see the MG ZS gain leather-style seats, which look and feel fairly upmarket. There are some notable omissions, though – such as a lack of non-slip material where a smartphone would sit – that remind you of the bargain price.

With new prices starting from less than £18,000, there is no doubt the MG ZS is cheap to buy. That bargain price tag secures the MG ZS in Excite trim, powered by the 1.5 VTi-Tech engine.

A Dacia Duster is several hundred pounds cheaper, with the TCe Essential version priced from just over £17,000. But in terms of specification, the Duster is more basic than the MG ZS.

Moving up the MG ZS range, the fancier Exclusive trim kicks off at just over £20,000 with the 1.5 VTi-Tech engine.

Opting for the 1.0 T-GDI motor adds £1500 to the price, and the automatic gearbox ups things further by approximately £1300.

With a relatively low price, many look to the MG to deliver cheap running costs as well.

Both of the engines offered for the MG ZS offer reasonable fuel economy, but rival SUVs can do much better.

According to the official WLTP testing figures, the 1.5-litre VTi-Tech version of the MG ZS will be capable of averaging 42.7mpg.

By comparison, the 1.0-litre T-GDI engine with the manual six-speed gearbox will average the same 42.7mpg.

Opting for the 1.0-litre T-GDI with the six-speed automatic gearbox will reduce fuel economy, with an official average of 39.0mpg instead.

Out on the road, pushing these engines to achieve better performance will see the average fuel economy tumbling down into the low 30s. Be sure to read our Real MPG submissions to see what Honest John readers have found the MG ZS capable of in the real world.

Where the MG ZS does appeal is for buyers looking to own a car for the long haul. The standard warranty offers seven years or 80,000 miles of cover, making it one of the most impressive on the market.

MG also offers a range of service plans, intended to help spread the cost of maintaining the car.

The reborn MG brand has developed a reputation for building cars that are fun to drive. The electric MG4 is a truly engaging EV, for instance.

Unfortunately, the older MG ZS does not benefit from the same enjoyable handling. Although its steering may be quick once you start to apply lock, it is vague when trying to drive in a straight line.

This results in a need for constant adjustment, making the MG ZS feel tiring on a long motorway journey.

Even with three driving modes to pick from, with steering weights to suit, you still sense little about what the front wheels are doing. MG ZS owners will not be waking up early on a Sunday morning to go for a drive.

The ride itself is unsettled, with bumps in the road often transmitted back into the cabin. It is never too uncomfortable, but this unsettled feel, and the accompanying body roll, serve as a reminder that MG had to save money somewhere.

Unlike for some SUVs, the MG ZS engine range is remarkably simple. Buyers can pick from just two options, both of which are petrol, with performance relatively similar between them.

The cheaper choice is the older 1.5-litre VTi-Tech naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Producing 106PS, with an accompanying 141Nm of torque, this is the slightly slower of the duo.

Accelerating from 0-60mph takes 10.4 seconds in the MG ZS 1.5 VTi-Tech, with a potential top speed of 109mph.

Being naturally aspirated means the 1.5-litre needs to be worked harder to extract its best performance, but at least the five-speed manual gearbox is easy to use.

MG previously only offered the 1.0 T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Now it can be combined with a six-speed manual, which makes it far better to use.

With 111PS and 160Nm of torque, the 1.0 T-GDI is the quicker MG ZS engine option. A 0-60mph time of 10.5 seconds with the manual gearbox demonstrates the effect of the extra torque, and makes the smaller engine easier to use outside of urban areas.

The six-speed automatic transmission is best avoided, though. It increases the car’s 0-60mph time to 12.1 seconds, and is slow to change gears when put under pressure.

As is to be expected at this price point, neither of the two engines is particularly quiet or refined.

The MG ZS has a less-than-stellar safety rating. When assessed by the independent Euro NCAP organisation, the car was awarded a middling three stars for crash safety.

Adult occupant protection was reasonable when assessed in 2017, at 71%, but child occupants fare less well inside the MG ZS, with a 51% score.

A three-star rating is the same as the Dacia Duster, with the MG ZS penalised due to its lack of features such as autonomous emergency braking. In fact, it scored just 29% for safety assistance, with no lane-keeping system available.

Should you be harbouring thoughts of towing with your MG ZS, you may have to lower your expectations.

Regardless of the engine or transmission chosen, the MG ZS is only rated to tow trailers up to 500kg, whether braked or unbraked.

This is notably less than the 1400kg braked trailer that the smallest-engined Dacia Duster can tow. And the larger MG HS is capable of hauling up to 1750kg.

The MG ZS may have a fairly low starting price, but MG has not been stingy when it comes to standard equipment. There are only two trim levels to pick from, keeping things relatively simple.

The entry-level MG ZS Excite trim comes with 17-inch ‘Typhoon’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, bi-function LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and electrically folding side mirrors all included.

The Excite also benefits from silver roof rails, automatic headlight operation and rear parking sensors.

Inside, the seats are finished in houndstooth fabric upholstery, with a six-way adjustable driver’s seat. The passenger’s seat can be adjusted four ways, while there is also a leather-covered steering wheel.

Other features include air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows and a height-adjustable boot floor.

A four-speaker sound system is fitted to the MG ZS Excite, with a 10.1-inch colour touchscreen. This includes DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility.

Moving up to the fancier MG ZS Exclusive brings more standard equipment, starting with 17-inch ‘Tomahawk’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, front foglights, rear privacy glass and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

The seats of the MG ZS Exclusive have a leather-style finish with contrasting stitching, with the front pair being heated. There is also a digital instrument panel, an electric six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a 360-degree surround-view parking camera.

Completing the package is a six-speaker 3D surround-sound audio system, with satellite navigation also included.