MG ZS Review 2023
MG ZS Review 2023
Introducing the MG ZS Hatchback
The MG ZS Hatchback is a stylish and practical car that is designed to offer a blend of affordability, performance, and comfort. With its sleek exterior, spacious interior, and range of advanced features, the MG ZS is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable family car in the UK. In this review, we will take a closer look at the MG ZS Hatchback and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this car.
What are the MG ZS trim levels?
The MG ZS hatchback is available in two trim levels with the petrol models in the UK: Excite and Exclusive.
MG ZS Excite trim
The Excite trim level is the entry-level option and comes with a decent amount of standard features, including:
- 17" Typhoon diamond cut alloy wheels
- 10.1" colour touchscreen
- LED Bi-Function headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- Follow me home headlights
- Air conditioning
- DAB audio
- 4-Speaker Audio System
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- USB Mobile Phone Charging Function
- Cruise Control with Speed Limiter
- Driver’s 6-way Adjustable Seat
- Electrically Adjustable, Folding, Heated, Body Colour Door Mirrors
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Silver Roof Rails
MG ZS Exclusive trim
The Exclusive trim level adds extra premium features, including:
- Front Fog Lights
- Rain Sensing Wipers
- Rear Privacy Glass
- 6-Speaker Audio System with 3D Sound
- Satellite Navigation
- 360° Parking Camera
- 17" Tomahawk Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels
- Leather Style Upholstery with Contrast Stitching
- Electric Driver’s 6-way Adjustable Seat
- Heated Front Seats
MG ZS Interior
The MG ZS hatchback's interior is well-designed, with a clean and modern look. One of the key benefits of the MG ZS is the spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of space for the driver and passengers sitting in the front and rear. In fact, even adults six feet tall or more will be surprised that their heads won't be protruding against the car's roof and will also be pleased with the generous amount of legroom in the car's rear.
The driver’s seat has six-way adjustment, helping you easily find a comfy seating position. Upgrading to the top-level Exclusive trim gives you seats with leather upholstery, and the driver can adjust their seat electrically. Both front seats in the Exclusive trim are heated, which is a nice luxury to have on cold winter mornings.
The interior of the MG ZS is more refined than its nearest competitor, the Dacia Duster, with the dashboard fitted with soft-touch plastics and solid physical buttons to control the air-conditioning, which is equipped as standard.
Even the entry-level 'Excite' trim is fitted with a 10.0" touchscreen infotainment system, which has sharp graphics and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring to allow you to use your phone's apps on the colour touchscreen. Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio are also available on both trims.
Step up to the premium Exclusive trim, and you also get an enhanced 6-Speaker Audio System with 3D Sound, a built-in sat-nav and a 360-degree camera that makes parking much easier and safer.
MG ZS Boot space
The MG ZS petrol hatchback offers a decent amount of boot space for its class, making it a practical choice for small families or individuals who need to carry bulky items. Here are the key details of the MG ZS petrol hatchback's boot space:
- The MG ZS petrol hatchback has a boot capacity of 448 litres with the rear seats up.
- Boot space can be expanded to 1,375 litres with the rear seats folded down.
- The boot opening is wide, and the load lip is low, making it easy to load and unload heavy items.
- The MG ZS petrol hatchback's boot space is well-shaped, with minimal intrusion from the wheel arches, allowing for easy storage of large items.
- The rear seats split 60/40 and fold down easily with the touch of a button, allowing for increased flexibility when carrying larger items.
- You should be able to fit up to six carry-on suitcases underneath the parcel shelf, which is about the same amount you can fit in the luggage compartment of the Nissan Qashqai.
Overall, the MG ZS petrol hatchback's boot space is impressive for its class, offering plenty of room for everyday use or longer journeys with luggage.
MG ZS Exterior
The MG ZS is a compact SUV that is designed to be stylish, modern, and practical for everyday use. The car's exterior design is characterised by sharp lines, bold accents, and a distinctive front grille that gives it a sporty look. It is available in six different exterior colours for the UK market: solid Arctic White, metallic Battersea Blue, Black Pearl, Hoxton Orange, Monument Silver and tri-coat Dynamic Red.
At the front, the car features a prominent grille flanked by LED headlights. The grille has a distinctive honeycomb pattern and features the MG logo in the centre. The car's front bumper is also quite aggressive, with sharp angles and a wide air intake that gives the car a muscular look.
The car sits on 17-inch alloy wheels that are finished in a two-tone design, adding to the car's premium feel. The car's roofline is slightly sloping, which gives the car a coupe-like appearance from the side. Moving to the sides, the car features sculpted body panels that help to create a sense of motion even when the vehicle is stationary.
At the rear, the car features a sleek set of LED taillights that wrap around the car's sides. The car's rear bumper is also quite sporty, with a large diffuser that adds to the car's performance-oriented design. The car's rear window is also quite large, providing excellent rear visibility for the driver.
Whether you're commuting to work or running errands around town, the MG ZS is an excellent choice for those who want an affordable compact SUV with a stylish, sporty and modern exterior design that will turn heads.
What engines are available with the MG ZS?
While some car models have many different engines, MG keeps it simple. You can choose between two petrol engine and gearbox combinations: the four-cylinder 1.5-litre version with a five-speed gearbox, which does 0-60mph in a decent 10.4 seconds or the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder direct injection petrol model with either a six-speed automatic or manual gearbox. You can get from 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds with the manual gearbox or 12.1 seconds with the six-speed automatic gearbox.
The 1.0-litre version delivers 160Nm of torque, which is more than the 141Nm the 1.5-litre engine provides, and the sprightly 1.0-litre engine makes overtaking safe and easy.
Although the MG ZS is also available as an electric vehicle, we'll cover that in a separate review.
What is the MG ZS like to drive?
The MG ZS Hatchback is designed to offer a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience thanks to its advanced features and responsive handling.
The car's handling is smooth and responsive, with a well-balanced suspension system that helps to absorb bumps and rough roads. The car's steering is precise and well-weighted, making navigating tight corners and narrow streets easy. Overall, the MG ZS Hatchback is a great car for daily commuting and weekend trips, offering a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.
How safe is the MG ZS?
Safety is a vital consideration for any car buyer, and the MG ZS hatchback is no exception. The car has a range of safety features to help protect its occupants in an accident. Let's take a closer look at the safety features of the MG ZS:
Euro NCAP Safety Rating
The MG ZS received a 3-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2017. While this may not be the highest rating possible, it should be noted that the Euro NCAP safety test has become more stringent in recent years, making it harder for cars to achieve a 5-star rating. Despite this, the MG ZS still scored well in most areas, with a 71% score for adult occupant protection and a 59% score for child occupant protection.
Active Safety Features
The MG ZS comes with a range of active safety features designed to help prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. These include:
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
- Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Anti rolling protection
These systems work together to help the driver maintain control of the car in various situations, such as during emergency braking or when driving on slippery roads.
Passive Safety Features
The MG ZS also features a range of passive safety features designed to protect its occupants in the event of an accident. These include:
- Six airbags (dual front, side and curtain airbags)
- Seatbelt pre-tensioners and load-limiters
- ISOFIX child seat mounting points
- Automatic unlocking of doors in case of impact
However, if you step up to the 'Exclusive' trim level, you also get:
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Are MG ZS cars reliable?
The MG ZS performed pretty well in the family SUV class of last year's What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing near the top of the list of 39 vehicles. As a brand, MG also impressed What Car?, finishing in a very respective ninth place, which was higher than competitors such as Dacia (10th), Skoda (13th) and SEAT (15th).
However, it is essential to note that any car's reliability can depend on various factors, such as the maintenance and care of the vehicle, the driving conditions, and other external factors. It is, therefore, important to take good care of your MG ZS Hatchback and have it regularly serviced to ensure its reliability and longevity.
Who is MG ZS made by?
The MG ZS Hatchback is made by the British car manufacturer MG Motor UK, owned by the Chinese automotive company SAIC Motor. The MG brand has a long history in the UK, dating back to the 1920s when it was known for producing affordable sports cars. Today, MG is known for producing affordable and practical cars designed to balance style, performance, and affordability.
What is the MG ZS Petrol Hatchback comparable to?
The MG ZS petrol hatchback competes in the crowded and competitive compact SUV segment, which includes many popular models from a variety of manufacturers. Here are some cars that are comparable to the MG ZS petrol hatchback:
- Nissan Juke: The Juke is a popular choice in the compact SUV segment, offering distinctive styling, a high-quality interior, and a range of efficient engines. Like the MG ZS petrol hatchback, it is also relatively affordable.
- Ford Puma: The Puma is a stylish and sporty compact SUV that offers a fun driving experience and a range of efficient engines. It also has a practical interior and a good level of standard equipment.
- Kia Stonic: The Stonic is a well-equipped and practical compact SUV with a stylish exterior design and a range of efficient engines. It also offers good value for money.
- Peugeot 2008: The 2008 is a stylish and sophisticated compact SUV that offers a range of efficient engines and a high-quality interior. It is also relatively spacious and practical.
- Renault Captur: The Captur is a popular choice in the compact SUV segment, offering a range of efficient engines, a practical interior, and a good level of standard equipment. It also has a distinctive exterior design.
- Skoda Kamiq: The Kamiq is a practical and spacious compact SUV that offers a range of efficient engines and good standard equipment. It also has a high-quality interior and a comfortable ride.
These are just a few examples of cars that are comparable to the MG ZS petrol hatchback in the crowded and competitive compact SUV segment. When considering a new car, it's always a good idea to research and compare several different models to find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Is the MG ZS worth leasing?
Whether or not the MG ZS petrol hatchback is worth buying depends on your individual needs and priorities. Here are some factors to consider:
- The MG ZS petrol hatchback offers good value for money compared to its rivals in the compact SUV segment.
- The car has a spacious and practical interior, with plenty of room for passengers and plenty of boot space.
- The MG ZS petrol hatchback comes with a range of standard features, including air conditioning, cruise control, and a touchscreen infotainment system.
- The car has a modern and stylish exterior design, with a distinctive front grille and LED daytime running lights.
Ultimately, the MG ZS petrol hatchback is a solid choice for those looking for a practical and affordable compact SUV. If you prioritise value for money, interior space, and a good level of standard equipment, the MG ZS petrol hatchback could be a good fit for you.
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