2018 MG ZS

Here we have a compact SUV with a low price and high equipment levels.  The new MG ZS cracks one of the best small SUV bargains in Australia, so it’s well worth a look if you’re after a snazzy little number for not too-high-a-price.  Having such a great heritage, it’s great to see MG back into the swing of things and getting some more new cars out on our roads – be it with plenty of Chinese input and less from Britain.

2018 MG ZS SUV

Mazda’s CX-3 has similarly nice lines to the new MG ZS, and in the MG ZS’s favour it is the roomier of the two.  MG’s new ZS is actually longer, taller and wider than the CX-3.  Other vehicles in this compact SUV bracket would be a Honda HRV, Nissan Juke, Suzuki Vitara, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Toyota CHR.  This list gives us an indication to the new MG’s playing field.

Let’s start with the interior because the cabin offers plenty of space for four adults, though a fifth adult will squeeze-in in the middle of the back seat.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the comfort levels are very good in an MG ZS.  Front seats offer great support and are soft in all the right places.  Back window seat passengers will appreciate the excellent leg and head space available compared with rival cars.  The steering wheel is nice and chunky, fitting comfortably inside the palms of your hands.  It’s easy to adjust the seat and steering wheel to get the right position for the drive ahead.  Boot space is class leading with 448 litres to fill with the rear seats in place.  The false floor has some handy storage compartments inside, which is pretty cool.  Rear seats also fold forward for more luggage space, if required.

2018 MG ZS Interior

Casting your eye over the dash, the materials and design are pleasant – though the trim is of a lesser grade material than what you’d find in say a CX-3.  This isn’t to say that it won’t last the distance though.  There is an excellent 8-inch infotainment system on-board the MG ZS SUV, and it’s nicely placed for easy touchscreen commands in the centre of the dash.  Very clear graphics offer impressive options for radio, phone, navigation, Apple CarPlay, audio and the like.  Two trims are offered, and they only differ on the Essence boasting push button start.  Otherwise, cruise control, steering wheel mounted controls, Bluetooth, LED DRLs, power windows, a decent sound system, six-speaker audio, air-conditioning and power adjustable mirrors are standard.  If you want to snazz up the MG ZS some more, then there is a striking panoramic glass roof for impressing your passengers.

Two engines power the small MG ZS, and these pretty much define the model differences.  One is an 84 kW 1.5-litre petrol that is connected to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.  Drive this one, and you’ll be driving the MG ZS Soul.  The other engine is found in the MG ZS Essence, and it’s a sweet little 82 kW 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder motor that puts the power down on the road via a six-speed automatic.   The 1.0-litre unit is happy to run through the revs quickly and sounds nice doing the job.  It has a top speed of 180 km/h and will run through the 0-100 km/h sprint in around 12 seconds.

The 1.5-litre unit spins freely and works happily with four-speed auto.  Fuel consumption for both engines average to around 7 litres/100 km – not quite as low as rivals.

Easy to drive, the MG ZS handles well offering three levels of power assistance according to speed and task.  The car sits securely on the road at speed, and happily keeps up with open road limits.  Ride quality is very good, with the emphasis on comfort and not sport.  At city speeds the ZS is nice and quiet, but as the speed climbs there is a bit of tyre and wind noise about.

Most of the safety equipment like ABS, ESP, airbags and Hill Launch Assist is standard, but the MG ZS doesn’t have autonomous braking which one might expect for 2018.

As a compact SUV the MG ZS is excellent value for money, seriously roomy inside and comes with an impressive 7-year warranty.  It’s also impressively well equipped, so this might just be the vehicle you’re after.

2018 MG ZS

The 2018 MG ZS model series includes the:

• MG ZS Soul
• MG ZS Essence

For any more information on the new MG ZS models or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of MG dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!