Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 MG ZS Hybrid+ Trophy
Price: ZS from £21,995; Trophy from £24,495
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: three-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 196hp
Torque: 465Nm
Emissions: 115g/km
Economy: 55.4mpg
0-62mph: 8.7 seconds
Top speed: 104mph
Boot space: 443-1,457 litres
Styling
It may not be obvious in pictures, but the new ZS is quite a bit larger than its predecessor, measuring about 10cm more from nose to tail, and offering fractional increases in height and width. That bigger body has been adorned with some new MG styling signatures, including the new grille that’s apparently inspired by the latest MG3 and MG HS models, and is set to feature on more MGs in future. That has been joined by new lights and a drooping bonnet, which puts us slightly in mind of the Suzuki Across. Not that that will bother MG too much – the car looks right at home alongside other compact SUVs, and that’s exactly what the company wants.
Interior
Just as MG has revamped the ZS's body, it has done much the same trick inside, where there's a new and more modern dashboard with an integrated touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, as well as a new steering wheel and a more minimalist approach, with fewer buttons on the dash and centre console.
The good news is that the materials used are more tactile than before, and they all seem pretty well bolted together, even if a few buttons feel a little on the cheap side. The screens look much better than before, too, with more modern graphics and better resolution giving them a much-needed glow-up.
However, the software behind the screens is still a bit dated, so the touchscreen is a bit laggy and occasionally awkward to use, despite MG's row of shortcut buttons below the display. And though the instrument cluster is a little better, the confusing steering wheel buttons make it occasionally distracting to configure and some of the displays feel a bit messy. Nevertheless, it adds some welcome brightness and colour to proceedings.
Practicality
Thanks to the ZS's increased dimensions, the cabin is very spacious indeed, with heaps of space in the front and just as much room in the rear. Even tall adults will be perfectly comfortable back there, with plenty of head- and legroom, as well as a sense of airiness. Boot space is, unfortunately, not quite so impressive, with five litres less storage than you get in the old ZS. Apparently, that's down to the hybrid system that lives under the floor, so it may be remedied when the petrol-powered ZS comes. But even if it isn't, the 443-litre space is still pretty generous for a compact SUV, and it puts the ZS ahead of the Toyota Yaris Cross and even the Peugeot 2008.
Performance
The ZS was previously offered in petrol and electric forms, but that's all changing with the new model. The ZS EV is essentially being killed off, replaced with a standalone model, and the ZS is launching in Hybrid+ form, with a pure petrol version to follow.
That means MG has fitted the ZS Hybrid+ with the 1.5-litre petrol hybrid system from the MG3 supermini, with a 100kW electric motor helping the car send 196hp to the front wheels via a three-speed automatic gearbox. Gearbox aside, it all sounds very modern and very clever, and the system is certainly efficient. MG says you'll get almost 55mpg on the official economy test, and our test drive returned almost 50mpg despite some enthusiastic acceleration tests.
In truth, with 196hp, the ZS probably ought to be a little faster than it is, but that's probably down to the gearbox. And if we're really honest, it doesn't need to go any faster. A 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds is perfectly adequate, and though it runs out of puff as you go faster (backed up by the 104mph top speed), it'll keep up with traffic happily and it's even fine for overtaking.
There is one more issue with the gearbox, though, because it makes some very strange decisions now and then, leaving the engine droning away at almost medium revolutions for no apparent reason. It's a shame, because it spoils what is otherwise a very refined system that tends to use the electric motor much more than we expected.
Ride & Handling
Occasional refinement issues and acceleration flat-spots aside, the ZS's hybrid system is pretty good, but the way it drives is no better than acceptable. Light steering and slightly slack control of body movements, particularly on unfavourable road surfaces, mean it won't excite any keen drivers, but the brakes are very positive and it's fairly manoeuvrable in town.
Unfortunately, it isn't all that comfortable on the urban streets where it should excel. The suspension is quite soft, but it also feels quite sloppy in its responses, so short, sharp imperfections such as potholes will make their presence felt. It isn't disastrous, but it could be smoother. And at higher speeds, it is, with the longer-wavelength bumps of motorways and fast A-roads proving a little kinder to the car's springs. The problem then, though, is that the road noise becomes very noticeable, reducing comfort on long journeys, even if you try to drown it out with the stereo.
Overall, then, the ZS always feels one issue away from being very capable in any given situation, leaving us with a car that's kind of okay dynamically, but never threatens to be any better than that.
Value
Value has long been key to the appeal of many MG products, and though the ZS has improved in many ways, the price is still as competitive as ever. Despite the increased size and the introduction of hybrid tech, the ZS starts at just under £22,000 for the basic SE model. And though we say it's basic, it still comes with 17-inch alloys, a reversing camera and automatic air conditioning, as well as parking sensors and all the touchscreen gubbins as standard. And it's barely more expensive than a basic Polo.
If you want more kit (and you're happy to spend another £2,500, which apparently most MG customers are), you can have the Trophy model tested here. That costs more, but you get artificial leather upholstery, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, not to mention an electrically adjustable driving seat, privacy glass and an upgraded 360-degree manoeuvring camera.
Verdict
The ZS is still flawed – it doesn’t drive that well and the tech isn’t quite there yet – but it has improved on its predecessor in almost every area. It’s roomy, it’s quite nice inside and it’s efficient, so customers who are upgrading from the outgoing model can have few complaints. And those coming from elsewhere will be astonished that such a competitive compact SUV can be sold quite so cheaply, and with so much standard equipment.
