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MG ZS
The MG ZS is a compact crossover SUV from MG Motor, and it has become one of the brand's most popular models since its launch in 2017. Positioned as a value-for-money offering in the highly competitive compact SUV segment, the ZS offers a combination of modern design, advanced technology, and affordable pricing. It caters to a wide range of customers, from urban commuters to small families, who are looking for a practical, stylish, and well-equipped vehicle.
The MG ZS is particularly notable for offering a high level of standard equipment at a relatively low price compared to its rivals, making it a standout in markets like the UK, India, Australia, and China. It has also evolved over time, with the introduction of electric and hybrid variants to meet the demand for more eco-friendly options.
Price
| ฿ 599,000 |
Type: SUV
Engine type: Petrol
Engine size (cc): 1500
Number of doors: 4
Number of seats: 5
1. Overview & Positioning
The MG ZS is positioned as a compact crossover that competes in the highly competitive compact SUV category. Its size makes it ideal for those who need more space than a traditional hatchback but don’t want the bulk of a full-sized SUV. The ZS is ideal for families, young professionals, and anyone looking for an affordable, practical, and stylish vehicle that offers great value.
The ZS has been praised for its modern design, good standard features, and economical engines. In addition to traditional petrol variants, it is also available in an electric version (MG ZS EV), which has gained popularity as an affordable electric SUV option, especially in markets looking to adopt electric vehicles more quickly.
2. Exterior Design
The MG ZS features a contemporary and sporty design, with clean lines, a bold grille, and a well-proportioned stance. The design aims to appeal to customers looking for a compact, urban SUV with some rugged appeal but without being too bulky.
Front Design
Bold Grille: The front of the ZS is dominated by a prominent hexagonal grille, which is flanked by angular, sleek headlights. The grille, with the MG badge prominently displayed, has a modern and sporty feel.
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs): The headlights are typically equipped with LED DRLs, giving the ZS a contemporary look and improving visibility for safety.
Front Bumper: The front bumper is sculpted, with a clean design and larger air intakes for better aerodynamics and cooling.
Side Profile
Sculpted Sides: The side profile of the MG ZS is marked by strong character lines that run the length of the vehicle, giving it a dynamic, athletic appearance.
Roofline: The roofline is slightly sloped towards the rear, which gives the ZS a more modern crossover look, especially when paired with a roof-mounted spoiler.
Wheel Design: The ZS typically comes with 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels that complement its sporty and urban-friendly look.
Rear Design
LED Taillights: The rear features sharp, modern LED taillights, creating a cohesive look with the front-end design.
Roof Spoiler: A sporty roof spoiler improves aerodynamics and adds a stylish edge to the rear design.
Lower Bumper Design: The rear bumper is clean and simple, with integrated reflectors and exhaust outlets, and it features a contrasting lower panel for a rugged appearance.
Dimensions
Length: 4,323 mm (170.1 inches)
Width: 1,809 mm (71.2 inches)
Height: 1,644 mm (64.7 inches)
Wheelbase: 2,580 mm (101.6 inches)
These dimensions give the MG ZS a relatively compact footprint, making it well-suited for both city driving and longer journeys. Despite its compact size, the ZS offers a spacious cabin and a comfortable driving experience.
3. Interior and Comfort
The interior of the MG ZS is designed to be practical, comfortable, and well-equipped, offering a premium feel at a very competitive price point. The layout is simple, intuitive, and offers plenty of tech and comfort features.
Cabin Design
Modern Dashboard: The dashboard features a clean, uncluttered design with soft-touch materials and minimal physical buttons, giving it a modern, tech-forward aesthetic.
Premium Touches: The cabin makes use of premium materials for a vehicle in its price range, including soft-touch plastics, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and chrome accents. Higher trims include faux leather upholstery and upgraded finishes.
Driver-Centric Layout: The interior is designed with the driver in mind, featuring an easy-to-read digital instrument cluster (on higher trims) and a centrally located touchscreen infotainment system.
Seating
Comfortable Front Seats: The front seats are designed to provide good support on longer drives, with manual adjustment as standard and electrically adjustable seats available in higher trims. The seats are well-padded, making them comfortable for both short commutes and longer trips.
Rear Seats: The rear seats are spacious for a compact SUV, with good legroom and headroom for adults. The seats can accommodate up to three passengers comfortably.
Folding Seats: The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, providing flexibility for larger cargo items.
Cargo Space
The MG ZS offers 448 liters of boot space with the rear seats up, which is quite generous for a vehicle of its size. When the seats are folded down, the cargo space expands, allowing the ZS to carry larger items or provide more luggage capacity.
4. Powertrain and Performance
The MG ZS is offered with a range of petrol and electric powertrains, catering to different customer preferences.
Petrol Engine Options
1.5L Petrol Engine: The most common engine variant is a 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing around 106 hp and 141 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic, depending on the trim level.
Performance: The 1.5L petrol engine offers decent performance for a compact SUV. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time is around 11.5 seconds, with a top speed of around 175 km/h (109 mph).
Fuel Economy: The petrol engine delivers good fuel efficiency, with figures around 6-7 liters/100 km, depending on driving conditions.
Electric Version (MG ZS EV)
MG ZS EV: The MG ZS EV is an all-electric version of the ZS and has been a key model for MG’s electric vehicle strategy. It features a 44.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers a 105 kW (143 hp) electric motor, delivering a range of around 263 km (163 miles) on a full charge (WLTP cycle).
Charging: The ZS EV can be charged using a standard home charger (which takes about 6-8 hours for a full charge) or a fast charger (which can charge the battery to 80% in around 40 minutes).
Performance: The electric ZS offers quick acceleration, with a 0-100 km/h time of around 8.5 seconds, making it one of the more energetic compact electric SUVs in its class.
Efficiency: The electric ZS is very efficient, with a combined energy consumption of around 17 kWh/100 km, making it a cost-effective option for urban and suburban drivers.
Drive and Handling
The MG ZS offers front-wheel drive (FWD) across most of its variants, providing sufficient grip and handling for typical driving conditions.
Suspension: The ZS features a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, ensuring a comfortable ride and relatively good handling characteristics.
Driving Modes: The ZS is equipped with multiple driving modes that allow drivers to adjust the steering feel, throttle response, and transmission settings. The Eco mode helps optimize fuel efficiency, while the Sport mode provides a more engaging driving experience.
5. Technology and Features
The MG ZS comes equipped with a host of modern technology and infotainment features, many of which are typically found on more premium vehicles.
Infotainment System
8-inch or 10.1-inch Touchscreen: The infotainment system is one of the standout features of the ZS, offering a large touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for seamless smartphone integration.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard Bluetooth connectivity allows hands-free calling, music streaming, and voice recognition features.
Navigation: Higher trims come with built-in satellite navigation and real-time traffic updates, helping drivers find the quickest routes.
Sound System: The ZS comes with an audio system that can be upgraded to a premium unit on higher trims for better sound quality.
The MG ZS is positioned as a compact crossover that competes in the highly competitive compact SUV category. Its size makes it ideal for those who need more space than a traditional hatchback but don’t want the bulk of a full-sized SUV. The ZS is ideal for families, young professionals, and anyone looking for an affordable, practical, and stylish vehicle that offers great value.
The ZS has been praised for its modern design, good standard features, and economical engines. In addition to traditional petrol variants, it is also available in an electric version (MG ZS EV), which has gained popularity as an affordable electric SUV option, especially in markets looking to adopt electric vehicles more quickly.
2. Exterior Design
The MG ZS features a contemporary and sporty design, with clean lines, a bold grille, and a well-proportioned stance. The design aims to appeal to customers looking for a compact, urban SUV with some rugged appeal but without being too bulky.
Front Design
Bold Grille: The front of the ZS is dominated by a prominent hexagonal grille, which is flanked by angular, sleek headlights. The grille, with the MG badge prominently displayed, has a modern and sporty feel.
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs): The headlights are typically equipped with LED DRLs, giving the ZS a contemporary look and improving visibility for safety.
Front Bumper: The front bumper is sculpted, with a clean design and larger air intakes for better aerodynamics and cooling.
Side Profile
Sculpted Sides: The side profile of the MG ZS is marked by strong character lines that run the length of the vehicle, giving it a dynamic, athletic appearance.
Roofline: The roofline is slightly sloped towards the rear, which gives the ZS a more modern crossover look, especially when paired with a roof-mounted spoiler.
Wheel Design: The ZS typically comes with 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels that complement its sporty and urban-friendly look.
Rear Design
LED Taillights: The rear features sharp, modern LED taillights, creating a cohesive look with the front-end design.
Roof Spoiler: A sporty roof spoiler improves aerodynamics and adds a stylish edge to the rear design.
Lower Bumper Design: The rear bumper is clean and simple, with integrated reflectors and exhaust outlets, and it features a contrasting lower panel for a rugged appearance.
Dimensions
Length: 4,323 mm (170.1 inches)
Width: 1,809 mm (71.2 inches)
Height: 1,644 mm (64.7 inches)
Wheelbase: 2,580 mm (101.6 inches)
These dimensions give the MG ZS a relatively compact footprint, making it well-suited for both city driving and longer journeys. Despite its compact size, the ZS offers a spacious cabin and a comfortable driving experience.
3. Interior and Comfort
The interior of the MG ZS is designed to be practical, comfortable, and well-equipped, offering a premium feel at a very competitive price point. The layout is simple, intuitive, and offers plenty of tech and comfort features.
Cabin Design
Modern Dashboard: The dashboard features a clean, uncluttered design with soft-touch materials and minimal physical buttons, giving it a modern, tech-forward aesthetic.
Premium Touches: The cabin makes use of premium materials for a vehicle in its price range, including soft-touch plastics, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and chrome accents. Higher trims include faux leather upholstery and upgraded finishes.
Driver-Centric Layout: The interior is designed with the driver in mind, featuring an easy-to-read digital instrument cluster (on higher trims) and a centrally located touchscreen infotainment system.
Seating
Comfortable Front Seats: The front seats are designed to provide good support on longer drives, with manual adjustment as standard and electrically adjustable seats available in higher trims. The seats are well-padded, making them comfortable for both short commutes and longer trips.
Rear Seats: The rear seats are spacious for a compact SUV, with good legroom and headroom for adults. The seats can accommodate up to three passengers comfortably.
Folding Seats: The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, providing flexibility for larger cargo items.
Cargo Space
The MG ZS offers 448 liters of boot space with the rear seats up, which is quite generous for a vehicle of its size. When the seats are folded down, the cargo space expands, allowing the ZS to carry larger items or provide more luggage capacity.
4. Powertrain and Performance
The MG ZS is offered with a range of petrol and electric powertrains, catering to different customer preferences.
Petrol Engine Options
1.5L Petrol Engine: The most common engine variant is a 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing around 106 hp and 141 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic, depending on the trim level.
Performance: The 1.5L petrol engine offers decent performance for a compact SUV. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time is around 11.5 seconds, with a top speed of around 175 km/h (109 mph).
Fuel Economy: The petrol engine delivers good fuel efficiency, with figures around 6-7 liters/100 km, depending on driving conditions.
Electric Version (MG ZS EV)
MG ZS EV: The MG ZS EV is an all-electric version of the ZS and has been a key model for MG’s electric vehicle strategy. It features a 44.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers a 105 kW (143 hp) electric motor, delivering a range of around 263 km (163 miles) on a full charge (WLTP cycle).
Charging: The ZS EV can be charged using a standard home charger (which takes about 6-8 hours for a full charge) or a fast charger (which can charge the battery to 80% in around 40 minutes).
Performance: The electric ZS offers quick acceleration, with a 0-100 km/h time of around 8.5 seconds, making it one of the more energetic compact electric SUVs in its class.
Efficiency: The electric ZS is very efficient, with a combined energy consumption of around 17 kWh/100 km, making it a cost-effective option for urban and suburban drivers.
Drive and Handling
The MG ZS offers front-wheel drive (FWD) across most of its variants, providing sufficient grip and handling for typical driving conditions.
Suspension: The ZS features a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, ensuring a comfortable ride and relatively good handling characteristics.
Driving Modes: The ZS is equipped with multiple driving modes that allow drivers to adjust the steering feel, throttle response, and transmission settings. The Eco mode helps optimize fuel efficiency, while the Sport mode provides a more engaging driving experience.
5. Technology and Features
The MG ZS comes equipped with a host of modern technology and infotainment features, many of which are typically found on more premium vehicles.
Infotainment System
8-inch or 10.1-inch Touchscreen: The infotainment system is one of the standout features of the ZS, offering a large touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for seamless smartphone integration.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard Bluetooth connectivity allows hands-free calling, music streaming, and voice recognition features.
Navigation: Higher trims come with built-in satellite navigation and real-time traffic updates, helping drivers find the quickest routes.
Sound System: The ZS comes with an audio system that can be upgraded to a premium unit on higher trims for better sound quality.
