MG ZS first drive | New hybrid model represents great value

A budget-friendly small SUV attempting to make waves in a sea of competitors. The MG ZS comes armed with a respectable list of features, a price tag that won’t leave you gasping, a spacious interior that’s surprisingly well-stocked, and fuel efficiency that will make wallets sigh in relief.

And let’s not forget the seven-year warranty, which is clearly meant to inspire confidence. Sadly, its design is about as exciting as dry toast, functional to the core, but devoid of especial flair.

Overview

In a world teeming with small SUVs like the Ford Puma, Renault Captur, Hyundai Kona, and Toyota Yaris Cross, the MG ZS has managed to elbow its way in. Its standout feature? The fact that it’s cheap. Really cheap.

Starting at a mere £21,995, it undercuts the Ford Puma by £4,000 and the Hyundai Kona Hybrid by over £8,000.

For this generation, the ZS is offered with a hybrid powertrain only. The ZS EV will be reborn as a fresh model on a different platfrom.

As for its design, well, it tries. MG gives us a front grille that looks faintly familiar – borrowed from the MG HS. It rides on 17-inch wheels as standard, though the more extravagant can opt for 18-inchers on the Trophy spec.

Inside, MG has made a valiant effort to make the ZS feel more expensive than it is. Leather-style seats? Check. A stitched dashboard for that premium touch? Check. A 12.3-inch touchscreen with all the modern-day trimmings like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Naturally. A bargain that looks like it’s trying not to be one.

Comfort and practicality

For a budget B-segment SUV, the MG ZS manages to tick quite a few comfort and practicality boxes. It’s spacious enough for five people to not hate the journey, with rear seats offering generous head and legroom. Firm though in the rear, disconcertingly firm, like sitting on a politely upholstered park bench.

The boot? Adequate, as these things go. With the seats up, there’s 443 litres of space – a little less than its predecessor, thanks to that hybrid system, but it competes well with the Ford Puma. Fold the seats down and you get a rather useful 1,298 litres, plus hooks and anchor points for those inclined towards organised chaos.

Safety and technology

Safety-wise, the MG ZS comes with a suite of MG Pilot active safety features. Despite not yet receiving the Euro NCAP stamp of approval, its stablemate, the MG4, did garner five stars, so optimism is in the air. You get all the modern gadgets like active emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warnings, and even a nod to rear cross-traffic alert.

As for infotainment, the MG ZS sports a 12.3-inch touchscreen as standard, complete with satnav, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, although the driver needs to plug their phone in the old-fashioned way. MG has sprinkled in shortcut buttons for convenience – whether for adjusting the audio or fiddling with the climate controls, it’s all there in a no-nonsense package.

Driveability and efficiency

The MG ZS Hybrid+ won’t win any awards for thrills, but it does a solid job of getting you from point A to point B without much fuss. Light steering makes urban manoeuvring a breeze, and it handles road imperfections with reasonable grace. It holds its own through corners, though don’t expect a dynamic driving experience. Braking is fine, with three levels of regenerative braking to customise how far you want to save the planet.

Under the hood, there’s a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, churning out a combined 196PS and 465Nm of torque. It’ll get you from 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, which is more than adequate for most daily driving. The electric motor does most of the heavy lifting at low speeds, with the petrol engine only kicking in when more power is required – such as when merging onto a motorway.

According to the WLTP, the MG ZS Hybrid+ achieves 55.4mpg, provided you’re gentle with the throttle and stay within urban limits where the hybrid system shines. At higher speeds, the self-charging hybrid system takes over, giving you decent fuel efficiency without the need to plug in. Ideal for those who enjoy the convenience of superior economy without the hassle of finding a charging station.

Company car tax and running costs

With its low starting price and competitive running costs, the MG ZS Hybrid+ could make a tempting offer for company car drivers. CO2 emissions of 115g/km place it in the 28% benefit-in-kind tax bracket. For a 20% taxpayer that means monthly bills of around £102.