Review - 2024 MG ZS

It’s a competitively priced and well-equipped small SUV package backed by a long warranty - all of which are aimed at one-upping its major rivals on the value front.

Since its introduction, the MG ZS has become one of the hottest-selling small SUVs on the market, though it enters 2024 with an unchanged lineup.

Let’s see how well MG’s recipe for its ZS urban-dwelling SUV has translated to the latest model year and against its fierce rivals in the compact SUV segment.

MG ZS Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

The 2024 MG ZS is offered in a single variant lineup here in Australia, with drive-away prices for the MG ZS Excite standing at $23,990.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, our car sourcing specialists can help you find the best value model for you.

MG ZS (EXCITE) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the MG ZS Have?

The MG ZS Excite comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloys and receives halogen headlights with LED daytime running lamps, cruise control, leatherette upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rear-view camera with parking sensors as well as front & rear fog lights.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The MG ZS range comes fitted with an 8.0-inch infotainment display sitting across the dashboard that is paired with a six-speaker sound system.

The unit is bright and reasonably responsive, and its location sitting in the middle of the dash helps to minimise distractions and improve ergonomics while making quick adjustments on the fly.

Does the MG ZS Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

iPhone owners will be pleased to know that the MG ZS does indeed feature wireless Apple CarPlay support.

A major caveat here, though, is that the 2024 MG ZS does not offer any Android Auto connectivity whatsoever, though the infotainment system does feature Bluetooth connectivity to play media from your phone via the six-speaker sound system.

Is the MG ZS Comfortable to Drive?

The driving experience on offer in the MG ZS is quite underwhelming, though this is to be expected at this end of the price spectrum.

Having said that, though, it ticks some important boxes that buyers looking for a no-frills commuter are looking for, namely its well-mannered behaviour around town.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine kicking out 84kW of power and 150Nm of torque to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.

This means that the little ZS is not much of a performer when pulling off the line, though it gets the job done when given enough time to get up to speed.

While it’s certainly not the most refined small SUV on the market, the ZS remains easy to drive through the urban jungle thanks to its compact footprint and featherweight steering.

At this price range, though, rising to the cream of the crop isn’t a major concern when the ZS can prove itself a reasonable A-to-B commuter, which it does for buyers hanging predominantly around smooth city streets.

Pick up the pace and you’ll find the ZS isn’t the most confident vehicle in the segment on a country road or a long bash up the highway, though it gets the job done without much of a fuss.

All up, the MG ZS is far from the best in the segment in terms of driving comfort and refinement, though if you keep it within the confines of town, most owners won’t be bothered by its simple, urban-focused no-frills nature.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

MG’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine returns decent fuel economy figures for the compact SUV segment.

Officially, the ZS is rated at 7.1L/100km on a combined cycle, putting it somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to outright fuel efficiency.

The MG ZS has a 48L fuel tank with the manufacturer requiring 91RON fuel or above, with an average fuel distance standing at 676km per tank.

How Much Fuel Does the MG ZS Use Around Town?

• MG ZS City Fuel Consumption: 9.1L/100km 

How Much Fuel Does the MG ZS Use on the Highway?

• MG ZS City Highway Consumption: 5.9L/100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

One area that the MG ZS stands out in the small SUV segment is its impressive practicality, namely thanks to its useable second row.

Kicking off with the front of the cabin, things are reasonably comfortable and accommodating to tall drivers, though a notable lack of adjustment in the steering wheel limits your freedom behind the wheel.

The layout itself is simple and user-friendly, while the leatherette upholstery gives it more premium visuals than a number of its rivals.

In terms of storage areas, things are on par for the small SUV segment.

You’ll find a pair of cupholders, a tray at the base of the dash, added storage inside the folding armrest and glovebox as well as bottle holders inside the doors.

Where things get impressive is when you take a look at the back seats.

While many of its rivals prioritise the front-row experience and offer a pint-sized rear bench seat, the MG ZS offers a much healthier amount of space in the second row, as well as two ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts.

It’s not a king-sized experience back here, though the MG ZS offers a decent space and practicality premium over some far more established names in the small SUV game.

How Big is the MG ZS’ Boot?

The MG ZS has a boot measuring in at a very reasonable 359L with the rear seats standing.

Fold down the 60:40 split rear seats and you’ll unlock a total of 1,166L of cargo space which makes the ZS an impressively practical offering for the small SUV segment. 

Is it Safe?

Safety is one area which the MG ZS struggles to hold its ground against its rivals.

The ZS’ safety equipment list features no active safety gear whatsoever, making it far less competitive in a segment brimming with feature-packed base models.

As standard, the MG ZS receives a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, active cornering brake control, emergency brake assist and a hill-start assist system.

Does the MG ZS Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The MG ZS has received a four-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2017 saw it score the following marks.

• Frontal Offset Protection: 10.46 out of 16

• Side Impact Protection: 16 out of 16

• Whiplash Protection: Good

• Pedestrian Protection: Acceptable

• Overall Score: 31.46 out of 37

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that the MG ZS’ ANCAP safety rating expires in December, 2024.

What Warranty Does the MG ZS Come With?

One of the key selling points of the MG ZS is without a doubt the company’s long warranty coverage.

Buyers pick up a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty for peace of mind, as well as a seven-year capped-price servicing deal.

Under the program, seven services for the MG ZS total a very reasonable $2,057, with intervals standing at 12-months or 10,000-kilometres.

Our Verdict: Is the MG ZS Worth it?

All things considered, it’s hard to deny the MG ZS’ value proposition as a no-frills compact SUV that comes backed by a long warranty with affordable servicing costs.

Buyers need to keep in mind that the ZS misses out on some key active safety gear, though its more premium sibling, the ZST picks up the slack in this respect.

Having said that, the MG ZS does everything you’d expect with a reasonable amount of confidence, and while it’s not the most refined in the segment, it is without doubt one of the most affordable.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price. 

Five MG ZS Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 7.1L/100km combined cycle fuel economy

3. 359L boot expands to 1,166L with rear seats folded

4. Seven-year capped-price servicing costs total $2,057

5. Four-star ANCAP safety rating expires in late 2024