2025 MG ZS Hybrid+ Review
Overview
MG’s new second generation ZS small SUV arrives first in Hybrid+ guise (petrol is here early next year) which the century old brand hopes will continue leading the segment for sales and bring new conquest customers from other makes.
This is despite changing tack from being “price driven” to being “value driven” (no doubt translating to price rises) with the new two model ZS Hybrid+ listed from $33,990 for the Excite variant and $36,990 for the Essence, both driveaway.
Competition will come from Hyundai’s Kona hybrid priced from $36,500 +ORC, Toyota’s Corolla Cross hybrid from $36,480 +ORC, Honda HR-V from $39,900 d/a, Mazda MX-30 hybrid from $36,760 +ORC, and the Haval Jolion from $32,990 d/a.
Green tinged family buyers are MG’s focus for the new ZS Hybrid+ that the company says may be a transition vehicle to fully electric the next time around.
It’s a ground up new model with only the badge carried over from before and as a result, benefits from an infusion of all the current tech, engineering and features available to the SAIC-owned brand.
Foremost amongst this is iSmart connected car technology that gives OTA facility and remote access to numerous functions coupled with the latest in MG’s ADAS arsenal which is likely to help yield a Euro NCAP five-star rating.
Apart from the MG family derived Euro-designed exterior, the ZS Hybrid+ runs new design alloy wheels in 17- and 18-inches including a teledial design on the base Excite.
Standard kit includes a pair of 12.3-inch screens one for infotainment the other a driver’s cluster surrounded by a minimalist dash with four hexagonal air vents inset and a cloth fascia on the bottom edge.
A flat top- and bottom multi-function steering wheel is where the shortcut button resides to expedites access to certain electronic controls with an array of hard buttons under the centre screen for other often used systems.
It’s a five-seater that’s grown compared with its predecessor providing more space in the critical passenger compartment area and load (boot) space, the latter up 84 litres to 443 litres even with the battery under the floor of the boot and second row seats.
MG has taken measures to allay battery concerns fitting the 1.83kWh unit with a fast charge capability and its own management system, cooling, and alert to warn of thermal runaway.
The entire powertrain in ZS Hybrid+ is lifted from the recently launched MG3 light hatch and as such comprises a naturally-aspirated Atkinson Cycle petrol 1.5-litre four-cylinder ICE used variously in series and parallel with an electric traction motor and a motor generator to drive the front axle through a three-speed planetary gearbox in lieu of a CVT.
The small capacity engine runs a high 16:1 compression ratio, friction-reducing electric water pump, dual variable-valve timing and exhaust gas recirculation system. The powertrain cycles through series and parallel operation via an electric control unit dependent on speed and load. Direct ICE propulsion engages after 80km/h.
But only 75kW emanates from the combustion engine bolstered to 158kW with the electric motor, while torque is 128Nm increasing to 465Nm adding in the electric motor.
MG claims the ZS Hybrid+ uses a combined 4.7 litres per 100km of premium 95 RON unleaded.
Eco Normal and Sport drive modes are available and three braking regen’ modes.
Suspension improvements centre on the strut front and torsion beam rear system which have revised dampers, bushes, top mounts and bump stops all calibrated for a comfortable and controlled sporty feel.
Safety equipment is contained within the car’s MG Pilot system complementing an extensive suite of ADAS and primary and secondary safety that includes extensive use of hot press high strength steel in the chassis.
The Excite is equipped with goodies such as LED lights front and rear, automatic headlights and high beam, adaptive cruise control, roof rails, glass printed antenna, rear spoiler, rain-sensing wipers, rear park sensors, heated exterior mirrors, tilt-only steering wheel adjust, six-speaker audio, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and four USB ports.
The higher spec’ Essence gains goodies like a panoramic sunroof, faux-leather upholstery, additional interior lighting, electrically adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats.
Braked towing capacity is only 500kg!
Seven colours are available, six metallic and one flat (white) the palette including a striking Emerald Green metallic.
As with all other MG cars sold Down Under the new ZS Hybrid+ is covered by an industry-leading 10-year/250,000-kilometre warranty.
Driving Impressions
MG Motor Australia afforded us a decent drive of both ZS Hybrid+ variants each impressive in their own right.
Strangely, the Essence felt a more convincing drive than the Excite we drove first.
It seemed to have superior powertrain performance, ran smoother, had a better active cruise control operation and felt more planted on tight country roads.
Imaginary? We don’t think so, as others on the gig had similar thoughts.
Irrespective of that, the new ZS Hybrid+ is an impressive vehicle that is on the money amongst other similar sized hybrids that don’t match it apples for apples on a price comparison.
Even the “base” model Excite outpaces most of the competition for kit apart from Haval’s Jolion Hybrid which will likely be the MG’s biggest competitor.
In styling terms, the ZS is a tad non-descript, essentially another version of umpteen other similarly cloned vehicles flooding the market. It has clean lines, an MG face and will not offend anyone.
Boring springs to mind, but when you’re inside you don’t have to look at it.
On the other hand, the minimalist interior is appealing on several levels including ergonomically and in appearance and is dominated by a pair of large screens with the centre HD unit dividing into four sub-screens providing an information overload.
The seats are comfortable with decent side bolsters and some adjustability with a preference for the pleather on the Essence model.
The colour scheme inside is pleasant as is the overall look and feel in particular the fascia and other trims.
Interior room is good for a car this size with adequate accommodation for five adults and their luggage. Rear seat legroom – a critical measurement – is generous in the new ZS while the battery only pinched minimal space down the back.
During our drive we encountered city, country and freeway environments all of which were competently dealt with by the ZS Hybrid+.
It’s a handy city runabout with a smallish turning circle, slightly raised ride height, quick acceleration and a comfortable ride on rough surfaces.
The model cruises easily at speed on the freeway without pegging back on steep uphills and you can even corner carve a bit on country backroads thanks to the tyre grip, well calibrated suspension and regenerative braking that nearly eliminates the need to apply the service brakes.
But the adaptive cruise control lacks finesse occasionally lurching and speeding up, so we stopped using it.
As expected, other ADAS elements try and take control randomly which is annoying, but you might be able to deactivate some of the more irritating through the short cut button if you can figure it out and have the time… at every start-up.
The little petrol engine can be heard thrumming away when the hammer is dropped but apart from that, is almost silent, carried through into suspension and tyre noise reduction.
The combined petrol and electric powertrain is rated at 158kW and 465Nm… we think that’s far short of the real deal.
Parking is aided by electronic assistance systems and cargo loading is similarly easy due to the high opening tailgate and floor height.
Our favourite part of the road test was on a convoluted mountain road on which the ZS Hybrid+ was surprisingly wieldy.
But fuel consumption came in at an average of 5.3 litres per 100km on test a figure easily bested by purely ICE small cars.
Which begs the question… why would you buy the hybrid over the ICE model.
Answer? We wouldn’t.
