A Z FOR THE HEAD? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Could MG's second generation ZS make more sense in more affordable base SE petrol form? Jonathan Crouch decides.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 47

MGs entry-level SUV the ZS makes a much more credible statement in this second generation form, but is it worth saving over the cost of the Hybrid+ version and getting this more affordable un-electrified base SE petrol model? Can less be more here? Let's take a look.

Backgroundword count: 146

It's difficult to remember now what a fledgling brand MG was in the UK prior to 2017 when the first generation version of the company's ZS compact crossover was originally launched. More than any other, it was the model that properly established this new-era Chinese marque here and over 102,000 examples of the MK1 model subsequently found British buyers. Even in its last year on sale, it out-sold rivals from more established brands like the Dacia Duster, the Skoda Kamiq and the SEAT Arona. Building on that success is this second generation ZS, launched in early Autumn 2024. Unlike its predecessor, it won't be available in full-EV form - the old ZS EV will be replaced by crossover model based on the MG4 hatch. Instead, ZS sales will be based around either a Hybrid powertrain - or the entry-level SE petrol variant we look at here.

Driving Experienceword count: 296

This base ZS gets the same four cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine as is found in the entry-level version of its MG3 supermini showroom stablemate. It's a de-tuned 115PS version of the 169PS unit used by the larger HS and is not a very advanced unit, defiantly un-electrified and offering 148Nm of torque and a rest to 62mph figure of 12.5s (nearly 4s slower than the Hybrid) en route to 111mph. You also have to have it with a manual gearbox; if you want an auto in your ZS, you'll have to find the extra cash for the Hybrid version. On the move, there's a gruff engine note under acceleration, but things settle down at cruising speeds. Don't expect handling or steering feel to be particularly feelsome but a similarly-priced base Dacia Duster wouldn't feel much more involving than this. Still, with this MK2 ZS, MG has clearly worked on body stability through the bends and the drive dynamics will probably now be quite satisfactory for most potential customers. Of more interest will be the reasonably settled ride. Plus there's also the fact that, despite the affordable sticker price, this car comes complete with adaptive and intelligent cruise control and a very complete suite of driver assistance features, including a number that you'd have to pay extra for with rivals. Refinement's OK - at town speeds anyway, unless you count the rather noisy climate fan, but you'll notice more road noise on the highway. This front-driven model has no particular off road ability of course - or the ride height necessary to facilitate it - but extreme conditions aren't really the kind of thing this ZS was designed for. Like its predecessor, it's a resolutely real-world compact family crossover; just these days, a slightly more appealing one.

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