Read Caroline’s MG ZS Hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying MG’s new small hybrid SUV in Ireland.
2024 has been the year of the hybrid for MG Motor Ireland. The brand has launched three this year – the MG3 Hybrid supermini, the MG HS plug-in hybrid and now the MG ZS Hybrid.
The ZS is a compact SUV that was part of MG’s relaunch a few years ago and is the brand’s second bestselling model in Ireland after the MG4. It started life as an electric SUV but now MG has introduced a brand new ZS Hybrid in keeping with market demand for hybrid vehicles.
It goes on sale priced from €29,995 undercutting key rivals like the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, Hyundai Kona Hybrid and even the new Dacia Duster Hybrid.
So is it worth it? Let’s take a closer look.
Design
The ZS is a substantial car in the metal and is now a bit longer, wider and taller than the ZS EV. It has chunky SUV looks and the new face of the brand, similar to the MG3 and larger MG HS. LED lights come as standard for a smart look and it is particularly brilliant in blue metallic paint!
There are a few trim levels on offer but the mid-range Excite adds more desirable 17-inch alloy wheels. The Exclusive model on test has its own set of 18-inch alloys and rear privacy glass. At the back, the registration plate has been moved to the middle, which gives the hybrid a different look to the electric.
MG ZS Hybrid Interior
The ZS Hybrid gets a newly designed interior with a grown-up design and lots of soft touch materials. It has some stylish details like the large gear selector and the silver finish around rectangular air vents. Exclusive models come with black leather-style upholstery, which really gives it a classy finish. The seats are also heated and the driver’s seat has power adjustment. So altogether it stands up well among its rivals when it comes to the cabin finish.
There’s a full digital driver display and large touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. You can connect it via a USB-A port, though there is also a USB-C.
The touchscreen has similar graphics to the larger MG HS and a row of shortcut buttons underneath to useful functions like demisting the rear window or turning on or off the ventilation system. You can also set shortcuts to adjust the climate control or other functions via buttons on the steering wheel.
It comes well-equipped from entry with a parking camera, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry.
Practicality
The ZS Hybrid is certainly at the upper end of the class for interior space. It doesn’t feel small at all inside. There’s loads of legroom in the back and handy features like pockets in the back of the front seats, generous door bins, USB port and Isofix on the two outer seats.
The boot is also generously sized for a small SUV at 443 litres. That’s larger than the Toyota Yaris Cross and Nissan Juke Hybrid but a little way off the Dacia Duster Hybrid.
Driving the MG ZS
The new ZS Hybrid uses the same hybrid system as the MG3 supermini. It’s based around a 1.5-litre petrol engine, small battery and electric motor. It’s a standard hybrid so it doesn’t need to be plugged in and charged to get the best from it.
It stands out for how powerful and lively it feels from behind the wheel. There’s a whopping 196hp being fed to the front wheels and if you do accelerate with gusto coming out of a junction for instance, there is sometimes wheel spin. 0-100 is just 8.7 seconds. There are drive modes to adjust the drive including sport, normal and eco.
But the whole point of a hybrid is efficiency. The ZS can dip into EV driving to boost efficiency however in my experience it wasn’t as fuel efficient as the likes of a Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid for instance. My average fuel consumption was 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres, which is okay but I couldn’t replicate MG’s quoted 5.1 litres.
There is regenerative braking and you can toggle between three levels of that to return energy to the battery.
In its favour the ZS Hybrid feels fluid and natural to drive. It never gets too noisy with no whining from the engine when you put your foot down. It’s comfortable to drive on the motorway, though it can feel a little bumpier in town driving over imperfections in the road surface.
The steering is light, which makes parking and town driving very easy but it’s not exactly a driver’s car like a Ford Puma.
The MG Pilot safety and driver assistance features come as standard including adaptive cruise control, active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot detection, forward collision warning, and traffic jam assist.
Verdict
Altogether, the MG ZS Hybrid is a great addition to the MG range offering a convenient, powerful hybrid option in the shape of a popular small SUV. It’s very stylish and spacious inside, and it’s still one of the best value small SUVs on sale.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
MG ZS Hybrid Video Review
Watch my video review of the MG ZS Hybrid, tested on Irish roads for its practicality, performance and efficiency.
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