Buying a Used MG ZS (2017-22)

MG as a brand was loved by people the world over. Hardly any of them would have expected it to become a symbol of Chinese automotive expansion.

In 2007, the state-owned SAIC Motor Company acquired the Nanjing Motor Group and, with it, the rights to MG’s famous octagon logo.

Production of existing sedans and mid-engined sports models struggled on, until 2011, after which the company had just one ancient and unappealing model to sell. This was the MG 3, introduced in 2008 and based on a little-known Rover model called the Streetwise. The latter, in turn, dated back to the 1990s and Rover’s 200.

First-generation sales of the MG 3 were restricted to China’s domestic market, but it did manage sufficient volume to encourage investment in a new design.

Gen. 2 versions of the MG 3 were designed in England, with cars produced in China and England until 2016. Engines were 1.3 or 1.5-litre petrol and most cars were manual, with five-speed semi-automatic transmission optional.

In 2017, a new ZS SUV joined the range, aimed at urban buyers who wanted a stylish and affordable car. Australia saw its first shipment arrive in late 2017. That car was available in turbo-petrol or non-turbo form, with automatic transmission and front-wheel drive only.

Total MG sales for 2017 barely reached 3000 units, with the ZS contributing 1692 sales during its few months in the market. By December 2021, despite the influence of Covid-19 restrictions, total MG sales had reached 39,025 with the ZS contributing 18,423 to the tally.

That gave MG leadership in the small SUV VFACTS segment, with a share of 14.9 per cent – ahead of Mazda and Mitsubishi. MG released a fully electric version of the ZS around mid-2020, at a starting price of $43,990.

These and other electric MGs will be reviewed separately.

The Chinese-owned iteration of MG was barely recognised in Australia during the years preceding the importer's launch of the ZS.

Prices for the ZS began in 2017 at $20,990, an amount which bought a 1.5-litre, non-turbo four-cylinder Excite, with 84kW and 150Nm, that torque peaking at a tall 4500rpm. Manual transmission wasn’t offered in our market, with all 1.5s hooked to an aged four-speed automatic.

Next on the ladder at $23,990 was the more modern and interesting ZS Essence. Despite looking like it was ready for some off-roading, the Essence was FWD as well, but powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine. It made 2kW less than the 1.5 but delivered 160Nm at a much more useful 1800rpm.

The ZS Essence with six-speed automatic transmission also allowed more effective throttle response than the four-speed car and consumed less fuel, especially when in traffic.

A low price and plentiful equipment were the incentives offered by MG to bring buyers to its new network of dealerships. Performance and dynamics sat way down the list of priorities and safety was problematic.

A passenger airbag that didn’t properly deploy hampered the ZG’s offset frontal impact score during ANCAP testing, resulting in an overall rating for early versions of four stars.

Even though its price was just a tad above $20,000, the ZS Excite came with faux leather seats and door trims, a six-speaker sound system, park sensors, a rear camera and 17-inch alloy wheels.

In addition to its mechanical improvements, the ZS Essence added an electric sunroof, an uprated sound system and extra body embellishments to help justify the $3000 price boost.

Prices moved marginally during the two years that followed. However, our ZS range wouldn’t change significantly until September 2020 when a mildly restyled ZST was added. This improved version would help change the ZS image, attracting buyers who might otherwise have chosen a Mazda CX-3 or Hyundai Kona over the cheap and underpowered MG.

The primary engine to power the ZST (named for its larger turbo engine) now displaced 1.3 litres. It was a turbocharged three-cylinder unit that produced a very welcome 115kW. For those who didn’t want a turbocharger, the aspirated 1.5-litre with its 84kW remained available and was a strong seller until 2023.

Four versions of the ZST were available, beginning with the Core grade at $25,490 Drive Away. The ZST in this entry-level trim retained the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre engine but offered improvement in the form of a constantly variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed steps. The base model wasn’t the bargain it had been, however, with the sound system cut back to four speakers and cloth seat coverings.

Choose an Excite variant with the 1.3-litre turbo motor and MG would charge $29,490 drive-away, with the ZST Essence priced at $32,490. The basic equipment was strong on safety, including front and rear park sensors, lane-keep and blind-spot warnings, forward collision alert and road sign recognition, plus 360-degree camera coverage.

All ZSTs were covered by MG’s lengthy seven-year new car warranty, although some owners’ experiences with the brand’s after-sales support led them to doubt the value of having the extended coverage.

If you’re in the market for a compact SUV that loves to be let off its leash over challenging roads, then take your money somewhere else.

The ZS is intended to attract people who want their car to look groovy and include a good supply of gadgets, even if it doesn’t do a lot to deliver driver enjoyment or strong dynamics.

Viewed from across the street, the ZS and especially ZST profiles are distinctive, with the bandicoot nose and sloped roof. The only real visual flaw is some top-heaviness; just a tad too much car for a 17-inch wheel and 215/55 tyre combination. A set of 18s with 225/45s would look better.

The faux leather seats have drawn criticism from owners who may have left their ZS in the sun on a hot day, then climbed aboard before letting the quite effective air-con system cool the cabin.

Unlike real leather, which just immolates exposed skin, the fake stuff used by MG is said to develop a clamminess so intense that even some fabrics have to be peeled off the tacky surface.

Visibility from the high driving position is good, helped by the reversing camera (several in the top-spec ZST) with its large display screen. The dash is simple overall, but before test driving a ZS do run through the major functions to ensure everything works.

Unless you are desperate to have a sunroof in your car, the version likely to satisfy most needs and offer decent value for money will be an Excite ZST with the 1.3-litre engine.

Weighing just 1295 kilos and featuring a conventional six-speed automatic, the Excite 1.3 runs from 0-100km/h in under 9 seconds. Lower gears can also be manually selected to deliver rapid but rowdy overtaking. Forget towing though; the maximum braked weight is just 500kg.

Fuel economy isn’t startling for a vehicle of this size and weight, and MG recommends that its turbo engines burn the more costly 95RON Premium fuel.

Official combined consumption from the 1.3-litre turbo is 7.1L/100km, with the less powerful 1.0-litre triple cylinder averaging 6.7L/100km. For those who prefer the non-turbo, 1.5-litre version, it matches the consumption of the 1.3 with a 7.1L/100km average.

In the short term, the ZS is quite OK, while those in the back don’t need a lot of room.

Headroom despite the sloping roof is fine but watch out when packing stuff into the boot as that tailgate is a hazard. Fitting child seats is easy with the ISO fixings but you may need to lay down one section of the rear seat to accommodate a push chair for the very young.

Ventilation is an issue for those in the back due to absent air vents. Sound quality even with the upmarket models’ music system isn’t flash either.

Rebook Inspect mobile inspectors can take the guesswork out of buying a car with a comprehensive vehicle inspection.

Used vehicle grading for MG ZS (2017-22)
Design & Function: 12/20
Safety: 13/20
Practicality:14/20
Value for Money:12/20
Wow factor: 12/20
Score: 63/100

Also consider.
Mitsubishi ASX
Mazda CX-3
Hyundai Kona

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