MG ZS Essence 2025 Review

We’ve already sampled the hybrid range, which comes in two variants (Excite Hybrid+ and Essence Hybrid+).

However, we’re behind the wheel of the $29,990 drive away 2025 MG ZS Essence to test out the new variants. Bookending the mid-spec model are the $26,990 drive away entry-level Excite and $31,990 drive away Essence Turbo.

The petrol engine is a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder. The Essence Turbo adds, you guessed it, the option of turbocharging to the existing power unit. All MG ZS grades are front-wheel drive (FWD) and use a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with eight ‘stepped ratios’.

MG’s impressive 10-year/250,000km warranty applies, underlining its confidence in its own product. It’s accompanied by 10 years of roadside assistance for added peace of mind.

Servicing is every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first), while 10 years of capped-price servicing is available, too. Although, it isn’t exactly cheap given it averages out to $687 per service, but there is the added benefit of not having to use MG dealers exclusively.

In terms of rivals, you have to compare the MG to its Chinese counterparts, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro and GWM Haval Jolion. The former beats it on price, while the latter is far roomier than both. They also offer drive-away pricing.

Despite its sub $30K sticker, the 2025 MG ZS Essence is far from bargain basement in terms of kit.

Differentiating it from the lower-grade Excite, it gains 17-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, LED headlights with automatic high beam, LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, power-folding exterior mirrors, keyless entry and pushbutton start and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Inside, the Essence adds faux-leather upholstery, a six-way electronically adjustable driver’s seat with manual lumbar support, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear air vents and LED front reading lights.

There aren’t any expensive options to select, yet all paint colours apart from solid Dover White are $700 and white trim is available in the Essence grade.

Petrol versions are yet to be crashed tested, so officially the 2025 MG ZS Essence doesn’t have an ANCAP safety rating. Hybrid versions of the ZS run with a four-star score, which should translate to the petrol-only variants given they don’t add or subtract any tech.

The main reasons for the ZS failing to gain a five-star rating are due to the lack of a front centre airbag and driver fatigue monitoring. However, it is fitted with six airbags, dual rear ISOFIX points and three top-tether anchorages.

The Chinese marque brands its active safety suite MG Pilot and it comprises autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, speed limit warning, parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.

How does it all work in the real world? As you’d expect, there are bings and bongs to deal with – the speed-limit warning being the worst culprit. And yes, you can turn them off with some screen tapping, but you must do it every time you turn on the ZS.

The active lane keeping requires further calibration for smooth assistance, although it’s nice to see you can tailor the level of intervention while using cruise control. It does leave a large gap to the car ahead even in the closest setting, however, and the implementation of automatic braking requires finessing.

At first glance, it’s hard not to be impressed by the screen acreage offered in the 2025 MG ZS Essence. You’re certainly getting a lot for your $30k.

Ahead of you is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (with 7.0-inch multifunction display) with modern graphics and a clean layout. It takes some getting used to in order to learn how to access everything – in particular, the trip computer. However, once up and running it’s relatively intuitive.

Infotainment is showcased via the 12.3-inch colour touch-screen. It responds to inputs fairly well and the general operating system is easy enough to get along with. It features wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, native sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio and a six-speaker audio system.

Dedicated, physical volume controls are a nice touch, yet navigating the operating system to access the air-conditioning (no dual-zone climate control) is a bit of chore while using smartphone mirroring. When you aren’t there is a handy home screen, which is simple to use.

The MG ZS Essence also offers 12 months of iSmart connected services access, which you tap into via a smartphone app, and which also allows you to control certain features remotely.

It’s a small SUV with a diminutive naturally aspirated engine. Yes, that’s right, in a world proliferated with turbocharged engines, the 2025 MG ZS Essence goes without forced induction.

On paper, the 81kW generated by the 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is ‘okay’. However, with just 140Nm, it is bereft of torque. The only saving grace is that the Essence weighs just 1301kg, aiding progress when you’re merely nipping around town.

Yet, it’s hard to avoid the fact that progress is lacklustre. Especially outside city limits and even more so when trying to join motorways safely or traverse inclines with passengers and luggage on board.

Power is sent to the front wheels – there is no all-wheel-drive version – via a CVT. It has eight stepped ratios to try and mimic a conventional torque-converter automatic, but it still perches revs up high under hard acceleration.

This sensation sounds less than pleasant and happens often given the driveline goes in search of engine torque that simply isn’t there.

Officially the 2025 MG ZS Essence is rated at 6.7L/100km on a combined cycle. This isn’t groundbreaking for the small SUV class, especially against petrol-electric hybrids, but it also isn’t the worst.

During our testing, which included city, suburban and highway conditions, the ZS Essence proved a chunk thirstier at 8.1L/100km.

Being able to fill up with cheaper 91 RON unleaded is a boon (the turbo-petrol requires at least 95 RON), while the 55-litre tank affords a potential maximum range of 965km.

How easy it is to drive around shopping-centre carparks, do the school drop-off and just carry out general daily activities is paramount. The 2025 MG ZS Essence doesn’t need to return the sharpest dynamics. Hence, it ticks a lot of boxes against its use case.

The ride quality is pleasant – if not overtly sophisticated due to the torsion-beam rear axle – and soaks up just about all the worst surfaces thrown the ZS’s way. Yes, there’s a bit of lean through corners and body control could be tighter, but it never feels uncomfortable or uncouth.

The steering is decently weighted, too. Oddly, MG offers three modes comprising Comfort, Normal and Sport. Ultimately, Comfort adds lightness for twirling around the city, Normal is a nice middle ground and Sport adds redundant artificial heft. You also have to get used to the brake pedal as its initial travel is very soft.

Despite being an SUV, the MG ZS isn’t handy off-road. It’s FWD only, there’s just 161mm of ground clearance and the spare wheel is of the space-saver variety.

Minus turbocharging, the 1.5-litre engine is quite listless and can be vocal, yet in terms of tyre roar, the ZS Essence is quieter and more refined than its price tag would suggest. MG hasn’t broken the mould here, but as far as handling and cheap small SUVs go, it’s easy to get along with.

A common thread with most budget-conscious offerings is adding the phrase ‘for the price’ to any assessment. In most cases it’s a negative connotation that devalues the positive.

However, in terms of the 2025 MG ZS Essence, it’s said with the best of intentions. The quality of its interior is genuinely impressive, ahem, for the price. For a sub-$30K small SUV to feel more luxe than more fancied rivals is a feat within itself.

Stepping up to the Essence from the base-model Excite adds leatherette to the dash. The design is aesthetically pleasing and the large central display adds a modern touch. Although, that screen can be hard to see in some light conditions and remains a little too bright at night despite having a dimming function.

The seats are comfortable and cloaked in ultra-soft man-made leather. However, it’s a shame to see there’s no reach adjustment for the steering wheel, as it makes getting comfortable behind the multifunction steering wheel a bit more difficult. General vision out of the cabin is decent and there are plenty of handy storage areas dotted throughout the cabin, despite lacking a rear centre armrest with cup holders.

It’s a shame there’s no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and the wired connection is via the older style USB-A port. There’s also no wireless charge pad – despite there being a perfect place for one ahead of the gear lever – and there isn’t a USB-C port in the rear.

However, what there is loads of in the back seat is space. Yes, the ZS runs with a small SUV designation, but legroom is akin to a medium or large SUV and headroom isn’t at all compromised by the panoramic glass sunroof. The boot offers a commendable 443 litre of storage space, expanding to 1457L with the 60/40-split folding rear seats stowed. You’ll even find some handy hooks for shopping bags.

There is an element of ‘you get what you pay for’ here. However, a buyer of the 2025 MG ZS Essence is likely going to be stepping out of (and up from) a dated small car. To them, the second-generation Chinese small SUV will feel like a totally new and improved world.

Yet, the mid-grade Essence isn’t the ZS to go for. Either fully embrace financial frugality and buy the entry-level variant for less than $27K drive away, or stump up the extra cash for the far punchier turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Both offer more benefits than the non-turbo Essence from differing ends of the economic spectrum.

Cost cutting is only really seen mechanically. However, the lacklustre engine and high servicing cost doesn’t totally sully the ‘Essence’ of the ZS. For most, the practical and premium cabin mixed in with the low purchase price and strong warranty will be enough to prove it worthy of attention.

2025 MG ZS Essence at a glance:

Price: $29,990 (drive away)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 81kW/140Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 6.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 157g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

Related: Details and pricing announced for 2025 MG ZS

Related: MG ZS Hybrid 2024 review

Related: Four-star ANCAP safety rating for MG ZS Hybrid

Related: Buying a used MG ZS 2017-2022