Price cuts for MG ZS

MG Australia has announced significantly cheaper drive-away prices for the popular MG ZS small SUV, on the same day it launched the upmarket new ZST.

Unveiled to media at a socially distanced event in Sydney yesterday, the brand-new ZS-based MG ZST is priced from $28,490 plus on-road costs and brings more power, tech and safety than the model it’s based on.

Now, the Chinese car-maker has announced bargain pricing to help clear stocks of regular MG ZS models, which will be sold alongside the new ZST flagship for at least 12 months.

The entry-level MG ZS Excite, fitted with an 84kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, is now priced at $21,990 drive-away – down $1500 from $23,490 drive-away.

That makes it one of Australia’s cheapest light or small SUVs – now more affordable than the Korean-made Hyundai Venue (from $22,690 drive-away) and Haval H2 (from $22,990 drive-away) also from China, but still not as cheap as the Suzuki Ignis (from $18,990 drive-away).

The Japanese model might look more like a hatchback, but it’s officially classed as an SUV, looks more like an SUV since its Jeep-style makeover earlier this year and – like the ZS, H2 and Venue – is strictly front-wheel drive.

MG buyers have a choice of three other ZS variants – Excite Plus, Essence and the special-edition Essence Anfield – all fitted with a smaller 82kW/160Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.

Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, reversing camera, rear parking sensors and more.

Top-spec Essence models add push-button start, navigation, a panoramic glass sunroof and two-tone alloy wheels.

MG Australia has sold more than 2000 examples of the MG ZS so far this year. All MG models come with a seven-year/unlimited-km factory warranty.

MG Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao told carsales the brand's small SUV line-up was now complete, at least in the short-term.

"The current MG ZS is key to the foundation of the MG line-up and will continue in its current variants for the next 12 months, subject to a review and pending customer demand," he said.

"At MG, we want to provide people with choice and value, whether that’s in the features available or the price. The renewed price of the ZS was designed to make it even more compelling for our Australian and New Zealand customers.

"The ZS remains a great vehicle for value driven buyers who are seeking a quality SUV at an attainable price. For customers seeking a more premium offering, the ZST comes standard with the latest innovative technology, including MG Pilot."

Asked how long will the drive-away pricing be offered, he said: "Now more than ever, we understand Australians and Kiwis are value conscious and dropped our price as a way of showing that we are in this together.

"MG's philosophy is to always provide our customers with strong value and give them one more affordable option in the compact SUV segment and our prices will always reflect this belief."

How much does the 2020 MG ZS cost?
Excite 1.5-litre – $21,990
Excite Plus 1.0-litre turbo – $23,990
Essence 1.0-litre turbo – $26,490
Essence Anfield 1.0-litre turbo – $26,990
* All prices are drive-away (including on-road costs)