Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

MG ZS Hybrid+ review

Big-selling MG ZS has been reinvented as a small hybrid SUV – there’s no EV this time around

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£18,335 £35,495
  • Bargain list prices
  • Space inside
  • Performance and handling
  • Lots of road noise
  • No reach adjustment for steering wheel
  • Limited engine range at launch
Find your MG ZS
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Is the MG ZS Hybrid+ a good car?

The MG ZS is back and (much) better than before. The hybrid powertrain suits this car well and sets it apart from its competitors, in what is fast becoming a vastly overcrowded market. It’s good enough to drive, spacious and economical, but the real selling point is its low list price, which allows it to undercut rivals by several thousand pounds. Even on a monthly finance deal, MG claims it’s over £100 less than a like-for-like Hyundai Kona. That alone should see the small SUV sell in strong numbers – even before the cheaper petrol version arrives in 2025.

Key specs 
Fuel typePetrol hybrid
Body styleSmall SUV
Powertrain(s)1.5-litre 4cyl petrol-electric hybrid
Safety4-stars (Euro NCAP, 2024)
WarrantySeven years or 80,000 miles

How much does the MG ZS Hybrid+ cost?

The MG ZS is back for a second generation and is now hybrid only. But fitting a relatively advanced powertrain doesn’t seem to have impacted the price you pay – the cheapest version costs £21,995, undercutting the base Ford Puma by nearly £4,000, and a Hyundai Kona Hybrid by more than £8k.

Advertisement - Article continues below

That sub-£22,000 starting price is, give or take a couple of hundred quid, what you’ll pay for a mid-level Renault Clio E-Tech – a smaller car that does without the all-important SUV looks. And even entry-level MGs (badged SE) come pretty well equipped, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with built in sat-nav, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a reversing camera and a suite of MG Pilot safety systems.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Trophy cars are around £2,500 more, but add heated leather-style seats, a heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass and a 360-degree parking camera. Depending on what your local dealer can offer on a PCP finance deal, it may be worth spending a little extra per month for the Trophy’s niceties.

Engines, performance & drive

The MG ZS is as good to drive as it needs to be; capable, but not what you’d call fun

The MG ZS is a perfectly decent car to drive. It’s quick enough thanks to its punchy hybrid powertrain (a petrol version is on the way) and comfortable without feeling too sloppy. A Ford Puma is definitely more entertaining on a bendy back road, but if you want a car to reliably and confidently take you from A to B, then the new MG is more than up to the task.

The way its hybrid system works means that most of the time, it’s the electric motor that powers the wheels. That ensures the ZS feels overwhelmingly electric at low speeds, and you’ll not really notice the engine kick in unless you put your foot down to join a motorway, or need extra grunt on a steep incline. Here, the three-speed transmission acts almost like a CVT gearbox, holding on to gears longer than you might like.

Advertisement - Article continues below

That said, it’s pretty quick for a car of this type (combined power stands at 192bhp and 0-62mph takes 8.7 seconds) and the three levels of regenerative braking allow the driver to choose how much energy to feed back into the battery when lifting off the throttle. But the main advantage of the punchy electric motor and its instantaneous response is just how relaxing and easy it makes the car to drive.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Another thing that makes it quite relaxing is the steering set-up. There’s a level of slack around the straight ahead, which can make the car feel a little bit lazy – especially compared with the always-alert Puma. The flipside is that the MG doesn’t require infinite small adjustments when cruising along, and it feels less susceptible to ruts or ridges in the road surface.

That’s also helped by the well-judged suspension system. While it might feel a little firm to begin with, in reality it does an excellent job of filtering out imperfections and deals very well with larger undulations like those you might find on a motorway or fast A-road. You’ll rarely (if ever) notice crashes from deeper potholes.

The biggest area for improvement, then, is the tyres. Our car was fitted with GitiComfort 225 tyres, which proved really quite noisy at anything more than 30mph. This could be a dealbreaker if you do lots of long journeys; both the Renault Captur and Toyota Yaris Cross are unquestionably quieter.

ModelPower0-62mphTop speed
MG ZS Hybrid+193bhp/465Nm8.7s104mph

MPG, emissions & running costs

There are few tax advantages to running a hybrid like the MG ZS, but real-world running costs should be low

The MG ZS is one of a handful of small SUVs that offers full hybrid tech – rather than a mild-hybrid (MHEV) set-up. This should, in theory, have a big benefit on fuel consumption – especially if you spend most of your time in town, shuffling between traffic lights at low speeds.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

MG quotes an official fuel consumption figure of 55.4mpg, which is almost five full miles per gallon more than an equivalent Ford Puma MHEV fitted with an automatic gearbox. In the real world, we found the MG ZS easily capable of 45-50mpg, or more if you’re gentle with the throttle.

The company-car friendly MG ZS EV is on its way out, and will be replaced by another model based on the MG4 sometime in 2025. Company car drivers seeking out low Benefit-in-Kind tax rates are therefore advised to wait a little longer, if an MG is top of their wishlist.

The latest MG ZS sits in a slightly higher insurance group than its predecessor, potentially due to the fact that its older incarnation (ignoring the all-electric version) was petrol only, whereas the latest car uses a more powerful hybrid system. Both the SE and Trophy trims are in group 22, which is a little lower than the hybrid version of the Dacia Duster in group 24, but isn’t quite as good as the E-Tech Renault Captur, in group 16. 

According to our expert data, the MG ZS is expected to hold on to between 51 to 53 per cent of its original value over a typical ownership period of three years or 36,000 miles. That's on par with the likes of the Renault Captur, while the well-priced Dacia Duster just sneaks ahead, maintaining between 56 to 62 per cent of its value over the same period.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

To get an accurate valuation for a specific model, check out our valuation tool... 

ModelMPGCO2Insurance group
MG ZS Hybrid+55.411522A

Design, interior & technology

At a glance, the MG ZS feels solidly built, but it’s built to a price – as you’d expect

The MG ZS is unlikely to win any design awards – inside or out. That’s not to say it isn’t an attractive car, more that it doesn’t do all that much to stand out from the crowd.

It gets a family-inspired face, closely related to the MG3 and MG HS, and while it has grown over the previous-generation car, it retains a relatively compact footprint. Base cars sit on 17-inch wheels, but we’ve only driven the top-spec Trophy, which gets larger 18s as standard. 

In the cabin, initial impressions are good. With the large digital screens, leather-style seats and a stitched dashboard, this is a car that punches well above its weight, challenging models in the class above for standard kit and perceived quality. However, attempt to get comfortable and you’ll soon notice the high-set driver’s seat and the lack of reach adjustment on the steering wheel mean it’s not without its ergonomic flaws.

There are other parts of the design that don’t feel all that well thought through, too. The silver trim on the leading edge of the centre console and steering wheel is distractingly reflective at times, and on one occasion we caught our finger between the gear lever and the recess it sits within when selecting reverse. Be assured, though, you’re only likely to do this once given how much it hurts.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

But the layout is otherwise pretty user-friendly, with shortcut buttons beneath the main screen and configurable switches on the steering wheel that allow quick access to the likes of the regenerative braking system or climate control. 

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

MG has been making strides in the sat-nav, stereo and infotainment department over the last few years, and even alongside the contemporary MG 4 EV, the ZS looks and feels like next-generation tech. 

In front of the driver you’ll find a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, which can be configured to show myriad information from energy flow to trip or media info. It’s a little busy in its design; we’d like to see the speed readout a little more prominent, which can be tricky to read at a glance given its positioning in the top left-hand corner of the cluster.

The central screen is vastly more responsive than the one fitted to the MG 4, and it’s clearer and easier to use, too. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wired rather than wireless, but the hook-up is easy and it fills the whole screen – a positive and a negative, as you’ll need to hit the home button on the physical shortcut control bar to access things like the climate control. MG claims the Chinese are much more entrenched in voice-activated features – perhaps Europe and the UK have some catching up to do in this regard.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

MG has also integrated its iSmart phone app on the ZS, which means you can monitor many of the car’s functions, and even pre-heat or cool the cabin, from your device. Doing so, we’re reliably informed, only uses the car’s high-voltage (1.83kWh) battery and will never start the engine.

Boot space, comfort & practicality

There’s loads of space inside the cabin, and some clever features in the boot, too, making the ZS a practical car
Dimensions 
Length4,430mm
Width1,818mm
Height1,635mm
Number of seats5
Boot space443-1,298 litres

If you’re judging a car on practicality per pound, then the MG ZS Hybrid+ makes a pretty decent fist of things. This is a small SUV priced on par with city cars and superminis. As such, there’s a decent amount of room inside, and a usable boot.

While there are some ergonomic issues up front (see the Design, interior and technology section), you’ll easily fit adults up to six feet tall in the back, with ample headroom and enough knee room to be comfortable. The side windows are big, and the light headlining keeps things nice and airy. 

The boot is actually five litres smaller than before (at 443 litres) with the rear seats in place – with MG blaming the need to package a bulkier hybrid system under the floor. However, fold those seats down and you’ll uncover a total of 1,298 litres, which is 82 litres up on the old car and on par with the Ford Puma, but a little shy of what’s available in the latest Renault Captur.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The MG gets hooks, tie-down points and small nets to secure loose items, and the moveable boot floor means you can prioritise either maximum volume or a flat load bay depending on how you want to use the load space.

Safety & reliability

MG doesn’t have a great record in our annual Driver Power survey, but safety should be on point
Key standard safety featuresEuro NCAP safety ratings
  • MG Pilot
  • Active emergency braking with pedestrian and cycle detection
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Intelligent cruise assist
  • 4-star (Euro NCAP, 2024)
  • Adult occupant protection - 75%
  • Child occupant protection - 82%
  • Vulnerable road user protection - 73%
  • Safety assist - 76%

MG came flat bottom in our 2024 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, which is a pretty damning result for the reborn Chinese-British brand. It finished last in each of the powertrain, exterior, ride and handling, safety features and reliability categories, although this was before the maker introduced its new hybrid tech which should (we think) see it jump up the rankings in several areas. 

Like a number of its small SUV rivals, the MG ZS falls short of gaining maximum points from safety experts Euro NCAP. Like the Renault Captur, the ZS received a four out of five stars rating when it was tested in 2024, with the ZS being penalise because the brand wasn’t able to demonstrate that the ZS would be able to deliver the same level of protection to differing sizes of occupants in all seating positions. The ZS also doesn’t have a countermeasure to prevent the front seat occupants from hitting each other in a side impact, but that’s also true of its aforementioned rival.  

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The ZS does come with loads of safety kit as standard to help prevent you from getting into a collision in the first place, including the firm’s MG Pilot tech, which includes the likes of active emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus cross-traffic alert and lane-departure tech.

Some of the tech can feel a little intrusive at times – the speed-limit warning is loud and the lane-keeping aid can be a bit sensitive – but it’s relatively easy to switch off if you prefer a quieter life.

MG ZS alternatives

The small SUV segment is a hotly contested area of the new-car market, with almost every mainstream manufacturer selling something that resembles a compact crossover.

The Ford Puma is probably the most popular of the bunch – and for good reason. It’s the best car in this class to drive, and while the engine range is limited, the maker’s EcoBoost technology fits the Puma really well. Practical features like the hidden Megabox in the boot mean it’s well suited to family life, too.

Another favourite small SUV of ours is the Renault Captur. Again, clever features like the sliding rear bench make it a great choice for those with kids, while the option of various hybrid powertrains allows you to keep a lid on running costs. 

Other choices include the Toyota Yaris Cross and Nissan Juke – the latter of which is built in the UK and sells in huge numbers. Cars like the Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and Hyundai Kona offer plenty of powertrain choices, including zero-emission electric options should that be of interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

The MG ZS Hybrid+ comes with a seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty, which is among the most comprehensive of any new car on sale.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Our latest car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £1,836 off RRP*Compare Offers
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,505Avg. savings £3,518 off RRP*Compare Offers
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £18,395Avg. savings £2,695 off RRP*Compare Offers
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £31,535Avg. savings £3,985 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on ZS

Show me:
Best small SUVs to buy 2025
Best small SUVs - header image

Best small SUVs to buy 2025

There's a huge range of small SUVs out there, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
3 Dec 2024
Best car leasing deals: this week's top offers
Best car leasing deals - header image

Best car leasing deals: this week's top offers

Car leasing can get you behind the wheel of a new car for less. Here’s our expert pick of the best deals available now!
Best cars & vans
29 Nov 2024
Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?
Dacia Duster and MG ZS - front tracking

Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?

The new Dacia Duster and MG ZS are the UK’s cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?
Car group tests
13 Nov 2024
Car Deal of the Day: no-nonsense MG ZS EV for £226 per month
MG ZS EV - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: no-nonsense MG ZS EV for £226 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 10 November comes from Carwow’s new leasing arm, Carwow Leasey
News
10 Nov 2024
First look at new MG ZS EV successor ahead of UK launch in 2025
New MG ES5 - front static

First look at new MG ZS EV successor ahead of UK launch in 2025

The new MG ES5 has been revealed in China, and will come to the UK next year, but with a different name
News
18 Oct 2024
Cheapest electric cars on sale 2024
Cheapest electric cars - header image

Cheapest electric cars on sale 2024

EVs are often dismissed for being too expensive, so we've put together a list of the ten cheapest electric cars money can buy
Best cars & vans
19 Sep 2024
Used MG ZS (Mk1, 2017-date) buyer’s guide: long warranty adds to SUV’s appeal
MG ZS Mk1 - front

Used MG ZS (Mk1, 2017-date) buyer’s guide: long warranty adds to SUV’s appeal

A full used buyer’s guide on the MG ZS that’s been on sale in the UK since 2017
Used car tests
10 Sep 2024
New MG ZS Hybrid+ revealed: compact SUV offers electrified power for under £22k
MG ZS Hybrid+ - front tracking

New MG ZS Hybrid+ revealed: compact SUV offers electrified power for under £22k

The new Dacia Duster rival uses the same full-hybrid powertrain as the award-winning MG3 supermini
News
28 Aug 2024
All-new MG ZS Hybrid teased ahead of 28 August reveal
New MG ZS Hybrid teaser - front static

All-new MG ZS Hybrid teased ahead of 28 August reveal

MG’s popular small SUV will come with hybrid power with the all-electric ZS EV set to be replaced by a new model
News
20 Aug 2024
MG ZS EV review
MG ZS EV - front tracking

MG ZS EV review

Affordable, practical and offering increased range, the all-electric MG ZS EV makes a strong case for itself
In-depth reviews
16 Aug 2024
Car Deal of the Day: box fresh MG ZS EV for under £20,000 – more than £10k off!
MG ZS EV - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: box fresh MG ZS EV for under £20,000 – more than £10k off!

Huge price cuts for MG’s practical, great value electric SUV is our Car Deal of the Day for 14 August
News
14 Aug 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
Best cheap company cars 2024
Best cheap company cars - header image

Best cheap company cars 2024

These are the best company cars for a limited budget
Best cars & vans
19 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: MG ZS EV is a versatile electric SUV for £282 per month
MG ZS EV - front cornering

Deal of the Day: MG ZS EV is a versatile electric SUV for £282 per month

SUV practicality and zero emissions makes the MG ZS EV our Deal of the Day for 30 November
News
30 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: MG’s ZS is a family-size SUV for just £129 per month
MG ZS - front cornering

Deal of the Day: MG’s ZS is a family-size SUV for just £129 per month

The brand-new MG ZS SUV delivers major practicality for supermini money
News
21 Nov 2023
MG ZS (2017-2024) review
MG ZS - front tracking

MG ZS (2017-2024) review

The MG ZS struggles to compete head-on in the small SUV segment, but few serious flaws and value pricing mean it’s still worth a look
In-depth reviews
17 Apr 2023
MG ZS EV vs Hyundai Kona Electric: 2022 twin test review
MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona N - front tracking

MG ZS EV vs Hyundai Kona Electric: 2022 twin test review

Entry-level electric SUVs from MG and Hyundai are put through their paces to find the penny-pinching champion
Car group tests
17 Sep 2022
Best new car deals 2022 - SUVs
Best new car deals - header image

Best new car deals 2022 - SUVs

The best SUV deals on the market in the UK
Best cars & vans
7 Jul 2022
Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2022: MG ZS EV
MG ZS EV - New Car Awards 2022

Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2022: MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV is the 2022 Auto Express Affordable Electric Car of the Year, with the Fiat 500 and Kia Niro EV commended
Awards
6 Jul 2022
New MG ZS EV 2021 review
MG ZS EV - front

New MG ZS EV 2021 review

The Long Range version of the facelifted MG SZ EV could be a game-changer for the fast-growing manufacturer
Road tests
12 Nov 2021
Updated MG ZS launched with new look and fresh tech

Updated MG ZS launched with new look and fresh tech

MG has given its ZS SUV a mid-cycle facelift, adding a few subtle styling tweaks and some extra interior technology
News
3 Jul 2020
New MG ZS EV review

New MG ZS EV review

Can MG's ZS EV match the established players in the compact electric SUV class?
Road tests
24 Jun 2020
Kia Soul EV vs MG ZS EV

Kia Soul EV vs MG ZS EV

The second-generation Kia Soul EV faces the value-for-money MG ZS EV in an SUV shootout
Car group tests
22 Apr 2020
MG ZS EV vs Nissan Leaf
MG ZS EV vs NIssan Leaf - header

MG ZS EV vs Nissan Leaf

Is MG’s first electric car a convincing challenger? We compare the new ZS EV to the big-selling Nissan Leaf
Car group tests
9 Oct 2019