Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Updated: 23 September 2024

Overview

Counting the hatchback and saloon that was around to hear the final death rattle of the MG Rover group, the MG ZS Hybrid+ marks the third generation of the model. The previous generation ZS made the switch from car to SUV and was MG’s best-selling vehicle in international markets. It was cheap to buy and well-equipped, but that’s about all you could recommend it for.

Thankfully, the new model shares lots in common with the impressive MG3 hatchback, the cheapest full hybrid on the market. This includes its 196hp powertrain which offers the promise of brisk acceleration and over 50mpg. Could this be enough to push the ZS from the bottom of the class towards the best hybrids currently on sale?

With MG producing some very competitive cars of late, everything points to this being a huge improvement over the old car. That’s good, because rivals such as the Skoda Kamiq, Renault Captur and Volkswagen T-Cross make this a hotly contested class.

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I’ve spent a few hours in the ZS Hybrid+ on familiar roads in the UK, and had a good poke around the interior to find out if that’s the case. To learn a bit more about how we test cars. have a look at our explainer page.

What’s it like inside?

The ZS’s layout is similar to the MG3, although there are a few touches that make it feel plusher. There is more soft touch plastic and fabric covering the doors and dash, plus a large boat-throttle style gearlever that feels excessive.

It doesn’t feel as solidly built as a Skoda Kamiq, but it’s certainly better than I’d expect for the money. Similarly, the large 12.3-inch infotainment system has sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in both trims. It’s responsive with a layout that is pretty easy to navigate around, and has a few physical shortcut buttons.

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You’ll have to use the touchscreen for most functions including the heating, although you can set up a shortcut allowing you to control it via the steering wheel controls. The driver’s display isn’t quite so impressive, with a cluttered layout that makes it harder to read.

The ZS is one of the larger SUVs in its class and it shows inside. Headroom is sufficient for a tall adult up front and the back, and legroom is good for the class. There’s enough rear legroom for a six footer in the back with another up front, and it’s less of a squeeze for three on the rear bench than the class norm.

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Boot capacity is a generous 443-litres which is above average, if well behind the Ford Puma and its deep underfloor storage space. An adjustable height boot floor is standard so you can maximise space or ease of loading.

MG ZS engines

At launch the ZS is only available as a full hybrid with a petrol engine and small battery to allow limited electric running, with a conventional petrol to arrive later. The MG ZS EV will be indirectly replaced by an SUV based on the MG4 hatchback‘s pure electric platform. The hybrid gets a 102hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine boosted by a 136hp electric motor. Together they produce 196hp for 0-62mph in a brisk 8.7-seconds.

It usually feels that strong on the road, with a real surge in performance as both power sources chime in. You are limited by the reserves of the battery, though. Lots of heavy acceleration depletes it, with the acceleration feeling less forceful as a result. Drive sensibly and it’s not an issue, though.

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Based on my experience driving the car, you’ll struggle to make do less than 40mpg, and a figure nearer 50 isn’t hard to achieve. A Toyota Yaris Cross or Lexus LBX is likely to be even more frugal, although you can buy an awful lot of petrol with the money you’d save buying the ZS.

What’s it like to drive?

Far better than the old car, if not without issue. The ZS is stiffly sprung which leads to a jostling ride over patchwork urban roads. It smooths out as speeds increase and there’s no float or wallow, yet a Kamiq is undeniably easier to live with.

It does mean the ZS feels reasonably agile in the bends. There isn’t much body lean and the well-weighted steering makes it easy to place on the road. You can hustle it down a B road quickly albeit without having loads of fun.

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A few things do feel unfinished, though. The air-con whistles and made me convinced I’d left a window open, and road noise is noticeable. I also found the hybrid system to be less smooth than what you’d find in a Yaris Cross, although the Captur’s hybrid has it’s system has its own idiosyncrasies.

What models and trims are available?

Like much of the rest of the MG range, there’s a choice of entry-level SE or top-spec Trophy. SE comes with more kit than most entry-level rivals including a full suite of safety assist systems, a rear camera, sat nav, climate control and keyless entry.

Trophy adds niceties such as 18 instead of 17-inch wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel, leather-effect seats in place of cloth, rear privacy glass and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support. Although SE makes sense, Trophy is still cheap enough given the little luxuries you gain.

But does this focus on value pricing make the MG ZS Hybrid+ as easy to recommend as its electric cousin, the MG4 EV? Should you buy one, or just stick to the more well-established family-friendly small SUVs instead? Read on for our verdict to find out.