The MG ZS has been a hot seller for MG Philippines since its launch several years ago. But the early models, while stylish and comfortable, were a bit underwhelming to drive, with a humdrum 1.5-liter engine and a four-speed automatic.
This was addressed with the facelift, which featured a rotary turbocharged 1.3-liter Trophy edition. Which was fun, but not quite up there with the class leaders in terms of excitement, though it did improve fuel economy dramatically, despite the extra power.
With the new generation car, MG has gone a step further: It has enlarged the ZS to better compete with popular crossovers in this segment, and upped the power of the turbo variant, punching it out to the same 1.5-liter turbo formula as competitors, while simultaneously introducing a hybrid variant that isn’t just more economical than the old 1.3-liter turbo, but also faster than almost anything else in this class.
Let’s check it out.
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Styling
The new ZS uses its increased size nicely. A higher roof and a lower beltline give it an amazing amount of glass for its size, and the extra length gives it more pleasing proportions. As a result, it’s like a proper little wagon. Big 18-inch wheels fill out the wheel wells better and complement the new body nicely. While it follows in the style of the new MG 3, the split front grille is slightly better sorted than on the 3, with the LED headlights and a style bar bisecting the front end neatly. The side profile and the rear, particularly around the D-pillar and lights, have more than a hint of the old BMW X1 about them.
Overall, it’s a much more attractive design than the MG 3, if a bit on the conservative side. No pop-out door handles. No streaks of neon-colored plastic. But it’s still a fine-looking car. Especially in the dark shade of Emerald Green Metallic our test unit comes in. Why they didn’t just call it British Racing Green, we’ll never know.
Interior
The new cabin is a bit more restrained and mature than the lurid interior on the previous ZS Trophy. Jet exhaust air vents present a pleasing symmetry across the dash. The screen has been raised a bit, making it easier to see without putting it up front and center, so it’s less distracting than the giant screens on other new cars. The instrument cluster is all-LED, which is nice, but the graphics feel a bit garish compared to what sits around it, with bright colors and retro ’80s-style graphics.
The small steering wheel is nice in your hands, but doesn’t adjust for reach. Thankfully, a power-adjustable driver’s seat combined with the huge greenhouse and generous cabin space makes it quite easy to find a driving position with a good view, even if it can’t accommodate that last 10% of arm-leg length combos.
The back seat is suitably spacious, with a surprising amount of legroom and headroom. Elbow room is at a premium, and there’s no pull-down center armrest. And unlike some bigger subcompact crossovers, there’s no adjustable seat recline. WYSIWYG.
Engine performance
The MG ZS Hybrid+ drivetrain uses the same 1.5-liter high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle gasoline generator connected to an uprated 134hp traction motor. A similar setup to the 127hp Nissan Kicks e-Power, providing similar performance—at least up to 50kph. At this point, there’s the tiniest dip in power as the oddball three-speed transmission goes into hybrid mode, with the gasoline engine sending power straight to the wheels and the electric motor now drawing reserve power from the 1.83kWh battery. This gives you a full 194hp and 250Nm of torque, setting the front tires scrabbling across the tarmac like doggie paws on a tile floor. The result: 0-100kph in under 7.6sec, as tested.
It’s not quite what you expect given the headline power figures, but do recall that the ZS only makes that power over 50kph. Under 50kph, you get instant electric response to stabs of the accelerator pedal, albeit at a lower level of urgency. Over 50kph, there’s the teeniest of blips as the gasoline engine clutch engages, right before you get the full 194hp. At a bit over 100kph, as when overtaking in the fast lane, there’s an extra half-second delay as the hybrid transmission goes into an even higher gear, giving you greater performance than direct-drive hybrid crossovers like the HR-V or the Sealion 5 at higher speeds.
Not that you can use it for long. It is possible to drain the 1.83kWh battery pack with prolonged hard driving, after which the gasoline engine is only effective as a generator for the electric motor. It’s still quicker than an HR-V or a Corolla Cross hybrid when the battery is depleted, but the difference from full power is night and day.
Driven in a more sedate manner in Eco mode, the ZS Hybrid+ is quiet and capable. Keep the battery happy, and cruising economy on the highway can hit from 25-29km/L, which is fantastic for the performance on tap, while mixed economy over the week ranged from 16-18km/L, making a 700-800km tank entirely possible with a light foot and good weather.
Ride and handling
Despite growing up, the ZS still drives like, well, a ZS: lighter than most of its competitors, and feels light on its feet. The steering is quick and effortless, if not brimming with feel. It does firm up as you go faster, but it’s that artificial sort of firmness that reminds us of first-generation electric steering systems.
That said, this small crossover tackles curves with gusto. Stiff springs to deal with the extra hybrid hardware—as well as a longer wheelbase—make it feel surefooted in most driving situations. Still, it could stand to use better damping for high-performance driving. The 215/50 R18 Giticomfort 225 V1 tires are surprisingly competent, being a new model engineered to cope with the extra weight and power of modern hybrids and electrics, but they’re still a rung below the best Japanese and European rubber. So equipped, the ZS is still quite fun to drive, but it isn’t quite as unflappable or competent as the best in class.
Sound insulation and ride isolation feel on point, but some sound does come through the doors. More notable is the growl of the engine, which can kick in abruptly as you drive.
Around town, that fantastic visibility pays dividends when jostling with traffic or maneuvering around a parking lot. A 360-degree camera system helps, too, though this is one of those cars that doesn’t really seem to need it.
Extra features
That 360-degree camera system doesn’t have the more advanced 3D views that some rivals offer, but it gets the job done. Aside from the parking assists, you get Level 2 driving assists, which work pretty well. The lane-keeping assist, combined with the light steering, proves capable of following moderate sweepers on the CALAX with ease.
But this being a camera-based system, it needs clear lines to follow, so you can’t really rely on it to hold lane when road markings are sketchy. Which is basically 90% of the perpetually under-construction SLEX. No such issues with the adaptive cruise control, but with this much power, pulling out to overtake a leading car going significantly slower than your target speed will sometimes mean a sudden surge as your cameras recognize a clear lane ahead. As with all Level 2 systems, use with prudence!
Other features include an infotainment system equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with decent sound out of a six-speaker system, keyless entry, push-button start with the biggest button I’ve ever seen in a car, and rear A/C, though the A/C vents are quite close together and provide narrow coverage.
Verdict
The MG ZS has been a hot seller for the brand from the very start, and with the aggressive pricing of this new model, that looks set to continue. Even better, the new hybrid setup puts it out ahead of the pack in terms of power, while not sacrificing hybrid economy. That said, it faces tough competition from the new Sealion 5, which offers more space and a more SUV-like—or MPV-like, if you prefer—experience for similar money.
We doubt, however, that most buyers will be cross-shopping these two, as they appeal to radically different demographics. In this booming hybrid market, there’s room enough for alternatives. Especially alternatives as compelling as this.
SPECS: 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+
Price: P1,328,000
Powertrain: 1.5-liter gasoline I4 + electric motor
Power: 197hp (combined)
Torque: 250Nm (combined)
Transmission: 3-speed hybrid
Drive layout: front-wheel-drive
Seating: 5
Score: 8.5/10
More photos of the 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+:
