MG ZS T review and buyer’s guide: the small SUV for a modest sum

Many families in these difficult financial times would see the MG ZS T as the ideal tight-budget five-seat family car, especially when compared to their old car. But what’s the catch and is it all bad news? Let’s find out…

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The MG ZS is the most popular small SUV in Australia. But, it’s also one of the cheapest and least safe SUVs on the market, according to ANCAP results.

Is it worth considering this cut-price five-seater or should you steer clear?

Since it was first launched in Australia about five years ago, MG has provided some diversity in the range which helps to broaden its overall appeal and ability. The ZST was added a few years ago – same vehicle, packed with more features and safety gear to lift it into five-star ANCAP territory (although not tested) – while the ZS EV fulfils the green side of things >>.

Download the full MG ZS T brochure & specs here >>

You’re best shopping the ZS against key rivals like the ultra-modern Hyundai Kona >>, or the all-wheel drive hero Subaru Crosstrek >>, or the Mitsubishi ASX on the tight budget front, and the Mazda CX-3 on the affordable luxury ledger >>

ZST model range and pricing

If you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel but you really want a brand new SUV, then you’ll be looking at the ZS Excite. Prices start from $23,990, making it the cheapest SUV on the market. Some rivals start from a lower retail price but most do not include on-road costs – the ZS does.

There is one version of the ZS, called the Excite, and then four versions of the ZST; the Core, the Vibe, the Excite and the flagship Essence. It’s a bit confusing as the word ‘essence’ seems like it should be attached to a lower-spec model and ‘excite’ sounds like the name of a top end variant.

The ZS Excite is only available with a lethargic 1.5-litre petrol that conjures up just 84kW and 150Nm, making it one of the least powerful options in its class. It comes matched to a CVT automatic with front-wheel drive only. There are no AWD options in the entire range. But that’s probably a good thing as this engine probably wouldn’t manage too well with the additional load of 4WD running gear.
Going for the ZST unlocks the availability of a turbocharged three-cylinder engine. But we’ll get to that later on. The ZST Core starts from $26,990 and then $28,990 for the Vibe. The turbocharged Excite and Essence start from $31,990 and $33,990, respectively (drive-away).

Two problems that bug me with the ZS model range, as I see it, is the nomenclature. And this is advice for both MG Australia and you as the consumer, so we’re all on the same page here.

This is a confusing range: it’s unnecessarily complicated and requires serious levels of comprehension from the consumer to figure out which vehicle they’re getting.

Example: A ZS Essence has a turbocharged 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine, but a ZST has an atmo 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine.

When you put ‘T’ on a vehicle’s model name, it usually denotes ‘turbocharged’, which generally means you’re getting the more powerful, more efficient version. So you naturally expect the price will be higher because: more mumbo, more features, more car.

But there are naturally aspirated (non-turbo) variants of ZST, and there are turbocharged versions of the ordinary ZS. This is not logical. It’s not intuitive, so the consumer has to dedicate cognitive bandwidth to knowing which version gets what features, how much it’s going to cost, and in the case of filling up - which fuel they’re supposed to use. (We’ll get to that in the ‘fuel economy’ section below).

Then there’s the names for each variant in the range. They’re all too vague.

Ignore the colours and tell me how these names don’t all mean the same thing…

There are names like ‘Excite’ and ‘Essence’ which could mean the same thing: starting at the poverty pack or base model and being excited about getting the essence of what this ZS/T SUV is all about. But ‘Core’ and ‘Vibe’ also have the same connotation - they all suggest we’re only getting started here.

The word ‘essence’, according to the Oxford Dictionary means:

the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something

The word ‘core’, according to the Oxford Dictionary means:

central to the existence or character of someone or something

The advice here is to be very careful to understand exactly which vehicle you’re getting.

Design and visual appeal

MG has consistently delivered in the design department with its latest vehicles, and the ZS and ZST are no exceptions. The exterior aesthetics are modern, featuring sleek lines, a bold grille, and distinctive headlights that give it a sense of sophistication.

The ZST, in particular, exhibits a sportier stance with its subtle aerodynamic enhancements and a more aggressive front fascia, with the updated halo headlights rather than the ‘London eyes’ on the base ZS. It's evident that MG understands the importance of a visually appealing vehicle in this competitive segment.

However, the devil is in the details, and some might argue that the overall design lacks originality, drawing inspiration from more established players in the market. While the ZS and ZST look good, they could benefit from a touch more individuality to truly stand out among the sea of small SUVs.

Interior quality and comfort

Step into the cabin of the ZS and ZST and you'll find a reasonably well-designed interior with a focus on user-friendly controls and ample space for passengers. In fact, the rear-seat room is among the biggest in this class, with decent legroom and footroom available, albeit with a squashy middle seat as commonly experienced in this class.

Soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door panels add a touch of refinement, but a closer inspection reveals some areas where cost-cutting measures are apparent. The quality of certain plastics and the feel of the switchgear might not be up to the standards set by more established competitors.

Some of the buttons on the dashboard, for example, feel quite cheap to press and lack a reassuring confirmation that you’ve engaged the function. The indicator stalk also feels like it is about to snap off and the clicking notch feels like it is made from plastic rather than a metallic mechanism. At least on feel.

The seats, while comfortable for short journeys, lack the support needed for longer drives. Additionally, the noise insulation could be improved as road and wind noise tend to infiltrate the cabin, affecting the overall comfort level. Those looking for a commanding, high-rise view will enjoy the ZS as the seat sits high and the view outside is open and unobstructed.

Boot space is about average for this class, with the ZS/ZST boasting 359 litres. That’s expandable to 1187L in the ZST and 1166L in the ZS Excite via folding down the rear seats. Against its nearest rival (in terms of the next highest seller), the Mazda CX-30 offers 317L. However, if outright boot space is your goal then the Mitsubishi ASX (393L), Nissan Qashqai (418L), and new Hyundai Kona (407L) should be prioritised.

Technology and safety

MG has made strides in the tech department, equipping both the ZS and ZST with a commendable suite of features. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard is a welcome addition for tech-savvy drivers.

The touch-screen interface is intuitive, but some might find the graphics and menu layout slightly behind the curve compared to class leaders. It also takes a while to boot up but it is pretty responsive once loaded. You can also enjoy some entertainment provided by the little MG astronaut dude on the screen who waves at you when it’s loading.

Safety features are abundant on the ZST, with standard inclusions such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-view camera. However, to compete with the best, MG should consider making advanced driver-assistance systems, like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, standard across the range rather than restricting them to the ZST grades.

As a result, the base MG ZS has been given a four-star ANCAP safety rating. Despite the ZST coming equipped with some of the five-star prerequisites, it remains unrated and could be seen as a four-star vehicle.

Performance and handling

Under the bonnet, the ZS and ZST are offered with two powertrains options, including a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine for the ZS and a turbocharged three-cylinder for the ZST. 

With just 84kW in the base non-turbo model, it is only just adequate enough to undertake daily errands. If you load it up with passengers and hit the highway, you might as well forget about the notion of overtaking or maintaining high speeds up long steep hills; this struggles.

Going for the ZST provides access to the 1.5-litre turbo motor. It produces 115kW. That’s around 30kW more than the base engine, also fitted to the entry ZST Vibe and ZST Core. A serious and noticeable difference. The increase in torque is what matters more, though. With 230Nm, the turbo engine is able to perform more reliably on the highway in terms of overtaking and maintaining speed up hills.

While the turbo engine provides adequate power for everyday commuting, the driving dynamics fall short of delivering an engaging and spirited experience. The steering is vague and the suspension, although comfortable, leans towards the softer side, compromising the ZS's sporty aspirations (MG is an old British sports car brand, now owned by SAIC Motor based in China). 

MG would do well to refine the chassis and suspension setup to strike a better balance between comfort and dynamic prowess. At its current state of tune there is too much body roll resulting in sensations of flimsiness and instability, compared with its leading rivals. The soft suspension also takes some time to settle after encountering a sudden undulation or cattle grid.

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Fuel economy

In an era of increasing environmental awareness and rising fuel costs, the efficiency of a vehicle is becoming a paramount importance. The ZS delivers a reasonable fuel consumption average of 7.1L/100km. However, due to its lacklustre performance you might find it hard to reach such a figure in the real world, as you end up pushing it in certain conditions just to meet normal demands.

If you live in the city or suburbs, particularly in areas with lots of 60-80km/h speed zones, the base ZS performs adequately in terms of economy. Because you don’t need to push it so much, and without the demands of a high-speed highway, the naturally aspirated engine has some time to breathe and build speed gradually.

Interestingly, in the ZST Excite and Essence – so that’s the turbo engine – the fuel consumption average is exactly the same, at 7.1L/100km. Zooming in on the specs you’ll notice the turbo offers a city consumption average of 9.8L/100km against 9.1L/100km in the ZS. But then the highway consumption is 5.6 in the turbo against 5.9 in the non-turbo.

Basically, if you're regularly driving on highways then the turbo is a must. But if you only drive in the city or suburbs, the non-turbo might be adequate for your needs. Depending on your expectations.

With a full tank the ZS offers a theoretical average range of 676km while the ZST turbo offers 634km, based on the official average. The ZS features a 48-litre fuel tank and the ZST turbo adopts a slightly smaller 45-litre tank (non-turbo ZST Vibe and Core use the 48L tank).

Something you ought to be careful of here is what fuel you’re going to be filling up with, because depending on which engine you opt for, you may need to be looking for 95 RON petrol at the fuel station. Given that engine choice is becoming a lost art for the majority of ordinary mainstream car buyers these days, this is a failing on MG’s part for not having a consistent engine tune across its powertrains.

The 1.3-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine in ZST takes 91 RON petrol. The 1-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine in the normal ZS takes 95 RON petrol. The 1.5-litre normally-aspirated (non-turbo) 4-cylinder in ZS and ZST takes 91 RON petrol.

So there are two 3-cylinder engines in the ZS range, and one 4-cylinder engine. But, to be clear, it’s the smaller capacity, 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder that takes the premium 95 petrol.

Value for money

One area where MG has consistently excelled is in providing value for money. The pricing strategy adopted for the ZS and ZST makes them attractive propositions for budget-conscious buyers. The inclusion of a comprehensive, seven-year warranty further sweetens the deal, providing some confidence in the longevity of these vehicles.

However, the adage 'you get what you pay for' comes to mind when considering some of the compromises in material quality and driving dynamics.

Should you buy one and which variant is best?

The 2023 MG ZS and ZST are reasonable efforts in the budget end of the market from a brand that continues to gain traction in terms of development and capability. The design is contemporary and the features on offer represent good value. However, there are areas that leave room for improvement, such as the interior quality, driving dynamics, and the need for increased safety in the base ZS.

For the budget-conscious consumer who prioritises value for money, the ZS and ZST could be seen as compelling options; the base ZS is very attractive because of its price. But be warned, the ZS isn’t as safe as the ZST and the powertrain lacks the refinement and performance that many competitors offer, even in base form.

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