The ZS was MG’s greatest ticket into the Philippine market when the brand launched several years ago. It became an instant hit, so naturally, MG Philippines wouldn’t want to mess up its follow-up offering.
Enter the new-generation MG ZS. With an all-new design and tech setup, the new model will lure Filipino owners into the brand, and probably even convince current owners to replace their aging ZS. The best part is, the new ZS is now available with a hybrid powertrain.
There are a lot of differences between the old and new MG ZS, especially with the ZS Hybrid+, so we spent several days with it to give you a deep breakdown. Here’s our take.
Now Ready For The Family Photo
There’s no denying the ZS Hybrid looks good. MG’s designers knew their audience – sharp LED headlights, a well-proportioned grille, and 18-inch two-tone alloys all help the ZS feel a cut above your usual econo-crossover. It wears its badge well. From afar, it might even pass for something more expensive. Its new design also brings it closer to other MGs. In fact, the new ZS looks like an SUV version of the MG 3 hatchback.
But behind the wheel, the new ZS feels bigger than it looks. Despite being compact on paper, it can feel oddly wide and heavy on narrow roads or tight city streets. It’s manageable, yes, but there’s a learning curve. You’ll find yourself second-guessing tight squeezes and slightly oversteering in parking lots. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something to note for first-time SUV drivers.
An Improved, Upmarket Cabin
Step inside, and MG’s premium pitch starts to make sense. Materials look and feel more expensive than the badge suggests – at least for the top-spec Hybrid+. The dash design is clean, the layout makes sense, and the leather-like trims are genuinely impressive for the price. You won’t feel short-changed in the front row.
The infotainment system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, is a centerpiece, big and responsive without being distracting. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard, but in a curious decision, the latter is wired only. No wireless CarPlay, no wireless charging either. At this price point, that’s starting to feel like an oversight rather than a budget-conscious trade-off.
More head-scratching decisions follow: tiny cupholders, a small center console box, and a speedometer that hides its speed readout in a corner like it’s shy to be seen. If usability was the goal, MG left some points on the table. Space is another mixed bag. Up front, it’s roomy and easy to get comfortable, but rear-seat passengers will feel the pinch. If you regularly ferry tall adults around, they’re better off riding shotgun.
Techie But With Some Gripes
Tech-wise, MG’s generous. The ZS Hybrid+ packs in a lot: rearview camera with guidelines, MG Pilot’s full safety suite (adaptive cruise control, lane keep, auto braking, etc.), and even a 360-degree view system. The camera clarity? Just okay. You won’t mistake it for a luxury-grade system, but it does the job.
What’s more annoying is how certain features don’t play nicely together. For example, there’s a dedicated shortcut on the steering wheel to adjust the air conditioning – a great idea, in theory. But the moment you plug your phone in for CarPlay? That shortcut becomes useless. It’s these types of execution quirks that keep the ZS from feeling fully thought out.
Driving Dynamics: Superb But Not Flawless
On the road, the ZS Hybrid+ shines in ways you wouldn’t expect. For a fuel-sipping hybrid crossover, it’s surprisingly eager. The combined output of 194 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque helps give it a bit of punch, especially off the line. It’s not blistering, but it’s peppy and feels light on its feet in urban settings.
That said, it’s not without its flaws. The biggest is rev-hanging, where the engine revs don’t match what your right foot is telling it to do. It’s especially noticeable when you demand a quick burst of speed on the highway. The car hesitates aurally, then surges, like it’s thinking things over before committing. Thankfully, this is just limited to sound, quite a contrast to its actual performance.
Highway driving also exposes some looseness in the steering. It’s fine around town, but out on long expressway hauls, the wheel feels a little too relaxed, needing constant micro-corrections to stay in line. A bit more resistance or recalibration would go a long way.
On the flip side, the ride is well-balanced. It handles potholes and rough patches better than most crossovers in its class, and the suspension setup keeps things composed without feeling overly stiff. Combine that with its light steering at low speeds, and it becomes an easy car to drive daily.
Fuel economy is arguably the ZS Hybrid’s biggest selling point. MG claims big numbers, and in mixed driving, the car backs that up. We got around 11 km/L within nearly a week of driving, which includes enjoying every spirited sprints on the highway. It’s very easy to keep your consumption low, even if you’re not actively trying to hypermile. And because of the hybrid system, you’ll notice it frequently runs on electric-only power in slow traffic. Silent and smooth – just how city driving should be.
Overall Verdict
The MG ZS Hybrid has plenty going for it: stylish looks, strong fuel efficiency, premium-feeling materials, and just enough tech to feel modern. It’s a car that gets a lot right, especially when viewed through the lens of value. At an introductory price tag of P1,248,888 for the Hybrid+ (P1,328,888 regular price), the ZS is hard to ignore in the sea of small SUVs.
And that’s including its shortcomings. It’s not bad, far from it – but it’s not perfect either. That pricing, however, makes it a top contender in its class, especially with those with hybrid powertrains.
