You can think of the MG ZS Hybrid+ as a bigger version of the impressive MG 3.
MG has revealed the new ZS Hybrid+ SUV, which takes over from the outgoing ZS – the brand’s second-best selling model. It shares very little with the current ZS, however, and has more in common with the smaller MG 3 Hybrid+ hatchback.
We’re used to new cars costing £40,000 or £50,000, so we almost did a double-take at the ZS’ starting price of just £21,995. That’s the price of the SE spec, which comes with full LED lighting, a 12.3-inch infotainment display with sat nav and a rear camera display, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control. A huge amount of kit for very little money.
Trophy spec costs another £2,500, and for that you get 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-style upholstery with front seat heaters, a 360-degree surround-view camera and privacy glass.
Like the MG 3, there’s only one engine to choose from. Its 1.5-litre petrol and electric motor produce a total of 196hp, and it’ll accelerate from 0-62mph in a brisk 8.7 seconds.
But more important is the fact the hybrid setup returns up to 55.6mpg – worlds away from the 35mpg or so you can expect from the outgoing petrol ZS. Its 115g/km of CO2 output isn’t too bad either, even if company-car drivers will still be better off with a plug-in hybrid or fully electric car.
The ZS is covered by a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty, and it’ll start to arrive in UK showrooms from October.
MG’s smaller SUV faces a number of rivals – and promises to undercut them. Alternative hybrid small SUVs include the Toyota Yaris Cross, Jeep Avenger, Kia Niro, Renault Captur and Hyundai Kona.
The MG ZS EV is being replaced by a new car with a new name, and recently images of it were leaked on a Chinese website. Read more about the MG ZS EV successor here.
Shop used MG ZS cars for sale or read our MG ZS review
