MG HS and ZS (2025) Launch Review

Mzansi's crossover-loving, budget-savvy public seems to attract a crowd because Chinese OEMS keep releasing new SUVs to our market. 

A glimpse into our 2024 consumer report indicates that money talks loudest and also explains why big-name manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and Toyota (to name a few) aren't quite turning the profit they used to. Why? Because South Africans struggle financially and tire of paying through the nose for cars, Chinese carmakers are known for loading as many tech and safety features as possible into good-looking, affordable vehicles.

Related: MG Motor officially launched in SA

A Brief History of the new-generation MG Brand

MG has been the largest single-brand car exporter in China since 2019. In 2023, it sold around 840 000 vehicles globally, with 88% of sales outside China. MG has been the fastest-growing automotive brand in its UK birthplace for two years!

MG models are primarily manufactured in China, with additional production in Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan to serve regional markets. Despite its global reach, MG retains a strong R&D footprint in the UK, where the SAIC DESIGN ADVANCED LONDON studio drives the brand's "innovative design processes with state-of-the-art digital techniques."

MG's reliability is strengthened by its association with SAIC Volkswagen and SAIC-GM, all of the SAIC Group. MG says this connection ensures access to a dependable supply chain, consistent quality, and shared resources, thanks to SAIC's position as China's largest automaker. 

What's on offer?

For starters, MG plans to rival other Chinese brands like Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, and GAC, as well as big names like Toyota, Suzuki, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and the like, with both a compact and mid-size crossover, namely the budget-minded ZS and larger, (much) more luxurious HS. 

The stunning, fully electric, scissor-doored MG Cyberster was there too, but only for decoration, but the AutoTrader team already drove it in China.  Meet the MG Cyberster here!

The entire colour palette of MG's HS models is one of the two models we drove on launch.

The 1.5-litre, four-speed automatic MG ZS

Only ZS Luxury models were available on launch.

The ZS's styling reminds us of a Japanese brand we know and love—do you also notice the Mazda CX-3/CX-5 styling cues?

The interior has the same faux carbon fibre trim, and the layout and font in the instrument binnacle are very similar to the latest Volkswagen Polo Vivo. However, it has a slightly more upmarket ambience and more smatterings of brightwork.

A closer look at the ZS Luxury model's 'cockpit'.

It feels pretty solidly put-together for a car with a starting price of only R289 900 (for the ZS 1,5 Auto Comfort), while the ZS 1.5 Auto Luxury will set you back R309 900. Interior space is impressive, too, with a generously sized boot of 359 litres (seats upright) and decent legroom for family members on the second row. 

'Generic' is one way to describe the ZS - but the MG badge is instantly recognisable.

The safety features are extensive for a car this affordable. They include six airbags, traction and stability control, hill-start assist, and a standard tyre-pressure monitoring system.

There seems to be a lot of Kia Sonet in the side view!

 The ZS is only available in automatic, much to our dismay.

How does it drive?

Unless you're a performance-orientated petrolhead, you'll probably find driving the ZS very pleasant. At the coast, it's energetic enough for a small crossover, its suspension and steering are balanced (there are three driving modes, namely Urban, Normal and Dynamic), and the seats are well-supported. The driving position is natural, with good visibility and support from the seats. The fact that there's only a four-speed automatic gearbox is a bit of a let-down, though, and apart from being noisy, it also keeps the driver from enjoying the experience to the fullest. If only MG also had a five-speed manual box for South Africans!

NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels could also be improved. But as I've mentioned, the target market for the ZS is not too focused on these things. In a nutshell, it feels like a well-built and comfy little car that will suit the daily grind, whether it's commuting to school or work.

This burnt orange hue is a great fit for the ZS.

From an infotainment perspective, the system looks simple, but changing certain settings is quite hard. With only one USB-C port in the car (up front), I couldn't connect my iPhone (which uses a USB-A; I forgot to bring my converter) to test the onboard Apple CarPlay, but regular Bluetooth pairing was quick and effective. (Android Auto is also present.)

Infotainment settings are limited, but you get wired CarPlay and Android Auto.

Rivals to the ZS include cars such as the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, the new Hyundai Exter, Suzuki Ignis and Fronx, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Kia Sonet, Citroën C3 and Toyota Starlet Cross, and the newly launched Mahindra XUV 3XO.

Leatherette seats are standard in the Luxury model.

The ZS may not be perfect (like most products in this price range), but everything changes when you remember how affordable it is, making it a great car for students and their friends who will have room to ride along.

The Comfort model is equipped with houndstooth-design cloth seats.

The details: MG ZS

• Power: 84 kW with 150 Nm
• Top speed of 195km/h
• Boot space seats up / seats down – 359/ 1166-litres
• Fuel consumption is rated at 7.1 L/100km (MG's figure)
• Specs include the full active safety package, which includes ESC (Electronic Stability Control), EBA (Electronic Brake Assist), HLA (Hill Launch Assist), and TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring).
• A full passive safety package includes front and rear seatbelt warning reminders, 6 airbags (driver/passenger/side/curtain), rear ISOFIX, and an immobiliser.
• The 8.0-inch touchscreen (standard on both models) features a rearview camera (Luxury), a USB-C port, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay/Android Auto functionality, and satellite controls on the steering wheel.
• Comfort and convenience features include rear park-distance control, remote central locking, speed-sensing door locks, electric windows (one-touch for the driver), electric and heated door mirrors, a 4-speaker sound system (Comfort model) and a 6-speaker system with 3D sound (Luxury), cruise control, and air conditioning (both models).
• Cloth fabric upholstery is used in the Comfort variant, and faux leather is used in the Luxury model.
• Side sill moulding, side garnish, spoiler, roof rails, and alloy wheels on both models feature two designs.

The ZS makes a great car for those seeking safety and space on a budget.

The 1.5T and 2.0T MG HS

With the same fastback coupé-SUV styling as many other Chinese products like the BAIC Beijing, Jetour Dashing, and Omoda C5, the larger, turbocharged MG HS looks shapely and snatched. The brand says that, among other things, the LED light signature and sculpted sheet metal were inspired by the Shard Building in London.

The bigger HS has some great ingredients - we think the sleek headlamps and decorative grille look fetching. (This is the top-spec 1.5T model.)

On the inside, the carbon black interior looks suitably minimalist and modern with high-quality, glossy finishes, soft-touch surfaces, and slick dual screens in the centre and in front of the driver's eyes.

It's neat and uncluttered without being boring!

Only the top-spec Luxury model in 1.5-litre turbo guise was present for local media to peruse and test drive, chock-full of comfort, tech, and safety spec. Still, the Comfort model is not far behind, with equipment like leatherette seats, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, front collision warning and autonomous stopping, seven airbags, a six-speaker sound system, 4 USB ports, keyless entry, fog lamps in the front and rear, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto functionality for the dual-screened infotainment system, electric seat adjustment, and a tyre pressure sensor.

Families will be glad to have all that space.

The Luxury model adds additional comfort specs like climate control, two more speakers for the sound system, rear privacy glass, a panoramic roof, electric lumbar adjustment for the driver's set, electric seat adjustment for the front passenger, heated seats, and an electric tailgate.

A one-month grocery shop will fit, no problem!

Space is ample on row two, and the boot is massive, at 507 litres and expandable to 1484 litres.

How does it drive?

The drive is better than expected, with no unpredictable calibration.

The HS offers a comfortable space that effectively cocoons you from the chaos outside, creating a sophisticated driving experience. However, the constant beeping of safety alerts can get on one's nerves. I managed to disable most of the alerts individually via the touchscreen. However, after our coffee stop near Pringle Bay, I discovered that the system had defaulted back after restarting the engine. I suppose this isn't a high price for a full 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating.

The dynamic look is not just skin-deep.

On the performance side, the 1.5T engine delivers smooth, peppy and linear power with seamless gearshifts from the dual-clutch gearbox while providing excellent insulation from road and wind noise. However, we did notice a smidge of body roll when my co-pilot pushed the limits down Helshoogte Pass, partly due to its good ground clearance. Most drivers will likely sensibly operate the HS. They may not notice this, focusing instead on how comfortable and easy it is to pilot this very smart-looking vehicle, which truly feels like it should cost much more. (And the 1.5T is nicely spicy.)

On our way to tackle the Franschhoek pass.

Hopefully, the HS can visit us soon for an extended road test. Still, in our limited experience with the HS, we thought it was an impressive car capable of holding a candle to the pricey Germans.

Price-wise, the HS competes with cars like the Haval H6, Mahindra Scorpio-N and XUV 700, Jetour X70, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Proton X70, and even the VW Tiguan and Toyota Corolla Cross, to name but a few.

The details: MG HS

• Comfort and Luxury models.
• 1.5-litre turbo-petrol / 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with 125kW / 275Nm (tested).
  
• 2.0-litre turbo-petrol / 9-speed Auto transmission with 170kW and 370Nm.
• Front-wheel-driven.
• Full active safety package including ESP (Electronic Stability), EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution, CBC (Corner Brake Control), TCS (Traction Control), VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), HAZ (Hazard Control), HHC (Hill Hold Control), BDW (Brake Disc Washing), HAC (Hill Assist Control) and TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring)
• The latest driver assistance safety kits include Front and Rear Collision warnings, Lane Departure Warnings and Prevention, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Lane Change Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Braking, a Driver Monitoring System, and Intelligent Cruise Assist.
• Full Passive Safety package including front and rear seatbelt warning reminders, driver/passenger/side/curtain/far side airbags (7 in total), ISOFIX+Top tether anchorage (x3) and immobiliser.
• The 12.3-inch dual-screen entertainment system includes a virtual cockpit, an electronic parking brake, rain sensor wipers, a 360-degree HD view camera, keyless entry, perforated leatherette upholstery, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
• The luxury variant adds an electric panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, an 8-speaker audio system, front parking sensors (in addition to rear sensors on both), electric adjustment with seat heating for the front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a wireless charger.
• 5-Star Euro NCAP (2024).

Related: Haval H7 vs MG HS vs VW Tiguan - running cost comparison

The 2.0T should be even better - this is the 1.5T variant.

Related: Ryno also drove the MG HS - in December 2024.

Warranty and service plan

All models have extensive warranties and servicing plans:

Verdict

MG is poised to make a significant mark as more consumers turn to affordable yet stylish options.

At present, there are 25 MG dealers locally, and there are plans to expand over the next two years.

"The company’s National Parts Distribution Centre is already in place in Isando, Kempton Park. And through SAIC’s extensive global network, a steady, locally available inventory of high-quality parts has already been sourced to minimise downtime and deliver efficient servicing." - MG South Africa.

Clearly, the brand is not just here to compete; they're here to make a lasting impression in Mzansi's crossover segment.