MG has entered the market with a rather comprehensive range, from a fully electric roadster to a hybrid hatchback. The Chinese-owned brand offers a lot. At the centre of its range, there are three SUV models on offer, and the ZS moniker is applied to two ranges: ZS and ZS Pro. In this article, we will focus on the ZS Pro and, more specifically, the Luxury derivative, although a Comfort variant is also available.
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Fast Facts
Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
Price (South Africa) | R 431 500 |
Engine | 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol |
Power Output (Max) | 125kW |
Torque Output (Max) | 275Nm |
Transmission | 5-step Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) |
Driven Wheels | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
Suspension | MacPherson strut front / Torsion-beam rear |
Fuel Consumption (Claimed) | 6.9 L/100 km |
Boot Capacity | 443 litres |
Wheels (Standard) | 215/50 R18 alloys |
Competitor Price (Jetour Dashing 1.5T Momentum) | R 439 900 |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Strong performance: The 1.5-litre turbo produces 125 kW and 275 Nm, giving the car good mid-range punch and a claimed 0–100 km/h time of 8.5 sec. | CVT engine drone: The CVT transmission can cause engine drone under hard driving, which detracts from the refinement. |
| Excellent value & warranty: At R 431 500, the Luxury trim offers a wealth of technology (including full ADAS) and comes with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 5-year/60 000 km service plan. | Lacklustre driving dynamics: Apart from the strong acceleration, the car doesn't feel very dynamic, partly due to the unfamiliar LingLong-branded tyres. |
| High-Tech, quality interior: The interior feels much more premium, featuring soft-touch materials, a modern digital driver display (7.0-inch), and a large 12.3-inch infotainment screen, along with practical rear legroom and a 443-litre boot. | Single-zone climate control: Unlike some rivals (e.g. Haval), the Luxury version has only single-zone climate control, which is a drawback for comfort. |
Styling
The MG ZS Pro is a significant departure from the entry-level ZS range, as it features a rather large, gaping grille flanked by sleek LED headlamps. This design is quite distinctive and certainly catches the eye. On the Luxury variant, you can expect 18-inch alloy wheels to fill the wheel wells. A strong upswept shoulder line leads you to the rear of the ZS Pro.
At the rear, while the brand identity is certainly evident in the shape of the taillamps, they adopt a more modern design when compared to the non-Pro models. Overall, the styling of the ZS Pro range is clean, uncluttered and distinguishing from the ample competitors in this segment.
Drivetrain & performance
The ZS Pro 1.5T Luxury is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 125kW and 275Nm of torque. The power is managed by a five-step Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The combination ensures the ZS Pro feels brisk and competent for daily driving. There are still moments when, under strain, the gearbox induces engine drone, a characteristic of CVTs; however, the calibration was surprisingly good, and this writer would actually take it over poorly programmed dual-clutch transmissions.
While the 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.5 seconds (claimed) may not set any records, it is quick enough for merging onto national routes or occasionally overtaking manoeuvres. While on the topic of driving dynamics, the suspension feels confident in the corners; however, this writer wanted to avoid too harsh dynamic manoeuvres with the unknown performance of the LingLong tyres.
Interior & technology
The cabin of the MG ZS Pro is rather premium in its execution. While indeed the larger and more premium HS model has an even more modern design, the hexagonal design and premium-feeling appointments in the ZS Pro are still rather impressive. In front of the driver, a 7.0-inch digital driver's display is featured, while a centrally mounted infotainment screen measures 12.3 inches.
The aforementioned system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it sends the audio through a 6-speaker sound system. In the Luxury trim, owners can also expect a full 360-degree surround-view camera, which is particularly helpful in tight parking spaces. The latter is just one of the many advanced driver assistance systems.
The soft-touch materials on the dashboard, door cards and centre console, as well as the artificial leather upholstery, provide ample comfort on the interior. While not often used on the interior, the gloss black panel surrounding the gear select lever will accumulate dust relatively quickly.
While both front seats are heated, only the driver's side is electrically adjustable. Other features include single-zone climate control, USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as a leather-clad multifunction steering wheel.
Space & practicality
The ZS Pro is rather a practical choice for discerning buyers in this segment. The boot offers 443 litres of space; however, when both the 60/40 split rear seats are folded flat, the total capacity increases to up to 1 457 litres. Head-, shoulder-, and legroom are more than ample for both front occupants, while still leaving a lot of legroom for the rear occupants.
Safety
The MG ZS Pro offers a host of standard safety features, and as such, achieved a 4-star rating out of a possible five stars in the Euro NCAP Safety Test. Below are some of the key features.
MG ZS Pro Luxury key safety features
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Traffic Jam Assist (TJA)
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- 360-degree Surround View Camera
- 6 Airbags
Fuel economy
The claimed combined fuel consumption for the 1.5-litre turbo petrol model is 6.9 L/100 km. Over the week-long test period, which included a combination of suburban driving, highway driving, and heavy traffic, we managed to return an average fuel consumption figure of 7.5 L/100 km. However, with more frugal-focused inputs, we might have returned even lower.
Model Range, Pricing, and Ownership
The ZS Pro lineup is structured to offer increasing levels of technology and performance across two highly competitive price points:
Derivative | Powertrain | Price |
|---|---|---|
MG ZS Pro 1.5T Comfort | 1.5L Petrol Turbo (125 kW) | R 397 600 |
MG ZS Pro 1.5T Luxury | 1.5L Petrol Turbo (125 kW) | R 431 500 |
Warranty and Service Plan
Component | MG ZS Pro 1.5T |
|---|---|
Engine Warranty | 7-year / unlimited-km |
Vehicle Factory Warranty | 5-year / 200 000 km |
Service Plan | 5-year / 60 000 km |
Verdict
The ZS Pro is the most well-rounded MG product I've driven so far. It manages to offer value, looks, quality and a very respectable driving experience. By pricing the Luxury at R431 500, the brand provides solid value for money. If you're shopping in this segment, I highly recommend taking a ZS Pro for a test drive.
