Second-Gen MG ZS SUV Unveiled with Improved Hybrid Setup

The second-gen MG ZS breaks cover as an affordable B-segment SUV with an improved hybrid powertrain.

Following its teaser last week, Sino-British marque MG Motor has peeled the wraps off its new B-segment SUV fighter, the second-gen MG ZS. For its next-gen iteration, the ZS SUV gains a new look plus an improved hybrid (HEV) powertrain setup.

Starting with the visuals, the new MG ZS follows the design language we’ve seen on newer MG models such as the MG HS C-segment SUV and the MG3 hatchback. Key highlights include the massive oval-shaped front grille flanked by two vertical air inlets, sharper LED headlights, a front skid plate, an upward sweeping shoulder line, and a plastic underbody cladding.

Besides the MG HS-inspired design cues, the new MG ZS also rides on new 17-inch alloy wheels finished in two-tone colourway. Those who fancy bigger wheels can opt for the Trophy version of the new MG ZS, which comes with bigger 18-inch wheels.

On board, the new MG ZS features a more minimalist and upscale cabin layout, as seen on the newly-facelifted MG5 GT coupe saloon. Some key amenities present here include the 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a bigger 12.3-inch central infotainment screen that supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, auto climate control, a six-speaker audio system, and black fabric upholstery for all five seats.

Opting for the Trophy version will grant customers several additional cabin items, such as privacy glass windows, a surround-view camera, heated front seats and steering wheel, as well as plush leather upholstery for all the seats.

New for the second-gen MG ZS is the MG Pilot active safety suite, which now comes standard with the model. This suite includes several key ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane keep assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW), active emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, blind spot detection (BSD), forward collision warning (FCW), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and traffic jam assist (TJA).

The second-gen MG ZS Hybrid+ gets the same hybrid powertrain setup used on the MG3 hybrid hatchback.

On the powertrain front, the new second-gen MG ZS comes solely in the Hybrid+ HEV variant. This improved hybrid powertrain setup comprises a 1.5-litre 4-cyl nat-asp petrol engine as a core, which is augmented by a single e-motor to deliver a total system output of 193 HP, allowing a 0-100 KM/H to be finished in 8.7 seconds.

More importantly, MG claims the improved HEV setup on the new MG ZS also allows the car to have a decent fuel economy rate of 28 KM per litre, putting it on par with other conventional hybrid SUVs available in the market.

Order books for the new second-gen MG ZS Hybrid+ have opened in the UK, with first delivery slated to commence later in Oct this year. Priced from £21,995 (RM125,476) onwards in the UK market, there’s a high chance that MG will introduce the new MG ZS in other international markets, including Malaysia.