Previewed: MG ZS HEV – B-Segment Hybrid SUV, Coming in 2025?

Aside from the MG3 HEV, SAIC Motor Malaysia has also brought in the MG ZS HEV at KLIMS 2024. Launch imminent?

Previewed alongside the MG3 HEV at SAIC Motor Malaysia’s booth for the ongoing Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2024 (KLIMS 2024) is the MG ZS HEV. Not to be confused with the first-gen, all-electric MG ZS that was launched in Malaysia earlier this year, this is essentially the second-gen version of the marque’s B-segment SUV crossover fighter, featuring an improved hybrid powertrain setup.

Just like the MG3 HEV, the new MG ZS HEV also uses a 1.5-litre 4-cyl Atkinson-cycle petrol engine as the basis for its hybrid setup. Mated to a single electric motor and a 3-speed hybrid automatic transmission, this hybrid powertrain setup delivers a total system output of 197 PS and 465 NM, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100 KM/H in 8.7 seconds.

Aside from decent straight-line performance, said hybrid setup also grants the ZS HEV a decent fuel consumption rate of 28 KM per litre, thus putting it on-par with other hybrid SUVs currently on sale in our market.

On the visual front, the new ZS HEV follows the design language we’ve seen on newer MG models such as the second-gen MG HS C-SUV and the aforementioned MG3 hatchback. Key highlights include the massive oval-shaped front grille flanked by two vertical air inlets, sharper LED headlights with DRL, 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 18-inch alloy wheels finished in a two-tone colourway.

Measuring 4,430 MM long, 1,818 MM wide, 1,635 MM tall, with a wheelbase of 2,610 MM, the new ZS has grown significantly over its previous model, which puts it on par with other newer and larger B-segment SUVs such as the Honda HR-V, Chery Omoda 5, and Proton X50, to name a few.

On-board amenities are also not too shabby for the new MG ZS, as it gets standard equipment such as a 12.3-inch central infotainment display that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a six-speaker audio system, a wireless charger, multiple USB charging ports, leather upholstery with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dedicated rear A/C vents, and many more.

Safety is quite paramount for the new MG ZS, with standard safety features including six airbags, traction (TCS) and stability (VSC) controls, a 360-degree camera view, as well as an array of ADAS functions courtesy of the MG Pilot suite, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), and many more.

Given that we’re already at the tail-end of 2024, it seems like the new MG ZS HEV might join SAIC Motor Malaysia’s product lineup sometime later in 2025, where it will be one of the marque’s first hybrid-powered offerings to be sold here, alongside the MG3 hatch. Reckon the British-badged, Sino-made MG ZS has all it takes to go head-to-head against other hybrid-powered SUVs such as the new Toyota Corolla Cross HEV and Honda HR-V e:HEV RS?