New MG ZS Revealed For Europe With A Fresh Design and Hybrid Power

MG Motor Europe has officially unveiled the all-new ZS, the second iteration of its popular compact SUV. This latest version introduces a refreshed design and hybrid powertrain, aiming to strengthen its position in the competitive compact SUV market. The new MG ZS is available for order now, with prices starting at £21,995 (approx. ₹24.33 lakh), making it nearly £4,000 (approx. ₹4.4 lakh) cheaper than the Ford Puma.

At launch, the 2025 MG ZS is exclusively offered with the Hybrid+ powertrain, a setup previously seen in the MG3. This hybrid system combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 193 bhp. Of this, 134 bhp is provided by the electric motor, along with 250 Nm of torque. According to MG, the ZS Hybrid+ can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 8.7 seconds.

The hybrid system includes a 1.83 kWh battery that supports short periods of pure-electric driving. This feature contributes to the ZS Hybrid+'s fuel efficiency, with an official figure of up to 23.55 kmpl. The small battery is recharged through regenerative braking or the engine, eliminating the need for plug-in charging.

David Allison, MG UK’s head of product and planning, confirmed that the ZS will also be available with a pure-petrol engine option in early 2024. However, there are no plans for an all-electric version of the ZS. Instead, MG plans to introduce a new electric SUV based on the MG4 hatchback, which will succeed the current MG ZS EV.

The new MG ZS showcases a design evolution that aligns with MG's current lineup, sharing styling cues with the MG3 supermini and the MG HS mid-size SUV. The ZS features a wide, distinctive front grille, flanked by slim air intakes and full LED lighting at both the front and rear. The design also includes a contrasting lower bumper section that emulates a skid plate, adding a rugged touch to the SUV’s appearance.

Inside, the MG ZS offers a 443-litre boot, slightly smaller than the previous model but still larger than competitors like the Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008. Folding down the rear seats expands the cargo space to 1,457 litres, which is an improvement over the outgoing model.

The ZS Hybrid+ is available in two trim levels: SE and Trophy. Standard features in the SE trim include a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch digital instrument display, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and keyless entry.

MG continues to emphasise safety with the new ZS, equipping all models with the ‘MG Pilot’ suite of driver-assistance systems. This includes active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, lane-keeping assist, and traffic jam assist.