The wraps are off the next incarnation of what is currently Australia’s best-selling small SUV, with the 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+.
As expected, it shares the 155kW hybrid drivetrain with the MG3 small car. Combining a 75kW 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 100kW electric motor, via a 1.83kWh battery, the ZS is said to be good for a 0-100km/h sprint of 8.7 seconds – some 0.7 seconds behind the lighter and smaller MG3. It’s worth noting we achieved a surprising 7.0-second 0-100km/h during our Vbox testing.
English specifications have the SUV pegged at about 4.3L/100km (55.4mpg), but the ADR81/02 test cycle is less forgiving, so we would expect this to land closer to the 4.7L/100km mark – which just beats the Haval Jolion hybrid’s 5.1L/100km effort, but not the 4.4L100km of the Toyota Corolla Cross, let alone the Hyundai Kona Hybrid‘s 3.9L/100km effort.
In the UK, it undercuts many chief rivals with a starting price of £21,995. We would predict the ZS Hybrid model to be in the vicinity of $31,000-$35,000 when it arrives in Australia at the end of this year.
Changes inside include a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 7.0-inch digital instrument panel, a new style of gear selector and a sharp-looking steering wheel shared with the imminent 2025 MG HS medium SUV. The buttons at the bottom of the infotainment screen have been retained from the previous model, by the looks of it. Seats appear to be broader and vents are an inverted trapezoid shape – vaguely similar to the Mazda CX-5.
Externally, the new ZS adopts MG’s new corporate front end with air curtains book-ending a trapezoidal grille. The MG octagon logo has migrated to the top of the bonnet, in the new flat style, with new LED lights. The rear end sees the number plate moved to the tailgate, with a side profile incorporating a larger DLO. We expect an Essence model will remain available as well.
The new ZS will have its work cut out for it to defeat the upcoming Chery Tiggo 4 from $24,000 with turbocharged power, and the recently price-reduced Haval Jolion. A petrol version will also become available, but it is unknown what configuration that will entail – whether it be the base MG3’s 75kW atmo 1.5L unit or the new MG HS’s 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, with 125kW/275Nm – hopefully the latter. It could start from around $27,000 or slightly more.
What is also unclear is whether MG will retain their current naming strategy of ZS/ZST when the new model arrives. This current arrangement is unique to our region, with the ‘T’ letter applied as they reach our shores. More news about the 2025 MG ZS and 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+ as it develops, including any Aussie details.
