MG Launches New ZST SUV. Is It Any Good?

4 years ago, MG’s Chinese owner relaunched the iconic British brand.

Since then, MG has found 20,000 homes for the reasonably priced offerings. I said at the time that the Japanese and Koreans needed to keep their eyes on MG, because they were moving ahead in leaps and bounds.

Today, MG launched their latest SUV, the ZST, and it is not too bad, not bad at all.

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How many models in the range?

There are 2 models, Excite -$28,490, and Essence – $31,490.

Essence carries a couple of tasty extras over the entry level Excite.

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ABOVE: MG ZST SUV Launch – Sydney September 2020

ZST specifications:

MG ZST Excite – available from $28,490 MSRP. Standard features include:
•       1.3L Turbo engine
•       6-speed Automatic transmission
•       Black high-gloss grille
•       Black high-gloss mirror covers
•       Black high-gloss bumper inserts (Front & Rear)
•       Black high-gloss side sill inserts
•       17” Two-tone machined alloy wheels
•       Red brake callipers
•       Rain sensing wipers
•       Fog lamps
•       LED headlights and taillights
•       Leatherette centre armrest
•       Full grain leather steering wheel with contrasting stitching
•       Synthetic leather interior trim with contrast stitching
•       MG Pilot
•       360-degree camera
•       Apple CarPlay + Android Auto
•       In-built Navigation
•       6 speaker sound system
•       Keyless entry and push button start

MG ZST Essence– in addition to the standard features of the Excite, the Essence tops out the range and is $31,490 MSRP. Its additional features include:

Class leading panoramic stargazer sunroof
Full digital instrument cluster
Red embossed “MG” logo on front headrests
Front seat heating
6-way electric driver’s seat
Alternate design pattern 17” Two-tone machined alloy wheels

The new models will be sold alongside the existing ZS range, with a drop in price, as well as now being Drive-Away-

MY19’ 1.5L ZS Excite – $21,990 driveaway
MY19’ 1.5L ZS Excite (new alloy wheel) – $21,990 driveaway
MY19’ 1.0L Turbo ZS Excite Plus – $23,990 driveaway
MY19’ 1.0L Turbo ZS Essence – $26,490 driveaway
MY19’ 1.0L Turbo ZS Essence Anfield – $26,990 driveaway

Does ZST look “premium” as promised?

In a word, yes.

The exterior design is not ground breaking. Instead, it feels familiar, as if various design elements had been “inspired” by other brands. The LED headlights for example, remind me of the soon-to-be-defunct Commodore. The rear end has a touch of Renault Clio about it. The side profile looks Nissan-esque. It risks looking rather thrown-together, but not a bit of it. In fact, it is rather smart.

There are lashings of gloss black scattered about, in the grille, window surrounds, and door mirrors. The top model has a panoramic glass roof. Unusually, the interior shade can be closed while the glass roof is fully open. I can’t think why you’d ever want to do that, but there it is.

There are built-in roof rails, but putting anything on a glass roof is asking for trouble.

Both models have 17” alloys, with a space-saver spare.

Does the inside match the outside?

I tell you what, the cabin isn’t half bad.

MG has really done its homework. I’d describe previous cabins as “adequate.” They were nothing special, and frankly, a little boring. MG says they listened to their customers.

ZST is a quantum leap for the brand, and is probably the nicest interior MG has had in its illustrious history. Vintage roadsters notwithstanding, the quality is decent, especially in this price range. It is every bit as good as anything from Japan. Most important, there is no a centre armrest, HOORAH!

Front seats are heated, and the leather-look coverings are embellished with flashes of red stitching. Essence even has “MG” emblazoned across the headrest. There is some smart carbon-effect trim on the bolsters, which is repeated in the dash and doors.

Any hard-plastic trim feels good to touch, and all other surfaces are soft touch.

How much space is there?

Oodles!

With the driver’s seat set for a 183cm driver, the rear seat passenger had at least 10cms of knee room. With a flat floor, the feel of space was even more obvious.

The boot has 389L, expanding to 1187L with the 60/40 split seats folded down.

What about the technology?

Whacky-do! They’ve taken the parts bin and up-ended it into ZST.

It is chockers full of stuff. The star of the show is the driver’s instrument cluster. All data is displayed on a full-width LCD screen, something even posh brands don’t have.

Then, there is “MG Pilot”. It is not, as the name suggests, a fancy schmancy self-driving thing, oh no. In fact, it’s a suite of safety gizmos. Some stop you from slamming up the rear of a Merc, and others stop you from meandering out of your lane and into the shrubbery. The smart cruise control includes traffic jam system that takes the stress out of the arvo commute. It brings the car to a stop, then moves off again when the traffic does.

It is not, as yet, smart enough to stop at red lights if there is no one in front of you.

Rather cleverly, the 360° camera can be switched on at any time, and has top down views, as well as views looking towards the car from a distance. I will look forward to seeing how it works in the real world.

What’s it like to drive?

The Covid era has changed the way new models are launched. We were able to see, touch, and smell, but that was it.

Is the engine fabulous, or fail?

It is a puny Euro5, 1.3L, 3 cylinder turbo petrol unit, glued to a 6 speed Aisin Automatic. I can vouch for the gearbox. It is a peach. I seen it in many other reviews, but the engine is untested. With 115kW/230Nm, and a top-speed of 185 km/h, it is 40% more powerful than the 1.0L in the current ZS. Economy is 7.1L/100k, which is a little disappointing in a car weighing only 1295kg.

One assumes you’re going to want to glue your loafer to the carpet, because it is such a hoot to drive, right?

What warranty does ZST have?

MG must be confident because they’ve given it the 7-yr-warranty tick of approval. NZ buyers only get 5 years for some odd reason. Kiwis will be gnashing their beaks!

Is MG ZST worth the dosh?

MG is shamelessly chasing the entry level market vacated by the Koreans, who’ve moved up the star chart.

Comparing everything except the yet-to-be-evaluated drive, the answer is an overwhelming yes.

If I’m being honest, previous MGs left me less-than-pumped. Under previous ownership, the roadster was a horrid mess of a thing. Although it handled well, I couldn’t fit into it, and the plastic fell to bits. Previous Chinese-built models just didn’t get my juices flowing.

ZST on the other hand, has lots of space, clever storage, and thoughtful touches like a USB port in the rearview mirror for a dashcam.

MG probably won’t like me saying this, but, the new ZST makes the old ZS look like a cattle dray. A buyer would only buy the old model on price alone.

I get it. I understand why MG kept the old model, as odd as that sounds. Nonetheless, I predict they’ll ditch it in due course because the new model is such a pearler.

Price: $28,490 and $31,490

Engine: 1.3l turbo Petrol, Euro5,

Power: 115kW/230Nm

Econ: 7.1L100km

Tank: 45L

Trans: 6 speed Aisin Automatic

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