MG ZS (2017) review

MG dealers now have a third model to sell as the brand grows its line-up and revives the ZS badge.

The ZS takes MG into the currently mushrooming compact or B-SUV market, a sector predicted to double in size by 2020. MG management expect the car to help double the brand’s UK sales by the end of next year, from the current 4,500 to 9,000, with a target of hitting 10,000 in 2019. “This model is a game-changer,” said MG sales and marketing director Matthew Cheyne.

The ZS goes on sale with two petrol engine options, a 1.5-litre of 106PS and the newer 1.0-litre turbocharged unit, developed with General Motors and putting out 111PS. It is only available in front-wheel-drive form and there are no current plans to offer a diesel version.

The car also debuts a new design language for the brand, which will feature on all future MG models and is described as combining MG’s heritage and future direction.

In 2017 a host of new models have launched into what is a highly competitive segment, but Cheyne believes the ZS will make its mark, proving attractive to buyers for a number of reasons. Quality of construction has been improved, particularly inside the car with much effort put into more soft-touch surfaces, and with prices starting from £12,495 Cheyne describes the car as “a premium product without a premium price tag.”

As a result MG is confident that the ZS can challenge significantly more expensive and better known models such as Renault’s Captur, the Mazda CX-3 and the segment-leading Nissan Juke – the cheapest ZS undercuts the latter by more than £2,300.

A further marketing advantage will be the retail-friendly seven-year warranty on all ZS models. While Korean rival Kia has offered a seven-year warranty on its cars since 2012, Cheyne argues that it does not match the MG product, which retains full factory support throughout the entire warranty period.

MG has seen major growth in the past four years, doubling its UK sales, and the same period has seen the dealer coverage grow from 39% of the country to 65%. The network will reach 90 outlets by the end of 2017 and Cheyne is aiming for 110 dealers outside London. He says that dealers are coming to the brand because they like the way it does business.

“Our growth is based on good product, and working sensibly with our dealers and ensuring they get a return on the car. Our dealers do the local marketing themselves – sometimes their brand is better known locally than ours. And we often change our sales campaigns based on what dealers tell us will work better – we are not a dictatorial franchise, we are a partnership.”

Part of this confidence is based on the brand’s refusal to pre-register cars to hit targets. “My job is to give dealers the tools to sell cars, not to sell cars to them – it’s a subtle distinction others sometimes lose sight of.

“I could easily sell lots of cars by pre-registering, selling them to dealers, but they would still have to sell them in the next month – it’s a short-term fix that gives you long-term pain. Our dealers like the way we are simple and straightforward, don’t over complicate things.”

The ZS is expected to continue to reduce the average age of MG buyers, an area the brand has already seen significant success in. Formerly over 65 and based mainly on buyers who recall the brand from its MG Rover days, the average age has now dropped to 45 due to the success of the MG3 supermini and the MG GS larger SUV.

MG ZS sales are expected to be driven by new customers coming into the brand, particularly younger families, and those who would previously have bought used but are attracted by the low price point of the car.

Cheyne has no doubt as to his future vision for MG in the UK.

“My ambition is a five-car model range, each returning 4-5000 sales per annum. As a franchise doing 25,000 a year is achievable and a robust business, and one which would appeal to the bigger groups, such as those inside the M25 which we are currently not a value proposition for.”

The MG ZS, he believes, is the key to such growth; “This is a step-change car for us.”

Behind the Wheel

There is nothing particularly adventurous about the exterior look of the MG ZS, but it is competently styled and will fit in comfortably amongst ever-growing numbers of compact SUV rivals.

Inside is a similar story – the dash is conventional, but well put together with some attractive soft-touch surfaces in view, though cheaper materials can be found lower down. The car certainly scores on space – there is plenty of room for the tallest of adults in front and back and a 448-litre boot significantly outstretches rivals.

Motor Trader tried both engines and the manual and auto transmissions, and the combination of the three-cylinder 1-litre turbo and the six-speed auto ‘box proved most effective. The engine is more purposeful yet refined in its acceleration, the auto shifts smoother than is possible with an over-light manual stick.

On the road the ZS is not exciting to drive, but offers dynamic ability comparable with most compact SUV rivals. The suspension can bounce the cabin slightly, but soaks up potholes and keeps the body upright in bends. It’s a competent performance that becomes all the more attractive when one adds in the affordability of the car.