Launch drive: 2025 MG ZS HYBRID+

MG has thrown down the gauntlet to rivals yet again with the launch of the new ZS HYBRID+ small SUV. It’s a vast improvement over the model it replaces. A completely new vehicle from the ground up (in reality only the name is the same), the next generation ZS will be offered initially in its hybrid form.

A petrol and plug-in hybrid variant are due next year. For now, there are two trim levels – Excite and Essence. We drove both as part of a launch event that kicked off at Maroubra and saw us take advantage of the fun that is the Old Pacific Highway on our way to an exceptional dining experience.

The destination for the latter was Saddles Restaurant at Mt White, just south of the NSW Central Coast. Food, glorious food, and great conversation with fellow journos and MG executives aside, the MG ZS HYBRID+ is a genuine joy to drive.

Gone are all the things we disliked about its predecessor, regardless of version, including a poor interior and an unrefined transmission. Likewise, the glitchy touchscreen infotainment system, hard plastics and average driver ergonomics have all been tossed in the bin.

This is a new car, with a new infotainment system that’s easy to use, intelligent in the way it operates, and all while looking modern. Externally, it features a revised design to match the recently launched HS, and is longer and wider than before.

Riding on a larger wheelbase, its interior has been expanded (mostly in the boot and second row) to improve leg room and luggage space. All that translates to more interior space, with the boot growing to 443-litres, or 1,457-litres with the second row folded.

Those rear pews are roomy enough for even a 183cm tall individual, and for a model that used to be ridiculously compact, it’s a nice touch. Like the HS though, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still wired, which is a small blight on an otherwise solid technology experience.

Dual 12.3-inch screens (infotainment and instrument cluster), with headlight activated light and dark modes feature. For the Excite, there’s satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, a 360-degree camera, rain sensing wipers, 17-inch alloys and cloth seats.

The range-topping Essence adds a panoramic sunroof, larger 18-inch wheels, perforated PVC seats and heated front seats. It also adds 6-way electrical adjustment for the driver’s pew (with manual lumbar support), and leather steering wheel.

Both variants get four USB ports (two in the front console, one in the rear, and one in the rear-view mirror). You also get 12-months access to the MG iSMART smartphone app.  The system lets you undertake such tasks as being able to check your fuel level, tyre pressures and battery voltages remotely.

You can also lock and unlock the car without a key, find your car when you’ve lost it in a car park, and turn on the air-conditioning. Utilising the same HYBRID+ technology found in the new MG3, the ZS offers 158kW of power and 465Nm of torque.

Under the hood is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine, with a 1.83kWh NCM battery and hybrid setup. With eight dynamic propulsion modes, the intelligent ECU seamlessly adapts to the current driving conditions in real time too.

Combined fuel economy is a claimed 4.7-litres/100km and we can confirm we tracked pretty damn close to that in real world testing (5.2-litres for the most part). The ZS boasts improved suspension and three drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport).

Each one changes the driving dynamics, with Sport feeling proper punchy when you put your foot down. On the “old road”, we were able to push both variants quite hard, and saw minimal body roll and some decent handling through tight corners.

The new model only ever felt a little skittish when pushed really hard in tight bends at speeds no normal driver would do, meaning for the average punter, this car is a fantastic driving experience. It’s comfortable too.

The 2025 ZS HYBRID+ features MG PILOT safety, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, intelligent cruise assist and rear cross traffic alert as standard across the range.

Both variants do get forward collision warning, blind spot detection, and intelligent speed limit assist. We do have to fault some of that safety tech though, and it’s the last of those we’ve mentioned that’s a proper pain in the butt.

At just a single kilometre over the limit, it chimes three times, and while you can turn it off in the menus, it’s back every time you start up. It’s enough to make you genuinely angry at the car. That aside, we reckon if you’re in the market for a small SUV that’s got a reasonable amount of good tech, this is the winner.

Priced from $33,990 drive away for the Excite and $36,990 drive away for the Essence. It’s available in Dover White, Lunar Grey Metallic, Sloane Silver Metallic, Emerald Green Metallic, Brighton Blue Metallic, Diamond Red Metallic and Black Pearl Metallic.

There’s also the option to spec the Essence variant in a white interior trim. The 2025 ZS HYBRID+ is backed by MG’s 10-year or 250,000km warranty. You can find out more on the MG Motor Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.

Our test vehicles were provided as part of a media launch event, by MG Motor Australia. This story was first published on Exhaust Notes Australia.

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