7-year warranty too, would you believe it.
MG has released details on its incoming ZS crossover, that will do battle with cars like the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, and Toyota C-HR when it arrives very soon. The ZS will be priced at just $20,990 for the base model Soul variant, while the plusher Essence will command $23,990 (all prices exclude on-road costs).
In a move to help capture new buyers, MG is is offering a 7-year unlimited-mileage warranty with all new ZS models, along with ‘MY17.5’ GS cars. This puts the Chinese-run British marque in the same league as Kia with its industry-leading warranty coverage. This will likely be reason enough to consider the ZS, given that its competition lags quite a way behind in this regard (and Kia doesn’t actually have a contender in this segment… yet).
The MG ZS Soul, though being the base model, is fairly well equipped. 17-inch alloys are standard, as are halogen-projector headlights with LED daytime running lights (with automatic functionality), fog lights all round, and smatterings of chrome outside. The cabin also sees pretty generous kit too, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay (but no Android Auto, boo), a six-speaker audio setup (with Yamaha 3D sound processing), a rear view camera with reversing guidelines, and rear parking sensors.
The ZS Soul sees motivation from a 1.5-litre petrol motor, putting out a less-than-stellar 84kW and 150Nm, with power being sent to the front wheels via a four-speed (!) automatic gearbox. Yes, four. Fuel consumption suffers as a result, with this model claiming a figure of 7.1L/100km (though we expect to see a figure close to 9L/100km in the real world).
The $3000 premium commanded by the Essence model is well worth it, even before we start talking about kit. The headline upgrade here is definitely the 1.0-litre turbo petrol mill under the bonnet, which puts out 81kW and 160Nm (that’s -2kW and +10Nm over the Soul’s atmo engine). The torque does kick in sooner, and provides for a peppier driving experience. Power is still sent to the front wheels, though there’s now a six-speed automatic gearbox in the mix. Fuel consumption here is rated at 6.7L/100km.
Additional kit comes in the form of keyless entry and go, as well as an enormous panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade.
All ZS cars boast competitive practicality stats, with 359L of cargo room behind the rear seats. Flop the bench down and you get 1166L.
“We are at the forefront of a new generation of high-quality and innovative cars, which are being produced in China. This is the new generation of ‘Made in China.’” — Peter Cao, General Manager, MG Australia
Yes, that’s right. All MG vehicles on our shores will be built at a facility in China by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (or SAIC), the parent company behind MG. With 10-dealers spread across Brisbane, Canberra, and New South Wales, it’s unlikely that the ZS will be beating any sales records anytime soon, but it’s still early days for MG.
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