2025 MG ZS Hybrid+ Review

The MG ZS has fast become Australia’s best-selling small SUV, impressing buyers with its undeniable value proposition, long warranty and lengthy equipment lists for the price.

In its latest form, MG has given the ZS range a styling makeover, more equipment and a new, fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain under the bonnet that makes it one of the most affordable hybrid SUVs on the market.

MG says that some more affordable petrol-powered examples of the ZS are hitting the market in the early stages of 2025.

Before they arrive, though, let’s take a look at how the ZS Hybrid+ range stacks up as a bargain in the small SUV segment. 

MG ZS Hybrid+ Competition

How Much Does the MG ZS Hybrid+ Cost?

MG’s entry-level ZS Hybrid+ Excite is priced from $33,990 drive-away.

Stepping up to the range-topping MG ZS Hybrid+ that we’re testing here brings the price to $36,990 drive-away.

• MG ZS Hybrid+ Excite - $33,990 (D/A)

• MG ZS Hybrid+ Essence - $36,990 (D/A)

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change but do include on-road costs.

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MG ZS Hybrid+ Excite Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the MG ZS Hybrid+ Have?

MG offers the ZS range in a choice of two variants - the entry-level Excite and the range-topping Essence.

Standard features for the more affordable ZS Hybrid+ Excite includes a set of 17-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor with rear parking sensors, cloth upholstery, keyless entry & start and climate control.

Buyers also pick up a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster with a 7.0-inch display, a polyurethane steering wheel, an electric parking brake, power-folding mirrors, automatic wipers and a stack of safety equipment.

Stepping up to the MG ZS Hybrid+ Essence adds a set of 18-inch alloys, leatherette upholstery with six-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED interior lighting, a sunglasses stash and an illuminated vanity mirror.

MG ZS Hybrid+ Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Another key area the ZS Hybrid+ range has been updated for 2025 is the infotainment system.

Replacing the previous 8.0-inch display is a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is nestled into the dashboard and makes for a substantial upgrade over the previous unit.

It makes a great first impression, helping to keep the cabin aesthetic nice and high-tech, particularly at this end of the price spectrum.

MG’s infotainment system is packaged with satellite navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio and a six-speaker sound system.

Buyers also pick up a 12-month subscription to MG’s ‘iSmart’ connected services suite that offers remote vehicle diagnostics and location tracking and a range of vehicle controls via your smartphone.  

Does the MG ZS Hybrid+ Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Buyers hoping for wireless smartphone mirroring are set to be disappointed because the MG ZS Hybrid+ range does not offer either wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity.

Instead, you’ll need to bring your own USB-A cable to access Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with the sole USB-C cable acting solely as a charging outlet.

Is the MG ZS Hybrid+ Comfortable to Drive?

The driving experience has come a long way in MG’s baby SUV and while the new hybrid powertrain is great - there are a few drawbacks behind the wheel of the ZS Hybrid+.

Under the bonnet, the ZS Hybrid+ comes powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that is paired with an electric motor that produces a combined 158kW of power and 465Nm of torque.

It’s the same unit now powering the hybrid-only MG 3 lineup and likely more of MG’s vehicles as it grapples with fuel-efficiency standards and increased buyer demand for hybrid engines.

Power is sent to the front wheels via a three-speed hybrid transmission while power for the ZS’ electric motor is supplied by a 1.83kWh nickel cobalt manganese battery pack.

First impressions of the new hybrid powertrain are overwhelmingly positive.

There’s no shortage of power for the price while the smooth acceleration curve from the electric motor keeps things nice and refined under electric power which can propel you up to 80km/h and higher.

When the petrol engine does kick into life, it’s relatively subdued in the background, which is a good thing because it can hold some high revs to charge the battery and supply added power to the wheels.

In terms of the driving experience, the ZS Hybrid+ is solid, if not a little boring.

Around town, the ZS is well-mannered and zippy thanks to the e-motor’s instant torque, though the steering leaves a lot to be desired.

It’s almost completely lifeless, offering little in the way of feedback.

That said, it gets the job done when it comes to effortless lock-to-lock steering that makes it a dream to park - undoubtedly a higher priority for buyers thanks to the featherweight steering rack.

The regenerative braking system can also be dialled up or down with three levels of adjustment, the most powerful of which is great for maximising your efficiency when driving around town.

The suspension package is a tad too stiff if you’re a country buyer looking for a long-distance cruiser.

While the ZS Hybrid+ suspension setup can iron out some smaller bumps around town, it’s overwhelmed in the corners - resulting in some serious understeer - while bouncing around on a rougher stretch of Aussie B-road.

Upgrading to the ZS Hybrid+ Essence with its 18-inch alloys comes at some cost to the ride quality on country roads.

On a smooth stretch of road, the ZS Hybrid+ is well-mannered while the highway driving experience is smooth and quiet, albeit with some road noise entering the cabin but nothing too significant.

To sum up the driving experience, there’s little, if anything, appealing on offer for enthusiasts but as a small, user-friendly SUV for the masses, the ZS Hybrid+ range has the bases covered.

Is the MG ZS Hybrid+ Fuel Efficient?

Arguably the most important question buyers have on their mind when looking at the MG ZS Hybrid+ is the fuel efficiency on offer.

On a combined cycle, the MG ZS Hybrid+ is rated at just 4.7L/100km making it a super fuel-efficient little SUV package.

MG says that around town, the ZS Hybrid+ consumes 0.9L/100km while the highway cycle lifts these figures up to 6.9L/100km.

One drawback in terms of fuel is that buyers will need to keep the ZS Hybrid+ topped-up with RON95 fuel which is the minimum octane required for MG’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit.

Is the MG ZS Hybrid+ Practical and Spacious?

The MG ZS knocks it out of the park when it comes to space and practicality in the small SUV segment.

The previous-gen ZS did well on this front, too, though the update has made things even more accommodating for those inside the Hybrid+ range.

Step inside and you’re greeted with a pretty handsome cabin for the price point; MG has done well modernising the cabin.

The cockpit offers a healthy amount of headroom for the segment and decent forward visibility thanks to the design of the nose.

The ZS’ front seats are incredibly soft, potentially too soft for some preferences - including ours - while the lack of telescopic reach adjustment meant that our preferred driving position was difficult to find.

The driver’s seat picks up six-way power adjustment which is a nice touch and offers a high-riding driving position for those who need a better view of their surroundings.

There’s no shortage of cheaper trim pieces, though on the whole, MG has done well to make things look fresh, avoid smothering everything in piano black and give the important touch points a softer finish.

The TFT instrument cluster looks a bit low-rent, though the addition of a 7.0-inch display inside adds a splash of modernity, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel with a slightly squared-off design feels nice in hand.

In terms of storage, the ZS Hybrid+ has the fundamentals covered thanks to a redesigned and raised centre console that separates the driver and front passenger.

There’s a rubber-lined stash for smartphones - though no wireless charger - as well as another storage tray hiding behind the gear lever.

You’ll also find a pair of small cupholders with an adjustable separator, added storage inside the folding armrest and glovebox, large door bins and a curious, extremely compact tier on the passenger’s side of the centre console.

Move to the second row of the cabin and things stay nice and practical inside the ZS Hybrid+.

Even behind a 185cm driving position, there was enough legroom in the second row for an adult which is quite the feat for the small SUV segment.

It’s not palatial, but there is more than enough room to keep kids and teenagers happy back here so long as you don’t draw the short straw and sit in the middle.

Amenities are pretty basic in the back of the ZS Hybrid+, with air vents and a solitary USB-A charging port on offer alongside map pockets and door bins.

All things considered, interior space and practicality in the latest ZS Hybrid+ has improved over its predecessor while the usable second-row makes it hard to ignore in the pint-sized SUV segment.

How Big is the Boot of the MG ZS Hybrid+?

Typically, boot space can prove a mere afterthought for the small SUV segment.

The ZS, though, offers a healthy amount of boot space that makes it one of the more practical members of the compact SUV range.

With the rear seats standing, the ZS Hybrid+ boot measures 443L which is both great for the segment and a substantial increase over the previous-generation ZS which had a 359L boot.

Fold the rear seats down and you’ll unlock a total of 1,457L worth of boot capacity.

There’s no powered boot lift available and just a tyre repair kit hiding beneath the boot floor, though an adjustable floor and some side pockets and bag hooks add to the ZS Hybrid’s practicality chops.

• Boot Space Minimum: 443L

• Boot Space Maximum: 1,457L 

Is it Safe?

MG bundles the ZS Hybrid+ with a lengthy list of active safety tech, even in the base model.

As standard, buyers pick up autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, safe exit warnings, tyre pressure monitoring, a surround-view monitor with rear parking sensors and six airbags inside the cabin.

As is common for modern vehicles, all that active safety tech can provide a chorus of beeps and bongs if you’re not on your absolute best behaviour, though MG’s tech is better calibrated than many of its domestic rivals.

Does the MG ZS Hybrid+ Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The MG ZS+ Hybrid range has picked up a four-star ANCAP safety rating after scoring the following marks in 2024 testing.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 75%

• Child Occupant Protection: 84%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 73%

• Safety Assist: 79%

ANCAP’s four-star rating for the MG ZS Hybrid+ is valid until December 2030.

What Warranty Does the MG ZS Hybrid+ Come With?

One area that the ZS Hybrid+ blows its competitors out of the water is when it comes to the warranty. 

MG’s previous seven-year warranty has been stretched out to a ten-year/250,000-kilometre ownership program which is currently Australia’s longest warranty.

The company also offers a ten-year/250,000-kilometre for the ZS Hybrid+ battery and electric motor.

Capped-price servicing deals for the MG ZS Hybrid+ stand at a very reasonable $1,232 over the course of five visits to the service centre.

Service intervals for the MG ZS Hybrid+ sit at 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the MG ZS Hybrid+ Worth it?

The MG ZS Hybrid+ is a small SUV package that makes a big and lasting impression on value-conscious buyers.

The ZS platform has proven itself as a surprisingly practical little SUV that doesn’t force you to compromise on rear accommodation or boot space, while the new hybrid powertrain makes it a seriously fuel-efficient package.

Combine that with MG’s generous approach to features and Australia’s longest warranty currently on offer and it’s a safe bet that the ZS Hybrid+ range will go down a treat with buyers.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new small SUV, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five MG ZS Hybrid+ Specs You Need to Know

1. Ten-year/250,000-kilometre warranty

2. 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol + electric motor hybrid

3. 443 - 1,457L boot space

4. 4.7L/100km fuel economy figures (combined cycle)

5. Four-star ANCAP safety rating