All-new MG ZS 2018 launched in the Philippines

This subcompact crossover from the British brand is absolutely not pricey.

It is certain that MG has invested a great deal of time and effort in its newly-launched MG ZS 2018. This subcompact crossover is the first shot in MG’s new series of vehicles featuring the brand’s new design language.

The ZS is the first shot in MG’s new series of vehicles featuring the brand’s new design language

In general, the new MG ZS has got overall dimensions worth 4,314mm x 1,809 mm x 1,648 mm (L x W x H). With these figures, it could be considered as one of the biggest in its segment. Not only that, it’s also more upmarket than its siblings.

The side profile receives sculpted surfaces and a pronounced fender line

Point by point, the front end is adorned with a bold upright grille with a slightly incurved patter bordered by slender projector headlamps with 23-LED DRLs.

The side profile receives sculpted surfaces, a pronounced fender line forming the shoulders as well as eye-catching curvy haunches to bring the ZS a muscular silhouette. Besides, flowing from the front to rear bumpers is matte black cladding which is over the wheel arches and on the window sills. Side facet is also lighted up by silver side trims.

At the rear, narrow horizontal taillights and a MG badge are noteworthy

Moving backwards, narrow horizontal taillights and a MG badge are noteworthy that somehow sacrifice for a very European styling of the model.

It seems that we’ve got dazzled too long by the ZS’s appealing outer. Moving inside, it’s the same story here. It looks very stylish, sporty yet still premium with a flat-bottom 3-spoke steering wheel, leather-trimmed dashboard, modish circular side aircon vents and leather seats.

Beyond that, a high-tech cabin is precisely expressed via an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple Carplay. A power panoramic sunroof and push-start engine button are also on tap. Being a subcompact, yet the MG ZS has an airy cabin which is enough to carry people together with cargo. Notably, an adjustable split-level cargo floor is also available.

The cabin looks very stylish, sporty but premium

The all-new ZS is powered by a 1.5L inline-4 naturally-aspirated gasoline engine which musters 118 hp and 150 Nm. Power is fed to the front wheels through a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The all-new ZS is powered by a 1.5L inline-4 naturally-aspirated gasoline engine

Concerning safety features, airbags system, keyless entry, and ABS all come as standard.

In the Philippines, the new MG ZS 2018 can be had at P1,127,777 and is offered in three color options: Dynamic Red, Laser Blue and Arctic White. The most noticeable thing is that, the ZS will come with 7-year warranty, which might be the longest offered across the country.

>>> Click to catch more new car releases

Know more about MG ZS 2024

MG ZS 2024

The MG ZS 2024 is a 5-seater subcompact crossover that is available in the Philippines in three variants. MG ZS 2024 Philippines price is from Php 848,888 to Php 1,048,888. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 gasoline engine capable of making 112 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the flagship ZS-T gets a 1.3-liter inline-3 turbocharged gasoline engine good for 109 horsepower and 160 Nm of torque. Included in the gearbox options are 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, and 6-speed automatic transmissions.

In terms of size, the ZS spans 4,314 mm in length, 1,809 mm in width, and 1,648 mm in height, with a wheelbase rated at 2,585 mm. In the local market, this British-bred subcompact crossover competes against the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Mazda CX-3, and Geely Coolray.

MG ZS-T Trophy - Turbo Time! | Philkotse Reviews

>>> New and used Mg ZS 2024 for sale in the Philippines

MG ZS Launch

Morris Garage, or simply MG, introduced the MG ZS in October 2018. It was also the car company’s local relaunch under a new distributor, The Covenant Car Company Incorporated (TCCI). Later in 2021, MG brought in the MG ZS-T as the model's new top-spec trim.

Most might think that MG is a new player in the car industry but they have been releasing innovative models since 1924. The company, once known as the MG Car Company Limited, is presently owned by Nanjing Automobile Group since 2005. The said company supplies quality vehicles in China, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Chile, and Australia.

MG ZS Exterior

On the outside, MG ZS bears a sharp and sporty look and it assumes a 5-door subcompact crossover. The new top-spec ZS-T variant also gets new touches like its L-shaped LED daytime running lamps, a sleeker pair of LED headlamps, as well as a new set of 17-inch wheels.

When it comes to size, the new ZS-T is 4,323mm long, 1,809mm wide, and 1,653mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2,580mm in length, and it has a ground clearance of 161mm.

MG ZS exterior

MG ZS rear end

MG ZS Interior

For the top-spec ZS-T and the ZS Alpha, their most notable interior feature is the presence of a sunroof. This makes the ZS 2024 one of the most affordable models that comes with the said feature.

Other than that, this MG model comes with a predominantly dark interior. The seats are clad in leather, combined with red contrast stitching.

MG ZS dashboard

MG ZS seating

Technology & Safety Features

The MG ZS Philippines is a front-wheel-drive, five-door, five-seater subcompact crossover. For suspensions, it uses a MacPherson strut for the front and a torsion beam for the rear.

Platform & Chassis

This front-engine, front-wheel-drive vehicle is built using a hard safety cage made from tested steel. The front suspension is a Macpherson strut while a torsion beam is fixed on the rear.

MG ZS Engine & Drivetrain

Under the hood of the updated MG ZS-T for the Philippines market is a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-3 gasoline engine. At most, this new mill can produce up to 161 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque.

Other trims meanwhile are powered with a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 gasoline engine that can make up to 112 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque.

Depending on the variant, the ZS can either come with a four-speed automatic, five-speed manual, or a six-speed automatic transmission.

Available colors for the MG ZS are Moon White, Meteorite Black, Extreme Speed Red, Electro-Optic Orange, and Laser Blue. Meanwhile, the MG ZS-T is available in York White, Knife Silver, Obsidian Black, St. Moritz Blue, and Flame Red.

The model now competes more closely with one of the country's best-selling subcompact crossovers, the Geely Coolray.