The new MG ZS starts at $22,990 drive away and the 158kW Hybrid+ uses just 4.7L/100km. Here's which ZS to buy, the safety rating catch and the towing limit to know about.
By Varun Punyamurtula ·
The new MG ZS is no longer just the cheap option. The Hybrid+ is quick, frugal and practical, with a big boot and a long warranty, and the Excite Hybrid+ is the sweet spot. Just don't buy one if you tow, and check the build date on any demo or used car.
From $22,990 drive away (Vibe). Hybrid+ from $29,990 drive away with October 2026 cashback.
The MG ZS used to be the car people bought because it was cheap. The new one has a 158kW hybrid, twin 12.3 inch screens, a five star safety rating and a warranty that can stretch to 10 years. It still starts at $22,990 drive away.
That mix is why 1,805 Australians bought a ZS in September 2026, putting it in the country's top 10. The question is which ZS to buy, and whether there's a catch.
Quick answer: The ZS Hybrid+ is one of the smartest small SUV buys in Australia right now: quick, frugal and roomy, with a big boot. The catches are a 500kg towing limit and a hybrid gearbox that can feel clumsy at low speed.
MG sells the ZS at national drive away prices. These are October 2026 prices from MG's own configurator, including current cashback:
The cashback offers apply to cars sold and delivered by 31 October 2026. The old ZS EV is no longer listed on MG's range.
The cabin is a huge step up from the old ZS. The twin screens look and feel expensive for the money.
The Hybrid+ is the standout. It has more torque than plenty of mid size SUVs, real world fuel use often comes in under the official figure, and it is the quickest car in this price bracket.
The catch is refinement at low speed. Testers report the hybrid gearbox can feel hesitant or stumble as it shuffles between electric and petrol power in stop start traffic. Testers also note it wants premium unleaded, which eats into the fuel saving, so check the fuel filler label on the car you buy.
The Vibe's 81kW engine is fine for city driving but feels stretched with a full car on the highway.
Winner: Hybrid+. The Excite Hybrid+ costs $4,000 more than the Excite turbo but uses about a third less fuel and is much stronger.
Good news: the hybrid battery doesn't steal boot space. Every ZS has a 443 litre boot, growing to 1,457 litres with the rear seats folded. That's one of the biggest in the class and far more than a Jolion Hybrid's 255 litres.
The bad news is towing. Every ZS is rated to tow just 500kg, braked or unbraked. That rules out anything more than a small box trailer. If you tow a camper or a boat, look elsewhere.
Rear seat space is good for two adults, and the hybrid's fuel tank is small at 41 litres, so expect to visit the servo a little more often than the low fuel figure suggests.
Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used MG ZS. Get the best deal. Got a car to move on first? We can help you sell your car too.
This one has a twist. When ANCAP first tested the new ZS in December 2024, it scored only four stars. MG added a front centre airbag, and ZS models built from 4 December 2025 now carry a five star rating.
So if you are looking at a demo, run out or used ZS, check the build plate. Earlier cars keep the four star rating.
Every ZS gets seven airbags, AEB, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. The common complaint is that some safety warnings are intrusive and switch back on every time you start the car.
That warranty is one of the best deals in the industry, provided you keep servicing at MG.
Winner: for most buyers who don't tow, the ZS Hybrid+ gives the most performance, space and warranty for the money.
Buy it if: you want a quick, economical small SUV with a big boot and a long warranty for around $30,000 drive away.
Skip it if: you tow anything bigger than a box trailer, want the smoothest possible city drive, or prioritise resale value.
Our pick: the Excite Hybrid+ at $29,990 drive away in October. You get the full hybrid powertrain, the big screens and LED lights, and it undercuts the Essence by $3,500.
From $22,990 drive away for the Vibe to $33,490 drive away for the Essence Hybrid+ with October 2026 cashback.
The official combined figure is 4.7L/100km.
500kg, braked or unbraked, on every version.
Yes for cars built from 4 December 2025, which have a five star ANCAP rating. Earlier builds of this generation are rated four stars.
No. The ZS EV is no longer part of MG's Australian range.
Prices checked on 7 October 2026 from MG Motor Australia's configurator. Drive away prices can vary slightly by postcode, and cashback offers end 31 October 2026. Rival prices change often, so confirm with a dealer before you buy. Images: MG Motor Australia (manufacturer media).
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