1 month ago
45
The petrol-only version of the new MG ZS will bring the entry price back under $30,000, but it is dearer than the previous model that started from $22,990.
The new 2025 MG ZS petrol SUV will start $7000 cheaper than the hybrid version – priced from $26,990 to $31,990 drive-away – when it arrives in Australian showrooms in the coming weeks.
But the new ZS still starts $4000 dearer than the cheapest version of its predecessor – or a $2000 increase on top-of-the-range variants – though the 2025 model is an all-new vehicle fitted with technology absent from the outgoing car.
Three variants of MG's new petrol SUV will be offered – the non-turbo Excite, non-turbo Essence and flagship Essence Turbo – compared to Excite and Essence versions of the ZS Hybrid+.
Prices for the base ZS Excite start from $26,990 drive-away, down from $33,990 drive-away of the Hybrid+ Excite – though the petrol-only version is not as well equipped, with a smaller touchscreen and wheels.
It is up from the most recent price of $22,990 drive-away listed for the outgoing ZS Excite, though it lacked key autonomous emergency braking (AEB) safety technology which will soon become mandatory for new vehicles sold in Australia.
The previous cheapest variant with AEB – the ZST Core, which is now sold out – started from $24,990 drive-away.
The Essence non-turbo increases the price to $29,990 drive-away, while the Essence Turbo is listed for $31,990 drive-away – up $2000 on the outgoing ZST Essence turbo, and $5000 less than the Hybrid+ Essence.
Powering the two cheaper petrol variants is a 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine producing 81kW and 140Nm – down from 84kW/150Nm in the old ZST Core and Vibe's 1.5-litre engine.
The Essence Turbo upgrades to a newer 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine shared with the larger MG HS, developing 125kW and 275Nm, replacing a 1.3-litre turbo three-cylinder with 115kW/230Nm.
Fuel consumption of 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres is claimed for the non-turbo, and 6.9L/100km for the turbo, compared to 6.9L/100km and 7.3L/100km previously.
A full list of standard features is yet to be published, but MG has confirmed the base variant will carry 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, and a rear-view camera.
It will also be equipped with fabric seats, a six-way manually-adjustable driver's seat, push-button start, and an unspecified suite of safety features.
The non-turbo Essence adds 17-inch alloys, a 360-degree camera, 12.3-inch touchscreen, leather-look seat upholstery, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats, with the Essence Turbo gaining 18-inch wheels.
Compared to their hybrid equivalents, the Excite petrol lacks 17-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and 360-degree camera.
Registrations of interest for the 2025 MG ZS are now open on the MG website ahead of the first deliveries due next month.
2025 MG ZS price in Australia
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
