Specced-out crossover at under R1 million
MG ZS 1.5L AT Alpha
If all other crossovers were wearing a suit, the MG (Morris Garages) ZS (pronounced ‘Zed S’) is most assuredly in a tux. It’s compact, yet packed with enough flair to fit a bus, and then some. Top to bottom, front and back, plus side to side, this vehicle looks good from any angle.
Let’s start out front. While that nose may seem familiar to some motorists, it undeniably looks luxurious with that thick, shiny strip bordering the ‘Stardust’ grille and the understated octagon-shaped brand logo right in the middle.
As the brand traces its heritage back to Great Britain circa 1924, it takes a cue from one Britain’s most familiar sights, the London Eye, and puts a special spin to it on the headlamps.
The sheet metal is finely shaped and the lines are clearly visible starting from the hood and fenders. It flows along the sides before gently sloping up by the rear quarter panel. Without even going around back, clearly this vehicle’s exterior is more than just plain and simple.
But MG didn’t stop there and still shaped the rear well enough to match the rest of the vehicle — you’d be surprised at how some automakers don’t even bother — and even named the taillight design ‘plough’. It’ll make sense when the lights are on. The rear logo also subs as the latch to open the hatch.
It also has silver roof rails and very nice five-spoke 17-inch wheels, although judging by the wheel well, 18s may also comfortably and stylishly fit in.
Unlocking the doors involve physically using a remote key, which, as modern as it is, could actually have been better because the ZS already uses the Start/Stop button to ignite the engine.
Having to physically bring out the key to press the unlock button seems counter-intuitive because you’ll have to pocket it back because you don’t need it to start the vehicle.
The first thing I notice in the cabin is that it’s pretty plush. Leather seats with visible white stitching, soft-touch materials on the dashboard’s top, metallic accents on the flat panels, and faux carbon fiber trim around the eight-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay (via the two USB ports in front) and Bluetooth connectivity. Fit and finish aren’t at luxury car level yet but certainly a lot more than your money’s worth for its R998,888 price tag.
Even though the vehicle is China-made, seats are very comfortable and fits the body very well, which equates to a ride that’s good to your back. You’d be surprised at how this is not a common thing among vehicles, even with some popular brands.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel has controls for audio on the left and the instrument panel on right. Behind the steering wheel, on the left, is the cruise control stalk.
The 1.5L engine puts out 114 PS and 150 Nm of torque straight to a four-speed AT with manual function. Power definitely doesn’t fall short of city standards but the Aisin transmission must be improved in the near future. With only four gears, it has a much wider ratio and this is most evident between first and second.
Unlike vehicles with more gears and closer ratios, the ZS will stay a little longer in first before it shifts to second, and sometimes gets confused in traffic as it figures out where to shift during the incessant stop and go, in this country. Performance gets better as you go higher up the gears.
It has Hill Hold Control for when you’re going forward and it works fine but when you’re backing up on an incline from basement parking, you’d have to do it continuously and at speed because if lose momentum, it has a tendency to slide forward.
The drive isn’t as refined just yet. NVH levels are not yet where they should be as a crossover, which means the cabin is quiet if the roads are good, but you’ll feel a bit of it once it gets rough.
It has to work on its balance as well as quick turns may make it feel unsettled at times. Steering is almost weightless, which is good if you like the feel of light car, but it numbs the driving experience as it does not provide feedback.
Overall comfort, especially if you’re just riding, is more than satisfactory. The cabin is roomy enough for five and the rear torsion beam suspension does well enough to catch all the weight and keep the ride soft.
The package isn’t perfect and it could be better but remember that Korean brands were in this same pickle not too long ago.
MG is now owned by China’s SAIC Motor Corporation Limited and there is a steep learning curve to overcome but nothing time and technology can’t fix. Decked-out and specced-out, the MG ZS 1.5L AT Alpha is a top-of-the-line trim that undercuts majority of the competition’s entry-level model by a few hundred thousands. That alone is reason to give it a long hard look.
MG Philippines, now managed by The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (the same people behind Chevrolet Philippines), even promises that it will have the resources necessary to make ownership and aftersales service hasslefree and painless.