MG ZS offers plenty to Excite
THE latest car from MG comes with an excellent seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty, which is only matched by one other car maker.
And looking at the power and specification against all the other smaller SUVs, the MG ZS is incredible value for money too.
The only downside for some may be that it’s available only with a choice of two petrol engines.
That said, the 1.5 manual I’ve been driving has a combined figure of 49mpg which, with careful driving, means it will do around 40mpg on a longer run.
And its big plus is the fantastic ride – even over very rough country roads at speed and when driving around town.
It simply soaked up everything I could throw at it – including speed humps – with tremendous ease, and that will help it appeal to a wide range of owners.
As well as the smooth and quiet 1.5-litre, there is also a slightly more powerful 1.0-litre turbo, but it only comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox, and so the performance is about the same.
But I think the 1.5 will be the biggest seller. It’s a very sweet sounding engine and good to drive, with a fairly linear power delivery.
The middle model in the range is the Excite that I drove and it is very well equipped coming with cruise control, traction control, reach and height adjustable steering, height adjustable driver’s seat, electric heated mirrors, multi-function steering wheel, four electric windows, alloys, air con and loads of airbags.
The boot is a very good size, and the rear seat folds in a 60/40 pattern to get more stuff in.
All in all, the MG ZS is a hugely likeable, accomplished, good looking family SUV that comes at a bargain price and with an excellent warranty.
The MG ZS Excite 1.5 I drove costs £14,000.