MG ZS review - MPG, running costs & CO2 emissions

The MG ZS launches with a hybrid version known as the Hybrid+ which uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine as a generator to power an electric motor that drives the wheels for most of the time. That means the car’s petrol engine can do less work and save fuel until you need to call on it for extra grunt. It’s a similar setup to the one used in rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai e-Power, although that car is much more expensive.

A pure petrol version is said to be on the way and will sit below the Hybrid+ as a more affordable option, but given how cheap and efficient the Hybrid+ is already, it might not make sense if the petrol version only saves you a small amount, although we’ll reserve judgement until that version arrives.

Unlike the previous-generation MG ZS, there isn’t an all-electric version this time – MG is instead going to launch a separate model to appeal to customers after a zero-emissions small SUV.
 

How efficient is the MG ZS in the real world?

During our time with the MG ZS Hybrid+ we found it was capable of between 45-50mpg so long as it was driven fairly gently.

How much will the MG ZS cost in tax?

The MG ZS Hybrid+ will qualify for the discounted rate of VED (road tax), which costs £180 per year. The petrol version should cost £10 more annually as it qualifies for the standard rate. 

The old MG ZS EV will be replaced by another model based on the MG4 in 2025, so company-car buyers might be better off waiting until that model arrives for rock-bottom Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax savings.

What will the MG ZS cost to insure?

Insurance groups are yet to be confirmed for the MG ZS, but the old car sat in groups 14 to 21 – EVs are usually more expensive to insure, though, so there’s a chance the new hybrid might sit in between those groups, although nothing is as yet confirmed. For context, rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai sit in groups 11 for the petrol model, with the hybrid version in groups 24 to 26.