2025 MG ZS Luxury: More than you bargained for
Let’s face it – we all love getting a good deal.
This is all the more important because of our economy’s rather lackluster performance. Despite fairly low inflation, 2025 has seen growth projections slashed left and right after investor confidence was rattled (thanks in no small part to the creatures of the underworld masquerading as “public servants” who pocketed possibly trillions of pesos of taxes meant for public works).
But whether we’re haggling in the palengke or tapping furiously for extra coins on Lazada, we are always keen on finding ways to save money. Indeed, there is unparalleled delight in achieving the idiomatic expression “getting more than you bargained for,” especially when it involves the second-most expensive thing that you will ever own.
Many car brands have crashed and burned for offering ultra-cheap models that turned out to be rolling scrap after just a few years. Happily, the 2025 MG ZS Luxury seems to be the polar opposite.
Simple style
The all-new ZS isn’t a product of radical change – it’s more of an evolution of its much-loved predecessor.
Things like the higher hoodline and more pronounced fender flares give it more agreeable proportions, but you still get definitive ZS touches like the pointed (and powerful) LED headlights. And the front end now snarls because of the large grill and aggressive faux brake ducts.
The ZS Luxury comes standard with two-tone, five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55-series tires. Although the Lunar Gray Metallic paintjob of this test unit isn’t my cup of tea, the sweeping beltline certainly adds some drama to this crossover’s profile.
Out back, MG’s baby shares styling cues with its MG3 hatchback cousin – these include moving the license-plate holder between the large LED taillights. Meanwhile, the steeply raked rear windscreen, large tailgate spoiler and pert bumper give a sporty appearance.
Quality interior
One huge step up with the all-new ZS is its cabin.
The hard, nasty plastics and the positively dreadful red accents are gone, replaced with soft-touch materials (except for the door cards) and pleasant PVC leather upholstery in the Luxury variant. The 7-inch digital gauge cluster is easy to read, while the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is clear and responsive.
As with the ZS Hybrid+ that I tested some months ago, the ZS Luxury has reasonably simple controls for a Chinese car, although I would still like separate switches for the powerful climate-control system. I would also have liked reach adjustment for the steering wheel to better accommodate shorter drivers like me.
However, you do get plenty of space for five passengers (and an airy cabin thanks to the huge panoramic moonroof), while the nicely shaped 443-liter cargo area expands to 1,457 liters with the split-folding rear seats down. Overall, the ZS Luxury is a nicer place to be in than many top-spec Japanese subcompact sedans in its price range.
Frugal performance
The ZS Luxury packs MG’s proven 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine that is also used in the excellent GT sedan.
It pumps out 108 horsepower and 142 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although performance is adequate in regular driving, the CVT could use a bit more tuning for more rapid acceleration at high RPM.
And compared to its electrified sibling, this Luxury variant (which is 90 kilograms lighter) has a suppler ride and perkier handling, with the latter helped largely by the light and responsive steering that can be a bit twitchy at higher speeds because of the rather numb feel.
It likewise has strong brakes that are controlled by a slightly spongy pedal. But given that the top-spec Hybrid+ already comes standard with the life-saving MG Pilot active-safety suite, I really wish that they made it standard equipment across all ZS variants.
Nonetheless, the ZS Luxury truly impressed with its fuel consumption – we got 10 to 13 kilometers per liter in the city and 20 to 23 kilometers per liter on the expressway. This is only beaten by the ZS Hybrid+ that likewise offers substantially stronger acceleration.
Who needs 4-doors?
At just P1,088,888 (with an introductory price of P1,048,888), the 2025 MG ZS Luxury really exemplifies getting more than you bargained for.
No Japanese subcompact crossover (the P1,308,000 Toyota Yaris Cross V, P1,450,000 Honda HR-V S or P1,479,000 Nissan Kicks e-POWER VL) comes even remotely close. Meanwhile, similarly equipped Chinese rivals like the P1,189,900 GAC GS3 Emzoom Touring and the P1,198,000 BYD Sealion 5 DM-i offer more power, but for an additional six figures.
Indeed, the ZS Luxury’s nearest rival is arguably the P948,000 BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic – powerful and frugal this highly advanced compact sedan may be, but it doesn’t offer the same versatility and interior space as a crossover.
In this sense, MG Philippines’ push to remain the country’s top-selling Chinese automaker looks to remain secure.
