Road test review: MG ZST

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

This is the updated and improved MG ZST. (MG promotional video)

MG ZST ESSENCE
Base price: $33,990
Powertrain and economy: 1.3-litre turbo-petrol inline-three, 115kW/230Nm, 6-speed automatic, FWD, combined economy 7.1L/100km, CO2 163g/km (source: RightCar).

While the headlights are a bit derivative (thanks Mercedes!), the ZST is one good looking small SUV.

Vital statistics: 4323mm long, 1809mm wide, 1653mm high, 2585mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 359 litres, 17-inch alloy wheels.
We like: Fantastic value, great new engine, premium interior, looks more expensive than it is.

At 359 litres, the ZST’s boot is a respectable size for a small SUV.

We don't like: Constant bongs from the driver assist systems, no telescopic steering adjustment.

MG has given its popular ZS SUV a thorough once-over. Let's see how the new model goes.

The little 1.3-litre turbo has a great three-cylinder growl to it.

Is this really a new model or is it just a facelift?

A bit of both, really. After all, there’s a whole letter on the end of the name.

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LED lights front and rear are standard on all ZSTs.

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The level of quality inside the ZST is quite incredible, even more so when you consider the low price.

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The ZST is a new variant in the ZS range, bt one that comes with a new face and some structural tweaks and, of course, a new engine to earn that extra T. The ‘T’, as it usually does, stands for Turbo and as is the norm these days, the new unit is a small 1.3-litre with three cylinders, which reduces emissions compared to a larger naturally aspirated unit generating similar power and also creates a cool-sounding burble.

The turbo builds boost at low rpm, working up to its peak torque of 230Nm at just 1800rpm. Being a tiddly little engine, there isn’t a huge amount of power as the revs climb but 115kW is enough to sling the ZST into breaks in traffic promptly. That’s helped by a low claimed weight of 1295kg, not bad at all for a five-seat SUV.

A six-speed automatic shuffles cogs and it does well, without exhibiting any issues. It dropped through the gears quickly when some extra zest was asked for and reached for the higher ratios to maintain low fuel consumption while cruising.

So it’s just a new face and a new engine?

Aside from that, the ZST is based on the ZS, barring some tweaks here and there to the other mechanical bits.

The subframe and suspension points are stiffer than before, to cope with that extra power, increasing front-end rigidity by around 50 per cent. Works well too; the ZST feels nicely planted when darting around backroads, though the steering could offer a bit more feedback.

To be fair, the thing isn’t designed to be a go-kart around corners. It uses a torsion beam suspension set-up at the rear and MacPherson struts up front, which do well at absorbing all but the worst tarmac undulations. The ZST can lean a bit going around roundabouts but for the most part, the ride is fine.

Don’t those headlights look a bit Mercedes?

Yes, that’s a hard one to get around. But remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And plus, they look great! The LED lights are exclusive to the ZST too, the old ZS soldiers on unchanged. In fact, they’re on both ZST trims as standard, which is quite something considering the Excite model costs $30,990. Combined with the big grille, low fog lights and black accents, the front end of the ZST is quite impressive to look at.

The rear is similarly attractive, with the taillights mimicking the slash seen up front. Faux vents above the plastic diffuser add a bit of sportiness to the package.

Moving inside, we have a leather steering wheel, soft-touch materials everywhere you care to prod, a centre armrest (something missing on the standard ZS and added here after customer feedback), a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support pulled from the larger HS and, in our top-spec Essence tester, a fully digital instrument cluster and panoramic roof. The ZST feels properly premium, so much so that, when I asked, passengers guessed it carried a sticker price of closer to $50 or $60 grand.

Wait, the Essence only adds two things?

Well, there are also different wheels, a six-way electric driver’s seat and heated front seats with MG-embossed headrests.

Seriously, that’s it. The ZST, by default, is loaded to the gills with good kit, including the MG Pilot driver assistance system, which is pretty impressive for a $30-35k car.

It works well too, although the lane-keep system has an irritating habit of chiming and bonding every time it does anything, even when the cruise control system is off. That includes every time you move across to avoid a stationary car and it won’t stop until you turn the whole system off. Which creates one final bong, just to remind you it’s off. Aside from that, it’s a good system.

While MG has added an armrest at the behest of ZS owners, I do wish it added telescopic adjustment to the steering wheel. It’s not a major but it does force anyone with longer legs to adopt a slightly crunched driving position. Then again, the car costs less than $35k…

Any other cars I should consider?

There’s the Suzuki Vitara Turbo 2WD, which asks the same $33,990 price as the MG ZST Essence. You can also nab a Toyota C-HR if you want something a bit different to look at, although the Hybrid steps the cost up to $36,990.

I should also mention the old ZS is still selling alongside the ZST, starting at $22,990.