A dash of turbo transforms MG’s compact SUV into a confident urban cruiser
It was only late last year that the second-generation MG ZS landed in New Zealand, impressing us with its sleek design, enhanced tech offering, and sharper dynamics. Now, MG has added a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine to the range, promising more punch and polish for everyday driving. Naturally, we took it for a spin to see if the added boost makes all the difference.
The headline act is the all-new 1.5L turbo engine, which delivers a healthy 125kW and 275Nm – up 44kW and a whopping 135Nm over its naturally aspirated sibling. Paired with a CVT transmission and three selectable drive modes, it’s designed to offer a more relaxed, responsive drive, especially in urban traffic.
Complementing this additional drivetrain is a long list of high-spec inclusions, many of which are standard in this Essence Turbo trim. However, the highlights include, 12.3″ infotainment screen with iSMART connectivity. 12.3″ digital instrument cluster with 7″ multifunction display. 360° high-definition camera system. Heated front seats with electric adjustment. Panoramic sunroof. LED headlights with Intelligent High Beam control, and MG Pilot active safety suite.
In short, there’s a sense that MG really listened to what buyers want in a compact SUV, comfort, kit, and a bit more kick.
So how does it drive? In many ways, better than ever. The turbocharged engine feels like a more natural fit for the ZS. It gets up to speed with less effort, handles overtaking and merging with far more confidence, and makes stop-start traffic a less stressful affair.
That said, the CVT transmission still takes some shine off the performance. While it mimics traditional gear shifts through stepped ratios, the response can be sluggish, especially from a standstill or under light throttle. It’s a noticeable improvement over the non-turbo setup, but still not as refined as some of the dual-clutch or torque-converter autos from European rivals.
Steering feel is direct, the ride is composed, and the cabin remains impressively quiet even on coarse-chip Kiwi roads. It’s no sports car, but the ZS feels settled and stable at all speeds – aside from in the rain, where the extra power does make the front wheels slip at junctions.
The interior punches well above its price tag. From the wide digital displays to the leather-look trim and electric sunroof, there’s a genuine feeling of polish throughout the cabin. The seating is supportive, the layout is modern, and there are thoughtful touches like the sunglasses storage compartment and four USB ports (including one cleverly located near the rear-view mirror for dash cams).
The 360° camera system is a standout for a vehicle in this price bracket, offering peace of mind when parking in tight city spots. Safety is handled by MG’s Pilot suite, which includes features like adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and emergency braking. The only downside? The over-eager speed sign recognition system, which beeps far too often—and has to be manually deactivated each time you start the car.
The MG ZS Essence Turbo is a great leap forward for the nameplate. The extra power makes everyday driving more enjoyable and less taxing, and the high level of standard equipment makes it feel like excellent value. It’s not perfect, to me, the CVT transmission remains the weakest link, but overall, this is a stylish, well-appointed, and thoroughly liveable compact SUV.
And how much for this turbo’d beauty I hear you ask, well right now it’s $34,990 and comes with MG’s 10 Years Peace of Mind – that should have you racing to test drive it!
