Aussies love a cut price.

Whereas many producers will report excessive percentages of pricey, top-of-the-line automobiles as their greatest sellers, the Chinese language manufacturers have confirmed that low cost and (largely) cheerful motoring nonetheless has a robust following.

Take the 2024 MG ZST for instance; on paper it’s absolutely loaded and appears fairly swish within the steel. Right here in flagship Essence guise it’s priced from $33,990 drive-away which is 1000’s cheaper than rivals from Japan and Korea.

It’s a big purpose why the ZS nameplate is so robust in Australia, with 29,258 bought for the 2023 calendar 12 months with 19.9 per cent share of the mainstream small SUV phase – for reference, the second-placed Mazda CX-30 was lower than half of that quantity and market share.

The hole is closing in 2024, with the brand new Hyundai Kona snapping on the Chinese language crossover’s heels due to the provision of hybrid and EV choices, although the ZS EV does exist and does strong numbers. MG has additionally confirmed a new-generation ZS/ZST is due earlier than the tip of this 12 months, too.

You possibly can really get right into a ZST for as little as $26,990 drive-away when you can reside with a naturally aspirated petrol engine and some much less options, and the decrease grades preserve a strong stage of spec that’s arguably even higher worth.

However the turbocharged Essence showcases all the things the nameplate has to supply in Australia. How does it fare in 2024?

How does the MG ZST evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the MG ZST towards equally sized automobiles.

MG

ZST

How a lot does the MG ZST value?

As famous earlier, a 2024 MG ZST will set you again $33,990 drive-away with customary paint.

A fast look on the MG Motor Australia web site on the time of writing, nonetheless, exhibits MY23 variations marketed for $30,490 drive-away – and there have been no spec adjustments for MY24. Not unhealthy in any respect.

That cash barely buys you a base Hyundai Kona or Mazda CX-30 as of late, although the GWM Haval Jolion and Mitsubishi ASX play on this bracket.

To see how the MG ZST stacks up agains the competitors, try our comparison tool.

What’s the MG ZST like on the within?

Similar to the surface, the MG ZST presents fairly well inside on first look.

It’s very standard with the overall format, and doesn’t do something too outlandish by way of show tech or switchgear. The black trim with crimson stitching is sporty in vibe with out being too gauche as properly.

The pleather trim is a little bit shiny and fake-looking, although, and the carbon-effect detailing in areas is a little bit naff, however some in all probability like a little bit of design flourish.

Forward of the driving force is a steering wheel that’s very Mk6 Volkswagen Golf in design – given SAIC’s three way partnership with Volkswagen in China, it may very properly be the identical unit – with a perforated leather-based rim and chunky buttons.

Behind that may be a partially digitised instrument cluster within the Essence, which is successfully an enlarged driver supervision show which gives quite a few journey laptop readouts and menus. It’s all fairly easy, and works high quality.

I did discover the driving force’s show to be a contact dim even in its brightest setting. For some purpose the headlights would default to on when set to Auto and would dim the shows even in harsh daylight.

The ten.1-inch central touchscreen gives vibrant colors and is properly positioned to be inside arm’s attain, although MG’s native interface is primary and a contact aftermarket in really feel.

It’s value noting these automobiles include very refined related interfaces within the Chinese language home market, and since these are taken out for Australia it looks like an afterthought regardless of the youthful, tech-savvy demographic.

There’s wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, although I had a bug or two with my iPhone 15 Professional Max. I’d keep away from the native navigation too until you really want it, which runs a mapping system that appears just like the WhereIs nav items from over a decade in the past.

Whereas MG has retained toggle-like switchgear for some features like quantity, temperature and fan velocity, the extra detailed controls are buried within the touchscreen and it’s odd that the ZST doesn’t supply automated local weather management.

You additionally may discover adjusting issues on the fly a little bit fiddly you probably have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in use, as it should imply a couple of selection faucets on the display to get to the place it’s worthwhile to go.

Storage is respectable, courtesy of a phone-shaped slot below the centre stack although devoid of a wi-fi telephone charger, and there’s USB-A ports for charging and smartphone mirroring.

A pair of cupholders reside behind the shifter, as does a cubby below the padded front-centre armrest. The door bins are an honest dimension too, excellent for stowing bigger bottles.

In comparison with equally priced ‘gentle’ class SUVs, the ZST gives spectacular area within the second row.

I’m a contact over 6’1 and might comfy sit behind my most popular driving place, even with the panoramic sunroof. Knee, leg and toe room are all good, which makes for strong worth when you’re in search of space-per-dollar.

Facilities are restricted to map pockets and a cubby behind the centre console in lieu of vents, and there are USB cost ports too. Bottle holders spherical it out, because the ZST lacks a folding centre armrest.

I’ll additionally observe the bigger driveline hump the place the centre seat is, regardless of the ZST being front-drive solely. Fortunately it’s not too extensive, however along with the raised and thin centre chair means it’s not nice as a 5 seater.

The MG ZST quotes an honest 359 litres of cargo capability with the second row upright, increasing to 1187 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s a multi-tier boot flooring 60/40 split-fold rear seats.

For reference, the impressively packaged Skoda Kamiq quotes a segment-busting 400 litres.

To see how the MG ZST stacks up agains the competitors, try our comparison tool.

What’s below the bonnet?

Increased grades of the ZST function a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

To see how the MG ZST stacks up agains the competitors, try our comparison tool.

How does the MG ZST drive?

For me, gentle and small SUVs are sometimes fairly uninspiring automobiles to drive – the ZST retains that pattern going.

There’s not numerous aptitude right here, simply A-to-B transport that’s decently comfy and refined for the phase, maybe amplified by the sharp pricing.

MG launched the bigger and extra highly effective 1.3T three-pot with the ZST, and in comparison with the 1.0T within the outdated ZS it feels peppier and extra refined. With 115kW and 230Nm, it makes about the identical grunt as a Nissan Qashqai.

It pairs properly with an once more respectable six-speed automated that simply will get the job achieved. No it isn’t a efficiency benchmark for the phase nor will it set your pulses racing, nevertheless it does all the things acceptably.

For me it’s a disgrace there’s no idle stop-start tech to assist reduce the engine out on the lights, which can see your indicated consumption determine climb shortly in metropolis driving. We might have completed the week with 8.0L/100km after loads of freeway driving, however in site visitors you may see it climb to over 10L/100km.

Efficiency isn’t fairly as punchy as its outputs counsel, nevertheless it’s fairly torquey down low and will get alone at respectable tempo. There’s that good throaty three-cylinder thrum below acceleration as properly.

All the driving force controls are fairly softly tuned, prompting you to take a extra measured strategy than be compelled to push it. It is a city-focused small SUV in any case, and it does a reasonably good job of hitting that transient.

The steering is gentle however has a directness and linearity to its response, whereas the comfortable trip insulates the cabin from the lumps and bumps of metropolis life however it will possibly really feel a contact wallowy at occasions if you go over giant undulations or excessive velocity corners.

Wind and street noise insulation is appropriate however not standout, with a little bit of ambient wind noise notably at freeway speeds, whereas tyre roar can add to this when rolling over coarser black high – although that’s not out of the extraordinary for the phase.

The MG Pilot help suite has been a key promoting level for the Chinese language model, as not solely was it a serious step ahead over the outgoing ZS nevertheless it’s additionally decked out from the bottom stage.

Customary adaptive cruise management combines with an energetic lane centring operate for semi-autonomous driving on the freeway, and the site visitors jam help function will even do the heavy lifting in site visitors jams. It does so with a stage of polish that you simply may not anticipate of such an attainable automobile.

Maybe irritating is the lane centring features propensity to remain on after you’ve switched the cruise management off, which means it’s important to press the lane help button to deactivate once more. Much more annoying is the MG’s fixed audible BONGs when the “lane hold help stop” – principally when you point out and alter lanes, it’ll chime at you.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are likewise helpful to have, bolstering the 360-degree digital camera which additionally gives a 3D view and initiatives a cute (admittedly low-res) ZST onto the infotainment show to indicate the surrounds of the car. It additionally exhibits indicators and might activate when coming into video sections, and jogs my memory of outdated automobile video games on my Ps 2.

What do you get?

4 grades of ZST can be found, sitting above the only ZS variant and beneath the pair of ZS EV fashions.

ZST Core customary gear:

• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – wired
• 4-speaker sound system
• 1 x 12V charger
• 2 x entrance USB ports
• 2 x second-row USB ports
• Material upholstery
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Keyless entry and push-button begin
• Rear parking sensors
• Automated LED headlights
• LED tail lights
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Satin chrome accents

ZST Vibe provides:

• Rain-sensing wipers
• 6-speaker sound system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Entrance fog lights
• 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels
• Leatherette upholstery

ZST Excite provides:

• 1.3L turbo engine
• Pink brake calipers
• Gloss again accents
  • Fog lights
  • Door mirrors
  • Facet sill extensions
  • Rear diffuser trim

ZST Essence provides:

• Distinctive two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Digital instrument cluster
• Embossed MG emblem on headrests
• Heated entrance seats
• 6-way energy driver’s seat

Is the MG ZST secure?

ANCAP has but to crash check the ZST, nonetheless the associated ZS has been crash-tested and obtained a four-star score again in 2017 – which can expire in December 2024.

It’s value mentioning the ZS EV, which options the identical suite of energetic security know-how because the ZST, scored a five-star score when it was examined in 2019.

Customary security gear on all ZST fashions consists of:

• 6 airbags
• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Encompass-view digital camera

How a lot does the MG ZST value to run?

The MG ZST is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, with seven years of roadside help.

CarExpert’s Tackle the MG ZST

Sharp appears, robust worth and a spacious inside make it simple to see why the ZST types a part of Australia’s top-selling vary within the small SUV phase.

You possibly can have the Essence with ‘The Lot’ for a similar cash you spend on base-model rivals, and MG’s seven-year guarantee and servicing schedule are likewise simple promoting factors for the price range aware.

Is it our high choose? No. However that doesn’t make it a very unhealthy automobile both. Contemplating automobiles from the dimensions phase beneath value related cash with shorter function lists and fewer highly effective engines, it makes a robust case for itself – a top-spec Hyundai Venue, for instance, is across the similar value on the street.

Sure there are quirks to the infotainment software program in addition to the help programs, however in comparison with the GWM Haval Jolion which in some methods can really feel very international in its person expertise, the MG is simply primary somewhat than complicated.

There’s little marvel you see so many ZSTs on the roads, and the actual fact it appears a little bit Mazda-ish can’t damage both proper? However I feel there’s higher worth available additional down the vary.

At $26,990 drive-away ($25,490 as marketed on the time of writing), the bottom ZST Core options the MG Pilot suite, LED headlights and the identical 10.1-inch touchscreen because the Essence for nearly $10,000 much less. Sure we haven’t hung out with the bottom 1.5-litre atmo 4 and CVT mixture, however it will possibly’t be a lot worse than equally priced automobiles.

The ZST Vibe with the identical engine however fascinating additions like further audio system, auto wipers and leather-look trim is barely $2000 extra, and will properly be the candy spot of the vary.

On the Essence’s value level, I personally can be inclined to spend a pair grand extra and get right into a base Mazda CX-30, or spend much less and get a Skoda Kamiq Run-Out – each arguably extra fashionable and well-rounded alternate options.

However, I see the enchantment for this absolutely loaded grade for the worth level. I’ll have an interest to see what the next-generation mannequin appears like when it lands within the second half of the 12 months.

Click on the photographs for the complete gallery

MORE: Buy an MG ZST
MORE: Everything MG ZST