2026 MG ZS Essence Turbo review

Everybody knows the Goldilocks story – the one where she finds the sweet spot among three bowls of breakfast left by a family of bears.

Note:This is a revised version of our most recent review of the MG ZS, as there have been no major changes to the model since it was published.

We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information available. Read our latest price and specs articleherefor all the details.

Well, this might be very similar, because while I have previously reviewed the new MG ZS in both the budget-friendly Essence petrol form and flagship Hybrid+ guise, I was most looking forward to taste-testing the MG ZS Turbo Essence because I expected it to be the ‘just right’ variant that nails the brief for the majority of small SUV buyers in 2025.

And you know what? It does exactly that, by building on the huge improvements made by the new-generation ZS in terms of overall sophistication but with a more agreeable sticker price than the higher grade Hybrids and a punchier powertrain than the entry-level variants.

The MG ZS Essence Turbo could very well be the sweet spot in the new-gen ZS range. So, let’s find out more.

How much does the MG ZS cost?

There are several new takes on the MG ZS, but the petrol models are the most affordable.

Comparing it to some rivals, the new MG ZS offers more powertrain choice than the Toyota Yaris Cross (hybrid only) and Mazda CX-3 (non-turbo petrol only).

If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our comparison tool.

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What is the MG ZS like on the inside?

If you have seen any of our earlier coverage of the new ZS, you’ll know this is a vastly different machine to the top-selling model it replaces, and that’s clearly evident in the cabin.

It no longer feel like a cheap compact SUV. Instead, I think the new-look cabin is miles ahead of its predecessor in every conceivable way and even better than some of the more-fancied small SUV rivals.

From the materials on the dash and doors, to the sophisticated cabin design and layout, and the new front seats which are considerably more comfortable and adjustable, it’s just a far more mature and complete package.

Sadly, though, oddbods might find it hard to get a properly comfortable position as the steering wheel offers rake adjustment, but not reach.

The steering wheel controls will take some learning – as with many other new MGs, the buttons are minimalist – and you manage the cruise control system on the left side, while the right-side controls media and driver info screen settings. It’s also a shame they are finished in shiny black plastic, which is prone to fingerprint smudging.

The driver info screen is pretty easy to get your head around, with a bright digital display for “the speed numbers” as my daughter pointed out, as well as engine revs. The middle part is a 7.0-inch configurable display with a trip computer.

The screen has a drop-down menu to allow you to quickly make some adjustments, but it isn’t completely configurable.

As I said in my ZS petrol review, I for one would love to be able to have the off buttons for lane-keeping and speed sign assistance in there. Instead, if that annoys you, you’ll have to go into the car menus each time you drive it.

There is a sidebar to allow you to quickly jump around the controls on screen, but it disappears when you’re using Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

You will come to grips with the menus on screen if you’ve used any tablet, and it has the benefit of a smartphone app to connect your phone and control some elements of the vehicle remotely as well.

The practicality on offer for the driver and front seat passenger is positive, with lots of storage spaces, including cupholders between the seats, a tray in front of the shifter, a small shelf in front of the passenger, and big door pockets with bottle holders.

Between the seats is a centre console area with extra space, too.

The rear seat offers a surprising amount of room for a small SUV, and certainly more than many in the class. In fact, I had more legroom and headroom in the back of the ZS than in some large SUVs!

At 182cm or 6’0”, there’s ample leg, foot and head room for me to be very comfortable, even with this grade’s panoramic glass sunroof. Three adults across the back? In a pinch, yeah. There’s a small transmission tunnel intrusion, but it doesn’t impede too much.

There are ISOFIX child seat anchors in the window seats and three top-tethers, and the kid-friendly amenities are plentiful, too. There are dual directional air vents, a single USB-A port for charging, map pockets on the seatbacks, and door pockets with bottle holders.

It does miss out on a centre console with cupholders, though.

There is also no lighting in the second row, which could be a pain for parents when trying to load a kiddo in or out. I found it annoying in exactly that situation!

Boot space is also above average with 443 litres of cargo capacity, which is more accommodating than plenty of other SUVs in the class.

And there are storage sections on the sides of the boot, shopping bag hooks on either side, a light, and you’ll also find a space-saver spare wheel under the floor.

If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our comparison tool.

What’s under the bonnet?

As you’ll see below, the step up from the entry-level ZS to the Turbo variant brings a significant increase in performance.

As I alluded to in my earlier review of the petrol ZS, the step up in price to get from Essence non-turbo to the model tested here seems simple.

There are no other SUVs on the market that I can think of which offer you a 54 per cent boost in power and 96 per cent increase in torque for just $2000!

Running costs for the turbo-petrol need to be calculated though, as it needs premium petrol and, on paper, consumes a little more of it.

In reality? It does like a drink. I saw a combined average return of 8.0L/100km over a mix of different driving. That’s not great, but it might make the step up to the MG ZS Hybrid+ seem more palatable than first thought.

If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our comparison tool.

How does the MG ZS drive?

I wasn’t blown away by the non-turbo ZS, especially in terms of the powertrain. That’s why I was so eager to get into this turbo version.

And yes, it is an easy answer if you’re questioning whether if it’s worth spending the extra $2000 to get the turbo. Do it.

It is a notably more enjoyable, and effortless, powertrain in many ways. Having more torque makes it feel significantly more powerful than the non-turbo models, which in turn means a less stressful driving experience in a lot of different situations.

With a sizeable bump in power and torque, this engine feels like the right fit for this new-gen model. It is more eager to get moving, quicker if you suddenly need to hit the throttle, and generally will make you feel a lot happier in start-stop traffic, too.

However, it still isn’t as precise as it could be in my opinion. I don’t know that MG could nail it with a better transmission, as the CVT still saps the engine of its initial burst of power, and it can at times feel a little lurchy under light throttle. Put it this way: a Skoda or Volkswagen small SUV feels more on top of its game when it comes to the transmission, but this one isn’t an embarrassment.

The CVT has stepped ‘ratios’ to make it feel like it’s behaving like a traditional auto gearbox, but it’s in traffic that it doesn’t quite have the urge you might want, or deliver it as smoothly as you should be able to get it. And in wet weather, you might need to be careful with your throttle inputs as it can spin the front tyres pretty readily.

So if you do a whole heap of traffic jam driving, then maybe the hybrid would be a better bet, as it is a sweetheart in those situations.

No matter what, the ZS Essence Turbo has a comfortable and composed ride, predictable and nicely weighted steering, and it’s relatively quiet inside the cabin at speed, even on coarser road surfaces. It also offers strong and sensible brake pedal response.

I love that you get a surround-view camera system as standard, and nervous parkers will appreciate that. Furthermore, the safety systems are pretty well integrated, though the speed sign recognition system’s bing-bonging might get on your nerves. You can disable it each time you drive, but it’s a bit of a rigmarole.

If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our comparison tool.

What do you get?

Here is a rundown of the standard equipment on offer in the MG ZS lineup.

2025 MG ZS Excite equipment highlights:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Space-saver spare
• Electric parking brake
• Auto hold
• Automatic halogen headlights
• Fabric upholstery
• 3.5-inch instrument cluster screen
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• 12 months of iSmart connected services access
• Remote climate control
• Remote vehicle status
• Push-button start
• One touch up/down power windows
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• 4-speaker sound system
• 60/40 split fold rear seats

MG ZS Essence adds:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry
• Panoramic sunroof
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 6-speaker sound system
• 6-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar
• Heated front seats
• Rear air vents
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leatherette upholstery
• Sunglasses storage box
• Front seat map pocket
• LED front reading light

MG ZS Essence Turbo adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Electronic gear lever
• Selectable drive modes
• Climate control

If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our comparison tool.

Is the MG ZS safe?

Petrol versions of the second-generation MG ZS haven’t been included under the current ANCAP testing, but the hybrid variants achieved a commendable four-star score in 2024.

There’s a host of standard safety technology and equipment fitted to the new-generation ZS, representing a significant jump over the previous model.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
  • Junction detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Emergency lane-keep assist
• Intelligent Cruise Assist
• Intelligent speed limit assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit warning
• Tyre pressure monitoring

The Excite entry variant has a standard reversing camera and rear parking sensors, while Essence grades have a surround-view camera system. That’s great to see in a small SUV at the budget end of the market, considering some established brands don’t even have that tech on their $60,000-plus SUVs.

The ZS has six airbags including dual front, front side, and curtain airbags for first- and second-row seats. A front centre airbag is not fitted.

If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our comparison tool.

How much does the MG ZS cost to run?

MG has an industry-leading 10-year/250,000km warranty for private buyers.

There are other brands with decade-long warranties that require you to service with their network of workshops – but that’s not the case with MG.

There’s a single condition – it’s for private use only, not commercial use. If you’re buying an MG for work, the warranty cover is still good at seven years or 160,000km (whichever occurs first).

The brand’s service prices are expensive for a cheap car. With an average annual servicing cost of $686.60, which is a little more expensive than most, perhaps you’re helping to subsidise the cost of the warranty.

But remember, you don’t have to go back to MG to get it serviced – just so long as it is logbook-maintained by a qualified mechanic, you should be sweet… but read the terms and conditions of the MG warranty yourself, before taking that as gospel.

There’s roadside assistance included for the 10-year warranty period for private buyers, too.

If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our comparison tool.

Let us help you find your new car

Buy your new car without the stress. It’s fast, simple and completely free.

Great service from Travis and team, second time I have used this business would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone

Craig C.

Purchased a Ford Ranger in Sunshine Coast, QLD

CarExpert helped Craig save $7,224 on his Ford Ranger, now let us save you on your next new car.

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CarExpert’s Take on the MG ZS

I was quite taken by the MG ZS Essence Turbo. So much so that I would fancy it over a number of its rivals, even if it isn’t as perfect or as precise as some of them.

That’s because, in large part, it promises a lot of car for little cash, and the 10-year warranty also gives a lot of confidence to customers about the brand’s intentions in our market. Whatever the case, it is certainly the Goldilocks of the new ZS range.

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MORE: Explore the MG ZS showroom