Most manufacturers give their cars a mild facelift after a few years on sale. MG has gone a step further with the ZST.
Based on the current ZS that goes head-to-head with the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona, the ZST will wear a higher price tag and pack a full suite of safety equipment from base level, and will sit beside the ZS in MG showrooms for at least the next 12 months.
The big news is MG Pilot, a suite of active driver assists, will be standard on both ZST models.
Adaptive cruise, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning, traffic jam assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic headlights are included in the base ZST Excite, priced from $28,490 before on-road costs.
Along with the technology suite, the new ZST has a sharper new look than the ZS, with a design inspired by the larger new HS SUV.
Pricing
- 2020 MG ZST Excite: $28,490
- 2020 MG ZST Essence: $31,490
All prices exclude on-road costs
Engine
The ZST packs a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with 115kW of power and 230Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
That’s up from the 82kW and 160Nm on offer from the 1.0-litre engine on offer in the ZS.
Fuel Economy
Claimed fuel economy for the ZST is 7.1L/100km on the combined cycle, compared to 6.7L/100km for the existing 1.0L unit.
Safety
The ZST hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP, but the current ZS has a four-star rating based on testing carried out in 2016.
However, the ZST has a full suite of active safety features the ZS can’t match, including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
Dimensions
The MG ZST measures 4323mm long, 1809mm wide and 1653mm tall, with a 2585mm wheelbase. Tare mass is 1295kg, and braked towing capacity is 500kg.
Boot space is 359L with the rear seats in place, and 1187L with them folded flat.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment in the base ZST Excite includes:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Red brake calipers
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation
- Front centre armrest
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Automatic headlights
- Leather-trimmed steering wheel
- Faux leather seat trim
- Keyless entry and start
- Surround-view camera
- MG Pilot driver assists
Moving to the ZST Essence adds:
- Unique 17-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- Digital instrument binnacle
- Embossed MG logo on headrests
- Heated front seats
- Six-way powered driver’s seat
Warranty and servicing
The MG ZST is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and seven-year roadside assist.
