2022 MG ZS price and specs: price-leader SUV sticking around

The MG ZS is sticking around for another year, though it’s been pared down to just one variant. It’s otherwise unchanged from 2021.

Its continued presence on price lists comes despite MG introducing an updated version of the ZS in 2020 called the ZST, and in turn adding lower-priced variants to the ZST range this year.

Priced at $21,990 drive-away, the surviving ZS Excite sticks with its naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder and four-speed automatic combo.

If you want a turbocharged engine, you’ll now have to step up to the ZST. And if you want any active safety technology, the ZST is still the cheapest way to get it but you’ll be paying an extra $3500.

MG expanded the initially turbo-only ZST range mid-year with cheaper Core and Vibe variants, packing the ZS Excite’s 1.5-litre four but using a continuously-variable transmission.

Year-to-date, the ZS Excite accounts for 43 per cent of all ZS family (ZS, ZS EV and ZST) sales. That makes it far and away the most popular model.

The ZST Essence is well back at 19 per cent. For reference, the ZS EV has accounted for 7 per cent of all ZS sales this year.

Though marketed as separate models, the petrol ZS and ZST and electric ZS EV are grouped as one model line in monthly VFACTS sales reports.

With 13,740 sales to the end of September, the ZS family is Australia’s best-selling small SUV this year, ahead of the Mitsubishi ASX (10,623), Mazda CX-30 (10,425) and Hyundai Kona (10,150).

The ZS Excite is priced closer to more budget-oriented fare like the Hyundai Venue and Kia Stonic.

Pricing

• 2022 MG ZS Excite: $21,990 drive-away

Engines

The 2022 MG ZS is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 84kW of power and 150Nm of torque. It’s mated to a four-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

Fuel Economy

The 2022 MG ZS uses 7.1L/100km on the combined cycle, compared to 6.9L/100km for the 1.5-litre ZST models with their CVT.

It has a 48L fuel tank.

Dimensions

The 2022 MG ZS measures 4314mm long, 1809mm including the mirrors, and 1644mm tall (1620mm excluding the roof rails). It rides a 2585mm wheelbase.

Boot space measures 359L up to the cargo cover. With the rear seats folded, this expands to 1166L measured up to the window line.

Servicing and Warranty

The 2022 MG ZS is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

MG offers capped-price servicing under its Precise Price Service scheme. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, and currently the first seven services cost $243, $285, $293, $343, $243, $335 and $243, respectively, or $1985 over seven years.

Safety

The MG ZS has a four-star rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2017. It received a frontal offset score of 10.46 out of 16, a side impact score of 16 out of 16, and whiplash and pedestrian protection ratings of Good and Acceptable, respectively. The overall score was 31.46 out of 37.

There’s no active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking available, though a full suite of active safety and driver assist features is standard on the ZST.

Standard fit includes front, front-side, and curtain airbags, as well as a reversing camera with rear parking sensors.

Standard Equipment

The ZS Excite comes standard with the following equipment:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay
• Six-speaker sound system
• Cruise control
• Leatherette upholstery
• Height-adjustable steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Synthetic leather trim on doors and shifter
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Front fog lights
• Halogen headlights with manual height adjustment and LED daytime running lights
• Automatic headlights

Colours

Dover White and Pebble Black are no-cost options, with the following metallic finishes a $700 option:

• Sloane Silver
• Diamond Red
• Regal Blue

MORE: Everything MG ZS