It’s been a busy year for MG South Africa, with its grand re-entry into our local market back in January with a three-car line-up consisting of the Cyberster, HS, and ZS. In August, the brand made yet another move by launching the MG3, a brand-new hatchback.
Now, in the final quarter of the year, MG has launched another model to complete its 2025 model line, and it’s the MG ZS Pro. A crossover set to take on the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, Haval Jolion Pro, and Chery Tiggo Cross, and I must say, the ZS Pro is here to compete.
So, what’s the MG ZS Pro all about?
Set aside what you know about the ZS, which is MG’s current best-seller, and start fresh. The MG ZS Pro is more unified in terms of look and feel with the rest of the line-up, boasting an aggressive design language that helps differentiate MG from other Chinese competitors. In terms of looks, it’s quite appealing for its segment, in my opinion. Yes, it’s a little round over the top end, which slightly contradicts its sharper nose, but it works.
Looks aside, the ZS Pro is packaged in a way that it aims to tick as many boxes as it can, all while keeping an affordable price tag. Is it in line with its competitors? Definitely. And to simplify things, there are only two derivatives to choose from, the ZS Pro 1.5T Comfort and the ZS Pro 1.5T Luxury.
Consider the Luxury derivative to be an upgrade pack over the Comfort; in terms of appearance and what’s beneath the skin, they’re nearly identical. Where the Luxury derivative differs is that it comes standard with six airbags instead of four, it has 18-inch alloy wheels instead of 17-inch, it has a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment instead of a 10.25-inch, and it’s got a sunroof. Although there are a few other small distinctions, these are only the highlights. And all of this for an extra R34,000? It’s a no-brainer.
How’s the interior?
I’ve driven two MG vehicles so far, and both have impressed me as far as their cabins are concerned. It’s no different with the ZS Pro. It’s by no means an over-the-top interior, with a good layout and a number of appealing touchpoints. It has soft-touch materials over the dash and door panels, and even the plastic bits feel like a step up from the cheap-feeling scratchy bits that often hide in plain sight.
Then there’s the tech. Yes, some functions like your AC controls are still embedded into the infotainment screen, but in this case it’s simple and easy to reach. Simply click a button to change your temperatures using a widget on the main screen or to enter an in-depth screen where everything is visible and easy to operate. That goes for some other features too.
As for wireless connectivity such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it’s not a native feature, and the ZS Pro makes use of a dongle system instead. It worked well for the most part, with the exception of an occasional freeze when I entered the car to resume driving, which I don’t think is a big deal.
So, how is it on the road?
I never thought I’d say this about a car equipped with a CVT, but it’s surprisingly good. Before I dive deeper into the nitty-gritty, let’s iron out the specs. Both derivatives of the ZS Pro are equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a CVT transmission. The powertrain delivers a healthy 125kW and 275Nm, and when I say healthy, I mean it.
It’s surprisingly nippy. We occasionally find ourselves questioning whether we can truly feel the claimed power figures at work, and in the case of the ZS Pro, you absolutely can. Cruising through town and traffic was a breeze; hitting the open road and overtaking trucks was again, a breeze. Regardless of the rev range or your driving habit at any given time, the ZS Pro is well composed and ready to go whenever you are, and that is something you don’t often find in this segment.
As for the CVT transmission, I’m lost for words. For the first half-hour of our drive navigating through Fourways traffic, I didn’t even notice that it was a CVT; it was quiet and smooth, and it gave an “automatic-like experience”, as MG has coined it, and that is thanks to its simulated stepped shifts. Then finally hitting a stretch of open road, I got the chance to stretch its legs, expecting the typical irritating whine a CVT makes under load, and that wasn’t the case. Again, it was surprisingly quiet. Yes, you could hear a slight whine, but it wasn’t nearly as intrusive as many other CVTs we’ve tested.
With all that said, there are some driving aspects that are a miss rather than a hit, but it’s more so to do with the ergonomics. The brake and throttle pedals are positioned further forward and slightly higher than usual. Typically it would be a simple fix: move your seat back, extend the steering column, and problem solved, but unfortunately that’s where the issue is. The steering column has only vertical adjustment and no telescopic adjustments, making it a little more difficult to find my preferred seating position, which was a minor gripe, but this will vary from person to person. For shorter drivers, it’s ideal while for taller drivers, it may take some adjustment.
The verdict
Overall, the MG ZS Pro is a solid product considering its price point. It is well equipped, looks the part, drives fantastically and feels well calibrated throughout. There’s good space within the cabin for both front and rear passengers, and the boot space is good too, with 443 litres / 1,457 litres (expanded) available at your disposal. There’s also an assortment of safety features, from 360-degree cameras to lane assist and blind spot monitoring, just to name a few.
There’s a lot to consider when assessing a new car, but for those that aren’t brand loyal or those looking to switch it up and try something new, the MG ZS Pro is definitely one to shortlist. It offers a lot, and for its segment, it’s a well-balanced product.
MG ZS Pro Pricing
MG ZS Pro 1.5T Comfort: R397,600
MG ZS Pro 1.5T Luxury: R431,500
For added peace of mind, the all-new MG ZS Pro comes with a 7-year/200,000-kilometre warranty and a 5-year/60,000-kilometre service plan.
Words: Niki Louw
