Chinese crossovers are no longer just cheap, but also genuinely compelling. The MG ZS Pro makes the case better than most.
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Chinese crossovers are no longer just cheap, but also genuinely compelling. The MG ZS Pro makes the case better than most.
R400k doesn’t buy what it used to. But occasionally, an option lands in the TGSA test fleet that is genuinely impressive for the price. That car is the MG ZS Pro, and it isn’t just decent but also represents exceptional value for money.
On the surface, it’s a crossover SUV. The kind of car that gets the nod of approval for simply functioning as a car should. It looks good, in that unserious generic-SUV way, and it ticks the boxes a crossover should, with the clearance needed to navigate potholes and speed bumps. All without leaving a crater in your wallet…
There isn’t anything particularly standout about the MG ZS on the road. The 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder – a signature engine of smaller Chinese cars – produces 125kW and 275Nm, which is sufficient to merge with traffic and keep pace on the highway. There’s even a hint of zip to it. Nothing that will make you say “yoh, that’s quick” but rather leave the sentiment of “oh, okay. Not bad”. A CVT manages its power output, and while it does take a second to respond to inputs, it gets the job done. MG claims the ZS can do 6.9l/100km, while real-world driving registers 7.2l/100km. Close enough.
On the road, it offers a comfortable ride, absorbing most of the little bumps and vibrations. Driving it down a gravel farm road to my weekly pop-in at my friend’s place did reveal a few creaks and rattles, but to be honest, I was expecting a larger number of gremlins as the road started to take on a darker shade of red gravel.
Contrary to what the price tag suggests, this car is packed with tech and specs. Typically, full ADAS systems, screens, and attractive interiors are reserved for cars in the R500k-and-up bracket.
Settle into the driver’s seat, and two screens greet you. Front and centre is a 10.25-inch infotainment unit running Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside a 7-inch digital instrument display. Sensitive sensors monitor your surroundings from all angles, binging and bonging should you hint at being sleepy. There’s a reversing camera. There’s adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist in the Luxury spec, and ABS, traction control, ESP, and hill hold control, which all come as standard equipment.
All features are incorporated into a modern cabin space. Yes, a closer look at the door cards and dash will reveal a material quality that’s not on par with what the aesthetic design suggests, but then again, this isn’t the brand’s flagship SUV.
The ZS Pro range starts at R397,600 for the Comfort, while the Luxury – also the model I tested – costs R431,500. For the premium over and above the Comfort derivative, you get heated seats, 18-inch alloys (up from 17-inch), a telescopic-adjustable steering wheel, adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist, and keyless entry with push-start button. That’s not a bad list for the step-up cost.
There are other alternatives in this B-segment compact SUV space. It’s marginally more affordable than a comparatively specced 1.0-litre turbo Kia Sonet EX (R436,995), but struggles in price against the likes of the range-topping Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T LiT auto, which costs R344,900.
I had a difficult time wrapping my head around the MG ZS Pro. It’s a compact crossover with a disposition that suggests something more luxurious and costly. Spend some time with it, and the value proposition here becomes clear. Until a rattle or a jolt from the CVT gearbox breaks the immersion somewhat. Still, compared to other offerings at the price, it’s well worth a closer look.
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