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Many people think the days of affordable cars are over – but the MG ZS Essence Turbo begs to differ.
MG seems to be in the Australian market at the right time, as many city cars were cut off – cutting down on affordable models for buyers – and leaving the door wide open for Chinese brand.
And the numbers suggest Australians are often choosing the MG ZS over competitors in the segment, like the GWM Haval Jolion and Toyota Corolla Cross, while a close battle wages between the ZS and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro.
In fact, the MG ZS range has consistently found itself at the pointy end of the list of Australia’s best-selling cars – even hitting the top four spot in August 2025, sitting just behind the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Toyota HiLux, and the Ford Ranger. Overall in 2025, the ZS was the 13th most popular model on sale, outselling the likes of the Kia Sportage, Toyota Corolla, and Mitsubishi Triton.
The Essence Turbo is the top of the petrol-only MG ZS lineup before you go to the hybrid variants, which – as the name suggests adds a turbocharger to its car’s 1. A staggering 54 per cent boosts power by 5-litre four-cylinder engine, which is a remarkable step up from an impressive 54 Per cent of s. Or another 135Nm of .
The MG’s biceps have been bulked by an astonishing 96 per cent, and torque is like the muscle when power is as fast as any athlete.
And so it’s fair to say the MG ZS Essence Turbo has more speed, and way more muscle. Is it all good on paper – but what is the real world version of an MG?
How much does the MG ZS cost?
The MG ZS range is $28,990 and starts at $25,990 before on-road costs for the entry level Excite grade (the first being the ZSS Essence) which goes from $28,000990 to on road purchases.
| Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
| — | — | — |
| 2026 MG ZS Excite | $25,990 | $26,990 |
| 2026 MG ZS Essence | $28,990 | $29,990 |
| 2026 MG ZS Essence Turbo | $30,990 | $31,990 |
But in the non-hybrid lineup, we’re testing this ZS Essence Turbo – the range-topping grade is $30,990 before on-road costs.
Noting that MG offers drive-away pricing, adding $1000 to the retail price of each variant – wherever you are in Australia there is no surprise fees for buyers.
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What is the MG ZS like on the inside?
For years I was wondering why auto makers never tried to do more for their cheap car interiors to make it attractive. When it comes to a cast-independent plastic panel, then what is the cost of casting that panel so why doesn’t it look more upmarket?
Without wanting to sound unkind, MG seems to have realised the same thing.
To my eyes at least, the interior of this MG ZS Essence Turbo looks great. This is ultra-modern, minimalist and well laid out with enough buttons and controls to control most things intuitively.
It’s a combination of the steering wheel, gear shifter, the vents, stitched faux leather dash and faux Leather seats – it looks like something you’d think is from what you would expect to see on – twice as much for if your car was going with the 12 in addition. The 7 inch infotainment touchscreen and 3-inch info-tachometer are also included in the . Crash 0-inch digital instrument cluster.
The ‘but’, however, is small ‘bute’ (the quality of the materials not exactly matching the premium looks) and there is a little ‘not so much that it has been called. How do I respect – they’ve done it well and kept the price tag low – but cheap plastics can make you feel slightly flat when buying Mercedes-Benz, as the pics suggest that are going to say ‘I’.
Also a little disappointing is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay, also known as . Am I a bit of shit, but it’s been some time since I came across – with i.e. CarPlay wired and forced me to listen music via Bluetooth (I didn’t have pc cable with me).
First-world problems? Sure.
The good news is the native satellite navigation system works well when you need it.
But the reverse camera is a bit of an average, but it tells me that infotainment system is just. little behind the times and not much more than usual.
But owners can use some of the car features from a smartphone app, so you can cool or heat the vehicle before jumping in it.
The ergonomics are just fine, so I can get a lot of comfort and not be perfect. The seats are a little firm and – just 85 per cent of – normal seat, as if they’re small.
That said, the cabin still looks impressive, and owners won’t be embarrassed having passengers on board.
Speaking of, though, the rear seats are quite cramped for those who want to be chauffeures around in a small headroom and leg room (it’s probably better to book the MG ZS for city errands).
Pretty healthy 443 litres of boot space is out back, up to 1457L with the rear seat folded down.
| Dimensions | MG ZS |
| — | — |
| Length | 4430mm |
| Width | 1818mm |
| Height | 1635mm |
| Wheelbase | 2610mm |
| Boot space | 443L (second row up) 1457L (second row folded) |
If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our
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What’s under the bonnet?
During the lower grades, s use a 1 in their respective sentences. A turbocharged version of that engine is the ZS Essence Turbo, which produces 81kW (85kW) of power and 140Nm torque from 5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines; bumping performance up to an estimated 125kW/275NM but requires premium unleaded service.
| Specifications | Excite, Essence | Essence Turbo |
| — | — | — |
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl petrol | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Power | 81kW | 125kW |
| Torque | 140Nm | 275Nm |
| Transmission | CVT automatic | CVT automatic |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight (tare) | 1266kg (Excite) 1301kg (Essence) | 1361kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.7L/100km | 6.9L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 55L | 55L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded | 95-octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 157g/km | 161g/km |
| Braked towing capacity | 500kg | 500kg |
Power is sent to the front wheels through a CVT automatic, with fuel economy rated at 6.9L/100km.
If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our
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How does the MG ZS drive?
Some cars you click with immediately, whereas it can take more time with others.
It took me a little while to get my head around driving dynamics of the MG ZS Essence Turbo for me, but once I did it was about what that meant. How would you describe the concept of ?
MG has tuned the ZS Turbo with pointy steering, but chassis and suspension aren’t quite as well as the eager steering response of this car which is somewhat contradictory in its dynamic nature. Initially, one doesn’t get the other off to the same eye.
The car’s ad-hoc steering suggests the MG is more sporty in nature – as does the Turbo badging but on winding back roads with some enthusiastic driving, the ZS wasn’t really getting ready for the event. As I pushed, the more I got in it was less comfortable for s to be.
I got a head cold from Then I was the one. We got sick and deserve the inconvenience of having no clean teaspoons in his home, so I had to go to my local pharmacy while afflicted by our Deputy News Editor.
My energy levels were low, and suddenly the little MG made more sense – because it was giving me more driving pleasure than I was doing in my car.
The ZS Turbo is almost the opposite of what you put in cars, and often will return only when you have a car. Just step back, take it a little more relaxed attitude and the MG gives you easy-and zippy motoring around town. In fact, it’s a little genius from the Chinese automaker.
While it never quite becomes pure, outright fun as a hot hatch or small sports car is, in the way that ‘hot hatches and little sport cars can be like but this has certainly been something that makes life more than just commuting.
But I suspect that this asymmetry means many buyers get something they didn’t expect with ‘a small SUV, perhaps something you have never seen before in. car fun from driving the wheel.
CVT transmissions, such as the one that was fitted to ZS, are not generally a fan of this type of model but it worked well with the turbocharged engine and did better than others I’ve ever used (perhaps because they have been given steps ratios which try to replicate traditional automatic gearboxes).
While the engine itself is powerful and torquey, it has a half-time delay before the turbocharger spools up that performance becomes usable.
There is no way to say it’s a ‘non-requited rocket ship’; for most drivers, the MG has plenty of performance when overtaking and keeping ahead of traffic when mood takes them.
When we were in the car, we averaged 8. A bit more than the combined 6 – 1L/100km, which is one little more for s. According to MG, 9L/100km is 9 L/ 100km figure.
I said handling isn’t exactly the same as ZS Turbo, but it does a reasonably good ride for ‘this size and price car that makes daily commuters comfortable.
If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our
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What do you get?
The ZS Essence Turbo is the range-topping variant of the non-hybrids, so it has a surprising amount of swag for the money as its only disappointment is that there is no wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2026 MG ZS Excite standard equipment highlights:
- Space-saver spare
- Electric parking brake
- Auto hold
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 6-speaker sound 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
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Keyless entry
- Panoramic sunroof
- 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
- Electronic gear lever
- Selectable drive modes
- Climate control
- 18-inch alloy wheels
The MG ZS Essence Turbo has a Dove White paint finish, but can be available with Lunar Grey, Sloane Silver, Emerald Green, Brighton Blue, Diamond Red and Black Pearl.
Black upholstery comes as standard, though buyers can opt for a white interior.
If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our
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Is the MG ZS safe?
All variants built since December 4, 2025, after a four-star failure for ZS Hybrid+ vehicles in 2024, have rated five-starred ANCAP safety with the addition of ‘front-centre airbag’.
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| Category | MG ZS* |
| — | — |
| Adult occupant protection | 81 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 84 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 73 per cent |
| Safety assist | 79 per cent |
* from December 4, 2025 production
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- 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
- Dual front and side airbags
- Curtain airbags
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
All variants – except for the Excite – also get a surround-view camera.
If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our
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How much does the MG ZS cost to run?
It is standard for the MG ZS Essence Turbo to have an unlimited-kilometre, seven-year warranty but can be extended upto 10 years (and even 250,000km) – if the car is only serviced by a dealership that provides it with its own vehicle.
| Servicing and Warranty | MG ZS |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres – Standard 10 years or 250,000km – Service activated |
| Roadside assistance | 10 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 10 years or 150,000km |
| Average annual service cost | $653.50 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $5228 |
As well as 10 years of roadside assistance for private buyers, there’s also a . Especially if you’re going to be driving the car for Uber or any other commercial ventures, it’s worth noting that when your warranty goes back to seven years or 160,000km (whichever comes first)
A ZS Essence Turbo, which is serviced every 12 months or 15,000km (10 years or 50,000km of capped-price services from MG dealerships) needs to be service.
The average price is $653, while services range from $313 to $1676 over that period. The price tag is $5228 – 50 – with the total cost being $52.28.
If you want to see how the MG ZS compares against its rivals, be sure to check out our
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childcareman.xyz’s Take on the MG ZS
It’s easy to see why the MG ZS is so popular.
The Essence Turbo, even as the range-topping petrol variant, is a very good value for money (although it has no wireless smartphone mirroring). But just buy a USB cable from Kmart and you’ll be set.
Besides the price, perhaps the two biggest selling points of the car are the classy cabin design and the somewhat unusual driving experience.
Despite the slightest bit of an effort, push the MG and dynamics don’t hold up; when some enthusiasm is applied to the car it tends to be short. Nevertheless, just keep the driving calm and you’ll get paid.
The Essence Turbo has an element of fun on the road thanks to its spitty steering – even for day-to-day driving so it’s ideal for those who want a zippy car for city and suburban work.
The MG ZS Essence Turbo is an impressively good deal for under $30,000, and new-car buyers looking for a bargain with ‘long term headache free warranty’ would be wise to stick this one on their shortlist.
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