Small crossovers are all the rage these days. Buyers perceive them as giving them a bigger bang for the buck, and with the added ground clearance, more confidence to tackle Manila’s imperfect roads.
For MG and its distributors, The Covenant Car Company, Inc., their decision to bet on the segment paid off handsomely. Currently, the MG ZS accounts for about half of their sales, and frankly, it’s deserving of that feat. Not only does it manage to meet expectations, but it does so in an extraordinary way.
Even in the ZS’s most muted color, Meteorite Black, this MG is one surprisingly handsome crossover. It’s clean-looking and chiseled. Without a doubt though, it’s the front that leaves the strongest impression with those London Eye headlights and Stardust grille. It’s also worth mentioning that it scores very high when it comes to exterior fit and finish.
The MG ZS goes beyond expectation, delivering levels of fit and finish that match or even embarrass its rivals in the same price range. The upper dash and door trims are covered in pleasant soft-touch plastics (with a stitch pattern for good measure), and the steering wheel and seats are swathed in supple leather.
Apart from the leather tiller and thrones, this top-variant ZS Alpha comes with a whole host of luxury and convenience features that would make others in this class blush, and its owner, proud: steering wheel-mounted controls, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay, a Yamaha-tuned 6-speaker system, electronic temperature control, and a panoramic sunroof.
Getting comfy in the ZS is fairly easy. The steering wheel adjusts only for tilt, but the seat makes up for it with good amounts of adjustment. The front cushions themselves are wide and supportive in all the right places, while the ones in the back offer genuine space for two, or usable space for three adults.
Towards the back, the cargo hold accommodates 359 liters (1,166 liters with the rear seats down), but beyond numbers, the space is well-shaped, deep, and flexible (the cargo floor can be moved two levels — the higher setting of which creates a fully-flat loading bay with the rear seats folded).
Going back to the driver, the ergonomics are fairly straightforward. Straight on, he or she is treated to a full-featured instrument cluster that’s easy to read and can be personalized — it’s split between the infotainment system and the LCD screen between the gauges.
Powered by a 1.5-liter normally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine, the ZS makes respectable numbers: 114hp and 150Nm of torque. The initial pickup is good, perfect for commuter duty. You need to step into the throttle more deeply for overtaking, but at least the engine is refined.
On the road, the chassis is softly sprung and for that, it may fulfill the general notion of what makes for a comfortable ride. Regardless, it tackles Manila’s pothole-ridden roads with ease, and for most, that’s a very important part.
For those looking for a well-designed, well-built crossover, the MG ZS ticks all the right boxes. It’s good looking and offers boatloads of practicality, convenience, luxury, and safety that don’t break the bank. Filipinos always love a good value, and when it comes to crossovers, this one is extraordinary.
