MG ZS vs MG HS: Which one’s the right one for you?
The ZS and HS both offer compelling and affordable options if you're after a family crossover, but which MG suits your needs best?
If you’re in the market for an affordable, feature-packed cars, MG is probably a brand that’s on your radar. It’s come an incredible distance in recent years with hits like the MG4 hatchback. There’s also the shiny new Cyberster electric sports car to consider.
But for day-to-day duties, most people are looking at SUVs. MG comes up trumps in this segment too, with its ZS and HS offering compelling blends of value, style and tech.
The MG ZS (left) and the HS (right) are both fresh designs. But which one’s best for you?
With the ZS recently benefiting from a refresh, and the HS being a brand-new design, we thought we’d take a deeper dive and see what these two SUVs stack up against each other.
Which one is best suited to your needs? Hopefully we’ll help you answer that question.
MG ZS vs MG HS: The looks
The ZS has undergone a thorough refresh to keep it competitive.
Let’s kick things off with the ZS. It’s the more affordable of the two, but a recent update ensures it still looks very contemporary and fresh. A revised grille, sleeker headlights and a sharper nose ensures it gets the brand’s latest design language.
As a compact crossover, this is a car taking aim at the likes of the Peugeot 2008, Citroen C3 Aircross and an innumerable other number of similarly sized rivals. When it comes to styling, it pulls this off with aplomb. It might be affordable, but it’s also great to look at.
The HS is a completely fresh design, and is the more premium choice.
With a larger footprint and a completely new design though, it’s immediately clear it’s the HS that’s the more premium-looking of the two. Aside from the Cyberster, this is MG’s flagship model and the bold looks reflect this status.
Up front there’s a wide grille design and the body creases give it a muscular and purposeful stance. All in all, it’s got a more luxurious aesthetic than the ZS and, for those seeking a larger and more premium vehicle, it’s the HS you should be looking at.
MG ZS vs MG HS: The interior and tech
The ZS gets a host of enhancements inside too, including a larger touchscreen.
Both the ZS and HS come equipped with a generous amount of tech, especially considering their price points. The ZS has had its tech offering updated with a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which now features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, albeit with a wired connection.
There’s also a 360-degree camera, keyless entry, and MG Pilot. The latter is a driver assistance systems that adds things like lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, making it a tech-savvy, safe. Practicality-wise, the boot is larger than many rivals and offers 443 litres of space.
Overall, the HS’s interior comes out on top when it comes to quality and tech.
The HS, being MG’s flagship SUV, ups the ante when it comes to technology. It comes with a larger 12.3in digital driver display alongside a 12.3in infotainment screen.
Like the ZS, it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it also adds some premium touches to the cabin.
Navigation, a better stereo system and dual-zone climate control are all standard. Move up to the Trophy trim and you’ll get niceties like heated front seats, a powered tailgate and leather-style upholstery.
Safety tech in the HS includes a more comprehensive suite of driver aids, such as rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot detection too.
MG ZS vs MG HS: The drive
Both cars offer a number of different powertrain options.
The powertrain options of the ZS and HS highlight their differing strengths, and may draw you to one over the other. The ZS for example, is available as either a self-charging hybrid or as a fully electric vehicle.
The hybrid is a truly impressive and powerful car. With a 1.5-litre engine and a potent electric motor, its combined power output is 191hp – that’s significantly more than many rivals.
The ZS is available in both hybrid and fully electric forms.
The result is impressive acceleration when you need it, and almost silent running in town when you don’t. Its battery is also an impressive 1.84kWh unit, meaning it’ll be able to use electric power longer than some similar platforms before the petrol motor kicks in.
There’s also the ZS EV to consider. It’s an impressive EV considering its price-point, with 51kWh and 72kWh batteries on offer, which are good for 198 miles and 273 respectively. If you’ve set your heart on a full EV, then the ZS is for you, simply because there’s no all-electric HS.
You could say the HS takes the best of both ZS options – it’s not only available as a petrol, but as a plug-in hybrid too, which is what we’ll focus on here. While the petrol produces around 170hp, the plug-in hybrid ups this to a whopping 371hp.
The HS offers a better level of comfort for longer journeys.
This makes it ferociously quick when it comes to acceleration. But the biggest selling point of this particular model is realistically its 75-mile electric only range. That’s a seriously impressive figure, and means you barely need the assistance of the petrol engine in most day-to-day driving situations.
In terms of handling and comfort, the ZS is more agile and easier to manoeuvre, while the HS feels more composed and relaxed over long distances. If you’re after a more engaging drive the ZS is the sportier option. But if you prioritise comfort and power for longer journeys, the HS is the better bet.
MG ZS vs MG HS: The value
One of the main reasons MG vehicles are so popular is their affordability, and this is a key consideration when choosing between the ZS and HS. The MG ZS starts at a lower price point, making it one of the best value-for-money options in the compact SUV segment.
It’s also relatively cheap to run, thanks to its efficient engines and competitive insurance costs.
The MG HS, being a larger and more premium vehicle, comes with a slightly higher price tag. However, it still represents excellent value compared to its competitors – especially on the leasing market.
MG ZS vs MG HS: Which one's best for you?
Choosing between the MG ZS and MG HS ultimately depends on your lifestyle and priorities. If you’re after a compact, affordable SUV that offers great value for money and tech aplenty, the refreshed ZS is a fantastic choice.
Ideal as a small family vehicle, its potent and practical hybrid and electric drivetrains fit the bill well.
However, if you need more space, power, and a generally more premium driving experience, the MG HS is the way to go.
It’s perfect for larger families or those who often take long trips and need the extra room and features. Both models are excellent in their own right though, and whichever you choose, you’ll be getting a well-rounded SUV that delivers great value for money.
