During the last quarter of 2018, the local auto industry welcomed a new international brand. Although this British brand has been in the global market for quite some time before it made its way to the Philippine shores, it’s the first time that Filipinos are seeing it up close. We’re talking about the Morris Garages or better known as MG. Now under the care of its new distributor, The Covenant Car Company, let’s find out what’s hot about the MG ZS variant in this edition of Car Review. Let’s start with the powertrain.
Under the hood of the ZS is a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that generously produces 114 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque, which are not much compared to the other crossovers in the market, but what makes it sufficient is the fact that the engine is naturally-aspirated, meaning it is not turbocharged. These figures matched to a 4-speed Automatic Transmission with Manual Tiptonic Function which transfers all power to front wheel drive.
Throughout the ride, the little bit of vibration you could feel is handled by the suspension which uses MacPherson Strut at the front and Torsion Beam at the end. It’s pretty basic but it does its job when it comes to ensuring a smooth ride.
When it comes to design and styling, the MG ZS looks neat and aggressive—no wonder why it is one of the best-selling points of the model. It looks bold and stylish, and it’s attributed to the strong character lines that hug its body, plus the front fascia. The “Stardust” grille, as MG dubbed it because of its pattern, carries the car maker’s logo with pride and much emphasis. The grille is further framed by these “London Eye” halogen headlights. At the rear, the “Polaris” taillights take on the spotlight. Meanwhile, on the sides, MG gives an ode to history, as MG’s hexagonal badge lends its design philosophy to the ZS’s 17-inch alloy wheels.
The interior of the ZS is neat and straightforward as well. The dashboard looks modern and is highlighted with circular, chrome-trimmed air vents each on both sides. The cabin doesn’t look cluttered at all, probably because the buttons are strategically positioned in one spot altogether. The steering wheel and the seats are wrapped in leather while you can spot high quality plastic materials on certain areas.
Speaking of the seats, they are comfortable given that they are bucket seats, something that ensures a cozy drive for both the driver and passengers. Moreover, the rear seats seem to be larger and wider compared to other subcompact crossovers’ seats out there.
Also, since what we have here is the alpha variant, passengers can count on a pleasant lighting even when inside the car, thanks to the panoramic sunroof of the ZS. Meanwhile, the trunk offers enough room and space as well, allowing 359 liters up to 1,166 liters of luggage with the rear seats folded.
The interior of the ZS is further highlighted by the infotainment system, which is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, an obvious advantage for iOS users, with 6 speakers that create a 3D sound effect.
When it comes to added convenience, safety and security, the ZS is equipped with features such as a Reverse Camera, Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake Distribution, Cornering Brake Control, Electronic Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and Traction Control System.
