New cut-price small hybrid SUV confirmed

Current MG ZS.

MG’s new small hybrid SUV is just around the corner.

Government homologation documents have revealed the Chinese brand is preparing to launch the new ZS small SUV with both petrol and hybrid options.

MG has hinted the new ZS is just months away, and it is in line for a pricey glow up like the new MG3 hatchback just received.

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MG Motor Australia Senior Product and Strategy Manager Akshat Ahuja told CarsGuide earlier this year the ZS will come with a substantial upgrade.

“ZS is definitely not far away,” said Ahuja. “It will be an all-new generation. It carries the same new design language like we see in the MG3. So an all-new exterior and interior as well as a massive upgrade in technology. “

“So it's a significant upgrade from the current ZS and it’s not far away.”

Now we know it’ll receive the same 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor combo as the new MG3 hatchback.

The ZS hybrid benefits from a slight power bump to 158kW compared to the 3’s 155kW.

Petrol variants will be propelled by either a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 1.5-litre motor, with both matched to a CVT automatic.

Power figures for the petrol engines haven’t been confirmed, but the non-turbo 1.5-litre engine in the current version makes 84kW and 150Nm.

The turbo version should trump the 115kW/230Nm 1.3-litre unit found in the current ZST.

MG has confirmed it will bring a range of styling, tech and safety advancements and new engines to match those in the 3 hatchback.

These same updates in the 3 led to a $7000 price rise compared to the old one.

If the ZS is in line for a similar price rise its starting point would leap from $23,990 drive-away to more than $30,000 drive-away.

There are a few sweeteners to the deal, though.

MG has just announced it will guarantee its vehicles for 10 years or 250,000km, whichever comes first.

This warranty beats every other brands', and unlike Mitsubishi’s conditional 10-year guarantee MG owners can get their car serviced anywhere, not just at a dealership.