2021 MG ZST pricing and specs detailed: Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona competitor gets more expensive after only seven months on sale

MG Australia’s ZST is now more expensive to buy, jumping $500 in cost in 2021 after just seven months on the market.

The range-opening Excite is now priced at $29,990 while the Essence grade is $32,990, with the MG ZST line-up competing against the likes of the Haval H2 (soon-to-be rechristened Jolion in new-gen form), Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX and Suzuki Vitara in the booming small-SUV segment.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic wipers, leather steering wheel with contrast stitching, faux-leather seat upholstery, keyless entry and push-button start.

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Handling multimedia duties is a 10.1-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, satellite navigation and six-speaker sound system.

For safety, the ZST is fitted with MG’s Pilot Active Safety Technology suite, which includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and automatic highbeams, as well as a surround-view monitor and rain-sensing wipers.

Stepping up to the Essence grade adds a panoramic glass roof, leather seats with heating function, all-digital instrumentation, electronically adjustable driver’s seat and uniquely-styled 17-inch wheels.

Both versions are powered by a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine, which outputs 115kW/230Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed torque-convertor automatic transmission.

The ZST is also sold alongside another MG-badged small SUV, the ZS, but differs with a more potent engine, more sophisticated transmission and increased active safety equipment.

For reference, the ZS range starts at $21,990 for the Excite and runs up to $25,990 for the top-tier Essence.

However, VFACTS data does not distinguish between the ZS and ZST, and their combined sales of 2555 units for the first two months of 2021 make the two small SUVs MG’s bestseller.

The combined total also means MG’s pair of small SUVs is the second most-popular model in the segment, behind the Mitsubishi ASX (2767) and ahead of the Hyundai Kona (2414), Kia Seltos (1847), Mazda CX-30 (1788) and Toyota C-HR (1556).

2021 MG ZST drive-away pricing