MG's most popular car gets powerful hybrid makeover: 2025 MG ZS revealed ahead of imminent Australian release for Toyota Corolla Cross and GWM Haval Jolion rival

MG has fully revealed the new ZS small SUV and confirmed the outputs of its hybrid powertrain. 

The new ZS adopts its exterior design language from the MG3 hatch along with the small car’s underpinnings and is hybrid-only — for now. It’s currently MG’s best-selling model, notching up 13,624 deliveries this year to the end of July.

Australian pricing is not confirmed but CarsGuide understands the hybrid ZS’s local arrival is imminent to be followed by a petrol version next year. In the UK, the base model hybrid starts at £21,995, equivalent to A$42,750.

Don’t fret, though, because cars are generally much more affordable in Australia. Our bet is that the ZS will slip in just above the related MG3, from around $32,000 drive-away in base hybrid trim.

The current ZST Core Petrol (ignoring the old cut-price ZS for now) starts at $25,990, drive-away. In the MG3, a hybrid powertrain commands a $4000 premium over petrol.

The new ZS shares its basic powertrain with the MG3, though UK specifications put the larger SUV 10kW down on power at 145kW yet 45Nm up at 465Nm. Like the small car, the ZS hybrid drives only its front wheels.

That grunt is good for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.7 seconds, says MG, which is slower than a Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid despite having more on-paper punch.

In the WLTP combined cycle, the MG ZS achieves a 5.1L/100km fuel efficiency and 115g/km of CO2 emissions with a 1.83kWh battery powering short bursts of EV-only driving. In the reverse of the HS, a hybrid ZS is due first with a cheaper petrol-only version to follow.

Australian specifications are not yet confirmed but UK cars come standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, full exterior LED lighting with auto headlights, cloth upholstery, keyless entry and digital instruments.

On higher-trim models, larger 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjust seats and seat heating become available. 

Expect at least two trim levels in Australia, likely mirroring the MG3’s Excite and Essence naming conventions with the ZS’s sights set on the GWM Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4 and established names like the Mitsubishi ASX and Nissan Juke. 

A new version of the ZS EV is in the works however it won’t be a converted combustion vehicle this time around. Instead, it is tipped to use the MG4’s MSP architecture.

MG’s range will continue to expand in Australia with a three-row combustion/hybrid SUV confirmed along with the Cybesrter electric roadster and hybrid versions of the new MG HS mid-size SUV.