MG ZS vs Nissan LEAF

What's the difference?

VS
MG ZS
MG ZS

$22,990 - $36,990

2025 price

Nissan LEAF
Nissan LEAF

2021 price

Summary

2025 MG ZS
2021 Nissan LEAF
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.5L

Not Applicable, 0.0L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Electric
Fuel Efficiency
6.7L/100km (combined)

0.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Underpowered engine
  • Not the most fuel efficient engine in the range
  • Sunroof means cabin heats up fast in summer

  • Still missing some tech
  • High price
  • Awkward driving position
2025 MG ZS Summary

MG is far more popular as a Chinese-owned brand than it was as a British sports car maker.

The company now makes cars that appeal to a wider range of people, especially those looking for an affordable way into electric vehicles. As part of that broad appeal the company also makes regular petrol cars like the one tested here - the MG ZS Essence.

That’s right, we’re not testing the electric version of the MG ZS, nor the hybrid variant. Not even the one with the turbo. Our ZS is the ordinary petrol version in the mid-level Essence grade. Could it be the pick of the lot? Well… you’ll know soon.

First, who are the ZS’s rivals? The ZS is a small SUV and competes against the likes of the GWM Haval Jolion, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. Having tested all of them we can say the ZS does some things better but also struggles to match a few of the other qualities of its rivals.

Oh, and don’t confuse the MG ZS with the MG HS. The HS is bigger and a mid-sized SUV, while the ZS is a small SUV. Got it?

Read on and we’ll take you through the strengths and weaknesses of the ZS Essence.

@carsguide.com.au New-gen MG ZS petrol tested! #MG #ZS #car #carsguide #fyp ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au
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2021 Nissan LEAF Summary

Here in 2021, it finally seems like Australia is ready to adopt electric cars, with interest on the rise and many, many new models of various shapes and sizes on the horizon.

Nissan, though, has been quietly chipping away at the EV market with its Leaf, which first launched in Australia way back in 2012 and was then refreshed with a new-gen model in mid-2019.

But even the latest Leaf is beginning to look a little dated compared to the likes of the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, so what is Nissan to do?

Introduce the new Leaf e+ of course, which features a larger battery for increased driving range, as well as a more potent electric motor for peppier performance.

But is the Nissan Leaf e+ the electric car to buy?

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Deep dive comparison

2025 MG ZS 2021 Nissan LEAF

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