MG ZST vs Mahindra XUV500
What's the difference?

MG ZST

$14,000 - $24,990

2024 price

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Mahindra XUV500

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2018 price

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Summary

2024 MG ZST

2018 Mahindra XUV500

By Emily Agar

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 3, 1.3L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

7.3L/100km (combined)

6.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Happy little price tag
Good features list
Nice kerb-side presence

Cheap way into seven seats
Petrol/auto combination a winner
Hugely spacious third row

Dislikes

Tech needs improving
Upholstery/trims feel plasticky
Rivals have brand new five-star ANCAP ratings

Underwhelming safety
Steering that requires plenty of guesswork
Cheap-feeling interior

2024 MG ZST Summary

The ZST is essentially an upgraded version of MG's popular small SUV, the ZS.

The ZST sees some tweaks to the overall design and some added standard safety features. So, if you like the original, there's a good chance you'll like the ZST and I've been driving the top-grade Essence variant with my family of three.

The ZST Essence has some stiff competition from similarly specified rivals like the GWM Haval Jolion Lux and Chery Omoda 5 EX offering affordable packages and similar driving experiences. So, what makes the ZST stand out?

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2018 Mahindra XUV500 Summary

Just in case attacking Australia's crowded SUV market with a virtually unheard of Indian brand wasn't a high enough hurdle to leap over, Mahindra had made its task even harder - think a Bollywood version of Mission Impossible - by launching its XUV500 SUV here with a diesel engine (which nobody wanted) and a manual gearbox (which few could even remember how to use).

Fortunately, it fixed one of those issues late in 2016, finally adding an automatic transmission to the line-up. And now, at long last, it's fixed the other.

This, then, is the petrol-powered XUV500 SUV. And, on paper at least, it's the most sense-making Mahindra to date.

For one, it's a ferociously cheap way into a new seven-seat SUV. For another, it's pretty well equipped, even from the base level. There's a long warranty, an equally long roadside assistance offering, and there's capped-price servicing, too.

So, should the mainstream SUV players be looking over their shoulders?

Spoiler alert: no.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 MG ZST 2018 Mahindra XUV500

Verdict

Will the MG ZST Essence fit a small family? Absolutely, and all but the middle seat passenger will be comfortable but there are areas open for improvement. Like it's safety, laggy tech and adding a few extra items in the back seat.

Yet, it still offers a good host of features and an attractive package for a reasonable price tag. Unfortunately, my son missed having the basic amenities but did like the sun roof.

Verdict

This petrol-powered and well-priced XUV500 W6 might mark Mahindra's most convincing effort at cracking Australia's congested SUV market, but we're still not completely convinced.

That said, it's certainly cheap, the ownership credentials stack up and it's a very comfortable way to transport seven people.

MG ZST vs Mahindra XUV500 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

MG ZST vs Mahindra XUV500
What's the difference?