2023 MG ZST vs 2021 MG ZS

What's the difference?

Since its successful re-boot, the story of MG in Australia is one of conquest.

Now in Australia’s top-ten automakers, MG’s main success has come from offering affordable and attractive cars in a bracket below its more expensive mainstream equivalents from Japan or Korea.

To give itself some long-term success, and keep its place ahead of storied family favourites like Subaru, MG has to do more than just be the cheapest way into a small SUV though, which is why it now offers two versions of its ZS SUV.

The one we’re looking at for this review is the newer, updated, and more expensive version, the ZST - which is essentially just the facelifted version of the regular ZS that's now only offered in one single entry-level grade. With more mainstream pricing than the cheaper ZS, is the ZST worth your consideration over established rivals like the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, or Kia Seltos?

Read on to find out.

The biggest barrier to entry for electric vehicles in Australia is the up-front cost.

You might well be surprised by how many new car buyers are not only interested in electric vehicles, but really want their next car to be a full EV. It's something motoring journalists get asked about all the time. The problems putting people off are not necessarily the range or charging issues, as you might expect. No, according to the data, it’s simply because they are too expensive compared to their internal-combustion competitors.

Re-invigorated MG, now such a budget-buyer-friendly brand that it recently made the list of Australia’s top 10 sellers, is calling out to the EV curious with this latest electrified version of its successful ZS small SUV.

The ZS is Australia’s cheapest mainstream electric car by some margin, and proof that China-based SAIC-owned MG can do more than just affordable combustion vehicles. At a cost of $43,990 drive-away, is the ZS EV the masterstroke that could get more Australians behind the wheel of a full electric model than ever before? Let’s find out.