Suzuki Ignis vs MG ZS

What's the difference?

With statement styling, inherent agility, excellent efficiency, proven reliability, high equipment levels and low entry pricing, the 2021 Ignis GLX is in danger of becoming a mandatory short-list proposition for people seeking fun and affordable motoring.

But undermining all that is a distinct lack of driver-assist safety tech that can’t be – and shouldn’t be – ignored. At least give buyers the option of paying more for essentials like AEB.

If Suzuki can address this shortfall, the Ignis would join its excellent Swift supermini stablemate in being a very compelling and enjoyable compact urban runabout. We hope this happens sooner rather than later.

Let me put it this way: Like-for-like, the ZS is better as an EV than it is as a petrol car, but it seems to be a story of getting what you pay for.

I don’t mean that the ZS EV is cheap and therefore nasty. In fact, I think it’s priced just right at the moment for a city EV entry-point. It offers all the key features a city-based EV buyer should be looking for, compares favourably to rivals on the value front, and is better than the standard ZS to drive and use.

It certainly has its flaws, and you can pay more to get rid of them by buying a Nissan Leaf, which, in my opinion drives better and has superior software, but then you’re forking out significantly more money for a similar driving range. On that basis, I think MG has found its entry-level EV niche and should be applauded for bringing the overall cost of entry down in Australia. Only time will tell if buyers warm to the idea, but the brand’s initial sales figures of nearly 700 units at least suggests it will be a success.

Sometimes facelifts do really improve the look of a vehicle, as is the case here with the MF Series II.

Maybe it’s the Suzuki Jimny 4x4-inspired quad-nostril grille or chunkier rear bumper inserts, but they somehow make the Japanese-built crossover seem less narrow and tippy-toed.

The styling – first seen in 2016 – actually references classic Suzukis of old like the late 1970s Cervo SC100 (as per the C-pillar slit inserts and angular silhouette) that were never offered in Australia anyway.

A good thing, then, that the Ignis’ handsome proportions, flared wheel arches, deep glass area, anthropomorphic grille and pushed-out wheelbase and tracks give it a purposeful look and stance that also stands as an attractive and individualistic 21st Century design in its own right.  

Measuring in at 3700mm in length, 1660mm in width and 1595mm in height, the Ignis is substantially stubbier and narrower (though slightly taller) than the Hyundai Venue, whose corresponding numbers are 4040mm, 1770mm and 1592mm, respectively. The Suzuki’s 2435mm wheelbase is also 85mm shy of the Hyundai.

Still, the result doesn’t mean the Ignis’ cabin seems overly tight or cramped in any shape or form.

MG’s formula for success is pretty simple. Make affordable cars that are good looking. Not so hard really, is it?

The ZS EV wears the chrome-embossed styling of the range, while offering its own take on the grille, complete with a unique colour choice, ‘Clipper Blue’, which looks quite fetching.

Original? Maybe not. There’s a clear influence of Mazda in the chrome bits and headlight clusters, while the rear is a little bit Mitsubishi ASX in its finish. If the ZS T is anything to go by, though, MG’s design is set to evolve into very much its own look in the near future.

The brilliance of the overall exterior looks is that they combine before-seen elements into something fresh, which looks good in bright colours and leaves an impression of youthfulness. Accessible cars, ready for the social-media age, then.

The interior of the ZS EV is improved over the regular ZS, too. There are more soft materials in the doors and dash, while the brand has taken the electrification opportunity to tidy up the centre console and media screen into something a bit neater and more contemporary.

There’s even some cool attention to detail in things like the shift dial, which is finished with a rotary texture, and pressing it down to go into Park makes it glow red. The little toggle switches for the driving functions are a nice touch too.

The seats and touchpoints look good at a distance but aren’t as great to touch. The steering wheel is okay, but the faux leather trim in the seats is pretty ordinary, as is the detailing in the doors and dash. I wasn’t so much a fan of the way the centre console arches up, finished in a thin layer of vinyl trim, but it’s worth remembering that the ZS EV is based on an outgoing small SUV. In fact, if you want to take a look at just how much the interior of the ZS has improved for this EV version in lots of little ways, check out Matt Campbell’s 2019 review of the petrol car.

Thinking about it, the Ignis is uniquely suited to city life.

Forget its diminutive proportions for a moment, and consider instead that it has extraordinarily high seating positions and a tall turret. Perfect for stepping inside the car with some degree of dignity.

Once sat on the big, comfy and lofty front seats, you’re immediately struck by how confidence-building the commanding driving position, assisted by the excellent all-round vision afforded by the deep glass area and upright pillars and a pleasant leather-like steering wheel cover.  

The front buckets themselves are comfy and enveloping, even though there is no lumbar adjustment support fitted; there is a height lever on the driver’s side, ample rearward travel for taller folk and side bolstering to help hug you through corners, while the soft cloth material feels good to the touch.

Suzuki’s thought about storage, as demonstrated by the big glovebox, bottle-holding door pockets up front, deep lower-console shelf and trio of cupholders, though there is no central armrest or bin, even in this up-spec grade.

Suzuki’s gone for a somewhat old-school off-roader theme inside, evidenced by the chunky heater/air-con controls, toggle switchgear and 4x4-look pared-back dash, while there’s plenty of hardy, hollow-sounding plastics to remind you that this is built down to a price. One lovely retro detail is the ‘60s pull-out bonnet release.

Operating the GLX’s climate control is child’s play, and the same applies to the ageing but still effective multimedia system, with its colourful display, easy connectivity and handy sat-nav. Note that the virtual volume slider on the screen is slow, fiddly and ultimately needlessly distracting. Give us a proper knob any day of the week. And what about a digital radio receiver, please, Suzuki?

We’re also less fond of the tilt-only non-telescopic steering column, as some drivers found it difficult to find the perfect position as a result, while the lack of digital speedo when there is room for it in the instrumentation’s LCD window smacks of penny pinching. Otherwise, the Ignis’ layout and design generally really hit the mark.

The rear doors open at nearly 90 degrees, aiding entry to and egress from the back seat. Although the front passenger seat lacks a height adjuster, it is still set up high, so big feet can tuck in underneath for taller occupants behind.

Being a GLX, the bench is split 50/50, is designed to only carry two people (so there’s no centre belt but ample width as a consequence) and the backrest reclines in 10 (narrow) positions for added comfort. Both also slide forward by a significant amount, boosting cargo space. Parents and guardians of smaller children might find this helpful as they can be positioned closer to the front seats for access that’s within arm’s reach.

The backrests themselves are… OK and clearly intended for smaller folk. Your 178cm tester found a distinct lack of under-thigh support due to the short squab and the backrest doesn’t reline far enough back for true comfort. And except for the aforementioned third cupholder nestled right at the rear of the front-seat lower-console area, door-pull recess that might hold an upright smartphone as well as a small bottle receptacle built into the door card, storage is non-existent back there. Yes, there is one map pocket, but that’s your lot. You’ll also search in vain for overhead grab handles (only the front passenger gets one), reading lights and rear-seat centre armrest – a wasted opportunity given this car’s four-seater status.

On the other hand, there’s space galore in every direction due to that very status, excellent vision and windows that wind (electrically of course) all the way down for a light and airy feel. Fido will be pleased. Just remember to bring your ear plugs if constant road noise bothers you.

Further back, you’ll marvel at the versatility of the cargo area, thanks to the sliding split bench that increases cargo capacity from 264 litres in normal four-seat mode to 515L with the backrests folded and 1104L in “maximum volume” mode. Note the five-seater GL’s ranges from 271L to 505L to 1101L respectively.

It’s properly long and deep in this setting. There’s a deep floor (with a space-saver spare underneath) and a light, but not much else. The fit and finish is fine but the floor seems flimsy and the parcel shelf lightweight. At least it isn’t mesh as per the Honda HR-V’s.

This is a small SUV, so it’s not huge on the inside. There are some areas where it shines, and others where it isn’t as good.

Not so great? The seating position. Like the HS mid-sizer, the ZS has a really high and slightly awkward seating position, which has you peering down on the instruments and the road. SUV like? Yes. Some people will probably like the commanding view of the road, but it wasn’t for me. The seats are soft and initially quite comfy, but offer limited support for longer journeys. Adjustability is reasonable, and I eventually found a position that suited me, with good visibility out the front and rear.

Cabin storage isn’t bad. Because there’s no need for a transmission or anything under the floor, there’s a new cutaway with a large bay under the centre console, which also hosts two USB ports, a small tray area under the climate controls, a weird bottle holder cutaway deep-set in the raised console area, and a tiny console box armrest (at least it has one, some small SUVs don’t). There is a large bottle holder and a small bin in the door cards, too.

The rear seat isn’t bad. My 182cm tall frame fits behind its own driving position with a tiny amount of knee space, and there are soft trims on the backs of the front seats if you’re any taller and have your knees pressing up. The backs of the front seats feature pockets, and there’s a small tray and single USB outlet on the back of the centre console, although there are no adjustable rear air vents. I have enough headroom and the soft seats, clad in the so-so faux leather stuff, continue. There’s no armrest with bottle holders, but the rear doors have a single large one each. Outboard seats feature ISOFIX child-seat-mounting points, while the rear row has top-tether all the way across.

Again, if you want to see how much the ZS has improved over the years, check out our earlier reviews. It’s hard to recognise the dash and storage areas from the petrol version.

The boot comes in at 359-litres, which is impressive, not only because it compares well to the small SUV segment, but because it’s entirely unchanged from the petrol version. It just fit our entire CarsGuide demo luggage set with a little Tetris work, as the available space seems to be taller than it is wide. There are useful nettings behind the wheelarch on each side for securing small objects, but where the EV has had extra thought applied is in the under-floor area. There you will find a styrofoam bracket with little cutouts for storing charging cables. Few EVs have this sort of thing, strangely.

Sadly, the under-floor batteries mean you lose the spare wheel. Instead, you’ll have to make do with a repair kit.

The new MG is full of surprises. Actually, now that Kia is done with its previous tagline: “The Power to Surprise” perhaps MG should take it, because it fits the now-China-based brand almost better than it ever fit the Korean giant.

Originally, MG talked about pitching its ZS EV at a price that would have placed it alongside the Nissan Leaf, but at the EV’s launch, it dropped a surprise price-slash from $46,990 to just $43,990 drive-away, securing its place as the cheapest option on the market for anyone wanting a full EV.

The ZS EV comes in only one spec, the Essence, which is equivalent to the highest-spec version of the petrol car. Even so, the electric version has some extra goodies.

It gets its own set of 17-inch wheels (which somehow look tiny, more on that later), it’s own 8.0-inch multimedia screen, a significant upgrade on the one in the basic ZS, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, built-in nav, faux-leather interior trim, a panoramic glass sunroof, keyless entry with push-start ignition, LED DRLs with halogen headlights, and a six-way, power-adjustable driver’s seat.

It's a decent amount of fruit for a mid-size SUV, although there are areas where it is obvious this car is built to a specific price-point. The synthetic, leather-look trim is pretty ordinary, as is this car’s software (a common MG theme), particularly its laggy sat-nav suite. Halogen headlights are also pretty lame on an EV, and work against this car’s otherwise snazzy design. The same goes for the lack of a digitised instrument cluster, but it’s almost a quaint touch to have analog dials for an electric car.

Still, it’s nice that the interior trims and multimedia screen have been upgraded significantly from the combustion ZS, making the EV feel a bit special, but not quite as special as the ZS T (a facelift which is sold alongside the old car).

On the topic of the ZS T, we have it on good authority that the EV variant you see here will be upgraded to the ZS T look and feel imminently. This is good for interior quality and the exterior looks, but it might also take a price hike, so keep that in mind before choosing to hold out for the update.

Nearing 10 years in production, Suzuki’s K12C 1242cc 1.2-litre twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine is a tried and tested naturally-aspirated unit, revving strongly and effortlessly all the way to its red line. Peak power is 66kW at 6000rpm and the torque top is rated at 120Nm at 4400rpm.

With a kerb weight of just 865kg – a Suzuki specialty – the Ignis boasts a power-to-weight ratio of a healthy 76.3kW/per tonne.

It’s a shame the GLX isn’t available with the GL’s five-speed manual gearbox. Instead, your lot is an albeit-efficient automatic of the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) variety, driving just the front wheels for Aussie-bound Ignis models.

Overseas there are mild-hybrid and all-wheel drive alternatives too.

The ZS EV has an electric motor capable of producing 105kW and a whopping 353Nm (not as break-neck as it sounds, more on that later) of torque. Again, this is a healthy upgrade from combustion versions of this car. It drives the front wheels via a single-speed reduction-gear transmission.

Suzuki’s weight-loss obsession is great news for people wanting a high-economy urban crossover.

Tuned to run on 91 RON standard unleaded petrol, our Ignis GLX returned an efficient 6.2 litres per 100km at the pump. And while that is somewhat off the 4.9L/100km Suzuki claims, much of that was in heavy peak-hour traffic with the air-con on, or during performance testing out on the open road.

That 4.9L/100km published average figure translates to a carbon-dioxide emissions rating of just 114 grams per kilometre. Even with the Ignis’ tiny 32-litre tank, over 650km between refills is possible.

Now the important stuff. The ZS EV is the cheapest EV in Australia, but it offers a range comparative to the Nissan Leaf at a claimed/combined 263km from its 44.5kWh battery pack.

The ZS has a European-standard Type 2 CCS port mounted centre front under the MG badge, and can charge at a maximum of 7.2kW on AC power, or 80kW on DC power.

This means estimated charging times from 10 to 80 per cent of 45 minutes on DC, seven hours on 7kW AC, or 25 hours on a 2.3kW wall socket.

The ZS EV comes with a wall socket to Type 2 cable, although MG offers a Type 2 to Type 2 public charging cable (which we strongly recommend for convenience) as a $295 dealer option.

I charged the ZS twice in my week with it, both times at a public 11kW AC charger local to me, which is charged by solar and is therefore free. It added around 50km of range in an hour.

The ZS EV also offers three levels of regenerative braking, and I spent the majority of my time in the highest regen setting. The ZS EV’s official combined consumption figure is 16.2kWh/100km, and on my test week my car returned a figure of 14.6kWh/100km. Not bad, and similar or even slightly better than its Nissan Leaf competitor, in which I recorded 15.3kWh/100km. It was not as good as the Hyundai Ioniq, however, which has the honour of the best on-test consumption I’ve ever scored at 12.3kWh/100km.

My car looked set to get around 304km of range on a full charge at its as-tested consumption rate - well over the WLTPcombined claim.

Comparatively conventional in mechanical layout it may be, but the Ignis feels especially at home around town.

A strong and revvy 1.2-litre engine, coupled to a flexible CVT, provides eager off-the-line acceleration, though the accompanying loud exhaust drone may get tiresome for some. Aided by the Suzuki’s light mass, luckily there’s sufficient low-down response for most drivers to experience healthy performance without having to assault all occupants’ ear drums.

What this means is that the Ignis will accelerate quite vigorously once on the move, with plenty of oomph available as the revs rise towards the 6000rpm peak power point. Yes, the CVT will elicit an endless moan from the engine, but speed does build up quickly and before you know it.

We weren’t expecting to find a ‘Sport’ mode button located on the side of the auto’s shifter; locking out the highest ratios, it keeps the tacho needle within a pre-determined power band that’s useful if noticeably stronger throttle response is required. Otherwise, in Normal mode, the powertrain is tuned to upshift to top gear in the interest of efficiency. It’s good that the Suzuki at least gives the keener driver some choice in the matter.

This is also the best Ignis we’ve driven yet when it comes to steering. Around town, the turning circle is smaller than federal funding for the arts, environment and education portfolios come budget time, providing stupendously easy parking, effortless manoeuvrability and pin-point handling accuracy, especially when weaving in and out of traffic.

Yet the helm also works out on the highway as well, or through tight and twisty turns, with a blend of sporty precision and reassuring control. Keener drivers can scoot around corners at speed and – perhaps surprisingly – not experience excessive body lean, despite the Ignis’ height and narrow track. It instead just knuckles down and gets the job done, with confidence. The Ignis sticks to the road.

We expected scrappy handling but instead received no-drama agility. The chassis feels it can handle a whole lot more power than what the GLX offers. We were also pleased by how comfy the ride is on smooth roads.

However, though mid-corner bumps do not upset the Ignis’ composure, they certainly make themselves felt through inside the cabin. Indeed, around town, in the ‘burbs or out on the highway, the suspension’s inherent firmness that no doubt enhances the Suzuki’s dynamics means sharp, sudden jolts aren’t absorbed as well as we’d like, making for a hard ride at times. There’s less wheel travel from the MacPherson strut-style front and torsion beam rear end set-up than the 1.6-metre height and 180mm ground clearance suggest.

Reducing the amount of road and tyre noise piping through inside would substantially increase the Ignis’ overall appeal. That and level of driver-assist safety tech. 

Two big jobs for its eventual successor, then.

The ZS EV is a different car to drive altogether, compared to the rest of the range. This is a very good thing, with the electric motor, drive modes and feedback being reasonably good, and you can forget the usual transmission and power woes we find with many small SUVs.

The ZS gets along nicely with its 105kW/353Nm, it’s much faster in a straight line than any other ZS, but it’s not as breakneck as it sounds. The torque seems to be distributed with some restraint, so that accelerating hard doesn’t overwhelm the little front tyres. Expect similar performance to a Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Ioniq; it’s smooth and strong, but not as extreme as, say, a Tesla.

Needless to say, the well of instantly available torque is fantastic for both urban driving and the freeway, making the ZS EV easily one of the best MGs to drive.

However, some woes are still present. While the ZS handles better than its combustion counterparts, thanks to the lower centre of gravity, it’s easy to tell the suspension has a hard time dealing with its nearly 1600kg weight, and the drivability in the corners suffers as a result.

It’s soft over the front axle, but harder over the rear, leading to really abrupt moments over bumps, or when the driving surface is a little uneven, despite a generally spongey and bouncy ride. This can lead to some disconcerting moments on the rebound, as the car tilts to and fro a little before settling.

Understeer is also an ever-present threat, as this car will lean well into the front tyres during cornering and requires some discipline on the accelerator not to break traction. It all adds up to a bit of a frumpy, uneven drive experience, which needs improvement. Thankfully, the steering is pretty well tuned, offering a relatively organic feel and giving you a good handle on what’s going on at the front tyres.

It is at its best at lower speeds, as the soft ride will filter out small bumps and corrugations relatively well, while hitting speed bumps and driveways is met with a pleasant bounce.

It’s not as though MG can’t do better, either, with the ZS T improving its ride and handling in many critical areas, but it’s clear that, for this older version, this aspect wasn’t a priority during development.

Still, if you stick to what this car’s envisioned purpose is – driving around town – the seats and cabin are pretty comfortable, the visibility is good, and parking is easy. Even on the freeway, this car’s adaptive cruise and lane-keep systems aren’t bad, and benefit from the rolling software updates MG undertakes as feedback comes in from the global markets in which it plays.

The electrification features are decent, too. While it might not be as smooth or refined as Hyundai electric cars are, the three levels of regen braking will offer something for everyone, and the feedback through the analog dial should give a good amount of data on how to make the most of the regeneration.

It is missing a sleek operating system, though. Hyundai’s Android-based software is simple but effective, integrating the nav with the range calculation and driving style, while Tesla’s sublime software with its app and pre-prep features really showcase what an electric car can do.

Regardless, you get what you pay for, and that’s the case here with the ZS. It’s not the best to drive, and it doesn’t have as slick a software offering, but it does offer all the key parts of electric motoring at a strictly defined price.

The ZS EV is officially the safest ZS as the ZS T has not yet been rated, scoring a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating to the 2019 standards. Again, this is a huge improvement on the petrol version, which scored a four-star rating in 2017.

Standard active items include auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, auto high beams, and adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist.

Improved out of sight from the petrol car on which it is based, the ZS also features the standard complement of six airbags and the expected traction, stability, and brake controls.

Suzuki offers an industry-average five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance.

Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, while published basic capped-price servicing is available. Prices start at $239 (years one and five) and reach as high as $329 (year three). Total cost is $1465, averaging out to $293 annually over five years at the time of publishing.

Vehicles under five-years old but with higher mileages up to 90,000km can expect to be charged $499, according to Suzuki’s website.

Electrified MGs have an annoying caveat in that they miss out on the excellent seven-year warranty of the rest of the brand’s combustion range. Instead, you’re left with a still industry-standard five-year warranty. The battery pack is covered for eight years or 160,000km, to add a little extra confidence.

MG also tells us the battery system in the ZS is entirely modular, and individual units can be removed and replaced if they go wrong.

Capped-price servicing is not yet locked in for MG in Australia, although the brand tells us that it is in the works and will be available imminently. Electric cars are generally much cheaper to run than combustion cars, due to the lack of moving parts, so we’d expect the ZS EV to have the lowest running costs of the lot.