2024 MG ZS Excite Quick Review

The 2024 MG ZS is an affordable small SUV that’s gained quick popularity in Australia since arriving in 2017.

It's produced by British-turned-Chinese automaker MG who are now a regular in the list of top ten best-selling car brands.

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Pricing and Features

It’s a single ZS grade on offer – Excite– which you can pick up for the extremely competitive price of $23,990 drive-away. It sits in a price bracket akin to most of used key selling rivals.

Under the bonnet lives a 1.5-litre engine paired to a 4-speed auto that produces a humble 84kW of power and 150Nm of torque.

The entire MG range is backed a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, unless you use the vehicle for commercial purposes which will cap your odometer to 160,000km over that period.

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MG ZS has basic standard equipment that gets the job done.

This includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-appointed steering wheel, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a reverse camera and rear parking sensors. All the standard specs you’d expect out of a vehicle in the category, but with a sharper price point than most.

It’s cheap and simple, but if you’re after more, you’ll want to look into the more premium of the MG ZST range.

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In the world of compact SUVs, the ZS Excite stands out with its unexpectedly roomy interior and commendable design aesthetics.

While it might not be an outright head-turner, it subtly exudes a more premium look — especially for those not as car-obsessed as us — than a vehicle that can be driven home for less than $25k.

Buyers have the choice of five exterior colours, including MG’s signature Diamond Red metallic paint. Dover White and Pebble Black come free of charge, while the remaining colours carry a $700 premium.

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Safety

The safety features in the MG ZS have improved over the years, but the car still maintains the four-star ANCAP rating it received when it was rated in 2017. This is due to omissions like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), which has become standard for many other brands.

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Key Rivals

As a best-seller in the small SUV segment, the MG is competing with a range of key players, from budget-friendly to mainstream luxury models.

These included the:

• Haval H2
• Hyundai Venue
• Kia Seltos
• Toyota Yaris Cross

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Should I Put It On My Shortlist?

The MG ZS is a great value-for-money proposition, offering a decent set of features and inclusions at its price point.

It’s a step into a new vehicle you’ll only get from used cars of key competitors.

If you’re restricted by budget and want the peace of mind of a leading seven year warranty, then the MG ZS could be your answer.