The best cheap SUV? 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+ review

[@Cyberdyne-kg8ku]

People, stop complaining about scratchy plastic. If you don't like it, don't scratch it. It's a door not a bloody jumper.

[@jaynotification]

😂

[@christophermitchell7414]

🤣🤣 perfect point

[@SuperMaverick09]

My partner has one. Absolutely cracking motor. I've been so impressed I'll probably take the HS Hybrid when it comes out next year. Pound for Pound Performance and luxury these motors just cannot be touched! You're 6ft 3 and comfortable; that says it all.

[@jaynotification]

A lot of reviewers have said there is inconsistency sometimes with the power delivery, have you noticed anything?

[@jaynotification]

A lot of reviewers have said there is inconsistency sometimes with the power delivery, have you noticed anything?

[@azRomanEmpire1]

@@jaynotificationyou will not have this problem if you drive normally tbh. And in worst case, tell it to the garage.

[@Jestey6]

Agree with what you’re saying, If you have to drive up a mountain, to get to work, then I think this could be a problem. However, I took delivery about 6 weeks ago, and have yet to experience any lack of performance. I fact I have been very impressed with overall driving experience. Most of my driving has been in EV mode, the ICE engine does run, but this is necessary, to provide warm air conditioning, seats and steering wheel. Come warmer days, I reckon most of my journeys will be in 0.0 RPM mode, which will result in even more miles to the gallon.

[@vp272]

Interior looks pretty good for the price

[@wallybazoo1434]

I can get the Trophy incl met paint for under £22k. If i spec up a Puma, Kamiq, Duster etc they're all at least £5k more. I know there are reliability and parts Issues but for such price difference i can live with it.

[@johntrinick712]

Not only is it reasonably priced, but the warranty is pretty good too, quite reassuring when considering the price!

[@alicebailey4353]

Used 2x 12 volt sockets in my Sorento yesterday, to power fridges as we took an afternoon tea over to my parents’ house! So, there you go! Very useful things! 😂

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

See, this is useful info! Thanks Alice!

[@Jestey6]

@@alicebailey4353 what fridges, or cars?

[@alicebailey4353]

@@Jestey6 12v sockets 😂😂

[@grahamjohnson2004]

I've seen lots of reviews on this car,but rather concerned about the reliability of MG cars in general.On the other hand my old(2012)Qashqai over the last 10 years has and still is extremely reliable,plus returning almost 60 mpg.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

@@grahamjohnson2004 probably keep it then…!

[@justjosh11]

I have the last gen HS (2023) for a long term hire with the same drivetrain. I was initially very very impressed with general build quality, plushness, weighty doors, level of equipment. Over time you do start to see the cracks mostly in the electrics - random infotainment restarts whilst driving, indicator 'bongs' randomly sometimes don't 'bong', car alarm goes off 30% of the time when you lock it, little things like that. Not game changing but it has certainly skewed my opinion of the car. Additionally, I think the drivetrain is pants. It is incredibly 'surgey' when putting your foot down with multiple power bands that you seem to rubberband between. You get used to it but it still has me cursing the car under my breathe every time it does it. The economy with charge in the battery is good around town, but poor at motorway speeds and shocking if no charge in the battery. Even with charge though, at 70 you can expect 35mpg. The fuel tank (at least in the last gen HS, it may be different here but i imagine not) is pitifully small at 35l and i can only really count on 200-220 miles range out of it. Overall I think MGs still offer decent value but they certainly aren't the finished article quite yet.

[@Testingthe]

agree, but remember, those things can happen also in more expensive cars

[@justjosh11]

@Testingthe of course but I think generally they are less likely too and will be more polished. I have recently had medium/long term modern BMW, Volvo, Suzuki and none have had quite as bad electrical gremlins. None of a drivetrain as ropey as the MG hybrids either. On the other hand, the BMW and Volvo were more expensive cars

[@Jestey6]

@@justjosh11 not only to buy, but also to maintain. £470 for a replacement thermostat, which mine didn’t need!

[@azRomanEmpire1]

Do you know the consumption on motorway?

[@shane79780]

My father just got his 2025 MG ZS Hybrid in that blue,I drove it and it's good enough finished off,the let downs I find it very road noisy and it's mostly on petrol which is very disappointing,and nothing slow about the car quick. personally his Kia nano was better as in the electric.

[@Jestey6]

It’s winter, and therefore you are using ‘power/petrol’ to heat the interior, seats, steering wheel etc. Therefore it’s going to use more petrol. I’ve also found that it’s better to heat my seat and the steering wheel, and leave the AC etc, off until 3 bars are lit on the engine temp gauge. In addition I’ve found that level 3 regen provides very nearly one pedal driving, and more mpg.

[@stephenparker5272]

Would have been nice to see and hear it at 70mph on a dual carriageway.

[@fred3527]

These reasonably priced cars have come a long way, and are becoming hard to overlook given the keen pricing. I'm currently very happy with my 2023 Skoda Kamiq however.

[@fred3527]

Tim, I watch and enjoy all your content (Cars & bike). I found your comment to restrict viewers' responses out of character for you? Is that really something you would do?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

No, it was a joke!

[@MRFARINA]

It does not have a courtesy light for rear passengers!! If you have children it is a problem Big mistake, the interior light is very poor. But the big problem is the steep slopes, its "three gears" do not help, once the battery is exhausted, the thermal engine is very slow and incapable, there are many complaints. In theory, they are solving it with a software update...we will see

[@DontPanicDear]

I hope that donkypunch person is happy now 😮

[@Jestey6]

Explain please

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

This video was dedicated to various angry KZbin commenters. The donkeypunchers.

[@laurradu868]

Price is not everything. When I drove it, I felt as I drove a 5 year old van. The plastic had a nasty smell I almost vomited afterwards. Also, the black interior looks, in real, like is covered in dust; is just looks old. On the road is not very composed, it is bouncy. In town the regenerative brake is very strong and the car feels like a boat on waves. After two hours of driving it, I said a big NO to this. For comparison, I droved Duster for a day. This one felt a lot more like a car, I like it a lot.

[@oliverstemp9132]

Fun videol but i'd rather have a Duster, Frontera or C3 Aircross. The ZS still feels too generic and a bit dated.

[@UrbanNomad883]

Good luck if you need any repairs. Read reviews from owners who are waiting for parts from China. Not to mention the appalling dealer reviews.

[@lauriebstokes]

I had to wind back to check you actually said “3 speed gearbox”, there’s no place in 2024 with that along with a steering wheel you can’t adjust for reach.

[@ukrytykrytyk8477]

Toyota hybrids have no fixed number of gears at all, following your logic they must be terrible 😂

[@HadrianTAZ]

Problem with MG's is reliability, or lack thereof. All the other producers fare a lot better, especially the Dacia Duster.

[@deph]

Steering wheel, shifter 👎

[@MrNozyk]

Worst reliability score along all manufacturers. You'll be waiting for repair long time and then pay for most repairs. Good lack with this chinese crappy product.

[@kingoneeyed3433]

If I can order anything from China and get it at my door in 3 days then I really don't see parts a issue, also everything you can see around you right now is made in China so good lack with that.

[@MrNozyk]

@kingoneeyed3433 Didn't mention parts. Everything is made in china- a lot, but still poor quality and I don't have to use it. I believe a couple more generations and it might be drivable but for now thank you.

[@oliverstemp9132]

​@@kingoneeyed3433 Yep, it takes MG weeks to ship spare parts over. Also Chinese cars aren't as easy to repair because the Chinese government subises insurance.

[@tonychallinor6721]

I had the EV version of this for 5 years and that's not an issue. Quality was fine and as good or better as competitors. The poor reliability scores relate to software updates i.e. things that you had to take the car in to get an update for. True that initially there was poor software. After it was fine. I never had any issues getting spares.

[@Jestey6]

But when was this (Which?) reliability survey done? As this car has only just been released, and MG are improving rapidly I anticipate their score will improve rapidly. Don’t bother to reply, your point of view is blinkered, as your closing comment “chinese crappy product” confirms.

[@Antho2030]

Worst engine for highway/hillclimb

[@kingoneeyed3433]

why is that and what alternative would you choose?

[@Jestey6]

There is obviously a compromise, and all hybrid cars will be affected in differing ways, but this will be offset by the advantages they offer. If a modicum of common sense is applied and the negative aspects are taken into consideration, then they are a good compromise. This car is not going to appeal to boy racers, it is clearly aimed at drivers who understand the limitations, don’t want a full EV, and think they are in a small way contributing to reducing global warming.

[@dermotporter5280]

My man you are reading that rubbish from Australia and New Zealand.MGZS hybrid is not a sports car.