The MG ZS, a Chinese crossover SUV series made by SAIC Motor, has received a mid-generational refresh after less than three years in production. With around 258,000 cars sold in China in 2018 alone, the sales probably have been brisk enough already – but the sky’s the limit, right?
Then again, the Chinese corporation is also attempting to sell the model in Great Britain – and has had far less success there so far, with only 5,376 units sold last year.
Anyway, the refresh brings epithets like ‘trendy’ and ‘youth-oriented’ to mind. The car has been stripped of most of its chrome parts and now boasts a black radiator grille, black ornamental inserts, reshaped bumpers, LED headlights and faux exhaust tips (the actual tailpipe is single and hidden from view, like before).
The cabin is dominated by a new infotainment system that necessitated redesigning the entire center console. Various trim options are available, as well as tech features such as cruise control or lane control.
The series ships with a 1.5-liter, non-turbo VTI that produces 120 hp (90 kW) in its Chinese version and 106 hp (79 kW) in its eco-friendly British implementation. The transmission is five-speed manual by default, but China residents may opt for four-speed automatic instead. There is also a 1.0-liter turbo unit rated at 125 hp (93 kW) on the domestic market and 111 hp (83 kW) in the UK. One last option would be the 1.3-liter turbo mill rated at 163 hp (122 kW), available strictly with a six-speed automatic transmission. All versions are strictly front-driven.
The 2020 MG ZS facelift will celebrate its premiere at the Chengdu Motor Show in September.