MG ZS Essence 2018 review

It's definitely got looks going for it. The exterior design is one of the best in its class, and provides sophistication in a compact SUV that delivers style-wise, with a cool grille up front and curved lines at the back end. Then there's that MG logo which hasn't changed a bit and I love that you flip it to open the boot. Points.

It's definitely got looks going for it.

Inside looks good on first glance, but peer a bit closer and you'll see where they have budgeted on finishes to get the price down. The doors and dash are a tad plasticky. But the rest of it has been designed quite well, with a neat centre console that is clearly set out and easy to use, a leather steering wheel and leather look seats - note, I tested the car in winter so these seats seemed fine, but I'm not sure how they'll fare with bare legs in summer.

There is also a huge sunroof which you won't see in this price range anywhere else, and it lets in lots of lovely natural light and extends to the back row.

There's that MG logo which hasn't changed a bit and I love that you flip it to open the boot. Points.

Inside the MG ZS you'll get a fair bit more space than some of its smaller competitors. There was plenty of room in the front for both me and my 185cm husband, and it didn't feel like we were cramped together as we were in the Kona.

You'll have trouble squashing a third carseat in the middle but it's a small SUV, that's to be expected across the category.

The back also had lots of room for my two children aged four and six. They travelled comfortably over the week, and weren't close enough to cause unnecessary bickering in the backseat. You'll have trouble squashing a third carseat in the middle but it's a small SUV, that's to be expected across the category.

The boot is a decent size, at 359 litres it's about on par with a Kona, and a fair bit bigger than a Mazda 3's (308L) and CX-3's (350L). You'll get a pram in there, but I would always test your particular pram because every one is different. It will easily fit a full load of groceries and is a decent height off the ground to lift them in and out.

The boot is a decent size, at 359 litres.

Storage is fairly average across this category; some small SUVs have a lot and some others have barely any. The MG ZS is somewhere in between, with a spot to throw keys and a phone, an uncovered, very shallow centre storage area and two cupholders in the front. There are no cupholders in the back but you will get a bottle holder in each door.

Inside looks good on first glance, but peer a bit closer and you'll see where they have budgeted on finishes to get the price down.

There are no air vents for the back row but that isn't unusual in this category and price range - the theory is the car is small enough to be well ventilated from the front, and the heater certainly worked well enough for the children this week.

Opening the boot via the MG badge was a treat and something I'd expect in a more expensive car. (It's something clearly 'inspired' by the VW boot badge opener.)

There is a huge sunroof which you won't see in this price range anywhere else, and it lets in lots of lovely natural light and extends to the back row.

There's an 8.0-inch multimedia screen with a fun, bright resting face which really lifts the whole of the car's interior. You can plug in for Apple CarPlay, but there's no Android Auto, so if you're an Android user you will have to rely on the car's own tech which does not include sat nav. CarPlay users however, will enjoy linking their phone to the multimedia system with the simple plugging in a USB cable and being able to use the main apps from their phone like maps and Spotify, and also use voice control to make phone calls and send text messages.

The MG ZS Essence comes in at $23,990. Fuel consumption is 6.7 litres/100km which is higher than average for a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo engine, but is about on par with the Ford EcoSport.

MG offers a seven-year/unlimited km warranty, which is a great offer and in line with what Kia offers. It might also alleviate any concerns that should anything break, you can get it fixed. The car will need to be serviced every six months or 10,000kms, whichever comes first.