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Ford Focus vs MG ZS

What's the difference?

VS
Ford Focus
Ford Focus

$19,990 - $42,888

2021 price

MG ZS
MG ZS

$22,990 - $30,990

2025 price

Summary

2021 Ford Focus
2025 MG ZS
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 3, 1.5L

Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

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Fuel Efficiency
6.4L/100km (combined)

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Seating
5

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Dislikes
  • Optional advanced safety
  • Better tyres would be nice
  • Too many optional colours

  • Underpowered engine
  • Not the most fuel efficient engine in the range
  • Sunroof means cabin heats up fast in summer
2021 Ford Focus Summary

Ford's small hatch, the Focus, is criminally under-bought in Australia. The latest model is  one of the best hatchbacks on the road and when you chuck in the decent price, impressive equipment and absurdly powerful engine for its size, it's a winner.

But you lot? You don't buy it in nearly the kinds of numbers it deserves. Partly because there isn't a bait-and-upsell boggo model to lure you in, partly because it's got a badge that is not exciting Australians any more and partly because it's not a compact SUV.

Or is(n't) it? Because alongside the ST-Line warm hatch is the identically priced and therefore technically a co-entry level model; the Focus Active. Slightly higher, with plastic cladding, drive modes and a conspicuous L on the transmission shifter, it's a little bit SUV, right?

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2025 MG ZS Summary

MG is far more popular as a Chinese-owned brand than it was as a British sports car maker.

The company now makes cars that appeal to a wider range of people, especially those looking for an affordable way into electric vehicles. As part of that broad appeal the company also makes regular petrol cars like the one tested here - the MG ZS Essence.

That’s right, we’re not testing the electric version of the MG ZS, nor the hybrid variant. Not even the one with the turbo. Our ZS is the ordinary petrol version in the mid-level Essence grade. Could it be the pick of the lot? Well… you’ll know soon.

First, who are the ZS’s rivals? The ZS is a small SUV and competes against the likes of the GWM Haval Jolion, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. Having tested all of them we can say the ZS does some things better but also struggles to match a few of the other qualities of its rivals.

Oh, and don’t confuse the MG ZS with the MG HS. The HS is bigger and a mid-sized SUV, while the ZS is a small SUV. Got it?

Read on and we’ll take you through the strengths and weaknesses of the ZS Essence.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Ford Focus 2025 MG ZS

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