The MG ZS doesn’t suffer under any fashionable ‘crossover’ bodystyle definition and so, while it’s not outwardly particularly large, it offers better interior space than some of its competitors.
This is a car that will easily transport four adults in relative comfort, offering more than enough in the way of cabin space so as to assuage any concerns about unwanted bodily contact with your fellow passenger. Our tape measure took typical rear leg room at an impressive 730mm, with second-row head room coming in at 910mm. Respectively, that’s 70mm more and 10mm less than the Kona Electric (a car we criticised for its shortage of outright passenger space), and a mere fraction behind the excellent Kia e-Niro.
Boot space is very good by class standards. With 470 litres of seats up capacity (22 more than in the regular MG Motor ZS), it outstrips both the Kia and the Hyundai – the former by 19 litres and the latter by a considerable 138 litres. A split-level ‘variable’ boot floor makes a small underfloor compartment available where charging cables can be stashed, while there are also two useful cubbies in the recess behind each rear wheel arch. The cabin isn’t without its share of handy storage solutions either.
But while the MG makes a pretty strong case for itself with regards to purely utilitarian usability, it doesn’t set any new benchmarks in terms of visual or tactile material appeal. Superficially, its combination of glossy black and chrome-like plastic surfacing has some level of allure, but closer investigation of the car’s fixtures and fittings doesn’t yield a particularly solid feel.