2022 MG ZST (Turbo)
You can never have enough options. That’s the plain truth of the matter. MG (Morris Garages) Philippines proves that point by expanding their subcompact crossover lineup to five with a new turbo variant simply called the ZST (the T stands for turbo).
Out of the five color palettes is this St. Moritz Blue that is extremely easy on the eyes and is exclusive to this variant. It stands out over all the other MG models and even against other competition on the road. That says a lot about this color and the people from MG PH who choose which ones to offer locally.
There is no difference in shape and design between the plain ZS and the turbo variant. It has the same subcompact crossover body (although it honestly looks like it is one size bigger) and still comes with a front-wheel-drive layout.
It shares the roof rails, the expansive panoramic sunroof, the shark’s fin antenna, the rear spoiler, LED daytime running lamps, and the black body cladding with its siblings. The bumper design is different for the ZST, and it also has upgraded exterior equipment like LED projector headlamps, LED taillights, new 17-inch wheels, and the new obsidian matrix grille.
Differences between the ZS and the ZST aren’t a lot, but it is impressive how the latter stands out much more. The color makes an impact of course, but so do these subtle aesthetic improvements, and that is not an easy thing to do. I love its design and the simplicity of it all.
Compared to keyfobs of most China-made vehicles, the ZST’s is slimmer and more ergonomic. Push a button on the door if you have the keyfob and it will either lock or unlock. I like how sensitive it is as well. If the key is just a few inches outside of the doorframe, the engine won’t start.
The cabin’s layout is similar to the ZS, but the fit and finish feel are more premium. Plus, this variant comes with leather (seats, cockpit, steering wheel, door panels) and more soft-touch surfaces. There are unique and identical silver trims on the dashboard and door panels, which show uniformity, although it’s weird that the side air vents differ from those in the middle.
Instead of an analog instrument panel, the ZST has a digital monitor with large vivid fonts and graphics. The multi-information display interface is unique, so it’ll take a few seconds to get oriented with the data about the locks, lights, doors, etc. It has a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth that sends audio to six speakers.
Front seats are multiway power-adjustable, six for the driver and four for the passenger. Surprisingly, these are not very snug, but at least they feel highly plush.
The interior is very spacious for a subcompact crossover. There is plenty of headroom, and five adults will fit comfortably. There are three USB ports in front, two at the rear, and even additional vents in the second row. The cargo area uses a height-adjustable floor, which offers plenty of loading options.
A 1.3-liter turbocharged, dual-port injection engine puts the T in the ZST. Initial acceleration is understandably mellow, but when it begins to breathe deep and revs higher, the turbo and the 230 Nm of torque kick in. Its 163 PS allows it to stay below 2,000 RPM even at 106 km/h, which is good for fuel economy. The six-speed automatic transmission gets flustered in traffic and on/off humps but is otherwise smooth. Mileage is a very efficient 12.5 km/l in mixed driving conditions.
There is a bit of noise under the hood because of the imbalance caused by the three cylinders. It’s only evident when the door or window is open. Otherwise, noise, vibration, and harshness levels are very low. It is so good that it even muffles the sound of its own horn.
The ride is very comfortable, and the suspension easily handles road imperfections and gnarly humps. It is very stable on the highway, and its combo of power and size makes it very agile and maneuverable in the city and on SLEX.
It is hard to nitpick when you’re in a vehicle this good. Worse because there’s still that and-then-there’s-more part. It comes in at a very budget-friendly price of P1,158,888 million. Aside from the engine noise, there’s very little to complain about. This model is compact yet spacious, efficient but has power, and best of all, very affordable.
The people behind MG Philippines really know how to pick ‘em, and they sure have another good one in their hands. If you liked its sibling and are now looking for an upgrade, or if you’re just looking for your next vehicle, put the ZST very high on your list.