MG ZS ZS11 ZST (2020-2024)

In my experience, the ZST Vibe is a neat little car. I do about 800km mostly motorway driving each week (Currently at 75k). It feels smooth on the motorway and will easily increase from 70 to 100 unless you are going uphill. I find it sluggish if I want to take off in a hurry, the engine needs a moment before it responds but if you're just… Read more

cruising around town then it feels comfortable. I'm getting 6.5L/km but mostly motorway driving. The engine developed a ticking noise almost straight away that the mechanics 'can't hear'. I would rate the entertainment system a 2/5, sure it works but not without it often disconnecting or freezing. I know the resale value will be low, disappointing for me as I bought during Covid when prices were around $5k dearer than they are now but hopefully I can get many years out of it before that happens.

Very easy to drive. This car has a lot of get up and go. No turbo lag to the 1.3 litre engine. Great on long trips and very economical. 6.9l/100km. Used everyday for mainly commuting to and from work with short stints on the motorway. Servicing is done every 10000km. Show details

25000 MG.ZST. 1.3. Turbo. No problems but turbo lag spoils the experience. Yesterday drove a kia seltos. And a vw. T.Cross..500ks between the two. Considering price I will stick with my less than perfect mg. Good dealer in Canberra.

Unreliable engine – Not a very good car. Won't recognise acceleration and lag in power

Medium experience – Has anyone else experienced clicking when going around a round about like a light click but enough to notice i turn left click i turn right click what is this ? Show details

Problem – Hi we brought a brand new 2024 mg zst essence had it for about 3 months and the digital speedometer display screen has shut down all other electronics work in the car except the speedometer screen has anyone else had this happen before

Purchase advise – Looking at buying theMG ZST, but only see poor reviews. Any good positive reviews.

GO ELSEWHERE!!! – Car has had several issues since I bought new in 2022. More concerning is the complete lack of customer care provided by the dealer (Trinity Auto, Cairns - go elsewhere, seriously!), and MG. NO CONTACT DETAILS provided on MG webpage, and no way to contact anyone but a ridiculous automated chat function. Does anyone have a way to contact these rude people, because I am at my wit's end trying to get warranty help!!! Show details

Grinding "metal on metal" sound on a COLD START – I have a 2024 2 Month old MG ZST 1.5 LTR VIBE. Upon first start up of each and every day, it sounds like metal on metal. Every start up after the first start is normal.......hence no grinding sound. Does anyone have the same issue? Show details ·  1

MG zst 2023 bad experience – Car struggles on take off, had transmission replaced after driving to and from work locally for nine months then car was in the mechanic for 5 months due to no specialist MG mechanic to find issue with car and parts having to be shipped from china no loan car provided until we went to fair trade commission. New transmission and still issues, but… Read more

have been told must break down before can fix it again. We may have just received the lemon of the batch but highly recommended not buying one of these cars, customer service of MG was not a good experience, do not believe the sales pitch it took fair trade getting involved for us to get a resolution.

New car – Purchased from MG Gosford such great value for money quiet comfortable packs a incredible punch for 25k .Amazing service from Fred the salesperson very respectful and not pushy ,have done 1 big trip already

Lemon - 24 core – I purchased my vst core last month. It’s been towed twice due to different issues and still in workshop as we speak. The dealership in parramatta is ignoring my calls and emails. At 9 days old my car wouldn’t start. When it did I had 11 faults flashing across the screen. I got the car home which was scary - it wouldn’t excelerate after being… Read more

stopped at a stop sign correctly which left my 3 children and I terrified. They replaced the relay and had to reset modules ? I was told by the technician there should be a national recall on this part yet mg will replace it by complaint only. The car does not have traction and is a hazard to drive. The reason it is in the work shop now is intermittent crunching on the breaks. I could be rolling forward in traffic one metre and driving 2kms an hour and it crunches and shudders, or I could be slowing from 100kms and it does the same thing. Drivers side. It’s intermittent and in my 70km daily one way trip to work it can happen 4 times or 1, I never know. Mg called today and said their tech did not hear the noise driving it around the block, and would like me to go with them to point out the noise I hear, that they cannot. I explained it’s not sound that would or could be missed and when it happens they will certainly know about it, it’s no discreet in the slightest. I was in a belly laugh when the lady from service suggested that perhaps I “brake differently” from the mechanics. I assured her after driving for as many years as I have, and owning several cars.. my braking is not the issue. I have an absolute dangerous lemon and I want my money back

2023 MG ZST Core after 1 Year – Our MG ZST Core is exactly 1 year old today and is utterly reliable, covering 8,800 kilometers. Not a thing has gone wrong; no funny noises, hiccups, nothing. We opted for the ZST with the additional Pilot safety systems as soon as the 360-degree camera showed just how close our garden stone wall was to the drive! The other systems, too numerous… Read more

to mention, offer reassurance but the active cruise control deserves mention. It is both simple to use and holds speed accurately even when going down steep hills. Lane keep assist can be turned off permanently, thank heavens! A brief history. Car delivered 21 May 2023 with 95RON fuel as requested. It was immediately booked in for a lube service 4 days later for fresh oil and filter. Early oil changes were once common and is still considered good practice by engine builders to remove debris that is left behind when an engine is built as well as metal that will have been scraped off the rubbing surfaces, pistons, rings and bearings, etc. And I have always done lube services every 6 months. Engines are expensive but fresh oil is way cheaper. A read of the Owner’s Manual informs that there is a 1,500K running in period. Be gentle and not exceed 3,000 revs, which we complied with. It is my practice to always run new vehicles in on Shell V Power fuel. I believe that this excellent fuel assists in keeping combustion smooth and the few dollars spent are well worth it. After the 1,500Ks were up, only 95RON has been used and I can only say that it continues to be smooth and copes with our hilly locality far better than the 91RON fueled test drive car that we did our evaluation in. So, my recommendation is to simply use 95RON in any modern car. It’s really the new regular and your car will love you for it. The reported hesitancy on takeoff was almost eliminated with the better fuels and has now disappeared with the engine noticeably freer. These engines seem tight when new and just get better with age and good fuel. We don’t have actual fuel consumption data, but the readout is in the 8s which is good for our hilly urban terrain and the short trips plus the air conditioning set colder as my wife prefers. The Chinese Maxxis M&S tyres are acceptable with good road holding in the wet even on an acute angle turn onto the local 90K bypass. It just goes around, no dramas. But we haven’t had any emergency stops, so emergency adhesion is unknown. However, at 35psi front and 33 rear the ride is acceptable on these stiff walled tyres. The road holding is excellent with a well planted front that is responsive with very good damping that was only found slightly wanting at 100K+ in a depression in the road. Brakes work well with a good feeling too. The car also does without Auto Stop Start to stop the engine when halted in traffic. I love this because I know that the essential coolant and oil are always circulating, and both the battery and starter motor will lead a normal life without premature unexpected failure. A common reason why cars are seen stranded at traffic lights nowadays according to a roadside mechanic that I spoke to. And the reason why we had a premature engine failure in another car. Burnt oil residue clogged tiny oil strainers and galleries. So, in summary, a great little car that our granddaughter looks forward to chauffeuring nanny around in when she gets her Ls with a promise that she can use it for her Ps. If in doubt, just buy one. We don’t regret it and I don’t think that you will either. Enjoy.

Great Car for a compact SVU – I have a 2021 MG ZST Excite. The car was a treat to myself and overall I've been pretty happy. Yes every now and then the tech screen blanks out for a few minutes and after a service it can take up to 2 week to get the trophy system back. I love the push button start and the size if great with plenty of space. Fuel efficiency leaves a bit to be… Read more

desired but it is a great car. Just recently though it seems to be quite loud when driving which is a total mystery i am top scared to ask them to look at it as i know they will want my car for a day. I will never take it to MG for a service again as i have had to take it back for small issues like resetting the service reminder.

Poor fuel economy – We have a 2023 MG ZST. published fuel economy figures (litres/100km) are city 8.9, Highway 5.8 and combined 6.9. After approximately 4 months of driving, we took the car back to MG Brisbane at Gympie Road to tell them that the combined fuel consumption on the last tank of fuel was no where near the stated figures. Our average reading was… Read more

12.2. Typically a 20km city journey, which are a combination of some 60km and some slower traffic, would be 13.5. The salesman commented that the car had only travelled 8,00kms and “the published fuel economy figures are never achieved”. More dangerously was the intermittent lack of acceleration from a standing start. I was told there was nothing they could do and told me go the MG service centre. I visited the centre and was told that both my concerns were common. I was further told that I was using the wrong fuel, and I should be using 98 despite the literature, salesman and stickers inside the fuel cap saying I should use 91. I agreed to book the car in for a service and trial two fuel tanks of 98. When I took the car back, after a further 2 months, fuel economy had not changed dramatically. We did a long journey from Brisbane to Bergara and the fuel economy was 8.5. The service centre said that the actual fuel consumption was not to far of the published figures !!!! They could not diagnose the lack of acceleration and I should take it back the next time it happens. I explained several times that the acceleration issue was intermittent but again advised I would monitor further. I requested an email confirmation that the car should be using 98 so tha5 I do not invalidate the warranty. I have yet to receive this confirmation.

In short poor fuel economy and poor customer service, I would not recommend buying a MG ZST.

Lemon – Has many problems. Slow to accelerate making it dangerous entering traffic, gear system issues, touch screen is very slow to respond. Engine is too small for a car this size. Several other issues around electrics. Show details

Value for Money – We have had the MG ZST Core for about 4 months now. I'm impressed with the feature set and technology. It is a good size for a family of 3. Show details

PERFECT SUV – Unreal amount of space in the back. Really good fuel economy. Will not find another vehicle like this for this price Show details

Good car overall, just quirks in electronics – Turbo model is fast and zippy, easy to manoeuvre. Only have issues with electronics, headlights kept turning on in daylight, rain wiper sensor not working, speed sign detection needs to be turned on each time, settings don't save. Occasional grinding sound heard & felt under the car happened about 3 times will need to have checked out. Suspension is not great, Good fuel efficiency Show details

This cars IT tech is a troublesome itself – Bought car last year in July. Had problem with driver side door opened up 3 times from lock while driving got it fixed. Still its IT tech troubles screen jams, cruise control won't turn on. GPS navigation left behind and gives wrong turns. Show details

Great budget car with high end technology and features – We have had the MG ZST Core for about 4 months now. I'm impressed with the feature set and technology. It is a good size for a family of 4. I personally wouldn't go for the higher end models. The real value for money is in the Core. Also it has cloth seats which I prefer in hot weather. Entertainment system suites me well. The power isn't… Read more

amazing, but in test drives with Kia in the same range and higher it outperformed. I would suggest testing as many cars in the price range and come to your own conclusion. I found the ZST had a nicer interior than most. Kias felt a little basic inside.

Good car with a couple of annoying quirks – Purchased March 2022 as town car. The main issue is it often has a hesitancy or stall when accelerating from a stop. This is dangerous if you try to merge or cross a line of traffic when you think you have a sufficient time/distance margin. Initially I took it back to the dealer after a month and was told that I have to use 95 octane. When I… Read more

told him that they had supplied the car with a full tank and the label on the fuel filler flap says I can use 91 he wasn't aware of it. Using 95 octane there is a general improvement although it is still hesitant at times. There is also a tendency to minor surging when driving around town.

I bought this model because of MG Pilot features as the "order" was that the car must have keyless entry. I have another vehicle with the same features. The Forward Collision Avoidance has already saved an accident when a car pulled out of a driveway directly in front of her.

The other issues are MG Pilot related. Firstly, the car does not have an ambient temperature display. MG have advised that there is no sensor for it - only on the turbo models. It seems a very cheap and simple fix to include it. Also the Speed Sign Identification feature is deficient in that it has to be menu-reset every time you start the car which is a strange way to implement it.

Overall I am satisfied with the car. It is good value – seven year warranty - drives well around town and on medium trips (has 1500km after 7 months). And as mentioned by Adrian you don’t have to haul yourself up to get out of it. Pity there is no action about what could be termed as minor fixes for the issues I have mentioned.

I love my car and I take great care of it – I use my car from home to work and commuting family transport. I use my car everyday. I always service my car on time when it indicates service time. I have had no issues and no issues has been mentioned. Show details