Battle of the Alphas: MG ZS vs. MG RX5

Battle of the Alphas: MG ZS vs. MG RX5

The return of MG in the country under a new distributorship in 2018 was spearheaded by two promising crossovers that wowed the local market with the class, power, and features that they offer in their price points.

The MG ZS easily became the best-selling MG model in the country with an affordable price tag for its segment. The more expensive MG RX5 has been known for the high-quality features that it offers, which makes it comparable to other, more expensive, SUVs in the market.

Under the hood of the RX5 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 167hp and 250Nm of torque. This is mated to a seven-speed TST with manual tiptronic function. As for the MG ZS, it is motivated by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 112hp and 150Nm of torque. The ZS gets a four-speed automatic transmission with manual tiptronic function.

To ensure the protection of occupants, the MG ZS is equipped with airbags on the front, plus side (via curtain). The RX5 is loaded with additional safety technologies including auto hold function, hill descent control, anti-roll protection, steering wheel return reminder, and auto door lock function, which are not available on the MG ZS.

When it comes to size, the MG RX5 is slightly bigger in dimensions. The RX5 carries the MG’s hexagonal badge on its 18-inch alloy wheels, while the ZS has 17-inch alloy wheels. Both SUVs are equipped with LED daytime running lights and fog lamps.

Although both SUVs are classified as compact, they similarly offer ample space for occupants. The RX5 and ZS both present an elegant interior as they are upholstered with leather-style seats. Drivers will surely enjoy the convenience brought by the multifunction steering wheel that is available on both models. Both vehicles are equipped with an eight-inch touch screen display with USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Multimedia Play connectivity.

If you’re on a budget yet looking for a decent crossover, the MG ZS will be an ideal choice. But, if you desire heightened performance, safety, and functionality, then you should consider the MG RX5.

To further compare these two MG SUVs, here’s a chart that lists down the full specs of their top variants.

SPECIFICATIONS

MG RX5 Alpha

MG ZS Alpha

Overall Length (mm)

4,545

4,314

Overall Width (mm)

1,855

1,809

Overall Height (mm)

1,719

1,648

Wheelbase (mm)

2,700

2,585

Wheel Track (mm)

Front: 1,574

Rear: 1,593

Front: 1,526

Rear: 1,536

Minimum Turning Radius (m)

5.9

5.6

Fuel Tank Capacity (L)

55

48

Gross Vehicle Weight (kg)

1,876

1,720

Engine

1.5-liter Inline-4 DOHC 16V, Turbocharged, Intercooled

1.5-liter Four Cylinder, DOHC 16V DVVT

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Multi-port Fuel Injection (MFI)

Transmission

Seven-speed TST with Manual Tiptronic Function

Four-speed Automatic Transmission with Manual Tiptronic Function

Maximum Power (ps / rpm)

169 / 5,600

114 / 6,000

Maximum Torque (Nm / rpm)

250 / 4,400

150 / 4,500

Emission Standard

Euro 5

Euro 5

Drive Type

Front Wheel Drive

Front Wheel Drive

Suspension System

Front: MacPherson Strut Type

Rear: Independent Multilink

Front: MacPherson Strut Type

Rear: Torsion Beam

Brakes System

Front: Ventilated Disc

Rear: Solid Disc

Front: Ventilated Disc

Rear: Solid Disc

Steering Type

Electronic Power Steering (EPS)

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) with Three Driving Modes

Wheels

18-inch Alloy (Two-tone)

17-inch Alloy (Two-tone)

Tire

235 / 50 R18

215 / 50 R17

Spare Tire

With

With

Front Grille

Chrome-trimmed

Stardust Design

Skidplate

Matte Silver (Front and Rear)

Matte Silver (Front)

Headlamps

Full LED Type

Halogen Projector with Adjustable Beam Height

Follow-Me-Home Headlamp Function

With

With

Daytime Running Lamps

LED Type

LED Type

Fog Lamps

Front and Trim

Front and Rear

Side View Mirror

With LED Signal Lamp

With Turn Signal Lamp

Wiper

Front: Frameless

Rear: Frameless

Front: Frameless

Rear: Standard

Door Sill Metallic Plate

With

Without

Lower Body Slide

ABS Cladding with Matte Silver Molding

ABS Cladding with Matte Silver Molding

Tail Lamps

LED Type

Polaris Design

High-mount Stop Lamp

LED Type

Without

Panoramic Sunroof

With

With

Antenna

Roof-mounted Shark Fin

Roof-mounted Shark Fin

Roof Rail

Matte Silver

Matte Silver

Sun Visors

With Driver and Passenger Vanity Mirrors

With Driver and Passenger Vanity Mirrors

Sunglass Holder

Without

With

Rear View Mirror

Day and Night

Day and Night

Gauge Cluster

Chrome-ringed

Matte Silver

Center Stack Trim

Chrome-ringed

Faux Carbon Fiber

Air Conditioning Vent Trim

Chrome-ringed

Matte Silver

Shift Lever

Interior Color Coordinated

With Chrome Trim

Cup Holders

Dual Front with Cover, Rear Armrest

Front Center Console

Front Armrest

Sliding

Standard

Side Door Panels

Stitched Leather Style

Stitched Leather Style with Silver Trim

Driver Seat

Six-way Power Adjust

Six-way Manual Adjust including Height Adjustment

Passenger Seat

Four-way Adjust

Four-way Manual Adjust

Rear Seats

60:40 Split Folding with Adjustable Reclining Backrest

60:40 Split Folding

Seat Upholstery

Leather Style

MG Leather Style

Map Pockets

Front Seatback

Front Seatback

Cargo Area Lamp

With

With

Multifunction Steering Wheel

Sporty Leather Style with Infotainment Control

Sporty Leather Style with Remote Audio and Info Center Control

Steering Column

Tilt and Telescope

Tilt-adjustable

Remote Keyless Entry

With

Without

Smart Key Passive Entry

With

Without

Push Button Start/Stop Ignition

With

With

Eco Driving Mode Reminder

With

Without

Air Conditioning

Electronic Temperature Control

Electronic Climate Control

Two-touch Fold Flat Rear Seats

With

Without

Electric Parking Brake

With

Without

Power Side View Mirrors

With Heated Mirror Function

With Heated Mirror Function

Power Windows

One Touch Up/Down Function with Anti-pinch (Driver Window Only)

One Touch Up/Down Function with Anti-pinch (Driver Window Only)

Rear Air Conditioning Vents

Center Console, Floor Tunnel

Without

12V Accessory Outlet

Front and Trunk

Front

USB Port

With

With

Remote Control Trunk Unlock

With

Without

Entertainment System

Eight-inch Touch Screen with USB, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, and Multimedia Play

Eight-inch Touch Screen with MP3, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, and Multimedia Play

Speakers

6

6

3D Sound Effect

Without

With

Airbags

Front and Side

Front, Side, and Curtain

Seatbelts

Front: Three-point ELR with Pretensioner, Load Limiter, and Height Adjust

Rear: Three-point ELR

Front: Three-point ELR with Pretensioner

Rear: Three-point ELR

Seatbelt Reminder

Driver

Driver and Passenger

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

With

With

Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)

With

With

Cornering Brake Control (CBC)

With

With

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

With

With

Hill Hold Control (HHC)

With

With

Auto Hold Function

With

Without

Hill Descent Control

With

Without

Anti-roll Protection

With

Without

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

With

With

Steering Wheel Return Reminder

With

Without

Engine Immobilizer

With

With

Alarm System

With

With

Reversing Camera

With

With

Rear Parking Sensor

With

With

Auto Door Lock Function

With

Without

Child Lock

With

With

Isofix Child Seat Mounting Point

With

With

Available Body Colors

Sol Blue, Ruby Red, Elegant White, Knight Silver, and Pearl Black

Moon White, Meteorite Black, Scottish Silver, Extreme Speed Red, Electro-optic Orange, and Laser Blue

Price

P1,298,888

P998,888

 

Photos from MG Philippines

Hazel Nicole Carreon

Hazel Nicole Carreon

Hazel is a news and feature writer for ZigWheels Philippines. She studied communication at De La Salle Lipa, where she was exposed to writing about various topics, which later has become her passion and now her career.

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