Test Drive the new MG ZS Hybrid+ at O'Brien Motor Group

MG was founded in the 1920s and it turns out there is plenty to roar about when it comes to their new range.

I drove the handsome MG ZS Hybrid+ away from O'Brien Motor Group in Mullingar and beyond for a test drive. The comfort and style has the feel of something akin to an opulent leather armchair. Discussing driving this model could prove difficult, such was its delightful simplicity.

The car world is moving to automatic, to hybrid, and drivers will be contending with a whole host of new factors to consider when discussing their next vehicle.

With new gadgets and features galore in the car market, the operation of the MG ZS is brilliant and incredibly easy to adapt to regardless of experience, which can’t be said across the board in this department.

A quick run-through of what to know and you’ll be off on a test drive of your own. The experts over at MG know what they are doing, but the best advice I could offer is that the best way to sell these models is to get people into them because I certainly found it difficult to climb out after my test run.

Price

• MG HS Plug-in Hybrid - €40,995
• MG ZS Hybrid+ - €28,995
• MG3 Hybrid+ - €23,995
• MG4 EV Standard Range - €30,995 (or €26,995 with discount)

The price for any model in this range is super impressive and undoubtedly a by-product of a competitive market place. The how or why of that price will be irrelevant to the buyer and the value here speaks for itself with the comfort and quality on offer to stand up to any vehicle at this price point and well above.

I took this model for a spin with no prior knowledge of the price and was pleasantly taken aback to hear what it was going for afterwards. The comfort and space was second to none with not a bad seat on offer.

Drive

Most cars drive in the same way that most athletes run, but there is something beyond that in both, where the best seem to glide across the ground.

My test drive sampled a national road, town centre, and rural road to get a true sense of what the MG ZS will be taken to in a typical Irish setting and the results were phenomenal.

The follow-up is good too with this vehicle boasting a 100kW electric motor and 75kW combustion engine delivering more power and low emissions with just 115g/km of CO2 (far lower than a comparable petrol car).

In terms of drive tech, the reversing camera is among the best that I have seen in terms of its visual relay of your surroundings and where to position your car when parking or otherwise.

The guiding lines on screen make your understanding of distance and the degree to which you are turning super easy to comprehend. There are collision avoidance features and active emergency braking, as well as adaptive cruise control features to simplify your experience.

Interior

The interior of this model is sleek and unfussy. Dashboards and interiors are hopefully headed back to the direction the MG ZS has already reached, with everything you need at your fingertips without clutter or oversized, distracting screens.

You have charging points, cup holders, and all your tech needs to hand without having to fiddle and take your attention away from what is most important (the road).

This display falls on the right side of the most critical question I ask when it comes to a dashboard. Is this an aid to me or a distraction? I am happy to report that the former is true.

Now, back to what is in front of you, the steering wheel is rarely a point of note, but this model has a super responsive and comfortable helm. The slim and sturdy construction allows for a simple swoosh in whatever direction you are headed. Perhaps something you never knew you needed until you hold one.

Whether it is up front, at the back, or in the boot, The MG ZS has ample space for you and anything (or anyone) that is coming with you.

Exterior

I’m going to have to reuse a superlative here because there is no better description for this model than handsome. It's powerful face carries itself with certainty and, once again, this is a department where you don’t have trade off for practicality.

This is a sizable vehicle and key to maintaining a strong aesthetic is ensuring that you avoid something looking clunky and uncoordinated, MG have done so here.

The MG ZS is available with six eye-catching colours, as well as standard, metallic, and tri-coat options to look the part.

Use

What is the best use of the MG ZS? In this scenario, the world is your oyster and whatever it is you need is this car's best use. There is the space available for many and enough style for just you.

Once again the distance is up to you and this Hybrid can take you on whatever type of journey you’re headed on in style. Long term, MG will offer a full seven-year or 150,000km warranty.

You can take a look, and a drive, for yourself at O'Brien Motor Group in Mullingar.

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