The MG ZS small SUV range in Australia has been expanded with the introduction of a new, more affordable entry-level variant for the 2026 model year. The entry price has been reduced by $2,000, returning the popular crossover to its value-driven roots.
After less than 18 months on sale in its second-generation form, the MG ZS range has been reshuffled, with the introduction of a naturally aspirated 1.5L Vibe grade.
2026 MG ZS pricing and variants
MG’s new base variant is priced at $22,990, which is available as a “celebration offer” until February 28, 2026.
| Variant | Drive-away Price | Drive-away price(until Feb 28, 2026) |
| MG ZS Vibe | $24,351 | $22,990 |
For MY26, the MG ZS lineup has been streamlined and now spans petrol and hybrid powertrains, with some previously offered variants dropped along the way.
MG is currently listing:
- Vibe and Essence with a turbocharged 1.5L petrol engine
- Excite and Essence with a 1.5L Hybrid+ system
- New Vibe with a naturally aspirated 1.5L petrol engine
The turbocharged Vibe and naturally aspirated Essence from the MY25.5 lineup are no longer available, while the short-lived naturally aspirated Excite had already been discontinued earlier.
2026 MG ZS Vibe standard equipment highlights
Despite its sharper price, the new base-model MG ZS Vibe comes well equipped by segment standards, including:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 3.5-inch digital instrument cluster
- 4-speaker sound system
- Push-button start
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- Polyurethane steering wheel
- Fabric seat upholstery
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
The entry-level MG ZS Vibe also receives the brand’s full suite of active safety and driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera, and rear parking sensors.
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Where the base MG ZS Vibe misses out
To hit its aggressive price point, the naturally aspirated Vibe does forgo some features found on higher-spec MG ZS models. It misses out on climate control air-conditioning (replaced by manual air-conditioning), uses a traditional gear shifter, and lacks premium features such as:
- LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Built-in satellite navigation
- Surround-view camera
- Rear air vents
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Those features are reserved for the Essence Turbo and the MG ZS Hybrid+ variants.
2026 MG ZS performance & specs
Powering the new entry-level MG ZS is a naturally aspirated 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine producing 81kW and 140Nm, which is down 44kW and 135Nm compared with the turbocharged 1.5L alternative.
Unlike the previous-generation MG ZS 1.5L, which used a 4-speed automatic transmission, the MY26 model adopts a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
| Specifications | MG ZS Vibe |
| Engine | 1.5L Petrol |
| Power | 81kW |
| Torque | 140Nm |
| Transmission | Continuously-variable transmission |
| Fuel consumption | 6.7L/100km |
Fuel consumption is rated at 6.7L/100km on the combined cycle, making it 0.2L/100km more efficient than the turbo model. Crucially for budget-focused buyers, it also runs on 91-octane regular unleaded fuel, rather than requiring 95 RON premium.
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Market context and sales pressure
The arrival of the new 1.5L Vibe comes at a critical time for the MG ZS nameplate. After 4 consecutive years at the top of the segment, the MG ZS lost its crown as Australia’s best-selling small SUV in 2025.
Hyundai’s Kona took the title with 22,769 sales, ahead of the MG ZS on 20,000 units. Chery’s Tiggo 4 narrowly edged past MG as well with 20,149 sales, while the GWM Haval Jolion closed in with 19,413 units.
MG says the new Vibe is aimed at “reinforcing its position within the compact SUV segment with a proudly value-focused entry variant”.
A return to MG ZS roots
In many ways, the MY26 ZS Vibe marks a return to form for MG. The previous-generation ZS ended its run priced at $23,990 drive-away, albeit with significantly less standard safety equipment than today’s model.
With a lower entry price, improved fuel efficiency, modern safety tech, and cheaper fuel requirements, the new 2026 MG ZS Vibe looks designed to claw back lost ground in Australia’s fiercely competitive small SUV segment.
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