MG is Back in South Africa After 8 Years

South Africans familiar with the century-old MG brand will be happy to know that it’s back in the country after an eight-year absence from the local vehicle market. The marque is kicking things off with three distinct models that have already enjoyed huge success in other countries, including a dual-electric motor beast in the form of the speedy MG Cyberster coupé.

So, what can motorists expect from the brand in 2025? Let’s take a closer look at MG’s new owners, its exciting model lineup, and its plans to electrify the local motoring scene.

Who Manufactures MG Vehicles?

Founded in the 1920s, MG was the brainchild of Cecil Kimber, a manager at Morris Garages in Oxford, England. You might recognise the Morris name from Morris Motors, the company that famously introduced the world to the Morris Minor compact car in the late 1940s.

MG went on to become a holding of Morris Motors, but in the decades since, the marque has changed hands several times. Between 1968 and 1990, British Leyland manufactured the MGB and sold several Austin Rover models under the MG name. Then, in 1992, British Leyland sold the brand to BMW, which created the mid-engined MG F, which became mildly successful.

In 2000, BMW sold the brand to the MG Rover Group, which introduced us to models like the MG TF roadster, MG ZR hatchback, and the MG ZT executive car. However, since 2009, MG has been controlled by SAIC Motor, a Chinese manufacturer based in Shanghai. It launched the first new MG model in 16 years, the MG6, in 2011, and in 2016, it shifted all manufacturing operations to China.

Despite initial international scepticism, the MG brand was a smash hit in the Chinese market, and as of 2023, nearly 90% of MG sales have been outside China. Now known as MG Motor, the brand offers a range of SUVs, electric vehicles, and an all-electric sports car.

Meet MG’s New Cars

MG Motor has unveiled three vehicles in the South African market: the ZS and HS crossover SUVs and the Cyberster all-electric sports coupé. Let’s take a closer look.

MG ZS

Front exterior view of MG ZS

The MG ZS is a medium-sized SUV offered in two derivatives. Both are powered by a 1.5 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 84 kW of power and 150 Nm of torque, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The SUV’s biggest selling point is its frugal fuel consumption, which stands at just 7.1 l/100km. Both the Comfort and the Luxury derivatives boast rear parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control, and six airbags. However, while the Comfort has cloth seats and a four-speaker sound system, the Luxury model comes with leatherette upholstery and a six-speaker sound system.

Reports suggest that the second-generation MG ZS will make its way to South Africa at some point in 2025, but it will likely be sold alongside its predecessor as a “ZS Pro” hybrid model.

MG HS

Exterior view of MG HS

MG is jumping right in with the MG HS SUV, bringing the second-generation model to our shores with all its new bells and whistles. It might be smaller than the ZS, but it packs a whole lot more punch thanks to a turbocharged 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine that produces 125 kW and 275 Nm.

That’s a lot of grunt for a compact SUV, paired with a silky seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Even with all that extra power, it uses less fuel than the ZS, sipping just 6.9 l/100 km.

The HS ships with seven airbags, rear parking sensors, front and rear collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert with automatic braking, and some other high-tech safety features.

The interior boasts two 12.3-inch screens, leather upholstery, and a 360º camera system. The Luxury model gets an eight-speaker sound system, front parking sensors, heated front seats, and wireless smartphone charging. Best of all, it also comes with a panoramic sunroof!

MG Cyberster

Exterior view of the MG Cyberster

People would be very disappointed if MG stopped manufacturing sports cars entirely. That’s why the brand launched the MG Cyberster, a beautiful all-electric two-seater powered by a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors. All told, it produces 375 kW of power and 725 Nm of torque – crazy numbers for a virtually unheard of vehicle.

The all-wheel drive system rockets the car from 0-100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, with a top speed of 208 km/h. Drivers can expect a range of up to 443 km on a single charge. Getting in and out is a stylish affair with the scissor doors, and, when you want to enjoy the weather, you can simply drop the roof in a matter of seconds.

How Much Do New MG Cars Cost in South Africa?

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for MG’s new range:

MG ZS 1.5 Comfort 4AT – R289,900
MG ZS 1.5 Luxury 4AT – R309,900
MG HS 1.5T Comfort 7DCT – R499,900
MG HS 1.5T Luxury 7DCT – R534,900
MG HS 2.0T Comfort 9AT – R629,900
MG HS 2.0T Luxury 9AT – R665,900
MG Cyberster – R1,399,900

All variants come with a five-year/200,000 km warranty. The ZS and HS benefit from a further seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on the engine, while the Cyberster’s electric setup is backed by a seven-year/250,000 km warranty.

The Cyberster has the best service plan, offering five years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first. Meanwhile, the ZS comes with a five-year/60,000 km service plan, and the HS gets a five-year/90,000 km option.

The pricing of the SUVs poises MG as a potential disruptor in South Africa, especially relative to other Chinese brands. And, while many buyers will be hard-pressed to pay so much for the Cyberster, it’s a spicy alternative to some other locally available roadsters.