Verdict
At RM99,900, the Toyota Yaris Cross is RM4,000 cheaper, 240 kg lighter and has a 471-litre boot, 28 litres more than the MG ZS. It is the practical lower-entry choice, with a powered tailgate and front parking sensors. The RM103,900 ZS answers with far stronger outputs: 168 hp and 275 Nm against 105 hp and 138 Nm, plus a 55-litre tank, ventilated powered front seats and a panoramic sunroof. Its seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty also runs two years longer. Both are CKD B-SUVs with CVTs, front-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels.
Pick the MG ZS if 168 hp, 275 Nm, a 55-litre tank and a seven-year warranty matter more than the RM4,000 saving.
Pick the Toyota Yaris Cross if you want the lower RM99,900 entry price, a 471-litre boot and powered tailgate.
Key differences
- Price: MG ZS RM103,900; Toyota Yaris Cross RM99,900.
- Power and torque: MG ZS 168 hp and 275 Nm; Toyota Yaris Cross 105 hp and 138 Nm.
- Kerb weight: MG ZS 1,390 kg; Toyota Yaris Cross 1,150 kg.
- Boot space: MG ZS 443 litres; Toyota Yaris Cross 471 litres.
- Fuel tank: MG ZS 55 litres; Toyota Yaris Cross 42 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: MG ZS seven years/unlimited mileage; Toyota Yaris Cross five years/unlimited mileage.
ZS
- 168 hp and 275 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo motor.
- Ventilated, powered front seats and a panoramic sunroof.
- Seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Costs RM4,000 more.
- 443-litre boot is 28 litres smaller.
- At 1,390 kg, it is 240 kg heavier.
Yaris Cross
- RM99,900 price is RM4,000 lower.
- 471-litre boot and powered tailgate.
- At 1,150 kg, it is 240 kg lighter.
- 105 hp and 138 Nm trail the MG ZS by 63 hp and 137 Nm.
- 42-litre fuel tank is 13 litres smaller.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty is two years shorter.
What the ZS has over the Yaris Cross
What the Yaris Cross has over the ZS
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The ZS is 48 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,900 | RM99,900✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,060/mo | RM1,020/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,981 | RM2,877✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,746 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM13.73 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM29,236 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1.5-litre Turbocharged Four-cylinder | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 168 hp✓ | 105 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 275 Nm✓ | 138 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 72.5 mm × 91.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT with 8 Virtual Ratios | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 6.9 L/100 km | — |
| Co2 | 161 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,430 mm | 4,310 mm |
| Width | 1,818 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,390 kg | 1,150 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 42 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 443 litres | 471 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R18 | 215/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R18 | 215/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Steel 195/65R16 Tyre |
| Factory Tyres | — | Toyo Proxes R61 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Electric Power Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point, Front and Rear Outer with Pretensioners and Load Limiters | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats, 3 Top Tethers | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | MG Pilot ADAS 2.5: Speed Limit Recognition with Overspeed and Limit-change Warnings, Front Collision Alert, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Intelligent Headlamp Control, Direct TPMS, Auto Hold, Hill Descent Control | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED, Auto with Intelligent Headlamp Control (Auto High Beam) and Follow Me Home | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Powered Driver's Seat with Manual Lumbar, 6-way Powered Passenger Seat, Ventilated, Perforated Leatherette | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Adjustable Headrests | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Electric Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12V, 4 USB (2 Front, 1 Rear-view Mirror, 1 Rear) | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | LED Front Reading Lights, Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Boot Light | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen, 6 Speakers, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, FM/AM Radio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 4-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, One-touch Up/Down Driver, One-touch Down Passengers | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, Auto Door Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control (Intelligent Cruise Assist) | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Tailgate | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree HD Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | MG iSMART connected-car app, 3 drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport), electronic gear lever, heated and auto-folding door mirrors, 12V socket, rear parcel tray | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5 years free maintenance (early-bird offer) | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used ZS & Yaris Cross for sale
Our reviews & guides
ZS vs Yaris Cross FAQ
Is the MG ZS or Toyota Yaris Cross better?
The Yaris Cross is better for the lower price, bigger boot and powered tailgate. The MG ZS is better if performance, a larger fuel tank, ventilated front seats and a longer warranty are higher priorities.
What is the price difference?
The MG ZS costs RM103,900 and the Toyota Yaris Cross costs RM99,900, so the MG is RM4,000 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Toyota Yaris Cross has the larger boot at 471 litres, compared with 443 litres in the MG ZS. That is a 28-litre advantage.
