MG NZ reintroduces non-turbo ZS $25,990 range opener

Damien O’Carroll

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  • A naturally aspirated 1.5-litre MG ZS returns for 2026 as the cheapest ZS variant.
  • The Vibe will be priced from $25,990 and produces 81kW and 140Nm.
  • The existing 1.5 Vibe Turbo variant is being be renamed Excite Turbo.

MG Motor New Zealand has confirmed the return of the naturally aspirated MG ZS 1.5 Vibe for the MY26.5 model year, positioned as the most affordable entry in the ZS lineup, with pricing starting from $25,990.

The reintroduction of the naturally aspirated Vibe model comes just months after MG dropped an entry-level non-turbo model (the ZS Excite) from its range in January this year, effectively replacing it with the $27,990 Vibe Turbo.

MG Motor New Zealand has reintroduced a naturally-aspirated ZS model to its range.

Speaking of the Vibe Turbo; the introduction of the naturally-aspirated Vibe will see the Turbo being renamed the Excite Turbo. Got that? The Vibe Turbo that replaced the Excite is being renamed the Excite Turbo and will be replaced as a range-opener by the naturally-aspirated Vibe. Perfectly simple.

The new MG ZS Vibe is equipped with a 1.5-litre engine producing a maximum power output of 81kW and 140Nm of torque, and features 16-inch alloy wheels and halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights.

The naturally-aspirated Vibe packs an 81kW/140Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

On the inside, the Vibe packs a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while in terms of safety it gets the full MG Pilot Safety Suite that includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The current MG ZS range acheives a full 5-Star NCAP safety rating, and MG expects the Vibe to retain that, saying it's safety technology is "designed to achieve a 5-star rating."

“MG ZS Vibe is about making life simple,” said Dean Sheed, Country Business Manager of MG Motor New Zealand.

The naturally-aspirated model joins the turbocharged and Hybrid+ models in the ZS range.

"It’s a car designed for people who want great value, modern technology and 5-star safety peace of mind, without overcomplicating things. The return of ZS Vibe strengthens our promise of offering accessible mobility for Kiwis."

The new entry-level Vibe joins a broader ZS range in New Zealand that includes both petrol turbo and Hybrid+ powertrain options. As with all new MG vehicles, the ZS Vibe is backed by a 10-year warranty, provided the vehicle is serviced within the brand’s nationwide dealer network.