Verdict
The Chery Tiggo Cross is the cheaper conventional SUV at RM88,800, while the RM126,629 MG ZS EV asks RM37,829 more for electric drive. The MG has the stronger numbers: 174 hp and 280 Nm from its motor, 320 km range, plus a 448-litre boot. The Chery counters with a 145 hp/210 Nm 1.5 turbo, a longer 2,610 mm wheelbase, rear side airbags and front parking sensors. Both are China CBU B-segment SUVs with RM120 road tax, so the decision is more about charging access than size.
Pick the Chery Tiggo Cross if you want the lower-priced petrol SUV, rear side airbags, front parking sensors and wireless phone mirroring.
Pick the MG ZS EV if you want electric drive with 174 hp, 280 Nm, 320 km range and the bigger boot.
Key differences
- Powertrain: 1,498 cc turbo petrol with 6-speed wet DCT vs single-motor EV with 51.1 kWh lithium-ion battery
- Output: 145 hp/210 Nm vs 174 hp/280 Nm
- Boot space: 380 litres vs 448 litres
- Size: 4,318/1,830/1,670 mm vs 4,323/1,809/1,625 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,610 mm vs 2,585 mm
- Fuel/charging: 51-litre petrol tank vs Type 2 7 kW AC and CCS 50 kW DC charging
Tiggo Cross
- Lower purchase price than the MG ZS EV
- Rear side airbags; the MG does not list them
- Front parking sensors: 4 sensors versus none
- No EV range, AC/DC charging or V2L; the MG has 320 km range, 7 kW AC, 50 kW DC and 2.5 kW V2L
- Smaller boot: 380 litres versus 448 litres
- No lane-keeping assist; the MG has steering correction
ZS EV
- Stronger motor output: 174 hp/280 Nm versus 145 hp/210 Nm
- Larger boot: 448 litres versus 380 litres
- 320 km EV range with 50 kW DC charging and 2.5 kW V2L
- Costs RM37,829 more to buy
- No rear side airbags; the Chery includes them
- No front parking sensors; the Chery has 4
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 88,800✓ | RM 126,629 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 145 hp | — |
| Torque | 210 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 77 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 174 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 51.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 320 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed DCT | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,318 mm | 4,323 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,625 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,585 mm |
| Weight | 1,468 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 380 litres | 448 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV, GitiComfort F22 | Michelin Primacy 3 ST |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear seats | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 4 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 120 |
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.
Tiggo Cross vs ZS EV FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo Cross or MG ZS EV better?
Neither wins everywhere. The Chery Tiggo Cross is the sensible pick on price, rear side airbags and front sensors; the MG ZS EV is better if you want electric drive, more torque, 320 km range and the larger 448-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The MG ZS EV costs RM37,829 more than the Chery Tiggo Cross.
Which has more boot space?
The MG ZS EV. It has 448 litres of boot space against 380 litres in the Chery Tiggo Cross, a 68-litre advantage.