Verdict
The HR-V is the cheaper, petrol choice at RM115,900, while the ZS EV asks RM126,629 and swaps the 1.5-litre 119 hp/145 Nm CVT setup for a 174 hp/280 Nm motor and 51.1 kWh battery. That RM10,729 gap is not just fuel type: the MG is much quicker to 100 km/h, has a 448-litre boot, curtain airbags, blind spot info and a 360-degree camera. The Honda counters with a higher 186 km/h top speed, Malaysia CKD assembly, a space-saver spare and its ULTRA Seat.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want the lower purchase price, petrol refuelling, a space-saver spare and the added rear-seat flexibility of its ULTRA Seat.
Pick the MG ZS EV if you want EV drive, stronger acceleration, a bigger boot and more listed safety and convenience kit.
Key differences
- Price: Honda HR-V RM115,900; MG ZS EV RM126,629
- Output: Honda HR-V 119 hp/145 Nm; MG ZS EV 174 hp/280 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Honda HR-V 12.1 seconds; MG ZS EV 8.0 seconds
- Boot space: Honda HR-V 335 litres; MG ZS EV 448 litres
- Size: Honda HR-V 4,347/1,790/1,591 mm; MG ZS EV 4,323/1,809/1,625 mm
- Safety kit: Honda HR-V has driver, passenger and front side airbags with no blind spot info; MG ZS EV adds front and rear curtain airbags plus blind spot info
HR-V
- RM10,729 cheaper to buy
- Higher 186 km/h top speed
- ULTRA Seat and a space-saver spare
- Slower 12.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 335-litre boot
- Fewer airbags and no blind spot info
ZS EV
- Stronger 174 hp/280 Nm motor
- Quicker 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 448-litre boot, 360-degree camera and panoramic glass roof
- Costs RM10,729 more
- Lower 170 km/h top speed
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 115,900✓ | RM 126,629 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | — |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | — |
| Torque | 145 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 73 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| 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 | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | 8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,323 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,625 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,585 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres | 448 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Michelin Primacy 3 ST |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 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 | 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-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, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 Front, 4 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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.
HR-V vs ZS EV FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or MG ZS EV better?
On paper, the MG ZS EV gives more pace, boot space and safety kit. The Honda HR-V makes more sense if the lower price, petrol refuelling, ULTRA Seat and space-saver spare matter more.
What is the price difference?
The MG ZS EV costs RM126,629, while the Honda HR-V costs RM115,900. That makes the MG RM10,729 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the Honda HR-V or MG ZS EV?
The MG ZS EV is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. The Honda HR-V takes 12.1 seconds, though it has the higher top speed at 186 km/h versus 170 km/h.