Verdict
The MG ZS costs RM103,900, RM2,900 below the RM106,800 Proton X70, yet brings 7 airbags, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Its 168 hp and 275 Nm trail the X70’s 178 hp and 290 Nm, however, and the Proton is the more practical C-segment SUV: it is 102 mm longer, has a 60 mm longer wheelbase and a 515-litre boot versus 443 litres. The ZS suits the Malaysian buyer prioritising active safety, warranty cover and a panoramic sunroof; choose the X70 for cabin and luggage space.
Pick the MG ZS if active safety equipment, a seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty and a lower RM103,900 entry price matter more than outright space.
Pick the Proton X70 if you need the larger 515-litre boot, stronger 178 hp/290 Nm output and a multi-link rear suspension.
Key differences
- Price: MG ZS RM103,900; Proton X70 RM106,800.
- Output: MG ZS 168 hp and 275 Nm; Proton X70 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Size: MG ZS is 4,430 mm long with a 2,610 mm wheelbase; Proton X70 is 4,532 mm long with a 2,670 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space and fuel tank: MG ZS 443 litres and 55 litres; Proton X70 515 litres and 60 litres.
- Kerb weight and rear suspension: MG ZS 1,390 kg with torsion beam; Proton X70 1,575 kg with multi-link.
- Safety and warranty: MG ZS has 7 airbags and a 7-year unlimited-mileage warranty; Proton X70 has 6 airbags and a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
ZS
- RM2,900 cheaper.
- MG Pilot ADAS includes autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
- Seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty and panoramic sunroof.
- 443-litre boot is 72 litres smaller.
- 168 hp and 275 Nm fall short of the X70’s 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus the X70’s multi-link layout.
X70
- 515-litre boot and 60-litre fuel tank.
- 178 hp and 290 Nm.
- Multi-link rear suspension and contactless powered tailgate.
- Costs RM2,900 more.
- Six airbags versus seven in the MG ZS, with no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed.
- Five-year warranty is two years shorter.
What the ZS has over the X70
What the X70 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 X70's wheelbase is 60 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the X70: 515 litres against 443.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,900✓ | RM106,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,060/mo✓ | RM1,090/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,981✓ | RM3,056 |
| 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, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 168 hp | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 275 Nm | 290 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | CVT with 8 Virtual Ratios | 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission with Manual Mode |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Geely |
| 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 | 4,532 mm |
| Width | 1,818 mm | 1,831 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,694 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,390 kg | 1,575 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 443 litres | 515 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 17 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 12 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| 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 | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For 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 Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat, Front Seat Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding, Adjustable Headrests | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Purifier System & Air Ionizer |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Electric Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front 12V, 4 USB (2 Front, 1 Rear-view Mirror, 1 Rear) | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | LED Front Reading Lights, Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Boot Light | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | — | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen, 6 Speakers, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, FM/AM Radio | 12.3" Touchscreen Atlas OS Infotainment System with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, eSIM, Voice Control and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, One-touch Up/Down Driver, One-touch Down Passengers | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, Auto Door Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control (Intelligent Cruise Assist) | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Tailgate | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 4 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 & X70 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Proton X70
ZS vs X70 FAQ
Is the MG ZS or Proton X70 better?
The MG ZS is the better safety-led buy, with 7 airbags, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a seven-year warranty. The Proton X70 is better if its 515-litre boot, larger body and extra 10 hp and 15 Nm are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Proton X70 costs RM2,900 more than the MG ZS. Both are locally assembled petrol SUVs and have RM120 annual road tax.
Which SUV has the bigger boot?
The Proton X70 has the bigger boot at 515 litres, 72 litres more than the MG ZS’s 443 litres. Its 60-litre fuel tank is also 5 litres larger than the MG’s 55-litre tank.