Honda Amaze vs MG ZS

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Honda Amaze in South Africa

Honda Amaze

1.2 Comfort CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 289,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 66 kW 🔧 110 Nm ⛽ 18.2 km/l
VS
MG ZS in South Africa

MG ZS

1.5L 4AT Luxury Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 309,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 84 kW 🔧 150 Nm ⛽ 14.08 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Honda Amaze vs MG ZS: the short answer

ZS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Amaze remains close.

Amaze starts ZAR 35,000 cheaper Amaze from ZAR 254,900 · ZS from ZAR 289,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Amaze ZS
Maximum Power Amaze66 kW ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque Amaze110 Nm ZS150 Nm
Engine Size Amaze1199 cc ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Amaze18.2 km/l ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance Amaze170 mm ZS175 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Honda Amaze

1.2 Comfort CVT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

MG ZS

1.5L 4AT Luxury

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Amaze

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

ZS

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

Amaze

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

ZS

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Amaze ZS
Model Introduced Year 2018 2025
Generation Based on Honda’s compact car platform optimized for affordability, efficiency, and ease of use Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History Introduced in South Africa as a practical entry sedan with minor updates over time in features and safety Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan Five-door compact SUV
Color Note White, Silver, Grey, Red, Blue -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2024
Production Status active active
Segment Sedan Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 954 kg -
Vehicle Type Sedan SUV
Spec Amaze ZS
Length 3995 mm 4314 mm
Width 1695 mm 1809 mm
Height 1498 mm 1624 mm
Wheelbase 2470 mm 2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 170 mm 175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 170 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 35 l 48 l
Boot/Cargo Space 420 l 359 l
Kerb Weight 954 kg 1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1380 kg 1695 kg
Payload Capacity 426 kg 437 kg
Towing Capacity 900 kg 500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.9 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 1043 mm
Rear Headroom 920 mm 995 mm
Front Legroom 770 mm 1070 mm
Rear Legroom 920 mm 850 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Amaze and ZS comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Amaze 26 vs ZS 37.

Efficiency index: Amaze 69 vs ZS 55.

Safety-equipment index: Amaze 50 vs ZS 87.

Practicality index: Amaze 56 vs ZS 52.

Ownership-cover index: Amaze 43 vs ZS not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

ZS leads by 9 points

ZS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Amaze remains close.

Evidence leader 57 /100
Lead 9 points
Data 73% source coverage
57
#1 Evidence leader

ZS

73% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 55
Safety 87
Practicality 52
Leads by 9 points
48
#2

Amaze

86% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 69 Check Performance 26
Performance 26
Efficiency 69
Safety 50
Practicality 56
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance ZS +11 Efficiency Amaze +14 Safety ZS +37 Practicality Amaze +4

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

ZS

Performance 37/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 52/100

Amaze

Performance 26/100
Efficiency 69/100
Safety 50/100
Practicality 56/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index MG ZS leads the specification evidence index with 57 pts vs 48 pts for Amaze

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ZS leads. However, Amaze may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Amaze vs ZS questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.