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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
ZS
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
C9 SHS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ZS
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2025
2025
Generation
Current South Africa C9 SHS range
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
active
active
Segment
SUV
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
Not Available
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Length
4775 mm
4314 mm
Width
1920 mm
1809 mm
Height
1671 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2800 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
165 mm
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
140 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
70 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
660 l
359 l
Kerb Weight
2195 kg
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2717 kg
1695 kg
Payload Capacity
522 kg
437 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1005 mm
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
970 mm
995 mm
Front Legroom
1070 mm
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
960 mm
850 mm
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Front Track Width
Not Available
-
Rear Track Width
Not Available
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Independent
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Torsion Beam
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Boot Space Seats Folded
1783 l
-
AC Type
Automatic
ETC air conditioning
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
SQRH4J15
NSE
Fuel Type
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Plug-in Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1500 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Petrol injection
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
14.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
72.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
92.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
Not Officially Disclosed
84 kW
Maximum Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
150 Nm
Combined Power
440 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
915 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous traction motors
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
3
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
3-Speed Automatic
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
4.9 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
13.3 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, Off-Road
No
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
200.5 kW/tonne
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
416.9 Nm/tonne
119.24 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
34.46 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
31.0 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion traction battery
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
322 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
150 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
70 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
5 h 30 min (30-100%)
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
25 min (30-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Gearbox
3-Speed DHT
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
3
4
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Automatic clutch
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Electric
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Electrically controlled AWD using front hybrid drive and rear electric drive with automatic torque management
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
DHT
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
AWD
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
3
4
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Claimed Mileage
71.4 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
12.8 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.9 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
70 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
71.4 km/l
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC fast charging
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
70
48
Combined Driving Range
1100
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
22.7
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Available
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Available
Not Applicable
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Airbags
Multiple airbags
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Seat Material
Leatherette / leather
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Available
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Power
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
Leatherette / leather
PVC + PU
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
8
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
Not Available
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Standard
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
8-inch
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
8-inch
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Standard
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, moonlight silver, grey and other official Omoda market colours where listed.
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Approach Angle
Not Available
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
Not Available
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Standard
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
AWD / 4WD as listed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance Max
165 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
165 mm
-
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Tyre Size
245/50 R20
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Rim Size
245/50 R20
17
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Mechanical
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
CO2 Emissions
Not Available
165 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Service Plan
5 Years / 75 000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Ownership Role
flagship or capability-focused
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
999900 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship or capability-focused
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
999900
309900
Starting Price Zar
999900
309900
Spec
C9 SHS
ZS
Warranty
7 Years / 200 000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This C9 SHS 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: C9 SHS 92 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: C9 SHS 96 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: C9 SHS 94 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: C9 SHS 69 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: C9 SHS not separately scored 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.
Model imagery
C9 SHS and ZS image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
C9 SHS leads by 30 points
C9 SHS has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over ZS.
Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
C9 SHS
Performance
92/100
Efficiency
96/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
69/100
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexOmoda C9 SHS
leads the specification evidence index with 87 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, C9 SHS leads. However, ZS may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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