A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
H1
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ZS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
H1
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2015
2025
Generation
Single generation in South Africa from 2015-2019. The H1 was based on an older Great Wall platform and was discontinued without a direct successor.
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
H1 received a single mid-cycle update in 2017 that brought minor exterior styling refinements and an updated infotainment system. No significant mechanical changes through the model life.
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2017
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current
Body Style
Not confirmed
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
Not confirmed
2024
Production Status
Not confirmed
active
Segment
Not confirmed
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Not confirmed
SUV
Spec
H1
ZS
Length
4002 mm
4314 mm
Width
1740 mm
1809 mm
Height
1567 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2450 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
160 mm
175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
42 l
48 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1770 kg
1695 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
975 mm
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
995 mm
Front Legroom
1020 mm
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
840 mm
850 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not confirmed
Not Officially Disclosed
Boot/Cargo Space
Not confirmed
359 l
Kerb Weight
Not confirmed
1258 kg
Payload Capacity
Not confirmed
437 kg
Towing Capacity
Not confirmed
500 kg
Number of Rows
Not confirmed
2 rows
Spec
H1
ZS
Front Track Width
1490 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1480 mm
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Independent
Rear Suspension
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
-
Steering Column
Tilt Adjustable
-
Front Spring Type
Coil Spring
-
Rear Spring Type
Torsion Bar
-
Front Anti-Roll Bar
Standard
-
Rear Anti-Roll Bar
Standard
-
Shock Absorber Type
Telescopic Gas Dampers
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
Independent
Rear Suspension Type
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
Spec
H1
ZS
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Manual Air Conditioning
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
Front and Rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Automatic Headlamps
Not Available
-
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Dimming Mirror
Not Available
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
1100 l
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
1100 l
-
Rear Window Defroster
Standard
-
Electric Mirror Folding
Manual Fold
-
Driver Seat Height Adjustment
Standard Driver
-
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Not Available
-
12V Accessory Socket
1 x 12V Socket
-
Speed Limiter
Not Available
-
AC Type
Manual Air Conditioning
ETC air conditioning
Engine Start Stop
Not Available
Standard
Engine Start Stop Button
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Spare Wheel
Full Size Spare
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Air Conditioning
Manual Air Conditioning
ETC air conditioning
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Rim Size
15 Inches
17
Sound System
4
6
Unlocking
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charger
Not Available
Not Available
Sunroof
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
H1
ZS
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
GW4G15
NSE
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1497 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Multi-Point Injection
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
73.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
88.3 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
78 kW @ 6000 rpm
84 kW
Maximum Torque
135 Nm @ 4000 rpm
150 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
CVT
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
155 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
13.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
119.24 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
H1
ZS
Engine Position
Transverse Front-Mounted
-
Gearbox
6-Speed CVT
4-Speed Automatic
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
3.94:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
3.2
-
Number of Gears
6
4
Transmission Type
Automatic CVT
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque Converter
Torque converter automatic
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive
Front-wheel drive
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Transmission Speeds
6
4
Drivetrain Layout
Not confirmed
Front-wheel drive
Gear Shift Indicator
Not confirmed
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Not confirmed
Automatic
4WD Engagement
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Low Range Ratio
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Not confirmed
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
H1
ZS
Claimed Mileage
7.0 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
6.8 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
8.2 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
42 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Available
Fuel Tank Litres
42
48
Real-world Mileage
7.0 km/l
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
H1
ZS
Airbags
4
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
2 Rear ISOFIX Points
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
Not Available
-
Central Locking
Remote Central Locking
-
Side Impact Beams
Standard
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front Seats
Standard
Speed Alert System
Standard
-
Pedestrian Detection AEB
Not Available
-
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
Safety Rating
4
-
Whiplash Protection
Active Head Restraints
-
Lane Change Warning
Not Available
-
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Not confirmed
Standard
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Not confirmed
Standard
Driver Airbag
Not confirmed
Standard
EBD
Not confirmed
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not confirmed
Standard
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Not confirmed
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not confirmed
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not confirmed
Standard
Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not confirmed
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
H1
ZS
Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Not Available
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not confirmed
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not confirmed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
H1
ZS
Seat Material
Fabric
PVC + PU
Seat Adjustment
Manual 4-Way Driver Adjustment
-
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Available
Steering Type
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt Adjustable
-
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Available
Folding Rear Seats
60:40 Split Fold
-
Front Armrest
Front Centre Armrest
-
Rear Armrest
Not Available
-
Front Shoulder Room
1190 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1150 mm
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Rear AC Vents
Not Available
-
Rear USB Ports
0
-
Steering Wheel Material
Polyurethane
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue Speedometer
-
Interior Colour Options
2
-
Driver Lumbar Support
Not Available
-
Door Map Pockets
All Four Door Pockets
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not confirmed
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
Not confirmed
PVC + PU
Spec
H1
ZS
Apple CarPlay
No
Standard
Android Auto
No
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
6
Navigation System
No
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
Partial Digital
Not Available
USB Ports
1
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
No
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
No
Standard
FM Radio
Standard
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Not Available
-
Voice Recognition
Not Available
-
AUX Input
Not Available
-
Infotainment Screen Size
7
8-inch
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Not Available
-
Audio Speakers
4
6
Infotainment Screen
7
8-inch
Touchscreen
7
8-inch
Infotainment System
Not confirmed
8-inch touchscreen
Spec
H1
ZS
LED Headlamps
Halogen Headlamps
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Roof Rails
Not Available
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
Steel Wheels with Hub Caps
-
Chrome Exterior Finish
Not Available
-
Body Cladding
Plastic Body Cladding
-
Rear Spoiler
Not Available
-
Exterior Colour Options
6
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Roof Type
Standard Fixed Roof
-
Wing Mirror Type
Manual Black Mirrors
-
Rear Wiper
Standard
-
Door Handle Finish
Body-Coloured
-
Body Type
SUV
-
DRL
Not Available
Standard
Led Headlights
Halogen Headlamps
Standard
Daytime Running Lights
Not Available
Standard
Front Fog Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Headlamps
Halogen Headlamps
Standard
Headlight Type
Halogen Headlamps
Standard
Headlights
Halogen Headlamps
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
H1
ZS
Approach Angle
23 deg
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
27 deg
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
Underbody Protection
Not Available
-
Ramp Breakover Angle
0 deg
-
Recovery Hooks
1 Rear Tow Hook
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max
160 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
160 mm
-
Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
H1
ZS
Tyre Size
195/65R15
215/50R17
Wheel Type
Steel Wheels with Hub Caps
-
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full Size Spare
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Front Brake Disc Diameter
254 mm
-
Rear Brake Drum Diameter
200 mm
-
Parking Brake Type
Drum Rear
-
Tyre Load Index
89
-
Tyre Speed Rating
T
-
Wheel Rim Size
15 Inches
17
Brake Type Front
Ventilated Disc
-
Brake Type Rear
Drum
-
Spare Tyre
Full Size Spare
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Diameter
15 Inches
17
Wheels
Steel Wheels with Hub Caps
-
Handbrake Type
Not confirmed
Mechanical
Spec
H1
ZS
Service Interval
15000
-
Approx Service Cost
1500
-
Battery Warranty
12 Months
-
Maintenance Plan
Not Included
-
Engine Oil Capacity
3.6 l
-
Engine Oil Change Interval
10000
-
First Service At
1000
-
Service Plan Duration
3 Years / 45,000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Service Plan Distance
3 Years / 45,000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Anti-Rust Treatment
Underbody Rust Protection
-
Service Plan
3 Years / 45,000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Service Intervals
15000
-
Spec
H1
ZS
Warranty Years
3 Years / 100,000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
Warranty Kilometers
3 Years / 100,000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
Basic Warranty
3 Years / 100,000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
Warranty
3 Years / 100,000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
Spec
H1
ZS
CO2 Emissions
165 g/km
165 g/km
Start Stop System
Not Available
-
Hybrid System Type
Not Applicable
-
Noise Level
71 dB
-
Variable Valve Timing
Dual Variable Valve Timing (DVVT)
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
95 Octane Unleaded
-
Particulate Filter
Not Applicable
-
Euro Emission Standard
Euro 5
-
Green NCAP Rating
Not Independently Rated
-
Idle CO2 Output
Within Euro 5 Limits
-
Fuel Evaporation Control
Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP)
-
Spec
H1
ZS
Real-world City Mileage Min
5.8 l/100km
-
Real-world City Mileage Max
7.2 l/100km
-
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
7.5 l/100km
-
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
9.0 l/100km
-
Owner Review Count
0
-
Spec
H1
ZS
Ownership Role
Not confirmed
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
Not confirmed
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Not confirmed
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
Not confirmed
309900
Starting Price Zar
Not confirmed
309900
In depth: how these cars differ
This H1 and ZS comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: H1 30 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: H1 35 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: H1 68 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: H1 63 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: H1 44 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 8 points
ZS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while H1 remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
H1
Performance
30/100
Efficiency
35/100
Safety
68/100
Practicality
63/100
Ownership
44/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMG ZS
leads the specification evidence index with 57 pts
vs 49 pts for H1
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ZS leads. However, H1 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 African models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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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