GWM P300 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.

GWM P300 in South Africa

GWM P300

2.4T LT 2WD 9AT Diesel Current
ZAR 599,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 135 kW 🔧 480 Nm ⛽ 13.5 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

GWM P300 vs MG ZS: the short answer

P300 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.

ZS starts ZAR 125,050 cheaper P300 from ZAR 414,950 · ZS from ZAR 289,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification P300 ZS
Maximum Power P300135 kW ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque P300480 Nm ZS150 Nm
Engine Size P3002400 cc ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy P30013.5 km/l ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance P300224 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.

GWM P300

2.4T LT 2WD 9AT

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)

Specification evidence leader

P300

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

ZS

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

P300

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

ZS

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec P300 ZS
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2025
Generation Current South African P300 listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. 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 Double-cab pickup Five-door compact SUV
Body Type Cab Pickup -
Color Note Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering. -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.4T LT 2WD 9AT -
Model Year 2026 2024
Production Status published active
Segment Pickup Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 2070 kg -
Vehicle Type Pickup SUV
Spec P300 ZS
Length 5416 mm 4314 mm
Width 1934 mm 1809 mm
Height 1886 mm 1624 mm
Wheelbase 3230 mm 2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 224 mm 175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 78 l 48 l
Boot/Cargo Space 450 l 359 l
Kerb Weight 2070 kg 1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3120 kg 1695 kg
Payload Capacity 1050 kg 437 kg
Towing Capacity 3000 kg 500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.0 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm 1043 mm
Rear Headroom 960 mm 995 mm
Front Legroom 1050 mm 1070 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm 850 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This P300 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: P300 71 vs ZS 37.

Efficiency index: P300 57 vs ZS 55.

Safety-equipment index: P300 not separately scored vs ZS 87.

Practicality index: P300 80 vs ZS 52.

Ownership-cover index: P300 65 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

P300 leads by 12 points

P300 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 69% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

P300

69% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Practicality 80 Check Efficiency 57
Performance 71
Efficiency 57
Practicality 80
Ownership 65
Leads by 12 points
57
#2

ZS

73% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 55
Safety 87
Practicality 52
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance P300 +34 Efficiency P300 +2 Practicality P300 +28

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

P300

Performance 71/100
Efficiency 57/100
Practicality 80/100
Ownership 65/100

ZS

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM P300 leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 57 pts for ZS

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, P300 leads. However, ZS may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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P300 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.