Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 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.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 904,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 133 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 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

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport vs MG ZS: the short answer

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

ZS starts ZAR 500,090 cheaper Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990 · ZS from ZAR 289,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Pajero Sport ZS
Maximum Power Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm ZS150 Nm
Engine Size Pajero Sport2442 cc ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Pajero Sport12.3 km/l ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance Pajero Sport218 mm ZS175 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Pajero Sport

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

ZS

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

Pajero Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

ZS

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Pajero Sport ZS
Model Introduced Year 2017 2025
Generation Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History South African facelift launched in May 2025. Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since Current specification 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Five-door compact SUV
Model Year 2026 2024
Production Status active active
Segment Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV Compact SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle SUV
Spec Pajero Sport ZS
Length 4825 mm 4314 mm
Width 1815 mm 1809 mm
Height 1805 mm 1624 mm
Wheelbase 2800 mm 2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 218 mm 175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 190 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 68 l 48 l
Boot/Cargo Space 193 l 359 l
Kerb Weight 2080 kg 1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2775 kg 1695 kg
Payload Capacity 695 kg 437 kg
Towing Capacity 2850 kg 500 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 3 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1022 mm 1043 mm
Rear Headroom 957 mm 995 mm
Front Legroom 1067 mm 1070 mm
Rear Legroom 880 mm 850 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Pajero Sport 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: Pajero Sport 65 vs ZS 37.

Efficiency index: Pajero Sport 49 vs ZS 55.

Safety-equipment index: Pajero Sport 72 vs ZS 87.

Practicality index: Pajero Sport 71 vs ZS 52.

Ownership-cover index: Pajero Sport 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.

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

Pajero Sport leads by 8 points

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

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 83% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

Pajero Sport

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 65
Efficiency 49
Safety 72
Practicality 71
Leads by 8 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 Pajero Sport +28 Efficiency ZS +6 Safety ZS +15 Practicality Pajero Sport +19

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Pajero Sport

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 71/100

ZS

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 57 pts for ZS

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

Pajero Sport 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.