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.
RD6 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.
ZS starts ZAR 457,600 cheaperRD6 from ZAR 747,500 · ZS from ZAR 289,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
RD6
ZS
Maximum Power
RD6180 kW
ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque
RD6309 Nm
ZS150 Nm
Engine Size
RD6Not Applicable
ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
RD6Not Applicable
ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance
RD6225 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.
RIDDARA RD6
Econ 2WD Pro 63 kWh
Hagalu editorial rating
4.2/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
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
RD6
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
ZS
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
RD6
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 prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
RD6
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
First South African RIDDARA RD6 generation
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
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
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Electric double-cab pickup
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Battery-electric light commercial vehicle
SUV
Spec
RD6
ZS
Length
5260 mm
4314 mm
Width
1900 mm
1809 mm
Height
1865 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
3120 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
225 mm
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
1200 l
359 l
Kerb Weight
2005 kg
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3120 kg
1695 kg
Payload Capacity
1115 kg
437 kg
Towing Capacity
2500 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.1 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1033 mm
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
1028 mm
995 mm
Front Legroom
912 mm
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
951 mm
850 mm
Spec
RD6
ZS
Engine
Battery-electric powertrain
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
NSE
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1498 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
180 kW
84 kW
Maximum Torque
309 Nm
150 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Rear
Not Applicable
Drive Type
RWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
160 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
8.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Economy, Comfort, Sport
No
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
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
63 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
373 km (NEDC)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
90 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
10 h 0 min (0-100%)
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
32 min (30-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
RD6
ZS
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Rear motor, rear-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Single fixed reduction ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
1
4
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Electronic selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
RWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
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
Not Applicable
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
4
Spec
RD6
ZS
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
48 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
48
Combined Driving Range
373 km (NEDC)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
16.2 kWh/100 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
250 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
330 km
Not Applicable
Spec
RD6
ZS
Airbags
2
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
Indirect
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
No
Not Available
AEB
No
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
No
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
No
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
No
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
RD6
ZS
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
No
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
No
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
No
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
No
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
No
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
No
Not Available
Auto Wipers
No
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Park Assist
No
Not Available
Around View Monitor
No
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
No
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
No
Not Available
Spec
RD6
ZS
Seat Material
Synthetic leather (PVC)
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
No
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Foam
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather (PVC)
PVC + PU
Spec
RD6
ZS
Climate Control
Automatic
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
One-touch down on all four windows; no anti-pinch
Standard
Keyless Entry
No
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
No
Not Available
Sunroof
No
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Electric tailgate release
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
No
Not Available
AC Type
Automatic
ETC air conditioning
Spec
RD6
ZS
Infotainment System
8-inch central display
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
No
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full digital instrument cluster
Not Available
USB Ports
Standard
Standard
Infotainment Screen
8
8-inch
Touchscreen
8
8-inch
Spec
RD6
ZS
LED Headlamps
No
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
No
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
White, Black, Grey
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Headlights
No
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Standard
Spec
RD6
ZS
Approach Angle
23 deg
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
26 deg
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
500 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
Locking Differential
No
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
16.0 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
RD6
ZS
Tyre Size
225/65 R17
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
T145/80 R18
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Rim Size
17
17
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Mechanical
Spec
RD6
ZS
Front Suspension
MacPherson independent
Independent
Rear Suspension
Multi-link independent
Torsion Beam
Spec
RD6
ZS
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
165 g/km
Spec
RD6
ZS
Service Plan
3 years/60000 km; maintenance every 12 months/20000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
RD6
ZS
Ownership Role
Electric double-cab utility and lifestyle derivative
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
747500 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail derivative
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
747500
309900
Starting Price Zar
747500
309900
Spec
RD6
ZS
Warranty
5 years/150000 km vehicle; 8 years/200000 km high-voltage battery, motor and motor-control unit
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This RD6 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: RD6 69 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: RD6 90 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: RD6 43 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: RD6 87 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: RD6 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
RD6 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
RD6 leads by 14 points
RD6 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
RD6
Performance
69/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
43/100
Practicality
87/100
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRIDDARA RD6
leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RD6 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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