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.
ZS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Vivo Xpress remains close.
Vivo Xpress starts ZAR 9,910 cheaperVivo Xpress from ZAR 279,990 · ZS from ZAR 289,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Maximum Power
Vivo Xpress63 kW @ 5000 rpm
ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque
Vivo Xpress132 Nm @ 3750 rpm
ZS150 Nm
Engine Size
Vivo Xpress1398 cc
ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Vivo Xpress16.9 km/l
ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance
Vivo Xpress143 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.
Volkswagen Vivo Xpress
1.4 63kW Xpress 5MT
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)
Vivo Xpress
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
ZS
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
Vivo Xpress
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ZS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
Second-generation Polo Vivo-derived two-seat city panel van
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
Current locally built Vivo Xpress launched in South Africa in February 2026
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Panel Van
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
active
active
Segment
A0 City Van
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Light Commercial Vehicle
SUV
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Length
3972 mm
4314 mm
Width
1682 mm
1809 mm
Height
1462 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2470 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
143 mm
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
952 l
359 l
Kerb Weight
1063 kg
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1530 kg
1695 kg
Payload Capacity
490 kg
437 kg
Towing Capacity
953 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
2 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
1 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.3 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1004 mm
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
Not Applicable
995 mm
Front Legroom
1042 mm
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Applicable
850 mm
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Engine
1.4-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
CLPA
NSE
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1398 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
Electronic Fuel Injection
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
76.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
75.6 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
63 kW @ 5000 rpm
84 kW
Maximum Torque
132 Nm @ 3750 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
5-Speed Manual
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
177 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
12.2 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
59.3 kW/tonne
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
124.2 Nm/tonne
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
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Gearbox
5-speed manual
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Available
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Electronic Differential Lock
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
3.882:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
5
4
Transmission Type
Manual
Automatic
Clutch Type
Single dry-plate clutch
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Manual
Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
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
Electronic Differential Lock
Not Available
Gearbox Type
5-speed manual
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
5
4
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Claimed Mileage
16.9 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
12.7 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
20.8 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro 4
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Available
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
16.9 km/l
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
45
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Airbags
2
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
ASR
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard on rear side doors
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Applicable
Standard
Brake Assist
Not Available
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Electronic immobiliser
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Not Available
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Electronic immobiliser
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
ASR
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
Vivo Xpress
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
Not Available
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 Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Manual intermittent wipers
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
Reverse Camera
Not Available
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Seat Material
Fabric
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Polyurethane
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual standard front seat
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual standard front seat
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
Iceberg cloth
PVC + PU
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Climate Control
Manually controlled air conditioning
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
Front power windows
Standard
Keyless Entry
Remote keyless entry
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Manual intermittent wipers
Not Available
AC Type
Manually controlled air conditioning
ETC air conditioning
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Infotainment System
9-inch Mirgor radio
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
App-Connect
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Analogue instrument cluster with multifunction display
Not Available
USB Ports
Standard
Standard
Infotainment Screen
9-inch
8-inch
Touchscreen
9-inch
8-inch
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Front fog lights with cornering function
Standard
Roof Rails
Not Available
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Pure White; Ascot Grey; Wild Cherry Red Metallic; Smokey Grey Metallic; Reflex Silver Metallic; Reef Blue Metallic
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Headlights
Not Available
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Approach Angle
13.5 deg
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
19.4 deg
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
Locking Differential
Electronic Differential Lock
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
11.1 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Tyre Size
175/70 R14 84T
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size spare wheel
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Rim Size
14-inch steel
17
Handbrake Type
Manual handbrake
Mechanical
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Front Suspension
Suspension struts and wishbones
Independent
Rear Suspension
Suspension struts toe-correcting torsion beam and trailing-arm axle
Torsion Beam
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
CO2 Emissions
140 g/km
165 g/km
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Service Plan
Optional Volkswagen EasyDrive Service Plan or Maintenance Plan
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Ownership Role
Locally built two-seat urban delivery vehicle
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
279990 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price including VAT and emissions tax
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
279990
309900
Starting Price Zar
279990
309900
Spec
Vivo Xpress
ZS
Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km; engine 5 years / 150 000 km; anti-corrosion 6 years
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Vivo Xpress 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: Vivo Xpress 30 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: Vivo Xpress 65 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: Vivo Xpress 47 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: Vivo Xpress 55 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: Vivo Xpress 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
Vivo Xpress 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
ZS leads by 9 points
ZS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Vivo Xpress remains close.
Performance
ZS +7
Efficiency
Vivo Xpress +10
Safety
ZS +40
Practicality
Vivo Xpress +3
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
Vivo Xpress
Performance
30/100
Efficiency
65/100
Safety
47/100
Practicality
55/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMG ZS
leads the specification evidence index with 57 pts
vs 48 pts for Vivo Xpress
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ZS leads. However, Vivo Xpress 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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