MG ZS vs Toyota Yaris Cross

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the MG ZS at 5 stars (2025) and the Toyota Yaris Cross at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2021). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 81% for the MG ZS and 86% for the Toyota Yaris Cross, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the MG ZS, against 5 on the Toyota Yaris Cross.

Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the MG ZS and 8 in the Toyota Yaris Cross.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The MG ZS features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Yaris Cross gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

Drivetrain

The MG ZS uses a Petrol producing 81kW and 140Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.

The Toyota Yaris Cross responds with a 1.5L 3-cyl Hybrid making 85kW and 120Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.8 seconds.

The Toyota Yaris Cross has the clear power advantage at 85kW vs 81kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The MG ZS measures 4,430mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 250mm longer than the Toyota Yaris Cross at 4,180mm (2,560mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG ZS generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 443L in the MG ZS and 390L in the Toyota Yaris Cross, giving the MG ZS a 53L advantage.

For towing, the MG ZS leads with a 500kg braked capacity vs 400kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Toyota Yaris Cross's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the MG ZS costs about $1,910 a year (6.7 L/100km) and fuel for the Toyota Yaris Cross about $1,083 a year (3.8 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $827 a year less for the Toyota Yaris Cross.

Warranty: 10 years / 250k km (MG ZS) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Yaris Cross).

Where each one leads

The MG ZS: the lower starting price ($22,990 against $31,790), the bigger boot with the seats up (443L against 390L), the longer warranty (10 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (500kg against 400kg).

The Toyota Yaris Cross: more power (85kW against 81kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,083 a year against $1,910).

The Verdict

Toyota Yaris Cross scores higher, 77 vs 73

The Toyota Yaris Cross scores 77 to the MG ZS's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Toyota Yaris Cross ahead by 25 points), reliability (Toyota Yaris Cross ahead by 6 points), technology (Toyota Yaris Cross ahead by 3 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Yaris Cross costs about $827 less (3.8 L/100km against 6.7 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 443L in the MG ZS, 390L in the Toyota Yaris Cross. Warranty: 10 years on the MG ZS, 5 on the Toyota Yaris Cross.

Common questions