Verdict
Just RM100 separates these CKD B-segment SUVs: the GAC GS3 costs RM103,800 and the MG ZS RM103,900. The GS3 brings 177 hp, a 2,650 mm wheelbase and a claimed 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time, so it is the numbers-led choice. But the MG answers with 275 Nm, a much larger 443-litre boot, seven airbags instead of two, and a seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty. For most Malaysian buyers, the ZS’s safety, cabin kit and luggage advantage outweigh the GS3’s extra 9 hp.
Pick the GAC GS3 if its 177 hp output, 2,650 mm wheelbase and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h claim matter more than a larger boot and fuller safety kit.
Pick the MG ZS if you want seven airbags, a 443-litre boot, powered front seats and seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty cover for RM100 more.
Key differences
- Price: GAC GS3 RM103,800; MG ZS RM103,900.
- Engine output: GAC GS3 177 hp and 270 Nm; MG ZS 168 hp and 275 Nm.
- Wheelbase: GAC GS3 2,650 mm; MG ZS 2,610 mm.
- Boot space: GAC GS3 341 litres; MG ZS 443 litres.
- Airbags: GAC GS3 2; MG ZS 7.
- Warranty: GAC GS3 5 years/150,000 km; MG ZS 7 years/unlimited mileage.
GS3
- 177 hp from its 1.5-litre turbo engine.
- Longer 2,650 mm wheelbase.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Only two airbags against the MG ZS's seven.
- 341-litre boot is 102 litres smaller.
- Five-year/150,000 km warranty is shorter than seven-year unlimited-mileage cover.
ZS
- Seven airbags and MG Pilot ADAS 2.5 functions including rear cross traffic alert and door opening warning.
- 443-litre boot and 55-litre fuel tank.
- Powered front seats, panoramic sunroof, rear air vents and 12.3-inch touchscreen.
- 168 hp is 9 hp down on the GAC GS3.
- 2,610 mm wheelbase is 40 mm shorter.
- At 1,390 kg, it is 20 kg heavier than the GS3.
What the GS3 has over the ZS
What the ZS has over the GS3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the ZS: 443 litres against 341.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,800✓ | RM103,900 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,060/mo | RM1,060/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,978✓ | RM2,981 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | — | RM2,746 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM13.73 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM29,236 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 1.5-litre Turbocharged Four-cylinder |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 168 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm | 275 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | CVT with 8 Virtual Ratios |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.9 L/100 km |
| Co2 | — | 161 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,430 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,818 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,610 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | 1,390 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 443 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 215/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Electric Power Steering |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point, Front and Rear Outer with Pretensioners and Load Limiters |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats, 3 Top Tethers |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | — | MG Pilot ADAS 2.5: Speed Limit Recognition with Overspeed and Limit-change Warnings, Front Collision Alert, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Intelligent Headlamp Control, Direct TPMS, Auto Hold, Hill Descent Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED, Auto with Intelligent Headlamp Control (Auto High Beam) and Follow Me Home |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | 6-way Powered Driver's Seat with Manual Lumbar, 6-way Powered Passenger Seat, Ventilated, Perforated Leatherette |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding, Adjustable Headrests |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Electric Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front 12V, 4 USB (2 Front, 1 Rear-view Mirror, 1 Rear) |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | LED Front Reading Lights, Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Boot Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 12.3" Touchscreen, 6 Speakers, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, FM/AM Radio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, One-touch Up/Down Driver, One-touch Down Passengers |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation, Auto Door Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control (Intelligent Cruise Assist) |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Tailgate |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | Yes |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree HD Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MG iSMART connected-car app, 3 drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport), electronic gear lever, heated and auto-folding door mirrors, 12V socket, rear parcel tray |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5 years free maintenance (early-bird offer) |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used GS3 & ZS for sale
Our reviews & guides
GAC GS3
GS3 vs ZS FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 or MG ZS better?
The MG ZS is the better all-round buy at this price because it has seven airbags, a 443-litre boot and seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty coverage. Choose the GAC GS3 for its 177 hp output, longer wheelbase and stated 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 is RM103,800 and the MG ZS is RM103,900, so the MG costs just RM100 more.
Which has the bigger boot, GAC GS3 or MG ZS?
The MG ZS has the bigger boot at 443 litres, compared with 341 litres in the GAC GS3. That is a 102-litre advantage for the MG.
