MG has launched its ZS compact SUV in the UK, with prices starting from £12,495.

In Excite and Exclusive trim levels the car, which has a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty, comes with three power-assisted steering modes – urban, normal and dynamic – which are designed to give the driver complete control over their ride.

While urban steering offers a lighter and quicker response at low speeds and when parking, the dynamic mode is designed to increase the steering effort, deliver a higher damping effect and increase the centre definition at medium and high vehicle speeds.

Customers can choose from a 1.5 DOHC VTI-tech, four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual gearbox, or a 1.0 GDI turbocharged, three-cylinder version of the engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Standard equipment inclues an eight-inch touch sensitive infotainment screen is supported by DAB radio (on the Exclusive and Excite models), while Bluetooth hands-free and remote central locking is available across the range.

Cruise control is also included, while air conditioning comes as standard on Excite and Exclusive models, and satellite navigation and a rear camera are standard on the Exclusive variant.