MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV is a mid-size electric SUV. It was among the first premium electric SUVs in the country, competing with the Hyundai Kona Electric. Other options at a slightly lower price point include the new Tata Nexon EV and the Mahindra XUV400.

MG has continuously updated the ZS EV. In 2020, the claimed range was 340km. In 2021, it went up to 419km. The manufacturer updated the battery pack in 2022, giving the MG ZS EV a claimed range of 461km. Despite the improvements in range, a new look (borrowed from the MG Astor) — the price hasn't gone up by much.

Let’s take a closer look at what the MG ZS EV has to offer.

Looks

The ZS mostly looks like the Astor. If you want to be subtle about your eco-friendliness, the ZS EV makes it easy. The LED daytime running lights are sharper, designed to mimic the London Eye, and the rear lights have a more technical appearance with LED blocks spreading out over the brake lights. The previous grille with small holes and a hidden charging port have been replaced. Now, there's a solid grille with a charging port door that's much more noticeable. It is also easier to reach because the door opens to the side, giving you easy access. 

There's a sharp line that adds a unique look to the front and rear bumpers. The EV factor is boosted by the aerodynamic wheel covers, which hide the attractive 17-inch alloy wheels beneath them. The size of the ZS is the same as the Astor and the earlier ZS.

Interior

The ZS EV’s interior is identical to the Astor. The clean and simple dashboard design and the luxurious finish is shared. High-quality, soft materials, and plenty of leather has been used including on the grab handles, armrest, and on the dashboard. You get to choose between two colour themes: all black (all variants), and black-white (Exclusive and Exclusive Pro only).

Thanks to the 6-way power adjustable driver's seat, you will be able to easily find a comfortable driving position, even though the steering wheel adjusts only for tilt, not reach. For taller drivers, reaching the steering wheel might be a bit of a stretch, but it's not too uncomfortable.

Rear seat space is just about adequate for a 6 footer to fit in behind a 6 foot tall driver. The ZS EV is best used as a four seater, given the snug width. Headroom too is decent, but not extraordinary.

The low seat height means you sit with your knees up, so there's not much support for your thighs. MG also provides a rear armrest and rear AC vents, which were missing in the previous version of the car.

Boot Space

The ZS EV has a claimed boot space of 470 litres. This is sufficient to carry a weekend’s luggage of four people. For added convenience, MG is providing a 60:40 split functionality for the rear seat making it easier to carry extra luggage if need be. Do note that the loading lip is quite high, making it tough to place and remove heavy bags in the boot.

Features

MG has been generous in offering features with the ZS EV. Thankfully, quite a lot is offered even in the base-spec ‘Excite’ model. These features include

The top-spec Exclusive variants get features such as a panoramic sunroof, 6-way powered driver’s seat, leather upholstery, wireless charger and a 360° camera. 

Safety 

Standard safety feature list is quite extensive too. This includes

Drive

Compared to the older model, power has gone up significantly by 33PS to 176PS, but the torque has dropped to 280Nm from 353Nm. However, don't get too caught up in the numbers because the MG ZS is quite enjoyable to drive. In Sport Mode, it can make the tires spin even if you press the accelerator gently. The Michelin Primacy tires, while decent, have to work quite hard to put the power down on the road.

MG claims the ZS EV will reach 100kmph in 8.5 seconds. As is the case with all electric vehicles, acceleration is quick and responsive. The ZS's top speed of 175 km/h is quite impressive, especially when you compare it to a premium EV like the Mercedes EQC, which is limited to 180 km/h. With this added power, the ZS effortlessly handles overtaking at highway speeds, and you don't even need to engage the Sport Mode for that.

For every day driving, you can use the Normal and Eco drive modes. In Eco mode, responsiveness is dulled only above 80kmph — which means it is perfectly zippy for city driving. When you need to drive at higher speeds, like on the highway, you can switch to Normal mode.

The ZS still offers three levels of brake energy regeneration, dubbed ‘KERS’ (kinetic energy recovery system) here. The third level is the most aggressive, and with a bit of practice, you can drive without using the brake pedal much. However, it would have been nice to have steering wheel-mounted paddles to fine-tune regenerative braking. This might seem like a small complaint, but the ZS feels like such a well-designed and sophisticated product that we expect a bit more.

With its efficiency and the larger 50.3kWh battery, the ZS claims an impressive range of 461 kilometers! Based on our experience with the 2020 ZS EV, we expect the ZS to manage around 400 kilometers in the city and about 300 kilometers on the highway. 

Charge times are marginally higher than before: 

Ride and Handling 

MG hasn't disclosed the exact change in the ZS EV's weight due to the larger battery pack. However, there’s a noticeable improvement in how it handles bumps and potholes — it now feels more balanced and well-behaved. Previously, the ZS EV felt overly soft when going over bumps or speed breakers, but now there is less vertical movement. You might still feel a bit of side to side motion on uneven roads, but the improved body control makes it a more comfortable ride.

However, we think MG could have sacrificed some of the suspension's softness for even better control. This would have not only improved straight line stability further, but also made it more enjoyable in corners. As it is, the 17-inch wheels with Michelin Primacy tires and the low-mounted battery pack keep the center of gravity low, allowing you to maintain a good speed in corners. It’s still not sharp and engaging when pushed hard and might sway over bumps in the middle of a turn. It's not a major concern, as the traction control can't be turned off. A little more fun, and the ZS EV has the potential to be the pick for enthusiast drivers.

Verdict

In essence, MG hasn't completely changed the ZS EV’s formula; they've simply made it even better. The price range falls between Rs 22.88 - 25.99 lakh, and the increase in price is well justified by the added range, safety features, and overall improvements in the car. So, the MG ZS EV now provides improved practicality, comfort, safety features, better value, and it's fun to drive too.