MG, a historic brand if ever there was one, has taken on Chinese accents in recent years. The manufacturer, which had completely disappeared from the radar, regained its colors in 2020 after its takeover by SAIC Motor. The state company then opted for a 100% electric strategy in Europe. The ZS EV was the first to embody this desire for almost two years.
This second version of the compact SUV, vintage 2022, no longer has the sole intention of representing the colors of the brand. It is now a question of establishing itself in an electric market which lacks references, particularly at the entry level.
Indeed, with a starting price of 30,990 euros in its basic version, the ZS is one of the most accessible electric cars of the moment, especially in this popular SUV format.
Same recipe, better ingredients
The restyling process involves a minimum of aesthetic changes. MG has complied with the exercise with this new ZS, which sports a full grille, passes the charging hatch to the front (just next to the logo), and opts for Full LED headlights with a reworked design. The whole gives a fairly classic compact SUV in its dimensions and shapes, but not unpleasant to the eye.
The ZS is available in two versions. The first has a small 51 kWh battery, the second called “extended autonomy” increases this value to 70 kWh.
Quite surprisingly, the version with the best battery is also the least powerful of the two (177 hp and 280 Nm of torque for the standard version, 156 hp and 280 Nm of torque for the other). The explanation is that the two versions use different battery technologies, LFP (lithium iron phosphate) for the 51 kW accumulator, and NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) for the extended autonomy. The electrical density is lower on the first model, but its power is higher, and its environmental impact would be less.
As part of our test, it is the extended autonomy version that was made available to us, probably the one that should represent the bulk of sales for MG.
Good quality of finish and on-board system in progress
Since its recent return to the Old Continent, MG has been hailed for the care taken in the passenger compartment and the comfort on board its models. The quality of the materials used, but also the aesthetics contrast with the price of the brand’s vehicles, and are closer to what is done on the higher ranges.
As such, the 2022 ZS EV is no exception to the rule, the interior of the compact SUV is indeed very well made. On the other hand, if the environment has been widely praised, it has not always been the same with the infotainment system, one of the identified weak points of MG.
The new version of the compact SUV aimed to correct this shortcoming. In fact, it’s actually much better. It must be said that it was enough for MG to forget the aging needle counters and to switch to a digital instrumentation worthy of the name to take a step forward.
The SAIC-owned brand has done so by also taking greater care in the operating system that allows you to take advantage of the 10-inch central screen. It gains in readability and even if it is not particularly rich in features, it remains easy to use. On the other hand, we regret the presence of some menus in Spanish and others in English which still testify to the progress that remains to be made at MG.
As for the technologies on board, here too MG is a good student with fairly complete equipment from the first level of finish. On the other hand, it is by looking in detail and more particularly the quality of certain equipment that we see best where the manufacturer could really improve its offer.
Indeed, the quality of the screen as well as certain cameras could be revised upwards. The back-up camera, in particular, offers only low-end definition, but is poorly placed and prone to splashing. In rainy weather the sensor gets dirty quickly and its usefulness decreases.
Autonomy: average
The aggressive price positioning of the MG ZS does not exempt it from efforts in terms of autonomy. As we have seen, MG offers two levels of batteries in France. That of 51 kWh would allow the “small” SUV to reach 320 km with a charge. That of 69.9 kWh, which fitted our test model, is announced for 440 km. As often these estimates are flattering. For our part, we oscillated at a consumption close to 20 kWh per 100 km, without having the particularly heavy pedal. Our route mixing city, secondary roads and a bit of highway allows us to think that this is a value quite close to what would give daily use of the ZS.
Of course, this data is to be related to the desired use of the car. If your journey takes you mainly on the highway, consumption will increase between 23 and 25 kWh/100 km. Therefore the real autonomy cannot exceed 300 km.
Conversely, smooth driving in an essentially urban environment should approach the long-awaited 400 km autonomy score. In any case, without being a real weak point of the ZS, autonomy is not its strong point either. If the MG model can boast of competing with the Kia e-Niro and other Hyundai Kona in terms of equipment, it remains behind on autonomy.
On the road with the MG ZS EV
What is MG’s small SUV worth on the road? Once on board, the driver has the choice between three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. The first is to be reserved for the city, and, in case we run out of battery, because it restricts engine performance to increase autonomy. The Normal mode seems really very suitable, and even very balanced.
On the other hand, the sport mode is somewhat caricatural as MG forces the line on the direction and the suspension. What could be more normal you will tell us for a car that is anything but sporty. Nevertheless, while welcoming the effort, we strongly encourage its users to be satisfied with the Normal mode, which is more than effective.
If the ZS is not sporty, it is not for lack of power or dynamism. Its 280 Nm of torque or its 156 hp are quite suitable for propelling the 1,600 kg machine. Moreover, the 0 to 100 km is done in 8.6 seconds, which, for a car from a “good father”, is quite acceptable.
No, this very flexible behavior is totally dictated by the adjustment of the suspensions and the chassis. It is quite simply an SUV geared towards driving comfort. It’s obviously very pleasant once on board (except for a slight noise of breath attributable to perfectible external insulation), but MG has undoubtedly set the cursor a little high on this point.
Indeed, certain roughnesses of the road, and other speed bumps, can give impressions of rebound in the passenger compartment.
Driving the ZS also means taking an interest in its recovery system. Named KERS, it is activated via a button on the dashboard. It makes it possible to adjust energy recovery during deceleration and braking on three levels, the first being almost zero. On the other hand, levels two and three are more effective and allow you to go almost to braking.
Finally, in terms of driving aids, the ZS offers level 2 autonomy (via lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control) relatively coarse, especially in the absence of clear ground markings. Again, given the price of the vehicle, it is difficult to expect more from the manufacturer.
The price, compared to the competition?
The basic version of the ZS starts at 24,900 euros (bonus included) which makes it the cheapest electric compact SUV on the market, quite simply. Certainly, at this price level, it will be necessary to be satisfied with the smallest of the batteries (barely 300 km of autonomy). Our test version, with the large battery and the highest level of finish, reached 36,990 euros. Of course, all models are eligible for the full rate ecological bonus, i.e. 6,000 euros.
Let’s be clear. At this price level and in this format, the MG ZS simply has no competition. The Hyundai Kona or Kia e-Niro will oppose it with better autonomy, but they are much more expensive at an equivalent level of equipment.
As for the French, the Peugeot e-2008 and the DS3 Crossback E-Tense are simply out of the game with both less equipment, a higher price, and almost similar autonomy. As a result, MG’s small SUV appears today as the best value for money electric car.
Also see video:
Also see video:
Trial Verdict
This ZS EV confirms if necessary that the rising sales of MG in France are not the simple result of chance. In progress on almost all points, the brand’s 100% electric SUV is expanding its offer while keeping prices low (1,000 euros more all the same). With an improved manufacturing quality, a more extensive techno part, and a quality/price ratio that is still just as interesting, the ZS is, in our opinion, one of the best bargains of the moment.