Overview
MG ZS EV is the mid-range fully electric SUV that comes from China where it produced by SAIC Motors. This is the first MG branded vehicle available in Europe for over a decade. MG ZS EV offers a 143 HP single electric motor, 44.5 kWh battery and 263 kilometers of range when fully charged. It is one of the most affordable electric cars in the continent, starting at 26,095 pounds.
This Chinese electric SUV is currently being sold in the UK, Germany, Netherland, Australia, Turkey and so on. Prices may vary depending on the country’s EV tax incentives.
Performance
ZS EV has one electric motor on the front, producing 143 horsepower and 353 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h acceleration performance is around 8.2 seconds. The platform that ZS EV manufactured is not purely EV-intended, the vehicle operates very well with an electric drive unit and a heavy battery placed underneath the floor.
Top speed of the vehicle is 140 km/h, and it supports adaptive cruise control. There is no other engine option for this model year, but it might get much powerful versions in the near future.
Design and Features
ZS EV has a big MG logo on its front grille, a very wide grille that is not fully closed as it is very popular with other EVs. MG logo on the grille also hides the charging port for the vehicle.
Interior of the ZS EV looks very modern and neat, nothing out of the ordinary. Back seats are very roomy, floor is not too high compared to other electric SUVs. There is a small screen at the center of the gauge cluster and also a much bigger 8-inch infotainment touch screen.
Infotainment system in the ZS EV is not very smooth, but it does support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto unlike some other Chinese brand vehicles like Seres 3 and Hongqi E-HS3.
Heated front seats, two USB ports, optional panoramic sunroof are some other features that MG ZS EV has.
Range and Charging
MG ZS EV carries a 44.5 kWh battery pack, relatively small unit. But it can run 263 kilometers on a single charge. WLTP range is way lower at ~150 km and at this price range it is very acceptable. However, due to the lack of a heating system in the battery pack, cold weathers will affect the range very deeply.
The car supports DC fast charging at a rate of 100 kW, but real-world tests show that it can only go as high as 76 kW with public DC charging plugs. 0-80 percent of charge in 40 minutes and AC charging will top up the battery in 6.5 hours.
Where is MG ZS EV Made?
MG ZS EV is made in China, manufactured by the Chinese automaker SAIC Motors. Although originally MG brand belongs to a British carmaker, in 2005 it was sold to a Chinese firm which later bought by SAIC Motors.