First drive: MG ZS EV

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

MG ZS EV
Base price: $55,990 (since the publication of this article MG has dropped the price of the ZS EV to $48,990)

The MG ZS EV looks exactly like the normal ZS but with one major difference.

Powertrain and economy: single electric motor, 44.5kWh battery, 105kW/353Nm, single-speed transmission, FWD.
Vital statistics: 4314mm long, 2048mm wide, 1644mm high, 2579mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 470 litres, 17-inch alloy wheels.
We like: Superb price, full active safety kit, electric

The rims are unique to the ZS EV and give it a nice bit of flair.

We don't like: Lane keep not all that smooth

The MG ZS EV is the first fully electric vehicle to touch down from the reborn British brand. It’s also the least expensive EV in the country, starting at $55,990 (down to $50,100 for the first 150 customers, still valid at the time of writing). It’s here now but we’re driving a car brought over from the UK, which means it has a few funny bits that local buyers won’t have to worry with.

The ZS EV can charge from nought to 80 per cent in just 40 minutes when connected to a fast charger.

Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?

The bulk of the ZS EV is identical to the petrol-powered ZS, sans the powertrain (obviously). It looks the same, has a similar interior and carries the same level of tech. Swapping out the combustion engine for a battery pack and a motor instead of designing a new electric car from the ground up has allowed MG to save money and keep the sticker price down, though it means the long nose looks somewhat antiquated.

Inside the ZS EV is nice, though that colourful infotainment screen can be annoyingly slow to react.

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Output is rated at 105kW/353Nm from one electric motor mounted on the front axle while energy comes from a 44.5kWH battery pack. Full-charge range is a WLTP-rated 262km and fast charging support means the battery can recharge from zero to 80 per cent in 40 minutes. On a standard home charger, a full charge is done in seven hours.

As mentioned, this particular example came from the UK and has a few oddities that NZ new models won’t have. This includes a switch on the centre console to bring up a display showing the amount of kilometres left for the charge level (the local version will have that on all the time) and a passenger airbag deactivation switch hidden in the glove box. No idea why you’d want to switch that off…

Where did you drive it?

Around Auckland for a weekend. It’s a good test because the optimistic maximum range of 263km means you won’t be doing that many roadtrips in the ZS EV. It’s an urban car so we put it to the urban test. Doing normal weekend stuff like grocery shopping, going out for coffee and the like, the ZS EV performed admirably.

The electric powertrain provides plenty of power around town, enough to spin the front wheels if you’re too heavy-footed, and while the steering is a bit dead, it’s not the worst we’ve experienced and most people will be fine with it. You can change the steering via the selectable drive modes but it doesn’t add much feel, only weight.

There’s a bit of roll around corners but nothing drastic. Putting the battery pack in added around 250kg of mass to the car so some extra body movement is to be expected. This is a car where you won’t want to really be pushing the limits of grip and speed anyway, lest you misjudge how much range you have left.

Inside the ZS EV is quite nice, leather-style upholstery and soft-touch plastics abound. The infotainment system looks nice but can be slow to react and the buttons just aft of the gear shifter are a bit annoying to use, given one controls the amount of battery regen or “engine braking” feel. I’d personally rather this system be a button on the steering wheel or paddle-operated.

Coming standard is MG’s Pilot driver assistance system, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking and blind spot detection, among others. It’s a well-rounded kit, despite the lane-keep assist being quite jerky.

What stands out the most?

The electric powertrain, no doubt. The standard ZS (not the ZST) wasn’t the brightest thing to drive and the instant torque from the ZS EV’s motor makes a massive difference. There is a hint of motor whine and the range could be better but given this is under $60k, it’s a totally viable option for a small family EV.

Why would I buy it?

You need something that can run the kids around, take a few muddy sports days and not require petrol to run. It’s also the cheapest new electric vehicle in New Zealand, with a special price of $50,100 for the first 150 customers (at the time of writing) and a standard price of $55,990.

Why wouldn’t I buy it?

There are better electric SUVs out there, like the Kia Niro or Hyundai Kona EV with more range and nicer interiors, and you don’t mind paying more to have those niceties.