January 2020 marked the launch of an electric vehicle from the house of Morris Garages, the MG ZS EV. It is offered in 2 variants right now and will be getting an updated version with some minor cosmetic updates and increased driving range in 2022. It rivals the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Tata Nexon EV.
Pros – Feature Loaded, Silent Motor, Punchy Performance, Clean Design
Cons – Slow Charging
MG ZS EV Exterior
With a standout grille upfront accompanied with some chrome treatment which also hosts the charging port of the ZS EV is noteworthy. 4341mm in length, 1809mm in width and 1644mm in height, the car looks decently equipped to be called an SUV. On the front, ZS EV gets sleek headlamps with projector LED DRLs inspired by the London Eye. From the side, the car looks well balanced with a hint of cuts and creases. The electric badging would be visible just above the front wheels. The ZS EV gets black body cladding and five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels inspired by the iconic Dutch Classic windmills. On the rear, the car gets LED taillamps. They are inspired by the seven brightest stars of the constellation Ursa Major. It also gets an MG, ZS EV and Internet Inside bagging at the rear. The ZS EV also gets a rear spoiler to make it sportier from the back.
MG ZS EV Interior
ZS EV gets a three-spoke steering wheel upfront. The side AC vents look inspired by the Audi Q2. The centre console gets a lot of toggle buttons. There is a lot of silver treatment visible around the door handles and the centre console. The ZS EV is equipped with a 20.32 cm infotainment touch screen with connected car features. The car also gets over a hundred voice commands, rain-sensing wipers, and is WiFi-enabled. Other features include a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a PM 2.5 filter, cruise control, auto headlamp, electronic gear shift knob and much more.
MG ZS EV Space
One thing that is noteworthy is that the car doesn’t get a centre armrest at the rear. Nevertheless, it gets ample storage spaces inside on the doors, near the gearbox, a large glovebox and magazine holders at the rear. The boot space of the ZS EV is 470-litres.
MG ZS EV Engine Performance
The MG ZS EV gets a 44.5 kWh battery which has a range of 340 kilometres on a single charge. The car can be charged up to 80% in 40 minutes with a 50 kW DC charger, or takes up to seven hours with a standard 7.4 kW charger. ZS EV is offered with an automatic transmission that produces 143 PS of power and 353 Nm of torque. The car can go from 0-100 kilometres in just 8.5 seconds. The car is decent in the lower end but it is in the mid-range where the ZS EV shows its character. It comes with three driving modes namely eco, normal and sport.
MG ZS EV Handling
Coming to the ride and handling of the car, the steering feels a bit stiff for city drivability but weights up nicely on the highway. Being an electric vehicle, the noise, vibration and harshness levels are exceptional.
MG ZS EV Comfort
The front passenger seats are extremely comfortable. They are soft and offer a good amount of lumbar support. The rear seats get two adjustable headrests which do give the car a demerit point in terms of comfort. The flooring is flat so the passenger in the middle would have an ample amount of legroom.
MG ZS EV Safety
ZS EV has been crash tested and it secured a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating. It gets a lot of safety features such as 6-Airbags, ESP, HDC, ABS with EBD, Hill Start Assist and much more.
MG ZS EV Service
MG is a newcomer in the Indian market. Establishing designated charging points at dealerships is a hefty task that would require some time. Though the company provides an onboard charging cable for 15-ampere plugs and a 7.4 kW home charger with every ZS for home/office charging, it happens to be seen how MG would respond against established carmakers in terms of ease of service.
MG ZS EV Prices
Following are the prices (on-road Mumbai) of the MG ZS EV :
- Excite AT : Rs. 22.21 lakhs
- Exclusive AT : Rs. 25.94 lakhs
MG ZS EV Resale Value
Considering that the electric shift is a new trend in India and the time consumed to charge the EV is way too much right now, it happens to be seen how the Indian market would welcome EVs. However, the number of kilometres driven and the condition of the car would also be taken into account to determine its resale value.
MG ZS EV Colours
The MG ZS EV is offered in the following colours :
- Ferris White
- Copenhagen Blue
- Currant Red
MG ZS EVSpecifications
Engine: 44.5 kWh Electric Motor
Power: 142.7 PS @ 3500 RPM
Torque: 353 Nm @ 5000 RPM
Range: 340 kilometers
Fuel Type: Electric
Tyre Size: 215/50/17 (Front & Rear)
Suspension: MacPherson Strut (Front), Torsion Beam (Rear)
Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
Safety: 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP
Dimensions (LxWxH) : 4314mm×1809mm×1644mm
Wheelbase : 2585mm
Kerb Weight : 1568-1609 kgs
Ground Clearance : 205mm
Boot Space : 470-litres
MG ZS EV Variants
The MG ZS EV is offered in the following variants in the electric trim :
- Excite
- Exclusive
MG ZS EV Rating
We gave the MG ZS EV a rating of 4.5/5.
MG ZS EV Upcoming Models
MG has unveiled the new 2022 MG ZS EV Facelift for the European markets. The facelifted MG ZS EV gets some minor cosmetic updates, new features, and an improved range. It can be expected that the 2022 MG ZS EV will be unveiled in India soon.
MG ZS EV vs Hyundai Kona
MG has powered the ZS EV with a larger 44.5kWh battery which makes 143 PS and 353 Nm of torque. The Kona uses a smaller 39.2kWh battery to power it’s motor making 136 PS of power and 395 Nm of torque. The MG ZS EV misses out on certain features which are present on the Hyundai Kona Electric such as automatic climate control, ventilated seats, a rear armrest and 3 driving modes compared to the 4 offered on the Kona Electric.
MG ZS EV vs Tata Nexon EV
The Tata Nexon EV makes the least power among its rivals, producing 129 PS of power at a torque output of 245 Nm. It is also the slowest to go from 0-100 km/h. The Nexon EV just like the Tata Nexon fairs decently good in terms of ride and handling. The Nexon EV also sports a 5-star safety rating just like the Astor. It also is the cheapest car in the lot and is offered in 5 variants right now.
