MG has a proud automotive history, and has been rejuvenated under Chinese ownership since the mid 2000s, offering a range of affordable and practical models produced under this iconic British marque. Arriving in September 2019, the all-electric MG ZS EV is one of their most daring innovations yet.
Exterior class
This electric SUV will certainly turn heads, thanks to its raised bodywork, resulting in an imposing looking vehicle, but it has an abundance of stylish touches to make it aesthetically pleasing, too. Arriving in a range of vibrant colour choices, the ZS has a cool honeycomb grille, tipped with chrome atop a curved surface that gives the ZS EV’s front an almost cosmic feel, with sharp and distinctive LED daytime running lights which come as standard. Prepare to dazzle onlookers with the car’s 17-inch, diamond-cut alloys, which feature on both the Excite and Exclusive trims.
The front grille also slides up to reveal the car’s easy-to-use charging socket, making it simple to top up your battery between errands, or when you park up at home for the evening.
Interior finesse
The MG ZS EV offers a change in direction from the already popular petrol model, but it does keep the high driving position of the petrol version, giving a commanding view of the road ahead.
In the centre console, you can switch the circular dial between three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport. There are also three regenerative braking modes, letting the driver know how much waste energy is fed back into the water-cooled, lithium-ion battery on deceleration.
The ZS EV also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, perfect for hooking up your device on tricky longer journeys when you might need a sat nav, or for some soothing music through Spotify to keep the cabin a cocoon of calm.
For those fully-loaded journeys, three passengers will have ample room in the rear, so it’s clear the interior dimensions won’t suffer should you make the switch from the petrol ZS to automatic.
Powerful performance
With 141bhp at its disposal, the ZS EV reacts sharply, going from 0–62 mph in just over eight seconds, a lightning-quick four seconds faster than the petrol ZS. With a 44.5kWh battery pack fitted, you can leave any range anxieties at home; the ZS EV has a combined range of 163 miles, and can be topped back up to 80% in just 40 minutes. Plus, its city driving range is around 231 miles, meaning you can weave through the metropolis with no need to (nervously) check your fuel gauge.
Two trim choices
The entry-level MG ZS Excite comes with a range of tech and safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and rain sensing wipers, and with a competitive 470 litres of boot space, adaptable to two heights – either for making use of a flat surface, or for using the maximum boot room. It all makes the first spec level in the range a still impressive performer amongst its SUV competitors.
Go for the Exclusive, and you’ll enjoy a panoramic sunroof which brings in extra natural light, and when you slide it open, quite literally, another breath of fresh air. Plus, it features the full range of MG Pilot technology, with Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). And to add to the sublime driving experience, there’s a luxurious leather steering wheel to help you navigate the roads in style.
What’s more, you can bask in the knowledge that the MG ZS EV is practical, powerful, and importantly, competitive in terms of both style and performance.