MG ZS EV

Once Practical, Now Mundane?

The MG ZS EV was one of the pioneer modern-day EVs in India. It helped Indian buyers accept EVs as the future of passenger cars, offering over 400 km of claimed range, fast charging, low running costs, and feature-rich interiors. Rivals soon caught up, and cars like the Tata Nexon started to eat into the ZS EV’s market share. On the other hand, some strong hybrid cars also offered comparable running costs while being cheaper, and the luxury EVs also slowly started to get more affordable, with cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and BYD’s Atto 3 and Seal sitting in the ₹35-50 lakh bracket. With many new mass-market EVs like the Tata Punch EV, Tiago EV, Tigor EV, and Citroën eC3 also filling different segments in the market, ZS EV’s popularity steadily declined, and it was soon reduced to ‘just another EV’ in the market. With all the updates it has received since launch, does the MG ZS EV still offer the draw it once did, despite new and capable competition in the market? We take a look.

MG ZS EV Pros and Cons 

MG ZS EV Exterior Design 

The MG ZS EV retains a recognizable silhouette, with subtle modifications made with the latest facelift to signal its electric nature. The front grille is now closed off, embodying an EV aesthetic. The charging port has been repositioned for convenience too. Newly designed bumpers and sleek LED headlamps introduce a touch of modernity, keeping the ZS EV’s appearance appealing. However, with minimal changes made to the rear and sides of the ZS EV over its life cycle, the electric crossover has started to show its age, making it one of the first EVs in India to feel out of touch by modern standards, barring the pre-electric revolution cars like Mahindra Reva/e20, eVerito, etc.

MG ZS EV Interiors 

The interior of the ZS EV has also stayed more or less the same since launch. There are a few changes made — especially in the upholstery and finishing colours — which do breathe a sense of freshness into the cabin. The cabin now gets a dual-tone ivory and black colour scheme, making it feel more airy. Copper highlights and chrome door handles add a special touch, complementing the overall premium feel. The redesigned steering wheel and dashboard, along with a horizontally oriented touchscreen and physical climate control buttons, blend functionality with elegance. These updates, coupled with a spacious rear seat and sizable boot, ensure the ZS EV's interior is both comfortable and accommodating for families and enthusiasts alike. While the interior still feels premium, rivals like the Nexon EV have now started to adopt a more futuristic interior design, making this appear a generation old.

MG ZS EV Comfort 

The MG ZS EV gets supportive and comfortable seats, both at the front and the back. Front seats are especially supportive and provide a snug, sporty feel, ensuring that passengers will be comfortable even on battery-emptying journeys. The updated model carries forward the reputation of providing a smooth ride at lower speeds, but a sportier tune means some firmness can be felt over uneven surfaces. At higher speeds, the suspension manages to even out most road imperfections, but can occasionally become bouncy, affecting the overall ride quality. Despite this, the ZS EV remains a comfortable option for both city driving and longer journeys.

MG ZS EV Performance and Handling

The MG ZS EV leads the segment in terms of power output, courtesy of the 130 kW motor which it received via its facelift. The torque on offer is also a healthy 280 Nm, falling just short of the segment best of 310 Nm offered by the Mahindra XUV400 EV. Acceleration is brisk, and the ZS EV handles confidently, making it enjoyable to drive in various conditions. However, while the steering provides ease of manoeuvrability, it lacks feedback, particularly felt in sportier driving modes, highlighting an area that the MG could focus on improving in the ZS EV. 

MG ZS EV Battery, Charging, and Range

Along with the facelift, MG introduced a new 50.3 kWh battery pack to the ZS EV, extending its claimed range up to 461 km per charge. And thanks to the tech specs staying flat through all the variants, you don’t have to choose between getting more range or saving money. However, the range figure is still slightly lower than Nexon EV LR’s claimed range of 465 km per charge. The ZS EV also supports fast charging, taking the battery from flat to 80% in just an hour. The regenerative braking system also adds an element of efficiency, but it could’ve been optimised better.  

MG ZS EV Key specifications 

MG ZS EV Safety Features

MG has not compromised on safety in the ZS EV, incorporating advanced safety features like level 2 ADAS, which includes 17 functions including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. Features like a 360-degree camera and a tyre pressure monitoring system are also part of the safety package, and to top it all off, the pre-facelift model also scored 5-stars at the stringent Euro NCAP crash test, keeping hopes high from the facelifted version.

MG ZS EV Technology and Infotainment

The ZS EV now boasts a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with connected car features. Despite its responsiveness, the user interface could benefit from being more intuitive. The digital instrument cluster is packed with information but could display key details like regen level and drive mode more prominently. Nonetheless, the inclusion of features like wireless charging, rear AC vents, and a panoramic sunroof enhances the overall user experience, making the ZS EV a fairly well-equipped electric SUV.  

Is the MG ZS EV for you?

The MG ZS EV offers the largest battery pack, strongest motor, and the biggest dimensions in its segment. However, while these figures are strong on paper, they don’t necessarily translate as well on the road. For example, while it gets the largest battery, the Nexon EV (LR) still betters it on the range figure, thanks to a more efficient and aerodynamic design. While the ZS EV gets the strongest motor, the XUV400 EV still matches it on the acceleration front. And thanks to its crossover silhouette, the interior space isn’t exponentially better than that of the Nexon EV or the XUV400 EV either. On top of that, the MG ZS EV is significantly pricier than its compact and subcompact SUV rivals, while offering fewer features, driving pleasure, and comfort. Despite the MG ZS EV being a well-rounded package offering great power and range, spacious and comfortable interiors, and low running costs, the mere existence of its potent and cheaper electric rivals makes the MG ZS EV a not-so-lucrative option. And if you are shopping for a more premium experience than the likes of the Nexon EV, it would be more sensible to stretch to some of the premium EVs like the BYD Atto 3, or look at ICE-powered options like the Hyundai Creta (especially in the N Line guise), or its rivals.