2020 MG ZS EV Review
Car Tested: 2020 MG ZS EV; Road Test No. 1156; Test Location: Delhi
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 26.28 – 29.8 lakhs
The MG ZS EV does come across as a promising car for people who want to ditch fossil fuels and go the electric way!
MG or Morris Garages stirred the Indian market when they launched the Hector SUV. The car had everything the Indians looked for in a large SUV – it had space, practicality, efficient engines, easy-to-drive character and more importantly, it had trend-setting features like connected applications. These modern-day features instantly endeared the Hector to the Indian audience and the company has enjoyed decent success since. Now, with the electric revolution around the corner, MG is making another attempt to be in vogue. It is all set to launch the ZS SUV with an electric powertrain. The new EV is amongst the first electric SUVs to come to India and promises to take on the Hyundai Kona. Will MG have another winner on their hands? We are in smoggy Delhi to find out.
Motor Quest: MG was founded in 1930 in Oxford, England and the company soon gained popularity for small, fun two-seater sports cars. In the following years, the British brand diversifies including more products. However, the company had a rocky ride, with numerous owners and many near-bankruptcy scenarios. The company was purchased by Nanjing automobile group (which later merged into Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) in 2006. The ZS badge was first used by MG in 2005 for a performance sedan. In India, the company made its entry in 2019 and has enjoyed terrific success with their sole model – the Hector SUV.
The ZS looks smart, elegant and doesn’t stand out as an EV
Exteriors – The ZS features a conventional mid-size SUV look. It is a handsome looking car and feels very European. The front has a very Mercedes-like diamond grille and we like how the lines converge towards the bottom. The headlights are also smartly designed and feature projectors. The big MG logo hides the SUV’s charging point beneath the panel.
The ZS doesn’t have many SUV like elements in its design
MG has not gone crazy with the design and have instead opted for a more mainstream & conservative approach
From the side, it is a simple yet effective design. There are only two lines and the well-designed alloys look very good. The rear is fuss-free as well. We like the treatment to the tail lights and the large MG logo. Some might say the car does not look SUV enough and yes, a more pronounced stance would have been great. Another criticism could be that the ZS EV does not look too different from its fossil-fuelled counterpart. But since the later isn’t coming to India, we don’t think that should be a bother. MG has clearly played it safe and the design feels grown-up and invites hardly any controversy.
The interior is loaded with features
Interiors – The interior gets some interesting elements. The round AC vents on either side of the dashboard look and feel really premium as does the chunky steering wheel. The gear selector is neatly executed too. Quality is surprisingly impressive all-round, with MG using well-finished materials and soft-touch plastics at critical places.
Three people will be comfortable in the rear seats of the ZS
Thanks to the use of high-quality plastics, the interior of the ZS feels quite premium
The front seats are super comfortable and offer an array of adjustments. The car sits low and that aids in ingress and egress. Space is quite good upfront and even fit adults should find no problem. The rear seat space is no deal-breaker either. It is more spacious than a Hyundai Kona but does not feel as lavish as the Hector. But that is only to be expected. Three abreast should be comfortable with no hump in between and manageable width of the cabin. We would have liked the inclusion of rear AC vents. The panoramic sunroof brightens things up in a black-themed cabin.
The cabin feels airy & sporty thanks to the large sunroof & black theme
Along with the sunroof, MG is offering all the basics you want from a premium SUV. You get a touch screen infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and electrically adjustable driver’s seat with heated function. Weirdly, climate control and rear centre armrest are not on offer.
The ZS is quite practical and also comes with a big boot
The ZS feels more spacious and comfortable than the Hyundai Kona but not to the level of the Hector
The infotainment screen lacks the intuitiveness offered from the Hector’s. It gets the job done but feels aftermarket. The instrument cluster is analogue but neatly done and we like the informative MID. Practical bits include a decently sized boot and many storage spaces inside the cabin.
The ZS EV gets many charging options
Performance – The MG ZS EV gets a 44.5 kWh battery pack that promises a range of 340 kms on a single charge. The lithium-ion unit 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. The company will provide a 7.4 kWh charger in all of the ZS EV cars. The synchronous motor can develop 143 PS and 353 Nm of peak torque and it will also get over-the-air (OTA) technology. The car can do a 0-100 km/hr sprint in just 8.5 seconds.
The ZS EV is fairly sprightly to drive
The ZS EV can go for 340 kms on a full charge and can be charged to 80% in just 40 minutes with a 50 kW DC charger
Once you’re behind the wheel, let me tell you that the MG ZS EV will not pin you to the seat once you accelerate but having said that, its not lazy as well. It offers a good amount of power right off the bat, but it is the mid-range where it really shines. It picks up speed quite effortlessly and overtaking is a breeze. Of course, throttle response is affected by which of the 3 driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) you’re in, but so is off-throttle braking. Eco is the least aggressive but offers the longest range while the Sport mode is the most fun to rev.
MG claims that it has tested the battery system of the ZS EV extensively
The battery system used in the new ZS EV is IP67 certified making it water and dustproof. The company says that it has tested the ZS EV in India for over 1 lakh kilometres. If you’re wondering how you would charge the ZS EV, well, the company provides an onboard charging cable for 15 amp plugs. For home/office charging, the company provides a 7.4 kW home charger with every ZS.
The ZS has a stiff suspension setup and the steering is a bit heavy
Driving Dynamics – The steering feels a little stiff for city drivability, but it weighs up pretty well on the highway. Now it is understood that an electric vehicle is not really exactly considered to be a highway vehicle but the ZS EV is good. The suspension is on the stiffer side but in its defence, it has to protect the huge battery it carries. Since its an electric vehicle, NVH levels are great. One sits nice and quiet in the cabin, breathing fresh air. Coming to the brakes, they bite hard if not applied with caution. The ZS EV gets 3 levels of regenerative braking that juice up the battery every time you step on the brake.
The ZS EV comes with an outstanding 5-star safety rating
Safety & Service – The MG ZV ES gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP. The car feels structurally sound and stable at higher speeds. The ZV ES has also scored an impressive 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. MG has set up service centres across major cities in India and most owners of the Hector seem to be pretty satisfied with the service they’re getting.
The MG ZS EV is a capable electric car
Verdict – The MG ZS EV is not going to be a cheap, mass-market electric car, it is going to be priced somewhere around Rs. 20 lakhs (ex-showroom) when launched in January 2020. If the price is not an issue and you wish to make the environment a better place, the ZS EV makes for a great buy. It has peppy performance, a snazzy interior and the exterior has no gawking flaw. MG Motor offers a 5-year warranty with the battery so that’s one trouble out the door. Only if India could improve the infrastructure a bit, owning and maintaining an electric vehicle, wouldn’t be that much of a hassle!
Unlike other EVs, the ZS EV doesn’t have a front trunk
What’s Cool
* Clean and minimalistic design
* Feature-loaded and spacious cabin
* Punchy performance from the silent electric motor
* Comes with a 5-star safety rating
What’s Not So Cool
* Doesn’t stand out from the crowd
* Misses out on certain features
* Takes long time to charge with the included charger
Alternatives: – Hyundai Kona
The grille doubles up as the cover for the charge port
MG ZS EV Specifications
* Engine: 44.5 kWh Electric Motor
* Power: 142.7 PS @ 3500 RPM
* Torque: 353 Nm @ 5000 RPM
* Range: 340 kms
* 0-100 km/hr: 8.5 seconds
* Top Speed: 140 km/hr
* Fuel Type: Electric
* Tyre Size: 215/50/17 (Front & Rear)
* Suspension: McPherson Strut (Front), Torsion Beam (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP
MG ZS EV Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4314 mm X 1809 mm X 1620 mm
* Wheelbase: 2585 mm
* Boot Space: 400-litres
Cars like the ZS EV are the building blocks of India’s EV market
Further Reading –
MG ZS EV Video Review
MG ZS EV First Drive Review
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