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Expert Rating

MG ZS EV

Our unique Expert Rating Index combines scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating on every new car

Expert Rating

MG ZS EV

(2019 – present)

    Summary


    MG’s rebirth under Chinese ownership has been massively successful, with the brand now a genuinely major player in the UK car market. Much of this success has come from its electric models, like the MG ZS EV seen here.

    The MG ZS EV is a small electric SUV, which has found more praise than might be expected from seasoned road testers in the UK media. Auto Express says it has “… real appeal – as a second car, company car or an affordable route into a pure electric vehicle.”

    As the name suggests, this is a battery-electric version of the petrol-powered MG ZS small SUV, which launched in 2017. Replacing the petrol engine with a 105kW electric motor and 45kwh battery, the ZS EV has become a significantly better vehicle.

    The electric motor is much quieter and smoother than the petrol engine in the regular ZS, which makes it a far nicer place to spend time. And like every model in the MG family, you get a lot of car for your money. The ZS EV undercuts other small electric SUVs by thousands of pounds, making it a very affordable way to make the switch to an electric car.

    As well as its price advantage, the MG ZS EV has plenty of practicality. It’s surprisingly roomy inside, and in our own The Car Expert review we highlighted substantially more boot space than non-EV rivals such as the Ford Kuga and Mazda CX-3.

    Interior finish is nothing to get excited about but, as several reviews point out, for its price some hard plastics in evidence is hardly surprising. The review in the Daily Mirror also found that the driving experience was nothing to be sneezed at, as the MG’s “… low-down centre of gravity, due to the batteries, gives a secure feel and the ride quality is better than in many crossovers.”

    The current ZS EV is an updated version of the original model, arriving in the UK shortly before Christmas 2021. Crucially, this update saw a larger battery provided, which increases driving range from 163 miles to a far more usable 273 miles. That alone makes the latest ZS EV a far more viable option for many households.

    As of August 2023, the MG ZS EV currently holds an Expert Rating of 58% from 26 reviews, which is fairly average but still better than the petrol version. The facelifted model has been scoring significantly better than the original model, so this score is likely to keep improving as older reviews drop off and are replaced with newer ones.

    ZS EV highlights

    • Affordable route into EV driving
    • Practical
    • Big boot
    • Comfortable ride
    • Comes with long warranty

    ZS EV lowlights

    • Dull to drive
    • Cheap plastics inside
    • Rivals go further on a charge
    • Not so modern infotainment

    Key specifications


    Body style: Small SUV/crossover
    Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
    Price: From £30,495 on-road

    Launched: Winter 2019/20
    Last updated: Autumn 2021
    Update due: TBA


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

    +

    Auto Express

    +

    Autocar

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    Business Car

    +

    Car

    +

    Car Keys

    +

    Carbuyer

    +

    Carwow

    +

    Company Car Today

    +

    Daily Mirror

    +

    Driving Electric

    +

    Electrifying.com

    +

    Eurekar

    +

    Green Car Guide

    +

    Heycar

    +

    Honest John

    +

    Move Electric

    +

    Parkers

    +

    The Sunday Times

    +

    The Telegraph

    +

    Top Gear

    +

    What Car?

    +

    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 5 stars
    Date tested: December 2019
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 90%
    Child protection: 85%
    Vulnerable road users: 64%
    Safety assist: 70%

    Despite its budget price tag, the MG ZS EV score a top five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP when it was launched in 2019. This score is better than several more expensive vehicles.

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    As of August 2023, the MG ZS EV has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the ZS EV is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    As of August 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG ZS EV to generate a reliability rating.

    The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the ZS EV, we’ll publish the score here.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models235 milesB163 – 273 milesB – C
    Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
    EV models3.8 m/KWhC3.6 – 3.9 m/KWhC – D
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models28B21 – 28A – B
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£141A
    Year 2£354A
    Year 3£585A
    Year 4£715A
    Year 5£989A
    Overall£2,784A

    In addition to the MG ZS EV’s rather affordable price tag, the SUV is also very cheap to run. It’s electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is decent, while insurance premiums should be good compared to other cars as well. But the even better news is that scheduled servicing costs for the ZS EV are excellent.

    In addition, an official battery range of 235 miles (which varies from 163 miles to 273 miles, depending on which model you choose) is just above average. So you shouldn’t need to worry about running out of charge in normal day-to-day driving.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the MG ZS EV has received

    2022

    • Carbuyer Awards – Best Family Electric Car
    • What Car? Electric Awards – Best Used Small SUV

    2021

    • What Car? Electric Awards – Best Used Small SUV

    2020

    • Company Car & Van Awards – Best Medium EV
    • Southern Group of Motoring Writers Awards – Dark Horse of the Year

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the MG ZS EV, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Citroën ë-C4 | DS 3 Crossback E-Tense | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia e-Niro | Kia Soul EV | Mazda MX-30 | Mini Countryman plug-in hybridNissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge

    The MG ZS EV launched against a small number of direct rivals but new ones are coming along all the time, recent examples including the Mazda MX-30. The most direct alternatives remain the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro, while many also consider the electric standard bearer, the Nissan Leaf.

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    Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

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    The MG ZS EV is a practical small electric budget SUV, although quality is average and it has less range than more expensive rivals.MG ZS EV