MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV has remained unchanged for more than half a decade, which explains why the cabin has now begun to feel dated. While the cabin layout looks too simple by modern standards, it impresses with its tight fit and finish levels. The all-black cabin of the ZS EV has leather upholstery, with the door panels, dashboard, and multi-functional steering wheel having contrast silver accents.

The MG ZS EV has a full-TFT 7-inch instrument console behind the steering wheel, while the centre console has a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system slightly tilted towards the driver’s side. The dashboard has rounded AC vents on the corners, while the centre console has sleek and angular vents above the infotainment system.

The MG ZS EV has physical buttons for automatic climate control below the infotainment system in the lower centre console, which also has a gloss black panel that accommodates the drive mode controller knob and electronic parking brake. Other notable features of the ZS EV are a powered driver’s seat, wireless charger, i-SMART suite of voice-assisted functions, a panoramic sunroof, rear AC vents, front and rear centre armrests and an air purifier. 

Based on the MG ZS, the ZS EV comes with a host of visual tweaks on the outside, especially at the front, which gives it its own identity. The front profile here has a blanked-out, body-coloured grille wearing a large MG logo in the centre. The MG ZS EV shares its headlamps with the ZS compact SUV, which features LED projectors and boomerang-shaped LED DRLs. The front bumper here has wraparound chrome-finished U-shaped stretched splitters at the bottom. 

The MG ZS EV shares its side and rear profiles with the ZS SUV, with minor tweaks introduced here including 17-inch machined aero alloy wheels and revised LED inserts for the tail lamps. Finished in a satin silver theme, the rear diffuser and roof rails add some premium appeal to the MG ZS EV. 

Having Macpherson struts with a stabilizer bar at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, the MG ZS EV offers a plush and comfortable ride quality, while also feeling stable and planted at all speeds. However, the steering feedback is too light, which is a boon in low-speed city driving conditions, but lacks the feedback required while driving at higher speeds. Adding more versatility to the cabin is the 60:40 split arrangement of the rear seats. 

The MG ZS EV comes with a front-mounted electric motor, which produces a maximum power output of 176 PS and a maximum torque output of 280 Nm. Paired with this electric motor is a single-speed transmission, while there is a 51.1kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a range of 320 km (WLTP-certified).

Besides having a suite of ADAS features in the MG Pilot package offered as standard, which includes active emergency braking and warning with pedestrian and bicycle detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, intelligent high beam assist, adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, the MG ZS EV also comes with a few more standard safety features like six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability program, hill start assist, 360-degree parking camera and reverse parking sensors.

Given that it has been in existence for quite some time now, the age of MG ZS EV is now more evident than ever before. The cabin has begun to show its basicness in terms of design, while the battery tech feels old too. However, for its price, the MG ZS EV offers a decent range, space, and comfort, making it a practical-to-own premium compact electric SUV.