Today we review 2022 MG ZS EV.

The MG ZS EV has its roots in the ZS subcompact crossover, which is the second MG SUV after the MG GS released by the British marque under Chinese company SAIC Motor. It’s important to note that the ZS name was previously used on a small family car produced by MG Rover between 2001 and 2005. After SAIC acquired MG in 2007, the nameplate was revived, eventually becoming the brand’s best-selling model in international markets.

Chapters:
0:00 Overview
1:53 Exterior
4:04 Interior
4:41 Technology
5:39 Powertrain
7:21 Safety
8:17 Pricing

The standard ZS made its public debut in 2017, first sold in China and eventually the United Kingdom. An all-electric version called the ZS EV premiered at the 2018 Guangzhou Auto Show. Two electric motors were offered, one producing 141 horsepower and the other capable of 148 horsepower. Both were powered by a 44.5 kilowatt-hour battery.
Available markets for the ZS EV included the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, India, China, and Thailand. It was hailed as the cheapest electric car in the Australian market as of November 2020. Some three years after its introduction, the all-electric version of the ZS has been refreshed to make it more competitive in its highly contested segment. It builds on the success of the outgoing model which has been MG’s most successful electric vehicle to date, consistently ranking among the top 10 EVs in the U.K.
Exterior

The previous ZS EV was basically a copy-and-paste version of the standard ZS, sporting the same fascia without the combustion version’s fog lamps. As the combustion powered ZS underwent a facelift, so too did the electric version to further differentiate itself from its gasoline counterpart.

The Stardust grille is gone. This has been replaced by a stamped front mask that presumably improves aerodynamics while somewhat referencing the previous design. Unlike the old version which hid the charging port underneath the MG logo, the new ZS EV relocates the port right next to the emblem. MG has included a four-stage LED indicator, making it easier for owners to view the vehicle’s charging status.
Much like the facelifted ZS, the 2022 ZS EV also ditches the original London Eye projector headlamps. In their place lies a pair of sleeker LED versions, accentuated by large daytime running lights. The front bumper on the ZS EV is now more streamlined with a split-chin design, removing the faux skid plate on the old model. These styling changes help make the ZS EV more recognizable as an electric model.
As the ZS EV continues to use the same platform, there are practically no changes to the profile. The body-colored door handles are still there, as well as the side mouldings and body cladding around the wheel arches. Roof rails are still standard, while the two-tone alloy wheels have been redesigned with wider spokes.

Out back, the rear LED combination lamps have also been revamped. The blocky-looking units have been replaced by more contoured ones that echo the boomerang motif on the headlamps. Even the rear apron has been revised, with smaller reflectors at the corners of the bumper, along with a split diffuser.

Interior

The restyled ZS EV largely retains the same functional interior, with room for up to five occupants. There’s an abundance of black leather with red contrast stitching, from the seats to the center console and even the multi-function steering wheel.

Front occupants benefit from heated seats, while a panoramic glass sunroof lets ambient light in. There’s still 470 liters of luggage space behind the rear passengers, and the second-row bench can be stowed if you need to make room for larger items, adding up to 1,100 liters of cargo volume.
Technology

While the dashboard layout remains practically the same, there are a few notable changes. A subtle carbon fiber effect is now more evident on the surface. The twin analog gauges have been replaced by a fully digital instrument cluster.

Notice that the center console no longer has control knobs for the onboard entertainment system’s volume and temperature controls. That’s because they have been removed in favor of the upgraded 10.1-inch tablet-style touchscreen head unit.

The new display comes with MG’s new iSmart connectivity system that allows smartphone connectivity via a downloadable app. This converts your personal device into a remote control, allowing you to adjust various aspects of the vehicle such as the dual-zone climate control, charging, and security features. Wireless smartphone charging is also available, although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto continue to require a cable.
Powertrain
The 2022 ZS EV also gets an upgrade in terms of battery capacity. New for this model is a 51 kilowatt-hour battery pack that’s capable of delivering up to 320 kilometers on a single charge.