MG ZS EV 2022 review
Overview
The 2022 MG ZS EV is the heavily facelifted version of the electric crossover that first arrived in Britain in late 2019. Launching in UK dealers from November 2021 for the 2022 model year, the facelift brought revised front and rear styling with a bespoke electric nose, a redesigned cabin with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and iSMART connected services, and - most importantly - much larger batteries. The headline Long Range car pairs a 72.6kWh battery with an official 273-mile WLTP range, a huge step up from the pre-facelift car's modest 163-mile claim, finally making the ZS EV a credible family car for longer British journeys.
At launch the facelifted ZS EV was offered in SE, Trophy and Trophy Connect grades, all as Long Range models with the 115kW (156PS) motor driving the front wheels. A cheaper Standard Range version with a 51.1kWh battery (198-mile WLTP range, 130kW/176PS motor) joined the line-up in spring 2022. Launch prices including the then-current Plug-in Car Grant started at £28,495 for the SE Long Range, with the mid-range Trophy at £30,995 - the trim most buyers chose - and £31,495 for Trophy Connect.
On the used market the 2022 facelift cars are standout value: typical 2022 examples change hands for around £11,000-£13,000, with Long Range cars commanding the premium over Standard Range ones. Buyers must be careful to distinguish facelift cars from the pre-facelift 2019-2021 models (badged in Excite and Exclusive trims with the smaller 44.5kWh battery), which look similar but offer far less range. Every ZS EV benefits from MG's transferable seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty, which includes the battery pack, making even older examples a reassuring used buy provided the service history is intact.
UK price from: £30,995
Specifications
| Battery (Long Range) | 72.6 kWh nominal / 68.3 kWh usable |
| Battery (Standard Range) | 51.1 kWh nominal |
| WLTP range | 273 miles (Long Range) / 198 miles (Standard Range) |
| Motor output | 115 kW / 156 PS (Long Range) / 130 kW / 176 PS (Standard Range) |
| Torque | 280 Nm |
| 0-62 mph | 8.4 sec (Long Range) |
| Top speed | 108 mph |
| DC rapid charging | Up to 76 kW; 10-80% in about 42 minutes |
| AC charging | 7 kW on-board (about 10.5 hours for a full charge) |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (tested 2019, applies to ZS EV range) |
| Boot space | 359 litres seats up / 1,187 litres seats folded |
| Insurance group | 27-28 (Standard Range trims) |
Features
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- MG Pilot driver-assistance suite with adaptive cruise control, active emergency braking, lane keep assist and traffic jam assist as standard
- 360-degree parking camera on SE trim and above
- iSMART connected services with smartphone app control of charging, climate and security
- Panoramic glass roof, heated front seats, leather-style upholstery and electric driver seat adjustment on Trophy models
- Wireless phone charging pad, rain-sensing wipers and roof rails on Trophy and Trophy Connect
- Blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert on Trophy grades
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging function, letting the car power external devices
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin pollen filter | £18 | Estimate; pattern part, widely stocked for ZS/ZS EV |
| Wiper blade set (front pair) | £25 | Estimate; 17in aero covers common to ZS range |
| 12V auxiliary battery | £95 | Estimate; standard lead-acid aux battery fitted to all EVs |
| Front brake pad set | £40 | Estimate; pads wear slowly thanks to regenerative braking |
| Tyre 215/55 R17 | £85 | Estimate per tyre; common size shared across facelift trims |
| Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable 5m | £120 | Estimate; handy for public AC posts without tethered cable |
Pros
- Exceptional used value - facelift 2022 cars with the big battery typically sell for £11,000-£13,000
- Long Range model's 273-mile WLTP range is genuinely usable for family motoring
- Seven-year, 80,000-mile transferable warranty including battery (70% capacity guaranteed)
- Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, rare at this price point
- Generous standard equipment, including the full MG Pilot driver-assistance suite
Cons
- Cabin plastics feel cheap next to Korean rivals such as the Kia Niro EV
- Refinement disappoints at motorway speeds, with noticeable wind, road and motor noise
- Standard Range's 198-mile WLTP range is still modest for frequent long-distance drivers
- MG badge lacks the cachet of more established rivals, which hurts resale values
