MG ZS EV SUV - Electric motor, drive & performance

The MG ZS' petrol engines and gearboxes are our least favourite parts of the standard model, so swapping them for smooth, powerful electric motor and single-speed transmission is nigh on transformational. You’ll notice that it’s not the quietest electric car but refinement is adequate considering the car’s relatively low price.

Acceleration aside, its driving experience is unremarkable - but that's no bad thing, it's simple and easy to get around in. Most bumps are dealt with by the soft suspension, but this also means the ZS EV can feel slightly wayward at times, with a bit too much body lean. If the driving experience is important, it’s worth looking at cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Hyundai Kona Electric instead.

MG ZS EV electric motor

Its single motor produces either 174bhp (standard-range versions) or 154bhp (Long Range) and 280Nm of torque, all sent to the front wheels which gets the MG from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds - four seconds quicker than the petrol. The cheaper standard-range versions are ever-so-slightly quicker, but the difference is negligible. Its top speed is now 108mph, up from 87mph in the old model, allowing for easy motorway driving, but reminding us that high-speed cruising isn't necessarily an electric car forte.

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There are Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes. Unlike in some electric cars, Eco doesn’t restrict acceleration too severely but Sport mode certainly doesn’t transform the ZS into a performance SUV either. There are also three settings for the regenerative braking, although you can’t drive using just one pedal like you can in an ID.3 or Nissan Leaf.