Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

MG ZS EV SUV - Range, charging & running costs

​​Not only is the MG ZS EV cheap to run, it also undercuts most rivals on price

2021 MG ZS EV - side on dynamic
Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.2 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Range, charging & running costs Rating

5.0 out of 5

As is often the case with facelifted cars, prices have risen slightly. The fact remains that the MG ZS EV is hard to ignore if you’re looking for a practical electric car with a decent range that doesn’t cost the earth. From January 2022, MG introduced a smaller battery option, which is cheaper to buy than the Long Range model.

MG ZS EV range and charging

We were satisfied with the 44.5kWh battery fitted in the outgoing ZS EV and so were many customers but MG hasn’t rested on its laurels. While the old car could do 163 miles on a charge, the new 51kWh battery officially manages up to a 198 miles of range in perfect conditions. MG says that you could achieve even more than that if you drive mainly in town, where the stop-start driving can channel extra charge to the battery via the car’s regenerative braking system for a range of up to 266 miles

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Long Range version officially manages 273 miles - and 250 should be achievable in real-world conditions. It has a higher capacity, 72.6kWh battery but it doesn’t take up any more space and is only 10kg heavier. MG quotes up to 370 miles of city driving as being possible in this version.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

When its batteries are low, the ZS EV is compatible with charging at up to 76kW, so it can be charged from flat to 80% in around 42 minutes at public rapid charging stations. A 50kW charger will take just over an hour. However, the CCS/Type 2 charging port is located behind a flap in the front grille, so if you like reversing into spaces you'll be out of luck here. There are no Renault ZOE-style battery leasing costs and a home charging unit is also included for free, adding up to a great value package. A full recharge on a 7kW home wallbox takes 10.5 hours (eight hours for the smaller battery).

Like all electric cars, VED (road tax) costs nothing, and company-car drivers will like the ZS EV’s minimal Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax liability too. Should you wish to take your ZS EV into London, it’s exempt from the ULEZ and the Congestion Charge.

Insurance groups

The new MG ZS EV sits in group 28 out of 50, regardless of which trim level you pick. It means insurance will be more expensive than for the petrol ZS, which starts in group 15. The Hyundai Kona Electric, meanwhile, occupies group 20 for the lower-range model, and the Peugeot e-2008 has a group 25 rating.

Warranty

MG’s seven-year/80,000-mile warranty is very generous. Many of its rivals, including the Peugeot e-2008, come with a three-year warranty, while the Renault ZOE and Hyundai Kona Electric are covered for five years. Kia’s warranty package for the Niro EV is just as long as the MG’s but covers up to 100,000 miles in that time. MG provides a guarantee against the battery dropping below 70% capacity.

Servicing

Servicing costs should be lower than petrol models, as MG says maintaining electric cars is “easier and less expensive”.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The best family cars 2024
The top 10 best family cars
Best cars
19 Jul 2024

The best family cars 2024

Top 10 best 4x4s and SUVs
The best 4x4s and SUVs 2023 hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best 4x4s and SUVs

Today’s hot car deal: bargain electric MG ZS for £213 per month
MG ZS EV front quarter
Deals
1 Dec 2023

Today’s hot car deal: bargain electric MG ZS for £213 per month

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024
Best cars for winter
Best cars
10 Oct 2024

The best cars for snow and winter driving 2024

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024