2023 MG ZS EV Review | So much better than...

The 2023 MG ZS EV is so much better than its predecessor - this statement is coming from someone who owns the 2020 model! In this review, find out what's changed, what could be better, and why its Australia's best priced EV that you should check out.

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TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Exterior changes
03:03 - Cargo carry capacity
03:18 - Interior
07:24 - Controls
08:32 - Driving impressions
13:13 - Battery
14:07 - EV charging and V2L
15:18 - Should you buy it?

[rhystimms]

Great review Chris. Your quality of film making and delivery is excellent

Im surprised at the efficiency- without aircon, we are getting around 17 kwh per 100 around town easily

A trip to geelong last week in slow traffic - but not stop / start, I got 15.8 kWh without aircon …

The only disappointment for me was the failure to release the Long Range battery here in Aus ( weird it’s released in the uk where they have shorter driving distances and better charging infrastructure)

So we’ll hold off our upgrade until the LR model is released

[AndyM...]

Like others have mentioned MG should have had the larger battery at least as an option, as I'd imagine most would opt for it. Regen on ACC should have been implemented by now too. A step up from the previous model, still lacking a bit, but for the price point OK...but I'll have to say I'm jealous that it has a phone app whereas the $80K EV6 I have on order doesn't !!!!

[JSmith]

Nice car! So good to see more and more EVs down under. :)

Charger in the front is not a bad position, you can drive straight into a Tesla spot rather than reverse in and you'll be 100% good without any cable gymnastics.
Oh and #NoEvTAX for sure!

[coldude]

Looks like the battery port cover was broken already....

[craigwhitelaw]

Hi. Don't own an EV yet. With regen braking operating, do the brake lights come on automatically when you approach and stop for a Stop sign?

[peterball]

Chris, a great review. But is V2L available on the Essence? Unfortunate that the larger battery version is not available in Oz.

[varmaTrini]

These are some features/short comings, I would have loved to find on the MG ZS EV.
# No Smart TailGate or Kick sensor.
# No feature of electronic memory seats.
# The front passenger seat is manual & only driver seat is electronic.
# No A/c ventilated seats.
# No lumbar support & Under thigh support in seats.
# No “auto roll up” of window glass on central locking.
# Android Auto/Carplay are NOT wireless.
# No spare tyre in rear boot.
# Only single 12v in front, no 12v sockets in rear or trunk space.
# Touch screen- not sensitive/smooth & screen not great in resolution.
# The front & rear camera are not great in resolution.
# Should have come with a storage shelf in the front engine bay.
# Steering wheel has no Telescoping feature.
# The interior sun shade/visors for driver/passenger have no illumination.
# Rear view mirror has no AutoDim feature/is manual.
# No center armrest in rear passenger seats.
# No Heads Up Display.
# The app MG iSmart is available only in select countries(AUS/Thailand/UK).
# The Inbuilt Navigation also available only in select markets.
# There should have been an alert for the front charging port cabinet door. If that door is left open, by accident, the driver would not know and continue to move, till someone alerts.
# Wing Mirrors will not open/close as welcome/Bye gesture.
# No welcome logo light, when doors open.

[roncarguy]

I'm in the States, and our daughter is in NZ. She is interested in The ZS EV. You said the car will charge at about 10 km per hour with the included charging unit. How many amps is the outlet that you are using at 240v? I have a Chevy Bolt ( not sold in NZ or OZ) and of course in the US, we have 120v residential in a standard wall outlet, but I installed a 240v 32 amps, EVSE that will put in 40km per hour. I trying to get a comparison between the MG and what I have here. The Range appears to be less than the Bolt. Maybe it's the difference between Lithium ion versus Lithium phosphate.

[janaksodha]

Does this have V2L ? I saw the discharging button within your video.

[Michael_sajaa]

what if we accidentally change gear D to R on the way?

[christo]

Mmmmm you lost me wen you opened the charge flap and it almost fell off

[adamrihak]

Thanks for the review, very useful and well made. Actually I'm considering buying one here in Spain, price is definitely attractive, although customer service and repairs have poor reviews here

[SebastianPlengier]

I had mine for 4 months now. It’s the worst car I ever had. Watch out for the MG pilot. The lane assist is actually dangerous and the resellers are recommending you to turn it off. The charging is not reliable and sometimes you come out and the car has not charged even if everything is right (no errors or anything). After 2 months the service light started to show. Reseller is claiming everything on software issues even if we upgraded stuff 1 month back. And no, most of the important stuff are still there and even more are issues are coming.

I do not recommend this car if you looking for a reliable and safe EV.

Don’t miss googling the honest reviews before buy 👍

[ElectricCarAustralia]

Great review Chris. Agree this model is a step change from the current Gen 1 we both own.

My 2 biggest disappointments with Gen 2 as you covered is no interior rear lights (I done the DIY thing - video coming) and the no regen when using ACC.

[chhelipilot]

A Crow is laughing at the lack of interior lighting.

[vwgolffancarreviews]

I hate this cars and eny Chinese made EVs

[behramcooper]

Great review.
1) Are the rear number plates specially fabricated, since the rear camera is right in the middle of it?
2) Is it true that the iSmart app is only free for the first year and thereafter it is a paid app?

[Ghandara-hggc]

Under the hood looks very organised and uncluttered to me, it looks like it would be easy to do maintenance on.

[petermcinnes]

Very informative review. One of the best of the many I have watched.

[luninghermo]

is the excite mg ev is the side mirror foldable