Review: Cheapest Electric Car in Australia - is the 2023 MG ZS EV any good? (BYD Atto 3 rival)

The MG ZS EV 2023 model is the cheapest EV in Australia. Is it a better bet than the BYD Atto 3?

In this review, new-energy vehicle specialist Tom White gets to grips with the new version of the MG ZS EV electric SUV. He knows this breed of Chinese small SUV well, having spent a lot of time in the last version of this electric car.

The new one has seen big changes. There's a new electric motor, revised chassis, more safety tech, better interior practicality and finishes, and still, it costs less than $45k drive-away for the base model, and less than $49K d/a for the top-spec Essence tested in this vid.

The question is, have the changes made this the cheapest EV in the country, or the best value one? Watch to find out.

#MG #MGZSEV #review

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00:00 Intro
00:51 Pricing and features
02:38 Design
03:58 Practicality
05:32 Under the bonnet
05:57 Range and charging
06:53 Driving
19:52 Safety
10:27 Ownership
11:06 Verdict

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CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[JOlsson]

The higher seating position is great for shorter people. My wife is short and we have to exclude many vehicles because she can't find a good seating position. Something that is worthwhile to consider when making car reviews. A person that is 1.55 would love this seating position.

[gfbprojects]

I like your reports. It is great to see EV car reviews starting to move in the direction of mainstream reporting. Thank you.

[zaphodsbluecar]

The reasons this car will sell against the BYD, is the better warranty, and the better interior.

The current BYD importer has made an absolute hash of the introduction of the new car, gutted the warranty, doubled the No. of services required... People are cancelling orders for BYD, and this will directly benefit MG.

Roll-on the MG4!

[clayton]

The MG EV4 will be the game changer for EV's in Australia, due next year 2023

[methoxy]

You said you tried to range test the car by driving from Sydney to the Central Coast - "about 150 or so kms". Its about 140km from Sydney to Newcastle (with the Central Coast in the middle), so your distance makes no sense. But even at 150kms you almost ran out of range? My 1st version MG ZS EV (with a listed 263kms range) does Sydney to Newcastle with 80-100kms of range remaining. Its honestly hard to believe that a 50KWh battery in a brand new more efficient vehicle can barely do 150kms.

[DavidKent]

In New Zealand after the Clean Car Rebate the base Excite model is NZ$42K. It has two year servicing intervals and a 7 year warrantee. We got one in October 2022 and can get up to 300km on a full charge. The smallest battery BYD Atto 3 is a better car but costs another NZ $6K.

[bozotheclown]

In my eyes you're buying an EV, a backup battery for your home power supply (once you get an electrician to modify your circuit to do this) and a portable charger for your devices and other powered contraptions. It's a steal for the price.

[ElectricCarAustralia]

Not a bad high level review. I've had the 1st model MG ZS EV for 2 years and happy with it. I've just done my first review of the BYD Atto 3 on my channel. Check it out if thinking about budget EV's.

[sydjaguar]

The battery is LFP, that’s the most important aspect, the reviewer missed

[temp]

I'd love to know many things that these reviews don't cover. How easy to access parts, if an accident occurs? How many service centres are available to folk, not living in major cities? What are some of the technical set ups, with the battery etc.

[trythis]

MG looks better on the inside than BYD but looks poor on the outside. I like the look of BYD outside minus the crap Tyres that car comes with. Obviously, this is subjective, but I think most would agree.

[jatingrover]

Would be nice if the electric car were reviwed by somone with an elec/engg background.
Reuglar petrolhead knowledge does not just transfer over to electric.
Whole different ball game.

[teslabot]

If this had reach adjustment on the steering, I would order one.

[restfulplace]

Nice find. I’ve held off buying. It’s now late ‘23. Enough feedback from users who bought earlier to be confident.

At 20, 000km/yr and a $20, 000 premium over an ice powered similar car doing 5L/100km, that’s $2, 100/year fuel saving. Minus the ev charging.

assuming 8c/kw.hr off peak rate, and the 17.1kw.hr /100 km consumption nominated for the mg ev, electricity costs will be $274/20, 000km. This assumes you can charge at home using the cheapest rate currently available.

Sometimes ppl argue they can charge for free from solar, only works if your car is at home during day - unlikely for most. charging from solar home batteries has different cost structure due to having to size home battery to cover the ev and house use. Standard electricity rate is now around 26c/kw.hr or 20c/kw.hr off peak.

Charging away from home varies widely, 40-45c/kw.hr is common today. If used exclusively, at 20, 000km/yr that becomes $1368/yr, vs the $2100/yr for fuel at current prices.

There might be some circumstances where you can charge your ev for free during the day due to the solar power duck curve - excess solar during middle of day. Dependent on car at home or an ev friendly employer.

So the ability to charge your ev cheaply is very significant.

So annual savings will be $1826.

Factor in ice maintenance costs - say double the fuel costs and the numbers become even more favourable.

The big catch will be ev road tax, currently 8c/km in some states and likely to be adopted by other states in coming years.


The racq report on car costs shows higher expenses due to full dealer servicing, but let’s face it, most ppl use a local mechanic for much less, particularly over the life of the vehicle after warranty.

[behramcooper]

What was that about A/C charger and 4 hours to a full charge? Can I do it at home? I have ordered mine in April, but still waiting for the phone to ring.

[AegisHyperon]

wdym the buttons don't adjust the "laggy climate control", you toggle it up to raise the temp and toggle it down to lower it I just test drove this car

[XNY_Music]

I've got one on order, a black Trophy version with the smaller battery pack.
Been waiting five months and still have no idea on delivery date.
It's good to see someone reviewing this entry level, but well specced EV.

[electricdiesel]

ZS is an EV FWD SUV not 4WD wagon even dear prices went up by inflation despite low running cost and no emissions can not have the ability to tow a caravan, drive distance could run out of batteries and splash through shallow pond might soak electric motors rendered malfunction, did it comes with a rear drum brake since Mazda Tribute?; here's a word of advice then catch the bus very cheaper or literally go fly a kite much safer.

[yggdrasil]

This is a great EV if you want an affordable SUV EV. Otherwise you are up in the 60k bracket with Hyundai Kona, Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y.

[Visbalalam]

The link to the written review doesn’t work.