This is my second ride of the MG ZS EV Essence after spending last year’s Christmas break in one. This time it is in the Long Range version with the only difference rear window privacy glass, less power and a larger 72.6kWh battery with a claimed range of 440km (WLTP).
The 72.6kWh, liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery, powers the Synchronous Motor that has 115kW of power (down from 130kW in the standard range Essence) and 280Nm of torque with drive going to the front wheels.
For my time with the Long Range, I used an average of 18.3kWh/100km, compared to 18.0kWh/100km in the standard range ZS EV. This would have given me a maximum range of 396km driving in Normal mode with the KERS on 3. The other drive modes available include Sport and Eco, but as MG claims a 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds, I didn’t find the need to use Sport mode.
The MG ZS charge port is located at the front of the vehicle and I charged at home using the Type 2 port and a 7kW Go Cable plugged into a standard 240V power point, which is the slowest way to charge your ZS EV. When you plug the cord in it makes a locking sound to indicate the cord is properly attached and the lights adjacent to the port either light up blue or green. Blue lights indicate scheduled charging is in use, so the MG will only charge between times that you have programmed into the infotainment system. Green lights indicate that charging is in progress and on the driver’s dash it shows the percentage charged and when the charging is estimated to be completed.
For faster at home charging MG owners can install a wallbox with either a 7kW single-phase or 11kW three-phase output type. These wallboxes are available in three vibrant colours and using the 7kW fixed wall charger and MG Australia states that it takes an estimated 8 hours to fully charge.
The CCS port is be used for rapid charging at public charging stations and the MG ZS EV will take 54 minutes to reach 80% in from a DC rapid charging point according to MG Australia. The locations of charging stations are available in the Satellite Navigation system of MG ZS EV, and the info tells you whether it is an AC or DC charger, how many there are at the location, but not if there are available. Alternatively, there are a number of third-party applications that can be downloaded to smartphone devices such as Plugshare which are regularly updated with the latest charging stations, charging station type and location.
I noted that the MG ZS Essence I drove at Christmas rode nicer that the MG HS Plus EV Excite that I have previously driven. And after going from the new MG4 directly into this ZS EV I felt that the ZS’s ride was a little unrefined. The positive that can be taken from this is that MG vehicles are improving as new models are being released.
The seats in the ZS EV Essence are covered with synthetic leather and they did not feel as cushy as the seats is the last ZS EV that I drove. The driver’s seat has powered adjustment for recline, forward/back and seat height with no memory positions. The passenger seat has manual adjustment only for recline and forward/back and they are both heated with the controls for this located under the infotainment menu.
The ZS EV Long Range is trying to look a bit fancy with the stitched dash and door sills with multiple use of materials and a large panoramic sunroof that opens for the front half only. On the downside you oonly get single zone climate controls. In front of the modern style rotary gear selector are two rigid cup holders located under the roller cover with a removable mat in their base for easy cleaning. The drink bottle storage in the front door cubbies are a good size as well.
The 10” central touch screen connects to your phone via wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the USB-A port for this located in the cubby at the front of the centre console. There is also wireless charging for compatible devices, one 12V outlet and one USB-C port. Other media sources include DAB+ FM radio, USB music, and Bluetooth.
The rear seats have ample head and leg room for me, but taller people may find it a bit tight and there is no fold down arm rest in the centre seat. There are two ISOFIX/three rear tether child seat restraint points in the ZS, but I think there would only be enough room for two car seats to be fitted, and the securing point for these is located low down almost at the base of the rear seat in the boot space area. Below the rear air vents there is one USB-A and one USB-C port with a low transmission tunnel and the drink bottle storage cubby in the rear doors is not molded so the bottle can move around.
The ZS EV has a power assisted manual opening/closing tailgate using the MG emblem to open the boot, something I think feels like it would not last the test of time. The boot is a good size for the weekly shop, but if you had to put a pram in the boot as well there would not be much left room for groceries. If more space is required the rear seats have a 60:40 split folding rear mechanism. The boot space has one light with storage cubbies behind the wheel arches and under the boot floor there is a tyre repair kit and a space to store the charging cable. The MG ZS EV does not have a front boot as the motor is located under the bonnet.
The current MG ZS EV models do not have an ANCAP safety rating, but do come with six airbags and MG PILOT active safety. MG PILOT in the Essence includes Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Departure Warning (that was a bit aggressive), Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control. The Adaptive Cruise Control is set via a stalk behind the left-hand side of the steering wheel.
The ZS EV Essence Long Range also comes with a 360o camera combined with a standard reversing camera with rear parking sensors, but still no front parking sensors. The Essence does has dusk sensing auto lights, but no rain sensing wipers.
All MG EV and PHEV models come with a seven years/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and a battery warranty that covers the same period for non-commercial use. MG Motor Roadside Assist applies for the same seven-year period for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year peace of mind. The MG ZS EV is service schedule is once two years or every 40,000km, whichever occurs first, and for MG Precise Servicing pricing visit the MG Australia website.
The MG ZS EV Essence Long Range is priced from $55,990 plus on road costs, which is a big jump over the ZS EV Essence that started at $49,709 drive away. For more information visit your preferred MG dealer.
| Pros | Cons |
| Almost 400km of real-world range | Has less power than standard ZS EV Essence |
| Nice interior design features | Single zone climate control |
| The seven years/unlimited kilometre warranty | No ANCAP safety rating |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.