MG ZS EV - Any Good?
Discussion
plfrench said:
Just been out for a test drive in an MG ZS EV. It was the facelifted version with the larger battery and in Trophy spec. My wife was thinking about one as a replacement for her e-Golf as she could do with a bit more range from this Autumn onwards.
I was very disappointed. I cannot believe they fluffed up the fundamentals so much
There was a really annoying thrumming noise from very low speed in the cabin - very low frequency, almost like a pressure pulsation as if your ears were continually popping.
The 'throttle' was hyper-sensitive in normal or sport, and only slightly better when in Eco mode. This made it very difficult to pull away smoothly - this really diminished for me what is one of the biggest draws of electric vehicles; their smoothness and the almost perfect ability to meter power out with your right foot.
The brakes were the opposite. Felt really wooden, with very poor linearity. These combined with the above made town driving a lumpy and awkward experience.
The steering had a lot of stiction around the straight ahead which made it feel like it was fighting you.
Other things were acceptable given the low price (eg poor camera graphics, extremely squishy seats with no support), but those points above for me are fundamentals that couldn't be overlooked.
The e-Golf, which is an old car now, absolutely nails those key things above and really opened my eyes to the attractiveness of electric motors for a daily car. If i'd driven this first I would have stuck with Diesel or petrol for a fair bit longer!
Each to there own but that's not how I'd describe mine. Especially the squishy seats, they just aren't. I was very disappointed. I cannot believe they fluffed up the fundamentals so much
There was a really annoying thrumming noise from very low speed in the cabin - very low frequency, almost like a pressure pulsation as if your ears were continually popping.
The 'throttle' was hyper-sensitive in normal or sport, and only slightly better when in Eco mode. This made it very difficult to pull away smoothly - this really diminished for me what is one of the biggest draws of electric vehicles; their smoothness and the almost perfect ability to meter power out with your right foot.
The brakes were the opposite. Felt really wooden, with very poor linearity. These combined with the above made town driving a lumpy and awkward experience.
The steering had a lot of stiction around the straight ahead which made it feel like it was fighting you.
Other things were acceptable given the low price (eg poor camera graphics, extremely squishy seats with no support), but those points above for me are fundamentals that couldn't be overlooked.
The e-Golf, which is an old car now, absolutely nails those key things above and really opened my eyes to the attractiveness of electric motors for a daily car. If i'd driven this first I would have stuck with Diesel or petrol for a fair bit longer!
In fact everything you've described is the opposite to mine. I find it odd you're finding the throttle too sharp where quite a lot of reviews, and I find the exact opposite. A lot have praised the brake feel where as you describe it as wooden.
Not going to pretend it's the best thing since sliced bread as it really isn't, but I'm not sure it's as bad as you're making out.
Edited by Merry on Saturday 2nd April 17:05
It must have been a duff one then. I cannot believe in this day and age someone would have signed off a car with that many major shortcomings. In a way though, that is even worse, as it suggests significant variability in them if they're not all like it!
We were tempted by the saving of ~£90/month on salary sacrifice over the Cupra Born she's plumped for, but the test drive today killed that idea stone dead.
We were tempted by the saving of ~£90/month on salary sacrifice over the Cupra Born she's plumped for, but the test drive today killed that idea stone dead.
andburg said:
an update on ours:
DAB has started working
Microphone issue also seems to be resolved
Sat Nav still has an issue where it freezes when set
Paint issue remains unresolved and is in dispute
Turn off the dead reckoning in the sat nav settings. Apparently that fixes the sat nav. DAB has started working
Microphone issue also seems to be resolved
Sat Nav still has an issue where it freezes when set
Paint issue remains unresolved and is in dispute
Merry said:
andburg said:
an update on ours:
DAB has started working
Microphone issue also seems to be resolved
Sat Nav still has an issue where it freezes when set
Paint issue remains unresolved and is in dispute
Turn off the dead reckoning in the sat nav settings. Apparently that fixes the sat nav. DAB has started working
Microphone issue also seems to be resolved
Sat Nav still has an issue where it freezes when set
Paint issue remains unresolved and is in dispute
andburg said:
Merry said:
andburg said:
an update on ours:
DAB has started working
Microphone issue also seems to be resolved
Sat Nav still has an issue where it freezes when set
Paint issue remains unresolved and is in dispute
Turn off the dead reckoning in the sat nav settings. Apparently that fixes the sat nav. DAB has started working
Microphone issue also seems to be resolved
Sat Nav still has an issue where it freezes when set
Paint issue remains unresolved and is in dispute
Just for my information - is it correct that this new MG EV is basically a budget Chinese car from a firm that bought the MG rights to slap on the bonnet?
Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
TheDeuce said:
Just for my information - is it correct that this new MG EV is basically a budget Chinese car from a firm that bought the MG rights to slap on the bonnet?
Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
Yes, the brand is owned by Chinese firm SAIC.Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
Appreciate that, as a buyer, there's probably a bit of trying to justify my reasons, but my view was that if they're willing to put 7 year warranty on it then they must have some confidence. Similar to the Korean manufacturers.
I'd like to hope they do have reasonable knowledge on how to build something that lasts though, SAIC apparently sold 5.8 million vehicles in 2021, which is almost 20% more than VW (4.9m).
TheDeuce said:
Just for my information - is it correct that this new MG EV is basically a budget Chinese car from a firm that bought the MG rights to slap on the bonnet?
Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
I wouldn't say the cars themselves are rough around the edges, fit and finish on the ones I've seen has been on a par with any other mainstream manufacturer. Quality of materials is in line with expectations set by the korean brands. My wife wanted an Evoque but bought a ZS because when she sat inside she realised the ZS didnt feel any cheaper.Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
andburg said:
TheDeuce said:
Just for my information - is it correct that this new MG EV is basically a budget Chinese car from a firm that bought the MG rights to slap on the bonnet?
Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
I wouldn't say the cars themselves are rough around the edges, fit and finish on the ones I've seen has been on a par with any other mainstream manufacturer. Quality of materials is in line with expectations set by the korean brands. My wife wanted an Evoque but bought a ZS because when she sat inside she realised the ZS didnt feel any cheaper.Not that there's anything wrong with that - any EV is a step up from a similar budget ICE in my view, it's great that they're becoming so affordable. But should it surprise anyone that this particular car is a little rough round the edges?
Not all EV's have to be 'special'. EV's are set to replace ICE and there's never been a shortage of not special and cheap ICE cars.
Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
TheDeuce said:
I haven't sat in a ZS so I can't know for sure.. but can such a cheap car really feel no cheaper than the baby Range Rover?
Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
Objectively I would say none of those things are as good as the Evoque, but they're a lot closer than they have any right to be for the price. Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
I would say the pre-facelift ZS EV (I haven't experienced the later car which is apparently slightly better) is roughly on a par with the mk8 Golf in terms of interior quality, although the sound deadening is far more Skoda than VW. The ride is comfortable, but it's also very poorly damped (although again the later cars may be better).
TheDeuce said:
I haven't sat in a ZS so I can't know for sure.. but can such a cheap car really feel no cheaper than the baby Range Rover?
Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
You're right, it can't be 100% but to my wife its close enough. The interior in particular with the new infotainment screen is a good mark above the pre-facelift cars which were an absolute no go for her.Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
The fit/finish is no worse than my fiat 124 or her stepdads Kia sportage, its definitely better than her mum's nissan juke.
Far too much is made in reviews of scratchy plastics or squidgy things you will absolutely never touch. Aspects are cheap but they're in the areas only reviewers paid to find fault are looking for them.
TheDeuce said:
I haven't sat in a ZS so I can't know for sure.. but can such a cheap car really feel no cheaper than the baby Range Rover?
Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
For me, the interior of the ZS in terms of dashboard etc were absolutely acceptable for the price (apart from the non-existent support in the seat side bolsters which were completely understuffed and seemingly without any structure behind the foam). It was the droning noise, wooden brakes, very poor 'throttle' sensitivity and high level of stiction in the steering which I couldn't live with. I too found the suspension underdamped and a bit wallowy, but I could have overlooked that if the other points were ok. It felt like it wasn't finished and that the engineers behind it hadn't had the benefit of benchmarking other vehicles during development.Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
I must have driven a bad example though as other's don't seem to have found these problems and the multitude of internet reviewers don't seem to mention either...
andburg said:
TheDeuce said:
I haven't sat in a ZS so I can't know for sure.. but can such a cheap car really feel no cheaper than the baby Range Rover?
Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
You're right, it can't be 100% but to my wife its close enough. The interior in particular with the new infotainment screen is a good mark above the pre-facelift cars which were an absolute no go for her.Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
The fit/finish is no worse than my fiat 124 or her stepdads Kia sportage, its definitely better than her mum's nissan juke.
Far too much is made in reviews of scratchy plastics or squidgy things you will absolutely never touch. Aspects are cheap but they're in the areas only reviewers paid to find fault are looking for them.
Aside from the cheaper plastics further down the cabin, there are several more noticeable thing normally.
Typical examples would be:
- All headlight controls on the wiper stalk
- Basic electric seats, perhaps with certain functions remaining manual
- Plastic coated to look like aluminium rather than machined aluminium details on wiper stalk/indicator and steering wheel
- Generally less tactile surfaces that you will see/touch
- Quality of stereo system
- Feel of steering wheel - all JLR cars get a big tick there, their steering wheel and button design is excellent and feels very premium.
- Cheaper leather
- Less physical buttons (looking at you Tesla...)
The big difference used to be technology and gadgets, but in that area the gap between everyday and premium brands really has closed up. It's virtually impossible to sell anyone a car these days without a lot of tech, people take it for granted. Go more premium and you still start to get extra techy things like laser headlights, adjustable damping, heated AND cooled seats, HUD and so on.. But most car buyers probably wouldn't even think about those sort of features. Heated seats used to be for 'posh' cars but now pretty much everyone (particularly the ladies) I know demands them, and I see most manufacturers throw them in as standard on any half decent trim level now.
Anyway - you bought an excellent car in value terms imo. Probably one of the best value EV's there is at present, along with the EV6.
plfrench said:
TheDeuce said:
I haven't sat in a ZS so I can't know for sure.. but can such a cheap car really feel no cheaper than the baby Range Rover?
Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
For me, the interior of the ZS in terms of dashboard etc were absolutely acceptable for the price (apart from the non-existent support in the seat side bolsters which were completely understuffed and seemingly without any structure behind the foam). It was the droning noise, wooden brakes, very poor 'throttle' sensitivity and high level of stiction in the steering which I couldn't live with. I too found the suspension underdamped and a bit wallowy, but I could have overlooked that if the other points were ok. It felt like it wasn't finished and that the engineers behind it hadn't had the benefit of benchmarking other vehicles during development.Materials, ride quality, sound insulation etc.. if it all feels just as good then very well done MG!
I must have driven a bad example though as other's don't seem to have found these problems and the multitude of internet reviewers don't seem to mention either...
Certain things will be particularly compromised by an platform that has to work for both EV and ICE fitment.. One size fits all solutions are always going to be compromised. A bit like one size fits all clothing - in truth, it fits everyone badly
TheDeuce said:
I think those things are just par for the course when you go cheap with most cars - and I can vaguely remember a time at which I hadn't been sufficiently spoiled to actually not notice. I think most people wouldn't notice or care... Most people that is, not PH'ers
Certain things will be particularly compromised by an platform that has to work for both EV and ICE fitment.. One size fits all solutions are always going to be compromised. A bit like one size fits all clothing - in truth, it fits everyone badly
This wasn't anything to do with being spoilt - my last car was an Astra 1.6 Diesel; it was absolutely fine for what it was, perfectly happy with it. The droning noise in the ZS was really bad and completely unacceptable - putting the windows down helped, but really weird. As I said earlier, the clunkiness of the throttle control really spoiled the electric drive experience and it just felt unfinished.Certain things will be particularly compromised by an platform that has to work for both EV and ICE fitment.. One size fits all solutions are always going to be compromised. A bit like one size fits all clothing - in truth, it fits everyone badly
plfrench said:
TheDeuce said:
I think those things are just par for the course when you go cheap with most cars - and I can vaguely remember a time at which I hadn't been sufficiently spoiled to actually not notice. I think most people wouldn't notice or care... Most people that is, not PH'ers
Certain things will be particularly compromised by an platform that has to work for both EV and ICE fitment.. One size fits all solutions are always going to be compromised. A bit like one size fits all clothing - in truth, it fits everyone badly
This wasn't anything to do with being spoilt - my last car was an Astra 1.6 Diesel; it was absolutely fine for what it was, perfectly happy with it. The droning noise in the ZS was really bad and completely unacceptable - putting the windows down helped, but really weird. As I said earlier, the clunkiness of the throttle control really spoiled the electric drive experience and it just felt unfinished.Certain things will be particularly compromised by an platform that has to work for both EV and ICE fitment.. One size fits all solutions are always going to be compromised. A bit like one size fits all clothing - in truth, it fits everyone badly
I tend to agree then, buying an EV and ending up with a noisy drive and non smooth acceleration would be pretty much the opposite of what many would hope for when they decided to get an EV.
Does anyone know if the platform they're using is actually designed for ICE and EV? Or have they instead started with an existing ICE platform and tried to shoehorn the electric powertrain into it?
It was an ICE car originally. I'm still a little perplexed by the comments about throttle response, steering and wooden brakes. I really do think there was something off with the car that was being driven. Fair comment about suspension refinement though, that's where the savings are.
Personally I'm pretty happy with mine. I bought on the strength of the interior design /layout. I just got on well with it, it's the right balance of buttons and screen and I'm happy with the materials used and how it's screwed together. I dont feel short changed at all.
Where its cheapness shows is in the ride and handling, especially the damping as mentioned. As for reliability, well I guess we'll see!
Personally I'm pretty happy with mine. I bought on the strength of the interior design /layout. I just got on well with it, it's the right balance of buttons and screen and I'm happy with the materials used and how it's screwed together. I dont feel short changed at all.
Where its cheapness shows is in the ride and handling, especially the damping as mentioned. As for reliability, well I guess we'll see!
Merry said:
It was an ICE car originally. I'm still a little perplexed by the comments about throttle response, steering and wooden brakes. I really do think there was something off with the car that was being driven. Fair comment about suspension refinement though, that's where the savings are.
Personally I'm pretty happy with mine. I bought on the strength of the interior design /layout. I just got on well with it, it's the right balance of buttons and screen and I'm happy with the materials used and how it's screwed together. I dont feel short changed at all.
Where its cheapness shows is in the ride and handling, especially the damping as mentioned. As for reliability, well I guess we'll see!
If i could change anything on ours it would be the damping, with my wife driving I will admit i have actually felt a little travel sick at times. Some of that will be down to the suspension but its also the lack of noise and her driving style. I did search and found numerous articles that suggest travel sickness is more prevalent in electric vehicles. I have never had an issue with motion sickness in cars, on boats or planes but I have also experienced in in a friends CLA250e and a golf GTE.Personally I'm pretty happy with mine. I bought on the strength of the interior design /layout. I just got on well with it, it's the right balance of buttons and screen and I'm happy with the materials used and how it's screwed together. I dont feel short changed at all.
Where its cheapness shows is in the ride and handling, especially the damping as mentioned. As for reliability, well I guess we'll see!
She doesnt get it when i drive but I'm a far smoother driver than she is.
This guy got some Bilsteins set up for his which apparently massively improved things:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTE5bLZWw10
Not sure spending that much on upgrades to a cheap car makes a huge amount of sense though. You'd probably be better off buying something which is better configured from the factory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTE5bLZWw10
Not sure spending that much on upgrades to a cheap car makes a huge amount of sense though. You'd probably be better off buying something which is better configured from the factory.
Edited by kambites on Friday 8th April 11:52
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff