MG ZS EV - Any Good?

[Register1]

FBR2020 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.

Yes, the brand is owned by Chinese firm SAIC.

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).

SAIC must be one massive car factory to pump out more 20% than VW.
Hats off to them.

[TheDeuce]

Register1 said:

FBR2020 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.

Yes, the brand is owned by Chinese firm SAIC.

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).

SAIC must be one massive car factory to pump out more 20% than VW.
Hats off to them.

They have something of an advantage - Chinese made cars are cheap as chips in China. Cars made anywhere else attract crazy levels of import tax.

Therefore, 99% in a population of over 1 billion people can basically only buy a domestic car. It's not because the cars are always particularly good Vs a VW. Although in fairness, in my view, VW's first wave of affordable EV's have been pretty poor.. in value terms easily beaten by the MG despite its poor handling.

[kambites]

Don't SAIC build VWs for VAG in China for that very reason? Or am I thinking of someone else?

[andburg]

Yeah I'm sure SAIC build, or at least used to build a lot of VW's chinese vehicles.

could just be internet rubbish but i head there are a lot of similarities in things like brake caliper design/specification between the SAIC brands and previous generation VW parts as its how SAIC learnt to do things.

[Shrimpvende]

Just for some closure on this one, in the end we went for the Hyundai Kona rather than the MG. There were a couple of reasons for this - firstly, the Kona has been around longer so we managed to get a lightly used one (at a premium!) and secondly the spec was much better.

I'm really impressed with it, it's got heated and cooled leather seats, heated steering wheel, premium sound system, opening sunroof etc, a brilliant spec for any car!

The range is also fantastic. It was delivered from Bridgend to Derby, the driver said he topped it up at Bristol to around 85%, and by the time it arrived here it still had 45% battery left! My gf commuted in it today and the 35 mile trip only took 37 miles off the indicated remaining range, which considering the commute is mainly dual carriageway and motorway it really impressive. It's an odd looking thing and smaller than the MG, but for what we wanted it for I think it's perfect.

[ffzetecs]

I’ve got an MG ZS EV on order.

I first tried the VW ID3 - practical and decent to drive but just a really awful interior. Reminded me of an ex girlfriends 2004 Skoda Fabia. Cheap nasty grey fabric and hard plastics. Fiddly buttons.

The MG seemed a step up from the VW and a pleasant surprise.

Our other car is a PHEV Merc A250e and we both groan when it’s run out of range and switches to ICE. One of the frustrations with the Merc is the variable regen braking which makes coasting difficult to guess. Sometimes it’ll slow down, others it’ll freewheel endlessly. Even in the Merc, we tend to stick it on CarPlay and that’s what I intend to do in the MG.

I really like the ability to pick regen braking in the MG (almost but not quite 1 pedal on high). The interior is decent quality and pleasant, plenty of space and a decent boot.

I also tried a EQA whilst ours went in for a service. Interior was clearly “nicer” but nowhere near the c50% extra cost.

For the price and range.. I couldn’t beat it. Cheap lease deals also indicate residuals are predicted to be decent too for those who have bought.

Now just to wait as the lead time continues to extend!!

[Gooose]

ffzetecs said:

I’ve got an MG ZS EV on order.

I first tried the VW ID3 - practical and decent to drive but just a really awful interior. Reminded me of an ex girlfriends 2004 Skoda Fabia. Cheap nasty grey fabric and hard plastics. Fiddly buttons.

The MG seemed a step up from the VW and a pleasant surprise.

Our other car is a PHEV Merc A250e and we both groan when it’s run out of range and switches to ICE. One of the frustrations with the Merc is the variable regen braking which makes coasting difficult to guess. Sometimes it’ll slow down, others it’ll freewheel endlessly. Even in the Merc, we tend to stick it on CarPlay and that’s what I intend to do in the MG.

I really like the ability to pick regen braking in the MG (almost but not quite 1 pedal on high). The interior is decent quality and pleasant, plenty of space and a decent boot.

I also tried a EQA whilst ours went in for a service. Interior was clearly “nicer” but nowhere near the c50% extra cost.

For the price and range.. I couldn’t beat it. Cheap lease deals also indicate residuals are predicted to be decent too for those who have bought.

Now just to wait as the lead time continues to extend!!

It’s a great car tbh, does exactly what it’s designed to do. I’ve had mine for 2 months now and I love driving it, I’ve got a 2006 X5 but I jump in the MG every time!

[ZesPak]

Shrimpvende said:

Just for some closure on this one, in the end we went for the Hyundai Kona rather than the MG. There were a couple of reasons for this - firstly, the Kona has been around longer so we managed to get a lightly used one (at a premium!) and secondly the spec was much better.

I'm really impressed with it, it's got heated and cooled leather seats, heated steering wheel, premium sound system, opening sunroof etc, a brilliant spec for any car!

The range is also fantastic. It was delivered from Bridgend to Derby, the driver said he topped it up at Bristol to around 85%, and by the time it arrived here it still had 45% battery left! My gf commuted in it today and the 35 mile trip only took 37 miles off the indicated remaining range, which considering the commute is mainly dual carriageway and motorway it really impressive. It's an odd looking thing and smaller than the MG, but for what we wanted it for I think it's perfect.

Well done that, great little things. Love the colour as well!

[Witchfinder]

Did you look at the Kia eNiro before picking the Kona? I think I prefer the Kia as it's a bit more roomy.

[Shrimpvende]

Witchfinder said:

Did you look at the Kia eNiro before picking the Kona? I think I prefer the Kia as it's a bit more roomy.

We did, but the spec wasn't quite the same. When my gf found the cooled seats and heated steering wheel in the Kona she was sold, the E-Niro didn't have the same level for the money and for some reason seemed even harder to get hold of. We were lucky to find this one on eBay of all places, it was a Hyundai main dealer based in Wales but for some reason they hadn't advertised it on Autotrader - I think that's why someone else hadn't bitten their hand off.

Funnily enough, since buying the Kona because of the commute and free charging as highlighted in the OP, my gf has now got a new job 5 miles from home. So...we either keep the Kona (which is still perfect for this), or swap it for something she really wants. The funny thing is, although on paper it's perfect, she doesn't exactly love it and never has done - she's a 28 year old female that loves driving my Macan and Aston and adored my previous Range Rover - so spending £35k on the Kona was somewhat painful for her, even though it was for all the right reasons. Now it's not going to be paying for itself anymore it may well end up going, as whichever way you cut it it's an expensive car once the fuel/electricity saving becomes negligible so she might as well have something she really wants for the money instead!

[ZesPak]

Shrimpvende said:

Funnily enough, since buying the Kona because of the commute and free charging as highlighted in the OP, my gf has now got a new job 5 miles from home. So...we either keep the Kona (which is still perfect for this), or swap it for something she really wants. The funny thing is, although on paper it's perfect, she doesn't exactly love it and never has done - she's a 28 year old female that loves driving my Macan and Aston and adored my previous Range Rover - so spending £35k on the Kona was somewhat painful for her, even though it was for all the right reasons. Now it's not going to be paying for itself anymore it may well end up going, as whichever way you cut it it's an expensive car once the fuel/electricity saving becomes negligible so she might as well have something she really wants for the money instead!

Can't imagine you would be at a loss if you sell it now tbh!

That said, 5 miles back and forth is the kind of trip that can ruin a lot of ICE vehicles IME.

[Witchfinder]

Sounds like she's quite image-conscious. I can understand why, as great as Hyundais are, it's not going to do it for her. You can get an early I-Pace for just under £40k now.

[Shrimpvende]

Witchfinder said:

Sounds like she's quite image-conscious. I can understand why, as great as Hyundais are, it's not going to do it for her. You can get an early I-Pace for just under £40k now.

Not really, just that once you take the fuel saving out of the equation with the new commute the numbers don't stack up to keep the Kona as it's an expensive car at £35k. She might as well get something interesting for under £10k as financially it just makes much more sense and I've fully brought her round to our petrolhead ways (she also loves my Clio Trophy and has done multiple trackdays in it).

[MadMullah]

I got mine yesterday. MG ZS Trophy LR

i'm really enjoying it. it was a dealership demonstrator model with 4k on the clock. Drove it up from ML MG in Ruislip to Lancashire. stopped over at stafford to just do a 20% top up. was surprised to see that it didnt come with any charger at all, which was a bit disappointing but apparently they dont come with any chargers brand new either? took it over to lidl for a fast charge there.

ordered a granny charger and a type 2 cable from Amazon which got delivered today.

the interior i like nothing creaking. took a mate who has recently bought an Audi A2 and he was saying the inside is really well done. the panoramic sunroof is great. I'd purchased an S-max about 7 years ago and didnt go for the titanium x model with the glass roof which i later regretted.

the infotainment system is easy enough though i just tend to plug in my bluetooth and play music off my spotify. i havent tried the google play system.

got a lovely trip to birmingham on the weekend so that should be interesting as there's a lack of chargers in the area i'm going to which i found very surprising.

[Merry]

You should have a granny charger with it. The dealer has cocked up there.

You don't get a type 2 cable though.

[andburg]

Congratulations on your purchase.

Cars should come with a 3 pin 13a granny charger but not a type 2. No point spending the extra for a 3 phase cable as the car won’t support it anyway.

Perils of buying used I guess but poor show from a dealer to have misplaced it on a demo car!

[MadMullah]

yeah I was thinking of emailing them back with regards to that - but then again as its used, despite the dealership owning it.

the listing got taken off once i'd committed to taking it but i've checked other similar vehicles and it doesnt say that it comes with a granny charger or anything like that

[anonymous-user]

Shrimpvende said:

Funnily enough, since buying the Kona because of the commute and free charging as highlighted in the OP, my gf has now got a new job 5 miles from home. So...we either keep the Kona (which is still perfect for this), or swap it for something she really wants.

cough, i3s, cough

Literally the most fun EV to drive their is........ (also an absolutely sure fired future classic)

[Export56]

Max_Torque said:

Shrimpvende said:

Funnily enough, since buying the Kona because of the commute and free charging as highlighted in the OP, my gf has now got a new job 5 miles from home. So...we either keep the Kona (which is still perfect for this), or swap it for something she really wants.

cough, i3s, cough

Literally the most fun EV to drive their is........ (also an absolutely sure fired future classic)

When someone says i3, I think https://plugincarworld.com/why-is-the-bmw-i3-so-ug...

[DemiseoftheICE]

Shrimpvende said:

My Partner is looking at an MG ZS EV for her long commute, as it seems by far the most cost effective way of doing it. The commute is 75 miles per day, mix of motorway/A road and stop start traffic. She currently has a Qashqai 1.5 diesel manual, not a great car but about as economical as a crossover type thing can be. With the recent increase in fuel, she's now spending anywhere from £250-300 per month on diesel. The Qashqai is 5 years old, out of warranty and starting to get to the point where it feels like things will probably start to go wrong or need replacing.

I can't say much about the driving experience of the MG, but from a cost perspective it is a good choice. Based on your question (assumed 20 working days so 1500 miles a month), and a £0.28p price per kWh for the MG and current Diesel price for the Qashqai, the yearly difference could be up to £2500 (or even more if you can charge at work for free):


Even if you would buy the MG ZS new for £34K, and assume a used price for Qashqai of £15K, the difference in driving cost will be able to make it worth it:


Maintenance costs might of course differ but it is believed that EVs have lower costs due to fewer components and newer tech. The depreciation/residual value of the EVs is another story, although I do think it will hold up relatively well.