2022 MG ZS EV Performance Review - Driving, Range & Comfort

Battery And Motor

The 2022 ZS EV gets a 50kWh battery, which is comparatively bigger than the old model. The motor of the 2022 ZS EV also produces more power but less torque. Check out the table below to find out how it compares to the old model in terms of power, torque and range.

*assumption (basis data)

The updated ZS EV gets a 50.3kWh battery pack, which is 5.8kWh bigger than the  pre-facelift model. This also means that the new ZS EV goes longer on a full charge. MG claim that the 2022 ZS EV can do 461km on a single charge, which is 42km more than the older model.

The 2022 ZS also produces 176PS of power, 34PS more than the pre-facelift model. However, the torque has gone down 73Nm. Hence, while the power to weight ratio has gone up by 21.53PS per tonne, the torque to weight ratio has gone down by 46.7Nm per tonne. Ultimately, on paper, there is not much difference in the performance of the ZS EV. Perhaps this is why the acceleration time from 0 to 100kmph remains unchanged at 8.5 seconds.

New MG ZS EV Range

MG claimed a range of 419km for the old ZS EV. Now, due to the bigger battery, MG claim a range of 461km for the 2022 ZS EV. This is 42km more than the old model. However, when we drove the old ZS EV in mixed traffic conditions, it delivered us a range of around 267km.

While the total claimed range has gone up, the efficiency of the ZS EV has now reduced by 0.25km per kWh. Doing the calculations, we can estimate that the new ZS EV could deliver a range of 294km in real-world conditions, 27km more than before. This is a calculated guess as we got the car roughly for a day during the media drive. So, we didn’t have enough time to drive the car extensively and find the actual range. You can see the table below for the claimed and tested range of the old and new ZS EV.

2022 MG ZS EV Charging Time

MG claim that if you charge the 2022 ZS EV with your household 15A charging socket, it will take 18 hours to get completely juiced up. This duration is the same as what the pre-facelift model used to take to charge from 0 to 100%. Hence, there is no difference in charging times.

If you charge the 2022 ZS EV with the DC fast charger, it will take 60 minutes to get charged from 0 to 80%. On the other hand, the old model due to a relatively smaller battery used to take 50 minutes for the same.

NVH & Refinement

The ZS EV is an electric car, which means that there is no engine in it. There is just a battery pack placed under the car and a motor which rotates the wheels. Hence, there is no sound or vibration from the car except for the slight whine from the motor, which gives you an idea of the motor’s RPM. As for the outside noise, the cabin is well insulated. You do not hear a lot of road noise either. Overall, the ZS EV has a very silent drive.

Drive And Regen Modes

The ZS EV gets 3 drive modes; Eco, Normal and Sports. In Eco mode, the car delivers around 5 to 7% more range than in the normal mode. On the other hand, in Sports mode, the car delivers around 10% less range than in the normal mode.

On the performance side, we tested the 0 to 100kmph times of the 2022 ZS EV in different modes. There was no major difference in the timing. However, the Sports mode feels relatively peppier than the other 2 modes. The Sports mode will help in making quick overtakes while the Eco mode will help you increase the range if you drive sedately.

The 2022 MG ZS EV also gets KERS or kinetic energy recuperation system. This is basically the regen system which automatically applies the brake when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal. It then stores the kinetic energy and uses it to charge the car’s battery, helping in increasing the overall range. The ZS EV gets 3 levels of regen braking, making it easy to adapt to conservative and aggressive driving styles.

If the regen is set at the maximum level 3, you will not even need to apply brakes to slow down. The regen itself slows the car down to 10kmph and charges the battery in the process. While regen technology is new and radical, we think one can easily get used to even its maximum level. Most drivers might even love it as it reduces the strain of braking and also increases the range.

When regen is set at level 3, the brake pedal starts to lose its feel and initial bite. The level 1 regen does not interfere much and gives the brake pedal a good initial bite. Hence, you will have to choose between more regen braking or a better feel from the brake.

New MG ZS EV - Performance, Handling and Ride Quality

The MG ZS EV is an electric car. Hence, it does not have to deal with rev-matching and gear shiftings. The car is responsive at every speed, so as soon as you press the accelerator, you get rapid acceleration even in Normal mode. However, the acceleration is linear throughout and a regular petrol/diesel car driver can easily adapt to the ZS EV’s driving style.

The ZS EV offers brisk acceleration, comparable to most cars at a similar price point, and even better. For comparison, the ZS EV drives like a European car at a similar price point, such as Skoda Octavia or any entry-level luxury car.

As the change in power and torque balance out each other, there is not much difference in performance when compared to the old ZS EV. We have tested the 0 to 100kmph timings of the old as well as the new ZS EV. Both of them come at around 9 seconds.

We think you will find the ride of the 2022 ZS EV comfortable on most surfaces, in the front as well as the rear seats. As the battery pack is placed under the car, it has a lower centre of gravity, which aids in handling.

Verdict - 2022 MG ZS EV Driving Review

Overall, we think that despite being heavier than before and offering lesser torque, the ZS EV still has an enjoyable drive. The real-world range of around 300km further makes the 2022 ZS EV a strong proposition.

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