2023 MG ZS EV Review | So much better than...

The 2023 MG ZS EV is so much better than its predecessor - this statement is coming from someone who owns the 2020 model! In this review, find out what's changed, what could be better, and why its Australia's best priced EV that you should check out.
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TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Exterior changes
03:03 - Cargo carry capacity
03:18 - Interior
07:24 - Controls
08:32 - Driving impressions
13:13 - Battery
14:07 - EV charging and V2L
15:18 - Should you buy it?

[@rhystimms7704]

Great review Chris. Your quality of film making and delivery is excellent Im surprised at the efficiency- without aircon, we are getting around 17 kwh per 100 around town easily A trip to geelong last week in slow traffic - but not stop / start, I got 15.8 kWh without aircon … The only disappointment for me was the failure to release the Long Range battery here in Aus ( weird it’s released in the uk where they have shorter driving distances and better charging infrastructure) So we’ll hold off our upgrade until the LR model is released

[@petermcinnes5575]

Very informative review. One of the best of the many I have watched.

[@garryellis3085]

Very informative video, thanks Chris

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Great review Chris. Agree this model is a step change from the current Gen 1 we both own. My 2 biggest disappointments with Gen 2 as you covered is no interior rear lights (I done the DIY thing - video coming) and the no regen when using ACC.

[@chrisvanderstock]

I also forgot to talk to V2L - but the car didn't have one for me to try.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

@@chrisvanderstock Yep, cheeky MG don't include it as standard as I think it's a good benefit. Hoping to test it out with the Atto 3 shortly as BYD include as standard.

[@MorganStorey]

There is a guy in Brisbane who programmed an arduino to sit in the middle of the BMS to enable one-pedal (kers level 6) and potentially regen during ACC, he hasn't released it yet. The fact he can do it with an arduino shows MG could do it, but have decided not to for some crazy reason.

[@Trevelyan1971]

What do you mean no re gen when using acc ?

[@francecmax]

Thanks for the video, so many to watch, but can't wait for my new one to arrive. I have to query about your battery info in charging to 100%. No other info I can find says to regular charge above 80%. Where did you get your data from?

[@chrisvanderstock]

I should have been clearer in the video. The shorter range batteries are lithium ion types, so only to 80 or 90% is preferred unless you're ready to go straight away. The long range variant has a 72kWh battery lithium iron phosphate battery, so 100% on that is recommended.

[@ecurb10]

Good review👍.

[@potter2702]

Great thorough video, I should finally be getting the Long Range Trophy Connect at the end of the month, only waited 14 months🙄. Hoping its as good as I remember!

[@chrisvanderstock]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@AndyM...]

Like others have mentioned MG should have had the larger battery at least as an option, as I'd imagine most would opt for it. Regen on ACC should have been implemented by now too. A step up from the previous model, still lacking a bit, but for the price point OK...but I'll have to say I'm jealous that it has a phone app whereas the $80K EV6 I have on order doesn't !!!!

[@benjohnson5897]

Thanks Chris - nice review. Good point about the lack of regen in ACC. I believe the Atto 3 uses regen in ACC braking, so there's no reason the MG couldn't do the same, so yeah - pretty frustrating and waste of opportunity to make some energy. Have they improved the responsiveness and other quirks of the touch screen control?

[@ecurb10]

Funny you mention about the regen breaking in ACC - riding today in my brother's Tesla 3, trying out the Enhanced Auto Pilot trial we also noticed it too didn't employ the regen when slowing down in ACC (unless someone out there can correct me - like I said it was our first attempt). But we figured that maybe the regen might be too harsh or something, for gentle slowing?

[@behramcooper3691]

Great review. 1) Are the rear number plates specially fabricated, since the rear camera is right in the middle of it? 2) Is it true that the iSmart app is only free for the first year and thereafter it is a paid app?

[@chrisvanderstock]

Didn't notice about the rear number plate sorry. And yes, I believe the iSmart app access is free for the first year.

[@peterball7789]

Chris, a great review. But is V2L available on the Essence? Unfortunate that the larger battery version is not available in Oz.

[@chrisvanderstock]

Yes it should work, but I couldn't test it as like you say, they aren't available here yet. Hopefully stock will arrive soon. I've seen people in the forum's buy cheap alternatives from OS.

[@craigwhitelaw501]

Hi. Don't own an EV yet. With regen braking operating, do the brake lights come on automatically when you approach and stop for a Stop sign?

[@6chhelipilot]

A Crow is laughing at the lack of interior lighting.

[@rhystimms7704]

My other observation is that when we get our LR version, we will wrap the nose cone in black vinyl to reduce the obvious outline of the charging door

[@ChazWyvern]

Yeah just be careful not to break the charging door I've heard that replacing it is a huge job

[@stianthomassen6693]

I don’t think they kept it in mind, but the fact that the charge port is slightly to the right makes it easier with Tesla charges which have very short cables. I have a zoe to which have the chargeport in the middle and it have been more of a hassle.

[@luninghermo9471]

is the excite mg ev is the side mirror foldable

[@whitewerewolf1825]

I get mine this week 😌

[@JSmith73]

Nice car! So good to see more and more EVs down under. :) Charger in the front is not a bad position, you can drive straight into a Tesla spot rather than reverse in and you'll be 100% good without any cable gymnastics. Oh and #NoEvTAX for sure!

[@taekin9781]

Great review thank you

[@chrisvanderstock]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janaksodha]

Does this have V2L ? I saw the discharging button within your video.

[@coldude2559]

Looks like the battery port cover was broken already....

[@chrisvanderstock]

Well spotted! Yes it was (not by me!)

[@ecurb10]

Yea looked a bit wobbly

[@Ghandara-hg1gc]

Under the hood looks very organised and uncluttered to me, it looks like it would be easy to do maintenance on.

[@Michael_sajaa]

what if we accidentally change gear D to R on the way?

[@chrisvanderstock]

Being electronic, it would remain in drive mode.

[@varmaTrini]

These are some features/short comings, I would have loved to find on the MG ZS EV. # No Smart TailGate or Kick sensor. # No feature of electronic memory seats. # The front passenger seat is manual & only driver seat is electronic. # No A/c ventilated seats. # No lumbar support & Under thigh support in seats. # No “auto roll up” of window glass on central locking. # Android Auto/Carplay are NOT wireless. # No spare tyre in rear boot. # Only single 12v in front, no 12v sockets in rear or trunk space. # Touch screen- not sensitive/smooth & screen not great in resolution. # The front & rear camera are not great in resolution. # Should have come with a storage shelf in the front engine bay. # Steering wheel has no Telescoping feature. # The interior sun shade/visors for driver/passenger have no illumination. # Rear view mirror has no AutoDim feature/is manual. # No center armrest in rear passenger seats. # No Heads Up Display. # The app MG iSmart is available only in select countries(AUS/Thailand/UK). # The Inbuilt Navigation also available only in select markets. # There should have been an alert for the front charging port cabinet door. If that door is left open, by accident, the driver would not know and continue to move, till someone alerts. # Wing Mirrors will not open/close as welcome/Bye gesture. # No welcome logo light, when doors open.

[@roncarguy6361]

I'm in the States, and our daughter is in NZ. She is interested in The ZS EV. You said the car will charge at about 10 km per hour with the included charging unit. How many amps is the outlet that you are using at 240v? I have a Chevy Bolt ( not sold in NZ or OZ) and of course in the US, we have 120v residential in a standard wall outlet, but I installed a 240v 32 amps, EVSE that will put in 40km per hour. I trying to get a comparison between the MG and what I have here. The Range appears to be less than the Bolt. Maybe it's the difference between Lithium ion versus Lithium phosphate.

[@lazyfrogonalog]

He is talking about the type 1 (granny) charger which is 240v 10amps (a standard power point). Many people get a type 2 wall or portable charger (32 amps) installed which gives similar results to your Bolt. The Bolt was available under the Holden badge in AU. Not sure if it still is though as Holden is a shadow of it's former glory. Your daughter should be comparing the MG ZS EV and the BYD Atto 3 as both have similar price points and are fierce rivals. Hope that helps.

[@roncarguy6361]

@@lazyfrogonalog Exactly what she is comparing. I do have a Siemens 32amp(240v) for the Bolt. It does add 25 miles(40km) in an hour. We have 120v here so the circuit is 20amps. the Bolt will charge 4 miles per hour. According to MG, the ZSEV will get 6 miles per hour with NZs 230v. Thanks.

[@lazyfrogonalog]

@@roncarguy6361 I had a 32A power point put in the garage and then I bought a good quality portable Type 2 charger. Then, if we move house, I don't have to buy another charger. I also asked the electrician to put a 15A power point in there too because it wasn't much extra money and my idea was that it will come in handy if we buy a second EV and also is an added power point in the garage (Accepts 15 and 10 Amp plugs). What Chris is getting at in the video though is that many people can just use the included Type 1 chargers. It depends how far your daughter intends on driving. I've done over 16000km in four months :) Just some ideas to consider but most people over here, set things up the same way you have and it sounds like things are similar between the two hemispheres.

[@roncarguy6361]

@@lazyfrogonalog The Sieman unit is a plug in and can be moved if you do. It can also be hard wired. I plan to discuss that with her this very evening. Cheers.

[@bricksbymcfly]

Isn’t the boot 448 liters?

[@hmsq82]

Is 470l as listed on MG website

[@bricksbymcfly]

@@hmsq82 Even better ;) I think it’s 470 with the boot floor in the lowest setting

[@hmsq82]

@@bricksbymcfly yes, that's how I use it. ;)

[@SebastianPlengier]

I had mine for 4 months now. It’s the worst car I ever had. Watch out for the MG pilot. The lane assist is actually dangerous and the resellers are recommending you to turn it off. The charging is not reliable and sometimes you come out and the car has not charged even if everything is right (no errors or anything). After 2 months the service light started to show. Reseller is claiming everything on software issues even if we upgraded stuff 1 month back. And no, most of the important stuff are still there and even more are issues are coming. I do not recommend this car if you looking for a reliable and safe EV. Don’t miss googling the honest reviews before buy 👍

[@suad01]

Damn. That's disappointing

[@xXSinForLifeXx]

All lane assist is dangerous and should be turned off.

[@abarthspider3479]

I was provided with this new V.E. as a loan car while my vehicle is being repaired at a crash repairer. I can't help feeling in getting my vehicle back not soon enough. The most disturbing experience i have with the MG ZS is the lane assist. There is no were for me to turn this annoying function off. It is a nerving experience having our normal steering effort interfered with. We are capable people and if we were not then we should not have a licence to drive. It becomes even more concerning at a higher speed. I need to keep it under 100km so as for the vehicle not feel so wobbly with enough bounce from left to right and vice versa. It feels almost as if one has a loose front wheel. It just does not feel safe to me driving this car and i think it should be reviewed by Australian authority. Everyhting about it feels cheap right to the plastic door handles. Affointment is basic and does not provide for optional functions. The brakes are not the best and it does take a little more pressure to get an effect. The pedal position is not even right. My foot presses on the pedal and the bar. The interior lights are akind to holding a candle inside and there is no light for the rear seating area. It is a lot of money to fork out and onr deserves better standards. But i be forgiven it being Chinese made in explaining all.

[@chrisvanderstock]

Press the cruise control stick forwards. That turns off lane keep assist.

[@christo123]

Mmmmm you lost me wen you opened the charge flap and it almost fell off

[@chrisvanderstock]

Yeah the media loaner did have a broken charging door. You're the first person who noticed!

[@Poxenium]

steering wheel on the wrong side

[@vwgolffancarreviews7111]

I hate this cars and eny Chinese made EVs