2022 MG ZS EV facelift. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
MG was one of the first carmakers to enter the mass-market electric SUV space in India, with the launch of the ZS EV back in 2019. Being MG's first entrant to the Indian electric vehicle (EV) space, the carmaker played to its strengths by combining the appeal of a midsize SUV (having made a name in the market with the Hector) with the green credentials of an EV. This recipe worked well for the ZS EV, with the model coming to be known for its features, performance and range. This year, MG launched a facelift for the electric SUV, which built upon these highlights with the addition of new features, a more powerful electric motor and a larger battery, all with an eye on establishing itself as the de-facto choice for anyone seeking a sub-Rs 30 lakh EV. Has it succeeded, and is the ZS EV worthy of your attention? Read on for the answers.
Looking at the ZS EV facelift, we can see that a chunk of the changes have been focused on the front if the EV. Gone is the old mesh grille with the transparent plastic plate hiding the charging port and, in its place, there is a modern single-piece nose section that has an almost golf-ball like pattern with a neatly integrated flap for the charging port. Other design changes include a new set of headlights with sleeker LED DRL signatures, a reprofiled front bumper that look smoother on the whole and features a sporty front lip, which is accentuated by a silver highlight.
The ZS EV facelift gets a single-piece front-end design and sleeker headlights. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
View the ZS EV from the side and you'll be hard-pressed to find any major changes over the pre-facelift model, as besides the revised silver embellishment on the bottom section of the doors and new, more aerodynamically efficient alloy-wheel design, there are no other changes.
The side profile is identical to the pre-facelift model save for the silver embellishments and new wheel design. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
It's a similar story at the rear of the ZS EV facelift, which, save for the new bumper that gets a faux diffuser sporting a silver accent and the updated taillights with smarter-looking LED lighting elements, appears identical to the outgoing model.
Rear sports a cleaner bumper design with a silver faux diffuser at the bottom. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
2022 MG ZS EV facelift: Interiors
While the overall design of the cabin remains unchanged to the previous model, MG has made a few choice upgrades to the ZS EV's interior, including the new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which feels slicker to operate than the older unit (though it runs the same user interface), as well as new faux carbonfibre inserts on the dashboard and seats. Additionally, the old climate control dials have been swapped for new toggle-style switches which are easy to use, but an issue I has with them was that when I used them while running Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, they took me to the climate control screen to show the changes, but didn't return me to the app I was using.
The dash gets a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, new climate control switches and new faux carbonfibre inserts. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
Some of the other key features in the cabin include a new 8.0-inch digital instruments display, which shows plenty of EV-specific data such as range, distance to empty, battery power usage, battery charge levels, charging details and more, with this setup being a big improvement over the analogue dials and MID arrangement on the older model. There is a conveniently positioned wireless charger, MG's connected car features, automatic climate control (which wasn't present on the pre-facelift model), electric driver's seat adjustment, a large panoramic sunroof and an air purifier, along with the older model's nifty toggle-style switches for brake regen, drive mode selection which is accompanied by a rotary gear selector that looks like it has been plucked from a Jaguar.
The remaining charge time and battery percentage on the digital instrument display is a handy feature. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
The front seats are nicely cushioned and supportive, offering six-way electric adjustment on the driver's side, though the lumbar support was a touch too pronounced for me, especially as it couldn't be adjusted. Quality on the whole feels pretty good, with plenty of soft-touch materials used around the cabin along with sturdy switchgear from the pre-facelift model. However, there are clear signs of cost-cutting with the hard plastics used on the lower section of the dash, door cards and even on the centre console. Additionally, features such as ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, that we have come to expect at this price point, are all missing from the ZS EV's feature list.
Rear seats are well cushioned, though headroom and under-thigh support aren't great. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
Moving to the rear seats, the seats are well cushioned and offer a good amount of kneeroom and legroom, though headroom for taller passengers is a bit limited and under-thigh support isn't great, something that is only amplified by the slightly knees-up seating position. Also, while there is a central armrest at the rear, I found it positioned a touch too low for me, and it's only real utility value is courtesy the cupholders. The ZS EV also has a fairly large and usable boot.
Boot is spacious enough to accommodate two large suitcases and some cabin baggage. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
On the safety front, the facelifted ZS EV comes with six airbags, 360-degree parking cameras, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). It unfortunately misses out on the Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that the cheaper petrol-powered Astor gets.
The ZS EV facelift comes with a larger 50.3 kWh battery pack instead of its predecessor's 44.5 kWh pack. The battery pack is housed under the floor of the electric SUV and MG continues to offer it with a warranty of eight years or 1.5 lakh kilometres, whichever comes first. With this larger battery pack also comes a much improved 461 km claimed ICAT range, though as per our testing in mixed conditions, regular driving will get you a range of 324 km per charge.
Charging times have also risen due to the larger battery pack, and the ZS EV still has three main ways to top it up. The first is via a 7.4 kW AC charger that will take anywhere between eight to nine hours for a full charge, while the second option is using a 50 kW DC fast charger that will take a full hour to give an 80 per cent charge. Lastly, you can also use any regular 15 A socket to charge up the car with the cable provided with the car, however, that will take up to 18 - 19 hours for a full charge.
A 50 kW DC fast charger is definitely the most convenient way to charge if you don't have a home charger. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
The public charging system is relatively easy to use and pay for once you set up the app and wallet; however ,this process can be tricky and confusing for first-time users. The next hurdle comes when looking to find a working charging station that is compatible with your EV (in this case the ZS EV), which seems simple on the surface as the in-built nav, Google Maps and even the Electreefi app give you charging locations, but they don't have updated information regarding which machines are working at each location. In our time with the EV, despite having plenty of charging stations around us, we faced a few issues finding compatible chargers (CCS Type 2), and of the ones we found, a few were out of service. And all this is before you account for the fact that in many locations, chargers are blocked by regular ICE cars and also the waiting time to use the working chargers is always a factor save for early in the morning and late in the evening, as stations always have most bays in use. This problem is only compounded when travelling longer distances and out of the confines of the city.
Many chargers are shown to be online on maps and charging apps, though don't work due to damaged screens and connectors. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
Though all said and done, the cost for topping up an EV, even at a fast charger, is significantly lower than filling up a petrol or diesel car, with a full charge at a fast charger for the ZS EV costing only around Rs 800.
The ZS EV facelift continues to employ a single electric motor that powers the front wheels of the SUV, though its outputs have been revised, with power going up by 33 hp to 176 hp, but torque dropped by a significant 115 Nm to 280 Nm, which, according to the company has been done to better optimise the EV's performance and range.
However, from behind wheel, this torque deficit doesn't feel as apparent as it is on paper. Off the line, the ZS EV still feels quick, with the electric SUV being able to get very close to its claimed 0-100 kph figure of 8.5 seconds (which also happens to be the identical to the previous model timing), and if anything, the facelift pulls harder at the top-end, with there being more than enough poke even for overtakes at highway speeds.
The ZS EV facelift still feels very punch off the line thanks to the instant torque from the electric motor. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
The three drive modes definitely alter the driving dynamics of the ZS EV with Eco dulling initial throttle response, Sport making the car feel more eager and quite lively for a car of its size, with Normal being a happy medium between the two. Though, most owners will likely keep the EV in its Eco mode as it not only provides the best range, but due to the more linear response it provides, owners won't be as inclined to indulge in spirited driving -- something that impacts range quite adversely. The pace of battery drain in Sport mode is also much faster, given that you can't adopt a linear driving style due to the sharp throttle response.
Brake regen is controlled from a switch on the centre console, though this system isn't as convenient as the paddle-shifter adjustment many other EVs offer. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
The regen braking can be controlled by a switch on the centre console, with there being three modes to choose from. The amount of brake regen even in its strongest level, isn't as strong as in some other EVs, and hence doesn't recoup enough energy over a longer trip to add any significant range. Though at least with a bit of practice, you can almost manage one-pedal driving in the city.
Show the ZS EV some corners and you'll be impressed with how it drives. It isn't the most agile SUV out there, but the steering weighs up nicely (even if it isn't the most responsive unit) and the electric SUV turns into corners very well, offering good levels of grip and stability through the corners. The weight of the e-SUV is apparent, though given that most of it comes from the batteries positioned under the floor, it is very manageable and body roll is also quite well-contained.
The alloy wheels do sport a more aerodynamic design than before and still use low rolling resistance tyres. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
However, the suspension is definitely set-up on the stiffer side. While that brings benefits on the handling front, the low-speed ride isn't great, with even minor road imperfections filtering into the cabin. At higher speeds, the ZS EV feels stable, though changes in road surfaces can still be felt in the cabin. A slightly softer setup would definitely help overall comfort levels.
MG has definitely strengthened the overall package of the ZS EV with this facelift. (Image credit: News9 Live - Nishmanya Bahadur)
MG has definitely managed to refine an already strong package, as the 2022 ZS EV's larger battery pack provides plenty of real-world range for city commute, with the possibility of long-distance travel, provided you plan your trip well. It even gets more features than the previous model, though given that it costs Rs 21.99 lakh for the base Excite trim and Rs 25.88 lakh for the Exclusive trim (ex-showroom, India), it is still missing features we expect to see in cars at this price bracket.
Then there are the problems with finding and using the public charging systems, with the infrastructure still a far cry from what it needs to be for a seamless charging experience. The only workaround to this currently is getting an AC wall charger installed at your home or office, which takes longer and restricts usage to a limited radius, though solves the worry of charging. Unfortunately, these are problems early adopters of the technology are going to have to deal with.
Finally, we must consider the competition, which currently consist of the Hyundai Kona Electric (priced from Rs 23.84 – 24.02 lakh) -- a model that is smaller, has less features and a lower battery capacity, though costs less. The model is also somewhat side-lined for many as the facelift is set to arrive later this year. Some might also consider the Tata Nexon EV Max given its larger battery, 437 km claimed range (ARAI) and near Rs 20 lakh price tag (for the top-spec model). However, this isn't a fair comparison as the Nexon EV is much smaller in dimensions, has fewer features and both a smaller battery and less powerful electric motor. Hence, for the time being, the MG ZS EV is the only real option if you want an all-electric midsize SUV for under Rs 30 lakh.
18-19 hrs (100% on 15 A socket) / 8-9 hrs (100% on 7.4 kW AC charger) / 1 hr (80% on 50 kW DC charger)
MG ZS EV facelift scorecard
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