Fresh styling, bigger battery with 440km range for new 2022 MG ZS EV

Electric Vehicles

Oct 9

The 2022 MG ZS EV brings revised styling and more range. Images: MG Mot — The 2022 MG ZS EV brings revised styling and more range. Images: MG

51.5 kWh and 72 kWh battery versions will be offered
Enhanced styling with LED lighting and a grille-less front
iSmart app-based software, allowing owners access to OTA updates
European deliveries will commence by the end of 2021, Australian deliveries in the second half of 2022.

In a design sense, is the new MG ZS EV the lovechild of the Hyundai Kona EV and Ford Mustang Mach-E? Whatever you think about the aesthetics of MG’s updated electric crossover, it’s a fresh and welcome change from the understated, quiet achiever that is the current ZS EV.

The changes are more than skin deep; the charging port is now offset to the drivers’ (in RHD markets) side, rather than behind the MG badge as on the current ZS EV. LED lighting clusters are now fitted front and rear, and on the inside, a brand new infotainment and navigation system is offered, as well as MG’s app-based software architecture known as iSmart. MG Australia claims iSmart will allow owners to perform over-the-air (OTA) updates, access real-time navigation and live weather updates. The company hasn’t said whether charging and interior climate control will also be available in app, similar to Tesla’s vehicles.

An enhanced interior, with MG’s new i-Smart app-based software.

Greater range, larger batteries

The current MG ZS EV is a good car, but with a real world range of around 200-220km (125-137 miles), the vehicle is severely limited away from urban areas. MG plans to fix this, offering a 51 kWh (+6.5 kWh) variant, and a much larger 72 kWh variant. MG claims 320 km (198 miles) and 440 km (273 miles) range on the WLTP combined test cycle. Looking at our vehicle specifications sheet, that’s an additional 57 km range (35 miles) for the base model.

MG claims the ZS EV has sold over 15,000 units in Europe during its first year on sale, and according to Autocar, UK buyers will be able to purchase the updated ZS EV from November. MG Australia has told us that Australian deliveries will commence in the second half of 2022.