The 2022 MG ZS EV gets a facelift and a new variant.
A new MG ZS EV with a bigger battery, longer range and a new look will join the company’s lineup in 2022, while the popular base level variant will also get a slight battery and range upgrade, the SAIC-owned company has announced.
The longer-range ZS EV, with up to 440km driving range from a large 72kWh battery, was first announced by MG’s UK arm and will be available in Australia in the second half of 2022, MG Australia has confirmed with The Driven.
When it gets here, it will join the shorter-range MG ZS EV, which burst onto Australian auto market in late 2020 becoming the cheapest new EV to date, at the time starting at $43,990 driveaway.
This lead it to become the most-sold EV in Australia after the Tesla Model 3. In the UK, it is in the top 10 electric cars on that market.
However, the shorter 263km (WLTP) range, which originally came with a 45kWh battery, means that it is first and foremost a city car. This model will now get a slightly larger 51kWh battery giving it a significant jump up in range to 320km (WLTP), which should take the real-world driving range well above 200km.
The longer-range battery will mean it is better suited to those who drive further on a regular basis, and bring it on par with other electric SUVs like the Hyundai Kona EV, Mercedes-Benz EQA and the Volvo XC40 Recharge.
However, given MG’s ZS EV focuses on family-friendly practicality over premium features, we expect the pricing will be equally competitive.
While the new ZS EV will likely represent a longer range choice for the budget-conscious, a design refresh is being introduced to increase appeal.
A new “electric only” nose with stamped-effect grille gives the MG a more stand-out appearance, while the charging port – which in its original position under the badge on the front grille proved inconvenient – has been moved to the side of the badge with regular style access.
In addition to a new look on the exterior, the 2022 ZS EV will (in the UK at least) get a new proprietary interface known as iSmart that will allow over-the-air updates, real-time navigation and live weather updates full – Australian specifications will be confirmed in 2022.
This is accessed via a 10.1″ touchscreen with upgraded graphics. Wireless smartphone charging also adds to convenience alongside a new instrument cluster.
Full Australian pricing and specifications will be outlined closer to a local launch date in the second half of 2022.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.
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