Update: Introduction updated and ‘Standard Range battery for 2022 MG ZS EV introduced’ section added.
After giving the petrol-engined MG ZS a facelift in 2019, MG unveiled and launched the ZS EV in a new avatar in the UK market last year. The new electric SUV, which we’ll refer to as the 2022 MG ZS EV, features a host of technical and equipment changes in addition to a fresh design, and these changes make it a strong competitor of the Hyundai Kona EV and the Kia e-Niro.
While the MG ZS EV Long-Range version hit dealers in November 2021, the Standard Range version was introduced in the UK in February 2022.
2022 MG ZS EV exterior & interior changes
The 2022 MG ZS EV has noticeable design changes to further set itself apart from its donor model and appear unique. The designers have come up with the tried-and-tested second-generation EV formula where the conversion model gets a large single-piece mask covering the radiator grille and more areas of the front. The new ZS EV is instantly recognizable as an EV, which wasn’t the case with the old model. However, we wouldn’t say it looks more appealing.
The MG ZS EV facelift has a new electric-only front-end with a stamped-effect grille that leads to improved aerodynamics. The charging port is on the right side of the MG logo, not behind it like on the 2021 ZS EV. A four-stage LED indicator inside the charging port shows the EV’s charging status.
The 2021 ZS EV was one of the last remaining EVs on the market not to feature LED headlights. The new model does feature LED headlights, and these new headlights carry a sharper design. New bumpers, new wheels, and tweaked tail lamps are also among the visual changes on the outside.
The 2022 ZS EV features a few significant revisions on the inside as well. There’s a fully digital instrument cluster instead of an analogue unit, a floating touchscreen infotainment system instead of an integrated one, and a sleeker and more elegant climate control panel. MG has given volume and temperature control knobs a miss in the new model, which would be a thumbs down for old-school drivers. The new centre console does clean up the interior slightly, though.
Video Source: Youtube/Planet Car News
The new infotainment system features a new UI, aimed at offering an improved user experience, and it has a bigger, 10.1-inch display, which is more advanced, too. Wireless smartphone charging has made it to the ZS EV now. There’s no wireless Apple CarPlay or wireless Android Auto, as is the case with the petrol variant.
The iSmart infotainment system is standard in the new ZS EV, and it allows controlling many functions through a connected smartphone. It’s possible to check vehicle status, charging level, and door lock activation and know if something has triggered the alarm, all remotely.
Standard Range battery for 2022 MG ZS EV introduced
The 2022 MG ZS EV includes major technical changes. It is now available with a Standard Range 51.1 kWh battery pack that delivers a range* of 319 km (198 miles). On the other hand, the Long Range 72.6 kWh battery pack provides a range* of 440 km (273 miles). These are huge improvements compared to the 2021 ZS EV’s 263-km (163-mile) range* from its standard 44.5 kWh battery pack.
*On the WLTP cycle
In addition to increased battery pack capacity, the 2022 MG ZS EV benefits from a more powerful and torquier motor. The front motor of the 2022 ZS EV produces 130 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque in its Standard Range variant. The 2022 ZS EV Long Range variant’s front motor also generates 280 Nm of torque, but it’s slightly low on power – 115 kW.
| Aspect\Specification | Old ZS EV | 2022 ZS EV Standard Range | 2022 ZS EV Long Range |
| Battery Capacity | 44.5 kWh | 51.1 kWh | 72.6 kWh |
| Drivetrain Layout | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Motor Power | 105 kW (143 PS) | 130 kW (176 PS) | 115 kW (156 PS) |
| Motor Torque | 260 Nm (353 lb.-ft.) | 280 Nm (207 lb.-ft.) | 280 Nm (207 lb.-ft.) |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Acceleration Time | 8.5 seconds | 8.6 seconds | 8.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h (87 mph) | 175 km/h (108 mph) | 175 km/h (108 mph) |
| Energy Consumption | 3.3 miles/kWh | 3.6 miles/km | 3.5 miles/kWh |
| WLTP Range (Combined) | 263 km (163 miles) | 319 km (198 miles) | 440 km (273 miles) |
| On-board Charger | 7 kW | 7 kW | 7 kW |
| Max. DC fast-charging rate | 76 kW | 100 kW | 100 kW |
On the charging front, MG introduced an 11 kW three-phase on-board charger in ZS EV, as a standard feature in Europe, but in the UK, the older 7 kW single-phase on-board charger continues. Fast-charging the 72.6 kWh battery pack using a rapid charger takes as little as 42 minutes. Using a 7 kW normal charger, it takes ten and a half hours to fully charge the long-range battery pack from empty. The new models also benefit from faster DC charging capacity. They support 100 kW DC fast charging which can recharge the battery from 0-80% in 36-42 minutes.
2022 MG ZS EV trim levels
The 2022 MG ZS EV is available in three trim levels in the UK for both the Standard Range battery and the Long Range battery. Starting the range is the SE trim, featuring bi-function LED headlights, automatic climate control, a 10.1-inch iSmart touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera system, V2L charging, and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Above SE is the Trophy trim, which adds a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, leather-style seats, front seat heating, driver’s seat electric adjustment, and wireless phone charging. Trophy Connect is the range-topping trim, and it adds live services (weather, traffic, and Amazon Prime).
MG Pilot, which includes AEB with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, LKA with LDW, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Intelligent High-Beam Assist, is standard in the new ZS EV. In addition to these ADAS technologies, the Trophy and Trophy Connect trims include Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist.
2022 MG ZS EV price
The prices of the 2022 MG ZS EV Standard Range in the UK starts at GBP 27,995 for the base SE trim. The Long Range on the other hand starts at GBP 29,495, OTR. The three variants are available with both the Standard Range and the Long Range battery packs. Deliveries of the Standard Range ZS EV are expected to begin sometime this month (February 2022).
| 2022 MG ZS EV Configuration | OTR after PiCG |
| ZS EV SE | GBP 27,995 |
| ZS EV Trophy | GBP 29,995 |
| ZS EV Trophy Connect | GBP 30,495 |
| ZS EV SE Long Range | GBP 29,495 |
| ZS EV Trophy Long Range | GBP 30,995 |
| ZS EV Trophy Connect Long Range | GBP 31,495 |
MG sales in 2021
As per a report by the Chinese auto portal Autohome on January 4, 2022, MG Motor sold 479,920 cars globally in 2021, marking a healthy growth of 69% on a year-on-year basis. More than 100,000 units have come from their most prominent models in the lineup, MG 5 and MG ZS. MG Motor exported 42,000 units from China, with a positive year-on-year for 12 consecutive months.
MG in the UK
According to the press release issued by MG Motor UK on December 13, 2021, it became the fastest-growing mainstream car brand in the country and registered 30,000 cars in 2021, making a new record. This marks a 73.4% year-to-date growth at the end of November 2021, as just 18,415 MGs were sold throughout 2020. Compared to November 2020, the year-on-year growth stood at 383.1%, credited largely to the ZS family.
MG Motor currently sells 6 models in the UK from 120 dealership locations. Out of these, 40 dealerships have been added in the last 12 months and the plans to expand rapidly are underway. There are 6 MG vehicles on offer including 3 Plug-in cars – MG ZS EV, MG 5 EV Long Range and MG HS Plug-in Hybrid. The other models in the fleet are MG 3, MG ZS and MG HS. The MG Cyberster and the entry-level MG electric hatchback are likely to join the lineup in the next two years.
Featured Image Source: MG Motor UK
