UPDATE, January 2023: MG ZS EV national drive-away pricing removed
The national fixed drive-away pricing for the 2023 MG ZS EV has disappeared, with buyers now subject to independent pricing for their vehicle.
Available in two grades, the recently-updated ZS EV small SUV is now listed from $43,990 before on-road costs, or $47,990 plus on-roads for the flagship Essence.
It was previously available nationwide at $44,990 drive-away for the entry-level Excite or $48,990 drive-away for the range-topping variant.
While the list pricing – known as the ‘manufacturer’s suggested retail price’ – now allows for an individual to negotiate at the dealership, the final price for a ZS EV could be marginally higher than the previous national drive-away offer.
This is because dealer delivery charges, stamp duty, registration fees and compulsory 12-month third-party insurance are excluded from the updated pricing, which adds between $500 and $3000, depending on the state or territory.
The amended pricing will not affect the ZS EV’s eligibility for state-provided electric vehicle subsidies or the Federal Government’s Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for fleets.
“As the on-road costs and policies for EVs vary significantly across Australian states and territories, MG is no longer able to advertise a standard national drive-away or all-inclusive price for our EV models,” said a spokesperson for MG Australia.
“MG will now be offering drive-away prices that are aligned to each state and territory’s regulatory charges.
“The new drive-away, state-based price calculator will be live on our website in the coming days.”
The spokesperson added the brand has no immediate plans to remove national drive-away pricing from its internal combustion and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
It follows a price rise for its closest rival, the BYD Atto 3, in December 2022, with the Chinese small SUV now priced from $48,011 before on-road costs for the Standard Range and $51,011 plus on-roads for the Extended Range, representing an increase of $3630 for both variants.
Our earlier story, below, continues unchanged.
September 2022: 2023 MG ZS EV driven
The refreshed and upgraded 2023 MG ZS EV is now on sale in Australia, and we’ve driven it. Get the full story at the link below.
The story to here
Snapshot
- 2023 MG ZS EV pricing and features
- Updated electric SUV on sale now from $44,990 drive-away
- Two variants now offered
2023 MG ZS EV gets price reduction
Local pricing for the facelifted 2023 MG ZS EV Excite and Essence has been reduced by $2000 and $1000, respectively, just as the model touches down in Australia.
This brings prices down to $44,990 drive-away for the entry ZS EV Excite (previously $46,990), undercutting the BYD Atto 3, as the battle for the cheapest electric vehicle intensifies.
Stepping up to the flagship Essence pushes the cost to $48,990 drive-away (previously $49,990).
The price reduction makes it the most affordable electric vehicle in all Australian states and territories, except for Tasmania, as MG offers a national drive-away offer, rather than BYD’s $44,381.35 ‘plus on-road costs’ sticker price.
To read our first local drive of the 2023 MG ZS EV, click on the link below
Our previous coverage, below, has been updated to reflect the new information.
The facelifted ZS EV sports a new look inside and out, in addition to a more efficient powertrain.
Two variants are offered: the entry-level Excite or the range-topping Essence, with both variants now offering 320km of WLTP-rated claimed driving range – up from 263km, and matching the Atto 3 Standard Range.
A long-range version is available overseas and is under consideration for Australia.
Both grades feature a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster and larger 10.1-inch floating screen, which is running a new infotainment system called iSmart.
The software is powered by Amazon’s AWS cloud-based system, with support for remote smartphone functionality, over-the-air software updates, Amazon Music streaming, and live weather and traffic updates.
“Our seven-year warranty is comprehensive across both ICE, electric and batteries with no hidden exclusions,” said MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao, likely in response to BYD’s recently announced warranty terms.
The exterior has been updated with redesigned headlights and tail-lights, as seen on the internal-combustion ZST, along with new-design 17-inch alloy rims and a unique grille-less front shape.
MG offers home alternating current (AC) chargers, consisting of a 7kW unit costing $1990 and an 11kW unit costing $2090, excluding fitment costs.
The brand will introduce the MG 4 hatchback in the first half of 2023, which is based on a new rear-drive platform and offered with single-motor and dual-motor powertrains overseas.
2023 MG ZS EV pricing
All prices are drive-away.
| Model | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Excite | $44,990 |
| Essence | $48,990 |
2023 MG ZS EV features
Excite
| 17-inch alloy wheels |
| 10.1-inch infotainment system (new) |
| iSmart app connectivity (new) |
| Vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging (new) |
| Satellite navigation |
| DAB+ digital radio |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired) |
| Four-speaker audio system |
| LED headlights and tail-lights |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
| Cloth upholstery |
| Keyless entry and push-button start |
| Tyre pressure monitoring |
| 360-degree camera. |
Essence, in addition to Excite
| Six-speaker audio system |
| Six-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat |
| Wireless phone charger |
| Panoramic sunroof |
| Leatherette upholstery |
| Power-folding side mirrors |
| Rain-sensing wipers |
| Sunglasses holders |
| Front seatback map pockets |
| Roof rails. |
Powertrain, driving range and charging
As standard, the MG ZS EV is powered by a front-mounted electric motor producing 130kW and 280Nm. It has a claimed 8.2-second 0-100km/h sprint time.
Power is exclusively sent to the front wheels.
A larger 50.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery – up from 44.5kWh – is fitted, providing a claimed WLTP-rated 320-kilometre driving range, along with enhanced battery management electronics.
Behind the revamped grille is an updated Type 2 charging port, which can top up the ZS EV from 0-80 per cent in 54 minutes, when using a 50kW direct current (DC) charger.
According to MG, using an 11kW AC charger will take approximately five hours to charge the ZS EV.
It has a claimed efficiency of 17.1kWh/100km on the WLTP cycle.
Safety
The MG ZS EV is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2019.
It scored 90 per cent for adult occupant protection, 84 per cent for child occupation protection, 64 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 71 per cent for safety assist.
Six airbags (dual front, side head and curtain) are fitted across the ZS EV range.
Each variant includes the following active safety equipment as standard:
| Autonomous emergency braking (vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist) |
| Lane-keep assist |
| Lane departure warning |
| Adaptive cruise control |
| Automatic high beam |
| Traffic sign recognition. |
Blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert are limited to the flagship Essence.
Dimensions
The MG ZS EV has a wheelbase of 2585 millimetres, and is 4323mm long, 1809mm wide and 1625mm high.
It has a 359 litres of boot space behind the second row.
Warranty and servicing
As per the wider MG ranger, the MG ZS is backed by a national network of dealers and will be covered by the brand’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, including the high-voltage battery.
Service pricing is capped at $268 per service for the first six years, with two-year or 24,000-kilometre intervals, whichever occurs first.
Availability
The updated 2023 MG ZS EV is on sale now.
Keyword: 2023 MG ZS EV pricing and features: National drive-away promotion removed