This cut-price electric SUV will now drive further on a single charge thanks to a bigger battery, but buyers will pay a price for the improvement in range.
MG’s refreshed ZS EV is due to arrive in July.
MG has updated its electric SUV, giving the machine new looks, a bigger battery and a steeper price tag.
The budget brand made headlines in 2020 with the MG ZS EV, sold for $43,990 as Australia’s cheapest electric car.
The new-look MG ZS EV won’t be mistaken for petrol-powered models.
That model had a good degree of kit as standard, including a sunroof, faux leather trim and comprehensive driver assistance tech including blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts.
The new-look MG ZS EV Essence costs $49,990 drive-away with similar features – a $6000 increase. But it also brings new tech such as a digital driver display, 10.1-inch touchscreen (up from 8 inches in the old car) and a bigger 51kWh battery delivering an additional 57 kilometres of electric range.
Buyers in Victoria and South Australia will be eligible for a $3000 government incentive, while NSW buyers can claim a $3000 incentive and a stamp duty exemption worth about $1450.
Improved tech helps make a case for customers to upgrade.
Oddly, MG’s Australian arm hasn’t published power figures for the new machine, which is due here in July. The previous-gen car had 105kW and 260Nm, while overseas examples with the 51kWh battery offer 130kW and 280Nm. A bigger 72.6kWh battery offered in the UK is off limits for now.
A seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty is standard for both the car and battery. The original electric MG had a five-year, unlimited km warranty for the car and an eight-year/160,000 kilometre warranty for the battery.
LED head and tail-lamps are part of the new look.
The new model is easy to spot thanks to a grille-less front end design differentiating it from petrol models. Fresh 21-module LED headlights and 17-inch wheels also work in its favour.
Customers on a budget can pick up a cheaper variant that misses out on the sunroof, heated seats, wireless phone charging and combined blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for $46,990 drive-away.
The MG’s charging port is part of a new grille treatment.
That’s still $3000 more than the outgoing model, and $2000 more than the $44,990 headline cheekily claimed by newcomer BYD and its Atto 3 electric car.
But the BYD’s eye-catching price only applies in Tasmania, where drivers benefit from strong green incentives. It costs $47,110 on the road in NSW and $47,131 in Victoria, making MG’s contender the cheapest electric car in Australia’s largest markets.
Keyword: New looks for MG ZS electric SUV