MG have taken bold strides into the electric SUV segment with the new ZS EV.

Founded in the 1920s, MG is a British-born manufacturer famous in the mid-20th century for constructing sports cars. Over the last 90 years, MG has produced a wide variety of vehicles, including its first SUV in 2015. MG has gone on to produce its first fully electric vehicle, namely the new ZS EV. Having test-driven scores of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles over the years, we now relish the relatively new experience of driving battery-operated SUVs. Thanks to the professional team at Zayani Motors, we got to do just this by spending the day in the new family-friendly ZS EV.

As the vehicle came into view we were immediately taken by its bold lines, sporty detailing and overall creative design. At the front end, the electric charging point of the car sits discreetly behind the large grille and MG badge. Headlights featuring a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure refract light in different colours and shapes from the side. The lines of the curved bonnet and sloped windscreen connect effortlessly with the broad roofline complete with useful roof bars and panoramic sunroof. At the flanks, streamlined surfaces and ‘torenmolen’ 17-inch dual colour alloy rims hint at the vehicle’s on-road intentions, whilst at the rear, the wideopening boot ensures both loading and unloading is a simple chore. Available in five striking colours, we found the ZS EV to be a beautifully designed and eye-catching SUV.

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Shifting our attention to the interior, we were instantly impressed by the uncluttered nature of the dashboard as well as how easy it was to access all the perfectly placed controls and dials. For the driver’s convenience, the multifunction steering wheel also features controls for the multimedia system along with other functions. The infotainment system is accessed through an eight-inch touchscreen and is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing for seamless connectivity with your own technology.

No matter where we looked, premium materials, finishes and trimmings have been used throughout this SUV. We found the multi-adjustable sports seats to be well positioned, supportive and exceptionally comfortable. The back row can comfortably seat three occupants with ample head, shoulder and knee room for all. This row of seating can slide back and forth, recline or fold flat, allowing the boot capacity to be increased if required.

This fully electric vehicle houses a Permanent Magnet Synchronous (PMS) Motor powered by a 44.5kWh battery that produces 110kW and 350Nm of torque. This allows the MG ZS EV to accelerate from 0-50km/h in 3.1 seconds and from 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds. The AC charging time for the battery is 7.5 hours whilst the DC charging time (0-80%) is just 40 minutes. One of the major benefits of driving the ZS EV is that it is a zero-emissions vehicle, meaning you can drive around for as long as you like guilt free. The motor is also very quiet, greatly contributing toward the calm and relaxing driving environment. Performance wise, we found this MG with its solid braking system, superior cornering abilities and traction control to be a lot of fun to drive and we always felt completely relaxed and in charge.

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Safety wise, the new ZS EV is the first MG to feature the full suite of MG Pilot driver assistance technology designed to ensure you arrive unscathed at your destination each and every time. These features include Active Emergency Braking (AEB), Speed Assistance Systems (SAS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Change Warning (LCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Intelligent High Beam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), side impact sensors, several air bags throughout the vehicle and so much more.

Our verdict, the new MG ZS EV is a well-designed, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly vehicle that is well worth the consideration of all those looking to purchase a family sized SUV. ✤

“This fully-electric vehicle houses a Permanent Magnet Synchronous (PMS) Motor powered by a 44.5kWh battery that produces 110kW and 350Nm of torque.”

GO: CALL 1770 3703 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE OF YOUR OWN.