2022 MG ZS EV pricing and features: New entry grade, bigger battery, longer driving range and higher prices for Australia's favourite electric SUV

The price of entry for an MG ZS EV has increased by $2000 with the introduction of the mid-life facelift.

Rolling into MG dealerships in July, the updated version of the all-electric small SUV will now be offered in two model grades, instead of the single grade of the outgoing version.

A new entry-level Excite kicks things off at $46,990 drive-away, which is $2000 more than the starting price of the previous Essence. 

Read More About MG ZS

2021 MG ZS EV almost sold out in Australia! Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona Electric SUV rival down to last few examples ahead of 2022 facelift launch Up and up! 2022 MG 3, ZS, ZST and HS price rises confirmed - but another round coming soon for Kia Rio, Mitsubishi ASX, Hyundai Kona and Toyota RAV4 rivals 2023 MG ZS EV revealed: Facelifted electric car gets two new battery options with longer range to challenge Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV

The highly specified Essence now acts as the flagship of the ZS EV range at $49,990 drive-away. Compared to the outgoing Essence, that's a $5000 increase.

While it was once the cheapest EV in Australia, the MG ZS has lost that title to fellow Chinese brand BYD with its Atto 3. BYD’s small SUV starts from $44,381 before on-road costs, with drive-away pricing starting at $44,990 – depending on your state or territory.

Other electric rivals at a similar price point include the Nissan Leaf (from $49,990 BOC), Hyundai Ioniq (from $49,970) and Kona Electric (from $54,500).

You need to shell out a bit more to get into a Kia Niro (from $62,590), Mazda MX-30 (from $65,490) or Tesla Model 3 ($60,900).

As reported, the updated ZS EV increases battery capacity from 44.5kWh to 51kWh, which has lifted the WLTP driving range from 263km to 320km. A 70kWh long-range version is not being offered in Australia.

The 320km driving range puts it somewhere between a regular Leaf (270km) and a Leaf e+ (385km).

The updated ZS EV gains the refreshed styling already seen on the ZST, albeit with the closed-off grille now familiar on EVs.

Specification wise, both the ZS EV Excite and Essence feature a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch multimedia screen with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 17-inch alloy wheels, 360-degree reversing camera, and MG Pilot safety tech like auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping aid.

The Essence adds more safety gear including a blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as other in-car goodies like a panoramic sunroof, six-speaker audio system, power-folding side mirrors, wireless device charging, heated front seats a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

MG says the first 500 buyers of the updated ZS EV are eligible for a $500 rebate for an MG ChargeHub wallbox. The home charging wallbox is priced from $1990 for the 7kW version and $2090 for the 11kW model. That pricing does not include installation.

Last year, the MG ZS EV was the second best-selling electric car in Australia behind the dominant Tesla Model 3. Tesla sold more than 12,000 Model 3s, while MG found homes for 1388 ZS EVs. It was enough to outsell the Porsche Taycan, Hyundai Kona Electric and Nissan Leaf.

MG ZS EV drive-away pricing