MG ZS EV vs Renault Arkana
What's the difference?

MG ZS EV

$19,990 - $33,990

2023 price

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Renault Arkana

$36,990 - $45,990

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini 3D Hatch

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2023 MG ZS EV

2026 Renault Arkana

By Laura Berry

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Turbo 4, 1.3L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Electric range

505 km

5.9L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

17.7 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

72.60 kWh

Seating

Likes

440km range on a full charge
Spacious with good storage
Easy to drive

Stylish, distinctive design
Great boot space and practicality
Responsive handling

Dislikes

Pricey compared to rivals
No reach adjustment for steering wheel
High driver's seat

Mild-hybrid gains feel limited
Snug rear seat space
Slow off the mark

2023 MG ZS EV Summary

If, like just about everybody, you’re a bit concerned that an electric car might not be able to travel as far as you need to go, then the new MG ZS EV Long Range could be the small, fully-electric SUV for you.

We’ve tested the ZS EV Long Range here and can tell you how far you’ll get on a full charge and how much extra you’ll have to pay in price over the standard range version, along with what it’s like to drive, its features, practicality, ownership costs and of course its safety systems.

Be sure to watch the video above, where I’ll take you for a ride and show you my Big Foot tattoo. Yes, seriously.

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2026 Renault Arkana Summary

This time around my family of three has been reviewing the updated Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine mild-hybrid, and you might be wondering… why?

In a market that is positively bursting at the seams with established and new competition, including full-hybrid rivals like the Honda HR-V RS and Hyundai Kona Premium, the Arkana has its work cut out for it.

It’s also a slightly unusual proposition, pairing the raised ride height of an SUV with the swooping roofline of a coupe, while sticking with a mild-hybrid powertrain as more and more rivals make the jump to full-hybrid.

So, does this small French SUV coupe still have enough going for it to stand out from the crowd?

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Deep dive comparison

2023 MG ZS EV 2026 Renault Arkana

Verdict

The MG ZS EV Long Range is a practical small SUV that's easy to drive and the 440km it can travel on a full charge makes it the better choice over the standard range ZS EV. The extra 120km offered by the Long Range version reduces anxiety and is truly useful in covering more ground between charging.

The asking price may seem expensive but electric vehicle batteries are extremely costly to produce and will remain so for years to come.

Remember, too, that the MG4 electric car has an even great range for the same money - the only catch is, it's a hatch and not an SUV.

Verdict

The Renault Arkana Esprit Alpine mild-hybrid combines some serious design flair with a reasonable amount of practicality for a smaller family, but it’s hard to ignore the lack of improvement in efficiency following the addition of the mild-hybrid system. That said, it still succeeds on some fronts. It just does it quietly.

MG ZS EV vs Renault Arkana What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

MG ZS EV vs Renault Arkana
What's the difference?