What's the difference?
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.
It’s been in Australia since 2019 and despite the arrival of a comprehensively upgraded version in late 2023, the Tesla Model 3’s once gargantuan popularity has been declining in recent years.
A seemingly never-ending influx of pure-electric alternatives, primarily from China, has eroded the mid-size sedan’s positioning as the go-to, best-value EV choice.
But to its credit Tesla has again evolved the Model 3 proposition with the introduction of this Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive grade in October last year, at the time positioning it as “the longest-range EV in Australia”.
Since then, Tesla has adjusted the model grade name to Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive.
Some additional tweaks, made in response to customer feedback, also illustrates the EV pioneer’s determination to step up in the face of increasingly fierce competition.
So, does this latest Model 3 do enough to earn a spot on your electric vehicle shopping list? We spent a week behind the wheel to find out.
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.
Tesla has done enough with the introduction of this Premium Long Range RWD variant to keep the Model 3’s head well and truly above water in an increasingly competitive segment. After more than six years it still looks good, with a pleasant cabin environment, plenty of performance and leading energy efficiency. Safety is top-shelf and it stands up well in terms of practicality and driving dynamics.
That said, the ownership proposition is average, the determination to make so many functions screen-based is frustrating and the optional Full Self-Driving system is unconvincing. With the Model S and Model Y now discontinued globally it will be interesting to see how the Model 3 continues to evolve.