MG ZS EV VS Mazda CX-5
MG ZS EV
Likes
- 440km range on a full charge
- Spacious with good storage
- Easy to drive
Dislikes
- Pricey compared to rivals
- No reach adjustment for steering wheel
- High driver's seat
Mazda CX-5
Likes
- Pleasant and accessible cabin
- Good power and handling
- Well equipped
Dislikes
- Feels compact inside
- Individual storage on the thin side
- Thirsty engine
Summary
MG ZS EV
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.
Read more about
- Advantage, BYD Atto 3? MG axes Australia's cheapest electric SUV as 2023 MG ZS EV Excite makes way for new entry model
- The sedan isn't finished yet! 2023 MG5 price and spec easily undercuts Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and Hyundai i30
- Should Porsche be worried? 2024 MG Cyberster electric sports car revealed as 400kW EV drop-top set for Australia!
Be sure to watch the video above, where I’ll take you for a ride and show you my Big Foot tattoo. Yes, seriously.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | — |
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | —L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Mazda CX-5
This week I’m family testing the new Mazda CX-5 Akera G35 and the top-grade model is well-equipped. But it faces stiff competition in the mid-sized SUV market with rivals like the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and the ever-popular Toyota RAV4.
Read more about
- Too many SUVs? New 2024 Mazda CX-70, incoming CX-80 and existing CX-60 and CX-90 won't oversaturate the line-up with SUVs, says Australian boss
- "Unless you have renewable energy, EVs don't make sense": Is Mazda Australia falling behind the electric car curve as hybrid and EV sales pick up?
- 2024 Mazda CX-70 mid-size SUV revealed as wider, more powerful alternative to CX-60, can it take on Volvo XC60, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC?
How do you remain competitive in one of the most popular SUV classes? My family of three is finding out for you!
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.5L turbo |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.2L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
MG ZS EV8/10
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.
Mazda CX-57.6/10
The Mazda CX-5 Akera G35 offers small families a great host of premium features, as well as solid power and handling – all in an attractive package. But the emphasis here is on ‘small’ families because it’s on the compact side for a mid-sized SUV and its rivals offer more back seat space.
Its ongoing costs are reasonable and I enjoy driving it, so it gets a 7.6/10 from me.
My son calls out the back seat as a bit squishy but he otherwise likes it. He gives it a 7.0/10
Design
MG ZS EV
The ZS EV Long Range has a traditional SUV shape but with a very futuristic looking face thanks to its grille-less nose. That’s because with no radiator needed to cool a combustion engine there’s no need for an open vent or grille for air flow.
MG has used a textured plastic to subtly imitate an old-school grille to lessen the visual impact of a sheet of plastic between the headlights.
I think the effect works although the obvious charging flap could have been cleverly and seamlessly integrated into the nose, in the same way Genesis has done with the GV80 Electric. But the attempt has failed.
The ZS EV Long Range’s cabin looks premium with the sporty seats and red stitching, the landscape screen and digital driver display.
But, while the interior looks great, it feels a little low quality in places such as the vinyl upholstered seats.Â
There are some ergonomic issues with the high centre armrest and the raised seating position, too.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 hasn’t seen much change to the exterior other than a more horizontally-styled grille. It’s a medium SUV with a handsome kerb-side presence thanks to its full-suite of LED lights and 19-inch alloy wheels. It’s an inoffensive design that should appeal to a wide audience.
The interior looks premium with the brown Nappa leather upholstery and black leather trims. The plethora of soft-touchpoints throughout reinforces that the Akera is the top model.
There's one thing I really like about Mazda and that's how it manages to balance the traditional with the new. The cabin is a seamless blend of the two elements.
The instrument panel features a 7.0-inch digital display but still has analogue dials. There's a 10.25-inch multimedia system on the dash but still a bunch of control buttons and dials to press. The gear shifter is coupled with an electric brake, the sunroof is coupled with a manual blind. You get it.
This duology between high-end tech and traditional elements makes the interior feel up to date but very accessible.
Practicality
MG ZS EV
The ZS EV Long Range is a practical small SUV and it fit my little family of four, although my kids are both under 10 years old and not at the lanky teenager point yet.
Space on board is good, offering ample legroom for even me (at 188cm) in the second row and adequate headroom back there, too.
I like the large door pockets, the wireless phone charger, and there are two USB ports for the back seats and another two up front.
The second row also has directional air vents and dark-tinted windows. I liked the panoramic sunroof's retractable shade, too.Â
SUVS like the MG ZS offer easier access than sedans and hatches thanks to the elevated ride height which means people of my height don’t need to crawl in and out on their knees.
Boot capacity is decent at 359 litres, but not enormous. Â
Mazda CX-5
Despite sitting in the medium-SUV segment, the CX-5 is on the compact side for cabin space and front passengers benefit the most in terms of leg- and headroom.
Back rowers get a decent amount of headroom but legroom is squishy and my legs press into the back of the drivers seat when its in my driving position, and I'm only 168cm tall!
My seven-year old complained about his space and asked Dad to slide forward for more room, which is something to consider if you have gangly teenagers.
The seat comfort sits on the firmer side for both rows and the electric front seats are narrower and shorter than I like for long journeys but for the A to B trips, they’re comfy enough.
Only the driver’s seat gets powered lumbar support but they both have heat and ventilation functions.
Individual storage is average for this class with a smallish glove box and middle console that has a removable shelf. A deep utility tray, which houses the wireless charging pad and a 12-volt port, sits in front of the gearshift and there are two cupholders in the centre console.
Each door has a shallow storage bin and the front doors also get a skinny drink bottle holder.
For individual storage in the rear, you get map pockets on the rear of the front seats and two cupholders in a fold-down armrest.
The armrest also houses two USB-A ports and the heat function buttons for the outboard seats and it's because of this positioning and the narrower width of the seat, that the back row feels more suited to two, rather than three passengers.
The technology on the whole is easy enough to use but the rotary dial operation of the multimedia system is a bit annoying to access while on the go.
The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a great feature and means one less cable to worry about but the built-in satellite navigation with 10-year map updates is a highlight. The head-up display pulls through the nav directions, too, which is always handy.
You also get two USB-C ports and another 12-volt outlet up front, so everyone should be sorted for charging.
The boot features a powered tailgate which is a handy family feature and a temporary spare tyre is located underneath the level floor.
You get 438L of storage capacity with the second row seat upright, which is plenty for my errands and grocery shop. That jumps up to 1340L (VDA) when the rear seats are folded.Â
The cargo cover attaches to the lid, meaning it stays out of the way when you're loading stuff into the boot.
Price and features
MG ZS EV
The MG ZS EV Long Range lists for $55,990 which is about $11,000 more than the standard range ZS in the Essence grade.
The features on this Long Range are almost identical to the Essence, too.
Coming standard are LED headlights and running lights, then there are those 17-inch alloy wheels (which have aerodynamic covers on them), proximity unlocking, roof rails, the rear spoiler and a panoramic sunroof with a retractable cover.
Inside, the seats are a combination of polyurethane and PVC, plus there’s a 10.1-inch media display with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
You can see the battery status from the screen as well along with the energy efficiency.Â
Climate, phone and media are all accessed through the screen, but fortunately there are physical buttons for volume, temperature and fan speed.
There’s single-zone climate control and tinted rear windows.
A 360-degree camera view is also standard, but the quality of the picture is pretty murky.
How does that cost compare to rivals? Well, you could buy an MG4 electric vehicle for about the same price with 530km of range, but it’s not an SUV.Â
You can even get a Tesla Model 3 for about $61K, but again, that’s not an SUV. The Tesla Model Y is an SUV and lists for $69,300 and has 455km of range.
The closest competitor would be the BYD Atto 3 Extended Range which can travel 420km and lists for $51,011.
There are more affordable EVs coming from brands like BYD and GWM, too, and they’re all competing for your money.Â
Compared to the MG ZS EV Essence the Long Range has exactly the same features, apart from the tinted rear windows, but you’re paying $11,000 more. What you’re paying for is a bigger battery which will allow you to drive 120km further.
The MG4 Long Range offers more distance and represents better value, but it’s not an SUV and therefore not as practical as the ZS EV. Â
Mazda CX-5
There are five grades for the CX-5. The top two grades, the GT SP and Akera, have a choice between a 2.5-litre petrol or turbo-petrol engine.
On test here is the flagship Akera grade with the 2.5L turbo-petrol engine. Before on-road costs, it is priced at $55,000. That positions it towards the top-end of its competitors with the Kia Sportage GT-Line AWD coming in at $49,920 (MSRP) and the Toyota RAV4 sliding in just under at $54,410 (MSRP). However, the new Honda CR-V is more expensive by $2.0K.
The Akera is well-equipped with premium features like a sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel and brown Nappa leather upholstery.
The technology is well-rounded with a 10-speaker Bose sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 10.25-inch multimedia system with built-in satellite navigation (including map updates for 10 years).
There are some good practical features, too, like a powered tailgate, keyless entry and start as well as powered lumbar support on the drivers' seat.
Under the bonnet
MG ZS EV
The MG ZS EV has one electric motor driving the front wheels and it makes 115kW of power and 280Nm or torque.
That’s the same power as the petrol MG ZS, but more torque, so it accelerates faster. We’re talking 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds.Â
Sure, that’s not Tesla quick, but being an electric car the acceleration is instantaneous with none of the lag petrol cars have due to turbos or changing gears.
How much can the ZS EV tow? Not much. The braked towing capacity of the ZS EV Long Range is 500kg. But think of it like this: a box trailer can weigh about 250kg and a fully grown Sumatran tiger can also weigh up to 250kg.
So an ZS EV Long range can tow a box trailer carrying a fully grown tiger. That sounds impressive.
For more on what the ZS EV Long Range is like to drive, keep reading.
Mazda CX-5
The Akera is an all-wheel drive with a six-speed auto transmission and our test model has the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces a maximum power output of 170kW and 420Nm of torque. The turbo ensures it never feels sluggish, even when you’re hitting hills.
Efficiency
MG ZS EV
The ZS EV Long Range has a larger battery than the standard range ZS EV and this gives it the ability to travel further on a full charge.Â
The regular version is fitted with a 51.1kWh battery and the Long Range has a 72.6kWh battery which is pretty big - and that gives this an official range of 440km.Â
The standard range ZS EV has a range of 320km. So the Long Range will get you 120km further which could make all the difference in whether you make it to your destination or not.
So, is 440km a lot compared to other electric cars? Well, it’s more range than the Nissan Leaf (385km) or Mini Electric (233km), but not as much as the Kia Niro (460km) and 50km less than the entry-grade Tesla Model 3 (491km).
Put it this way, the 320km offered by the standard ZS EV falls short of what I think is enough. But anything with more than 400km is truly useful and I find anything less than this can bring on range anxiety pretty quickly.
The ZS EV Long Range is fully electric and that means you’ll have to plug it in to charge it.Â
You can charge up using a household power point, but it’ll take more than 24 hours to get to 100 per cent. So, a much better idea is to use a fast public charger.
A 50kW charger will take the battery from empty to 80 percent in 63 minutes using a CCS Type 2 port/plug.
As for energy efficiency, MG says that after a combination of open and urban roads the ZS EV Long Range will use 17.7kWh/100km.
I drove our ZS EV Long Range every day and used it for school drop offs, city commutes and some motorway running. And while most of the 156km I travelled was urban-based the trip computer was reporting an average of 20.0kWh/100km.
Mazda CX-5
The compromise for getting extra power from the turbo is fuel efficiency takes a hit.
The official combined fuel cycle figure is 8.2L/100km but my real-world usage came out at 10L/100km. That’s after mostly open-road driving this week, too, so it’s a bit thirstier than I was expecting.
Based on the combined cycle number and the 58L fuel tank, expect a driving range of around 784km – which is still great for the odd road trip.
Driving
MG ZS EV
At first, the driver’s seat felt overly high and the lack of reach adjustment in the steering wheel made finding a good driving position harder.
But, the ZS EV Long Range is comfortable and easy to drive, while its size and ‘electric zippiness’ makes this little SUV perfect for narrow city streets and tight car spaces.Â
Some EVs have break-neck acceleration and minimalist cabin controls which can feel weird, but the ZS EV Long Range’s cabin looks just like a regular combustion engine car’s and the motor has the same power as a petrol ZS’s engine.
That said, the instant acceleration of their ZS EV Long Range is fun and great for moving quickly out of car space, merging and overtaking when needed.
As with all EVs, passengers who are prone to motion sickness might find the acceleration and heavy deceleration a bit much. My family didn’t complain but the photographer who filmed the video above found it a bit much while looking down at his screen.
Mazda CX-5
The Akera turbo-petrol delivers a decent well of power to dip into and it feels peppy in most situations. Even when you’re overtaking or getting up to speed you don’t feel like you’re nearing the bottom of the power barrel. Â
Steering is responsive and the car is agile when you tackle narrow car parks or streets. However, you still get some roll in corners which my passengers felt more than I did.
The cabin is quiet, even at higher speeds and the suspension is firm enough that you feel the bumps but you’re not jostled about. The ride comfort is still good.
I’ve said it before but I love parking medium SUVs because their size is so forgiving in a car park! The Akera is no different and it’s especially easy thanks to the ultra-clear 360-degree view camera system. You also get front and rear parking sensors to help out when needed.Â
Safety
MG ZS EV
The ZS EV Long Range has yet to be given an ANCAP rating, but it is equipped with AEB, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot warning. There are front and rear parking sensors and six airbags.
For child seats there are two ISOFIX points and three top tether anchor mounts across the second row.
Mazda CX-5
The Akera has a bunch of safety features that are always great to have on a family SUV and a standout is the 360-degree camera system. It’s super clear and well-positioned on the dashboard for easy viewing.
Standard safety items on the Akera include LED daytime running lights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, a driver fatigue monitor, AEB, forward collision warning and traffic sign recognition.
The previously awarded five-star ANCAP safety rating for this model has just expired and models built from January 2024 onwards are thus unrated. The CX-5 features six airbags, which is a little low for a family car but I like how many safety features this has overall.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear outboard seat positions and three top-tethers but two seats will fit best. Front occupant comfort is compromised when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed.
Ownership
MG ZS EV
The ZS EV Long Range is covered by MG’s seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. The battery is covered by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, too.Â
Servicing is recommended by MG at 40,000km/24 month intervals.
According to MG the first service costs $295, then the next is $810, then $295 for the third, $810 for the next and so on. That’s about $233 a year over six years which is excellent value.
Mazda CX-5
The CX-5 comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is average cover for the class but some of its rivals offer longer terms.
There is a five-year, or up to 75,000km capped-price servicing program and services average $423 per workshop visit, which is competitive.
Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.