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Should I buy an MG ZS EV?

Pepsico

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Not an MG
Hi everyone
For various reasons I have to change car. I have been a hybrid driver for 10+ years and was thinking of moving to EV in the next 2-5 years and then keep the car for 10 years. However a surge in catalytic theft has pushed my plans forward. When looking at my various criteria, price and stock availability in the market, my choices really come down to:
  1. an MG ZS EV (Trophy or Connect) for something like £33k
  2. a used Tesla M3 for £38k (standard) or £44k (long range)
  3. A £15k older but high specced car
The thing is about 3) is that the cost of ownership over 10 years is actually higher than an electric car. So 3) would realistically be for 2-5 years until I change to an EV, but I will hate having to spend again a fortune at the pump after 10+ years of hybrid driving.
I have test driven the ZS EV and overall find it a really enjoyable, practical car at a very decent price. It feels like the rational choice, while the Tesla feels more like an emotional choice.
For a £5k-£11k differential (which is a lot of money!!!) it feels I'd get more range, faster charging (both points only matters maybe 20 times a year), more luxury, more safety, more convenience and much more power (though this could lead to more dangerous situations).
On the other hand, the ZS feels like a car wanting to show off as luxury but not quite there. A cursory read of the forum this morning tells me of:
  • no auto-dim on the rear mirror
  • sensors that go bonkers
  • ACC not useable on country roads, and no way to use a regular cruise control (I often use it on roads that are sprinkled with villages and you have to go 30-40-60 constant)
  • I also read that some safety features (like the one about traffic jams) doesn't have the array of sensors that a Tesla has and so will miss out motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians
  • A crappy satnav (not a real point as I'll use my phone I guess). When test driving it often showed me in a field nearby rather than on the road.
  • Lane assist generating a lot of complaints (but it also seems it is due to people not configuring properly?)
  • auto high beam being either erratic or bad on B roads
I really think my sensible choice is the ZS, but I am getting a creeping feeling that it is slightly misleading with some of its features, and that many people end up de-activating these features which were a selling point for me (I am not getting younger, and feel that more car assistance will improve my overall safety. Had friends raving about how their Tesla saved their life from a bad motorway decision due to tiredness). If I can't have ACC, proper collision detection, auto high beams, robust lane control, etc... a Tesla seems suddenly more attractive and justifiable.

So as owners or prospective owners of ZS, what was your decision process and what information would you think will help me make a decision?
(btw, I also need to spend quite a bit of money to build a driveway with charger)
 
Towbar and range were my main factors initially. Buying now, then availability would be high up on the list too.
 
Hi everyone
For various reasons I have to change car. I have been a hybrid driver for 10+ years and was thinking of moving to EV in the next 2-5 years and then keep the car for 10 years. However a surge in catalytic theft has pushed my plans forward. When looking at my various criteria, price and stock availability in the market, my choices really come down to:
  1. an MG ZS EV (Trophy or Connect) for something like £33k
  2. a used Tesla M3 for £38k (standard) or £44k (long range)
  3. A £15k older but high specced car
The thing is about 3) is that the cost of ownership over 10 years is actually higher than an electric car. So 3) would realistically be for 2-5 years until I change to an EV, but I will hate having to spend again a fortune at the pump after 10+ years of hybrid driving.
I have test driven the ZS EV and overall find it a really enjoyable, practical car at a very decent price. It feels like the rational choice, while the Tesla feels more like an emotional choice.
For a £5k-£11k differential (which is a lot of money!!!) it feels I'd get more range, faster charging (both points only matters maybe 20 times a year), more luxury, more safety, more convenience and much more power (though this could lead to more dangerous situations).
On the other hand, the ZS feels like a car wanting to show off as luxury but not quite there. A cursory read of the forum this morning tells me of:
  • no auto-dim on the rear mirror
  • sensors that go bonkers
  • ACC not useable on country roads, and no way to use a regular cruise control (I often use it on roads that are sprinkled with villages and you have to go 30-40-60 constant)
  • I also read that some safety features (like the one about traffic jams) doesn't have the array of sensors that a Tesla has and so will miss out motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians
  • A crappy satnav (not a real point as I'll use my phone I guess). When test driving it often showed me in a field nearby rather than on the road.
  • Lane assist generating a lot of complaints (but it also seems it is due to people not configuring properly?)
  • auto high beam being either erratic or bad on B roads
I really think my sensible choice is the ZS, but I am getting a creeping feeling that it is slightly misleading with some of its features, and that many people end up de-activating these features which were a selling point for me (I am not getting younger, and feel that more car assistance will improve my overall safety. Had friends raving about how their Tesla saved their life from a bad motorway decision due to tiredness). If I can't have ACC, proper collision detection, auto high beams, robust lane control, etc... a Tesla seems suddenly more attractive and justifiable.

So as owners or prospective owners of ZS, what was your decision process and what information would you think will help me make a decision?
(btw, I also need to spend quite a bit of money to build a driveway with charger)
My decision to go electric and for the ZS was based on a couple of factors, some of which might apply to you:

1) current car is at end of life, every service & MOT is now £500+ as parts fail. The car is worth at most £750.

2) fuel prices are not going to go down for the foreseeable and might only ever go up. I drive high milage & now spending £320 a month on diesel. Car tax for ICE cars will also only go up.

2a) buying a secondhand “nice” ICE/Hybrid reduces but doesn’t remove that problem

3) electricity prices will go down to previous levels as the UK builds more non-dino squeezings-reliant power generation

4) have access to a charger at work and have a charger fitted at home

5) checked everywhere I have been to in the UK in the last five years against ZapMap and there are no dramas with finding appropriate charge points

6) Elongated Muskrat is a <redacted> and heard far too many horror stories about Tesla servicing. Fit & finish on a £50k+ car is also not good enough.

7) other manufacturers offers either don’t have the range or features I want (Zoe/Corsa/ioniq etc) or are, for the milage I do, too expensive (id3/id4/Kia/Polestar/etc). Not got £50k spare so have to do it on a lease (for me, actually cheaper than PCP)

8) I can wait. It’s irritating but dont need a new-to-me car now

Some of the issues people seem to have had don’t tally with my experience, either with the 60+ minute test drive on a ZS or practical driving an EV experience through my use of a works MG5.

Apologies for the wall of text, that was my thought process, hope this is useful.
 
If 2 to 5 years not worth looking right now as stuff is getting better all the time just look at EV's 2 years ago let alone 5 years ago
 
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I too had the Tesla itch a couple of years ago when I was upgrading from the 28kWh Ioniq. I made a list of pros and cons of each car which mattered to me. The 64kWh Kona won by a nose, so I suggest you make a list pertinent to your requirements.

On the SpeakEV Kona forum, Stageshoot scratched his Tesla itch and bought a Standard Range Plus, only to change back to a Kona a few months later. He gave a very honest, detailed review of his experience.

I found the ZS very similar to the Kona on the test drive and didn't experience any of the issues mentioned on this forum. (You have to remember that the problems posted are a tiny proportion of all the positive experiences owners have and don't post). :)
 
Been through the same process, mine boiled down to how we use the car, if constant long journeys I would probably have gone for the Tesla (better charging network), however we use the car for mainly short journeys (under 60 miles) and nearly always charge at home (do get a charger at home and get Octopus go or similar, its 5 to 7p per kw so is insanely cheap).
Tesla have all sorts of reliability problems and are seen at this stage as one of the most unreliable brands. Also 3 boot is small.
I like the apps in the MG, they are sensible and we will use them, not sure about Tesla (would you use the fart function or games?)
I don't want a car that does 0-60 in 4 secs, I am getting on for 65 and am aware of the restrictions that age brings on my abilities to benefit safely from this, the MG is still very fast from 0-40 if needed, and I found extremely comfortable to drive.
If you check with some of the online dealers you should be able to get a MG long range trophy for under £31,000
Almost forgot, MG has 7 year warranty and 8 years on battery (check the small print though)
And another thing
Do check dimensions of car, Tesla, Ioniq 5 and Kia6 are pretty big (wide particularly). The MG is far more suited to the rural (and town) roads I drive, and fits into the garage much better.
It is also much easier to get in and out of.
 
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Hi everyone
For various reasons I have to change car. I have been a hybrid driver for 10+ years and was thinking of moving to EV in the next 2-5 years and then keep the car for 10 years. However a surge in catalytic theft has pushed my plans forward. When looking at my various criteria, price and stock availability in the market, my choices really come down to:
  1. an MG ZS EV (Trophy or Connect) for something like £33k
  2. a used Tesla M3 for £38k (standard) or £44k (long range)
  3. A £15k older but high specced car
The thing is about 3) is that the cost of ownership over 10 years is actually higher than an electric car. So 3) would realistically be for 2-5 years until I change to an EV, but I will hate having to spend again a fortune at the pump after 10+ years of hybrid driving.
I have test driven the ZS EV and overall find it a really enjoyable, practical car at a very decent price. It feels like the rational choice, while the Tesla feels more like an emotional choice.
For a £5k-£11k differential (which is a lot of money!!!) it feels I'd get more range, faster charging (both points only matters maybe 20 times a year), more luxury, more safety, more convenience and much more power (though this could lead to more dangerous situations).
On the other hand, the ZS feels like a car wanting to show off as luxury but not quite there. A cursory read of the forum this morning tells me of:
  • no auto-dim on the rear mirror
  • sensors that go bonkers
  • ACC not useable on country roads, and no way to use a regular cruise control (I often use it on roads that are sprinkled with villages and you have to go 30-40-60 constant)
  • I also read that some safety features (like the one about traffic jams) doesn't have the array of sensors that a Tesla has and so will miss out motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians
  • A crappy satnav (not a real point as I'll use my phone I guess). When test driving it often showed me in a field nearby rather than on the road.
  • Lane assist generating a lot of complaints (but it also seems it is due to people not configuring properly?)
  • auto high beam being either erratic or bad on B roads
I really think my sensible choice is the ZS, but I am getting a creeping feeling that it is slightly misleading with some of its features, and that many people end up de-activating these features which were a selling point for me (I am not getting younger, and feel that more car assistance will improve my overall safety. Had friends raving about how their Tesla saved their life from a bad motorway decision due to tiredness). If I can't have ACC, proper collision detection, auto high beams, robust lane control, etc... a Tesla seems suddenly more attractive and justifiable.

So as owners or prospective owners of ZS, what was your decision process and what information would you think will help me make a decision?
(btw, I also need to spend quite a bit of money to build a driveway with charger)
My preference would have been an Ioniq
Hi everyone
For various reasons I have to change car. I have been a hybrid driver for 10+ years and was thinking of moving to EV in the next 2-5 years and then keep the car for 10 years. However a surge in catalytic theft has pushed my plans forward. When looking at my various criteria, price and stock availability in the market, my choices really come down to:
  1. an MG ZS EV (Trophy or Connect) for something like £33k
  2. a used Tesla M3 for £38k (standard) or £44k (long range)
  3. A £15k older but high specced car
The thing is about 3) is that the cost of ownership over 10 years is actually higher than an electric car. So 3) would realistically be for 2-5 years until I change to an EV, but I will hate having to spend again a fortune at the pump after 10+ years of hybrid driving.
I have test driven the ZS EV and overall find it a really enjoyable, practical car at a very decent price. It feels like the rational choice, while the Tesla feels more like an emotional choice.
For a £5k-£11k differential (which is a lot of money!!!) it feels I'd get more range, faster charging (both points only matters maybe 20 times a year), more luxury, more safety, more convenience and much more power (though this could lead to more dangerous situations).
On the other hand, the ZS feels like a car wanting to show off as luxury but not quite there. A cursory read of the forum this morning tells me of:
  • no auto-dim on the rear mirror
  • sensors that go bonkers
  • ACC not useable on country roads, and no way to use a regular cruise control (I often use it on roads that are sprinkled with villages and you have to go 30-40-60 constant)
  • I also read that some safety features (like the one about traffic jams) doesn't have the array of sensors that a Tesla has and so will miss out motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians
  • A crappy satnav (not a real point as I'll use my phone I guess). When test driving it often showed me in a field nearby rather than on the road.
  • Lane assist generating a lot of complaints (but it also seems it is due to people not configuring properly?)
  • auto high beam being either erratic or bad on B roads
I really think my sensible choice is the ZS, but I am getting a creeping feeling that it is slightly misleading with some of its features, and that many people end up de-activating these features which were a selling point for me (I am not getting younger, and feel that more car assistance will improve my overall safety. Had friends raving about how their Tesla saved their life from a bad motorway decision due to tiredness). If I can't have ACC, proper collision detection, auto high beams, robust lane control, etc... a Tesla seems suddenly more attractive and justifiable.

So as owners or prospective owners of ZS, what was your decision process and what information would you think will help me make a decision?
(btw, I also need to spend quite a bit of money to build a driveway with charger)
My absolute preference would have been an Ioniq 5, but for roughly the same ballpark range and specs, except the faster rapid charging (I've ordered the long range Connect in silver) it would be at least £10k more. Instead I am getting a solar panel and home battery storage with that money (through a SolarTogether scheme). A Tesla 3 wouldn't have suited as I don't like being that low in a car., and the higher Y is too expensive. Just a personal preference but I really dont like being low down in a car. My old diesel kicked the bucket a couple of weeks ago, so I am doing without until the MG arrives. Fortunately thats doable ( even for a year or more) where I live as there is enough public transport. If you were more rural based, it would be different. Re cruise control, when not on the the motorway I tend to use it purely as means not to break the speed limit. I'd be fine to use the other speed control functions instead (the limiter ones) and get the benefits of regen when on country roads. I use cruise control on the motorway to rest my leg. A question here to anyone else. Does MG pilot always activate ACC, or can you use MG pilot without ACC.
 
I won't use lane assist on principal, nor auto main beam. I drive my car, not the car drive me 🤣. Satnav - not many are 100% accurate anyway. I use speed limiter most of the time, and rarely cruise control, least of all on rural roads. To cancel cruise you have to do something - to slow down with limiter you just lift off. I'm nearly 70, btw.
 
A very interesting thread - thank you to all who contributed. My big issues with going electric are price and range of models that would suit me. The MG5 is very appealing but I was put off by the fact that the roof bars only take 30/75 Kg. depending on model year. Coming from an old reliable Lexus hybrid, I am concerned about reliability. I appreciate the 8 year warranty but to have the car off the road for an extended period is not something I could put up with to be honest.

Electric is the way to go but it does depend on your car, finances and journey requirements.
 
Going through the forums, it seems the recent ZS EV models have a common issue with some superchargers where the car bricks itself? And nobody knows the reason but suspect the 12v battery?
Has it been solved? Or one now needs to look for specific charger brands, making it even harder to plan long trips?
I can live with minor defect or even features not that great, but a car needs to be able to take me from point A to point B, if not, that is a serious no-go? Is the problem on all cars, a handful or just the ones unlucky to have a certain combination of models and fast chargers?


On some of the contributions above:

My decision to go electric and for the ZS was based on a couple of factors, some of which might apply to you:

1) current car is at end of life, every service & MOT is now £500+ as parts fail. The car is worth at most £750.

2) fuel prices are not going to go down for the foreseeable and might only ever go up. I drive high milage & now spending £320 a month on diesel. Car tax for ICE cars will also only go up.

2a) buying a secondhand “nice” ICE/Hybrid reduces but doesn’t remove that problem

3) electricity prices will go down to previous levels as the UK builds more non-dino squeezings-reliant power generation

4) have access to a charger at work and have a charger fitted at home

5) checked everywhere I have been to in the UK in the last five years against ZapMap and there are no dramas with finding appropriate charge points

6) Elongated Muskrat is a <redacted> and heard far too many horror stories about Tesla servicing. Fit & finish on a £50k+ car is also not good enough.

7) other manufacturers offers either don’t have the range or features I want (Zoe/Corsa/ioniq etc) or are, for the milage I do, too expensive (id3/id4/Kia/Polestar/etc). Not got £50k spare so have to do it on a lease (for me, actually cheaper than PCP)

8) I can wait. It’s irritating but dont need a new-to-me car now

Some of the issues people seem to have had don’t tally with my experience, either with the 60+ minute test drive on a ZS or practical driving an EV experience through my use of a works MG5.

Apologies for the wall of text, that was my thought process, hope this is useful.
1-3: yes that's my reasoning too. It seems EVs (at least sub £40k) are now a good financial decision for those able to put the money upfront. For me 10 years at 12k miles per year makes it worthwhile, but higher mileage people will reach break even sooner.
4-5 : I'll look int this
6- Elon aside (went from a cool Iron Man to a Dr Who villain in 10 years), I don't care too much about the finishing touches as long as it is just cosmetic. Seems also their quality is steadily improving.
7- roughly same reasoning. Supply also is a factor. But I am worried on the features side that the ZS has many features "in name only"
If 2 to 5 years not worth looking right now as stuff is getting better all the time just look at EV's 2 years ago let alone 5 years ago
What I meant was that I'd like to buy the car (ideally an EV) for the next 10 years. However, I could delay the decision for 2-5 years by buying a petrol/diesel one, though I will be annoyed at the increased running costs (petrol, maintenance, tax, exclusion zones possibly in the future, etc...)

I too had the Tesla itch a couple of years ago when I was upgrading from the 28kWh Ioniq. I made a list of pros and cons of each car which mattered to me. The 64kWh Kona won by a nose, so I suggest you make a list pertinent to your requirements.

On the SpeakEV Kona forum, Stageshoot scratched his Tesla itch and bought a Standard Range Plus, only to change back to a Kona a few months later. He gave a very honest, detailed review of his experience.

I found the ZS very similar to the Kona on the test drive and didn't experience any of the issues mentioned on this forum. (You have to remember that the problems posted are a tiny proportion of all the positive experiences owners have and don't post). :)
There are no Konas in stock anyhow, so a moot point (I did find a demo e-Niro though, and while it is a decent value at £39k, I found it loses 1v1 against the MG and Tesla)
Regarding the issues mentionned on the forum, yes I am aware of the negative bias on the ratio of unsatisfied to satisfied, but some issues appear to be features (e.g. if the auto high beam don't work on winding B roads where I need it most, or worst if it has a 1 second delay, blinding the incoming car...)
Thanks for the other threads, I am trying to read and absorb them.
I'll also do the usual pros-cons of each choice which I kind of did in my head, I'll formalise it.
Been through the same process, mine boiled down to how we use the car, if constant long journeys I would probably have gone for the Tesla (better charging network), however we use the car for mainly short journeys (under 60 miles) and nearly always charge at home (do get a charger at home and get Octopus go or similar, its 5 to 7p per kw so is insanely cheap).
Tesla have all sorts of reliability problems and are seen at this stage as one of the most unreliable brands. Also 3 boot is small.
I like the apps in the MG, they are sensible and we will use them, not sure about Tesla (would you use the fart function or games?)
I don't want a car that does 0-60 in 4 secs, I am getting on for 65 and am aware of the restrictions that age brings on my abilities to benefit safely from this, the MG is still very fast from 0-40 if needed, and I found extremely comfortable to drive.
If you check with some of the online dealers you should be able to get a MG long range trophy for under £31,000
Almost forgot, MG has 7 year warranty and 8 years on battery (check the small print though)
And another thing
Do check dimensions of car, Tesla, Ioniq 5 and Kia6 are pretty big (wide particularly). The MG is far more suited to the rural (and town) roads I drive, and fits into the garage much better.
It is also much easier to get in and out of.
I thought the M3 was reliable from a mechanical point of view, it's more the finish and side things that can go wrong sometimes? Do TM3s break down in non exceptional circumstances?
I found the M3 boot very spacious, though the opening is narrow. And there is the frunk for some additional space.
Yes I don't need the acceleration. It feels like the right idea to overtake that agricultural tractor on a B road, but I think it is also a good way to take too many risks and end up on the side of the road. My current car anyhow does 0-60 in maybe 11 or 12... so the 8 of the ZS is ample acceleration improvements (I do have a tiny little voice in my head though that would like the mad acceleration)
Yes, I think you can get it for £31k new, however if I need it quickly, I think it will be hard to get any discount below £32-£33k.
Yes warranty is a big thing. If I buy a Tesla M3, I'll have at best 3 years and 30k miles left. For a first EV, having the peace of mind of 7 years is non negligible.
Very good point about dimensions, I remember a long time ago looking at the Model S and thinking how the hell one could drive it in the British countryside or try and a park it in some of those horribly narrow multi-store car parks (almost got stuck once with my car, which is narrower and shorter than a S). I can see the M3 is horribly long but just a tad wider than the ZS.

My absolute preference would have been an Ioniq 5, but for roughly the same ballpark range and specs, except the faster rapid charging (I've ordered the long range Connect in silver) it would be at least £10k more. Instead I am getting a solar panel and home battery storage with that money (through a SolarTogether scheme). A Tesla 3 wouldn't have suited as I don't like being that low in a car., and the higher Y is too expensive. Just a personal preference but I really dont like being low down in a car. My old diesel kicked the bucket a couple of weeks ago, so I am doing without until the MG arrives. Fortunately thats doable ( even for a year or more) where I live as there is enough public transport. If you were more rural based, it would be different. Re cruise control, when not on the the motorway I tend to use it purely as means not to break the speed limit. I'd be fine to use the other speed control functions instead (the limiter ones) and get the benefits of regen when on country roads. I use cruise control on the motorway to rest my leg. A question here to anyone else. Does MG pilot always activate ACC, or can you use MG pilot without ACC.
The Ioniq 5 is too expensive (and I prefer the EV6 for its design. I actually found for maybe £42k a mid trim short range Ioniq 5. I don't think it is good value as it is £10k more than a full trim ZS with more range, or the same price as a 3 year old Long range Model 3) and I think the normal Ioniq has a way too short range. (I'd like at least 250 WLTP mileage, 200-ish realistic mileage at least. Going 250-300 real mileage would be quite an anxiety remover for my first EV).
I won't use lane assist on principal, nor auto main beam. I drive my car, not the car drive me 🤣. Satnav - not many are 100% accurate anyway. I use speed limiter most of the time, and rarely cruise control, least of all on rural roads. To cancel cruise you have to do something - to slow down with limiter you just lift off. I'm nearly 70, btw.
I respect this choice, but I use my car differently. Currently, I have no auto high beam and driving at night is quite taxing having to constantly switch between high and low beams. It is not the end of the world, but it is a strain (I can't see that well without high beams, so I need to keep as high possible of an uptime). Auto high beam on my insurance courtesy car (Corsa) was quite a welcome change, and I am looking forward to having a useable one in my next car.
Same thing for the other assistance: If I ever have to drive with one child on a Sunday night long distance, I want to minimise effort as much as possible and make sure the car protects me against myself and others. Cruise control on motorway is a must have to rest your feet, and lane control is very good against any laps in attention. Even in country roads, I prefer cruise control to limiters as I can still overtake in case of need and I can break, while the limiter removes one of the choices.
Re the satnav, I expect it at least to say where I am at within 1 meter, not within 50 meters as the demo vehicle displayed in my test drive.
 
Following some advice here, I made a comparator of my current options using the Importance I give to each item.
While all the yellow boxes have yet to validated (including the reliability one which is an importance 9), I must say I am surprised how the Kia came back strongly. It is solid all around, and the real niggle for me is the minuscule sun roof (I really need light in my cars, compared to what you get in either the ZS or the TM3, it is really under the bare minimum I'd say).

It does appear to be a fight between the ZS and the eNiro, with the Tesla being brought down by the warranty (I now realise how stressful it would be for a first EV to only have 2-3 years left vs the 7 years of the other 2).


1652045910436.png
 
My decision to go electric and for the ZS was based on a couple of factors, some of which might apply to you:

6) Elongated Muskrat is a <redacted> and heard far too many horror stories about Tesla servicing. Fit & finish on a £50k+ car is also not good enough.
Just have to counter your point 6. Elon Musk is a fine human being, the fact you've decided to dislike him, probably because you've bought into the "hate Elon" narrative should have no bearing on the OP's decision.

As for fit and finish on the Model 3, the current Chinese built cars are superb throughout. If you're buying an older model, it could be US built and some have had issues, but not many. (You only hear from the noisy, unhappy minority). Service is generally excellent, they will even send someone to your home to fix the car at your convenience if you do get issues. There is absolutely no comparison between the ZS and a model 3 at all, the Tesla is an order of magnitude better in all ways.

I say this having had a ZS, it is a great all round car, although the suspension is too bouncy!, but a Tesla is in a different league. Go and drive one, you'll not want anything else afterwards.
 
Following some advice here, I made a comparator of my current options using the Importance I give to each item.
While all the yellow boxes have yet to validated (including the reliability one which is an importance 9), I must say I am surprised how the Kia came back strongly. It is solid all around, and the real niggle for me is the minuscule sun roof (I really need light in my cars, compared to what you get in either the ZS or the TM3, it is really under the bare minimum I'd say).

It does appear to be a fight between the ZS and the eNiro, with the Tesla being brought down by the warranty (I now realise how stressful it would be for a first EV to only have 2-3 years left vs the 7 years of the other 2).


View attachment 8387
I think you need to revisit the Tesla warranty. The drivetrain and battery warranty are for a full 8 years, the rest is 4 years, 50k, but any teething issues will have been sorted in this time, leaving any really expensive issues covered longer than most other marques.
 
I think you need to revisit the Tesla warranty. The drivetrain and battery warranty are for a full 8 years, the rest is 4 years, 50k, but any teething issues will have been sorted in this time, leaving any really expensive issues covered longer than most other marques.
Yes, however since the only way to fit a Tesla in my budget is to get 2019 or 2020 models, which means only 1-2 years left and maybe 20k miles. Buying from Tesla would give an extra year / 10k miles. Drivetrain would not be extended, so 5 years.
 
Hi everyone
For various reasons I have to change car. I have been a hybrid driver for 10+ years and was thinking of moving to EV in the next 2-5 years and then keep the car for 10 years. However a surge in catalytic theft has pushed my plans forward. When looking at my various criteria, price and stock availability in the market, my choices really come down to:
  1. an MG ZS EV (Trophy or Connect) for something like £33k
  2. a used Tesla M3 for £38k (standard) or £44k (long range)
  3. A £15k older but high specced car
The thing is about 3) is that the cost of ownership over 10 years is actually higher than an electric car. So 3) would realistically be for 2-5 years until I change to an EV, but I will hate having to spend again a fortune at the pump after 10+ years of hybrid driving.
I have test driven the ZS EV and overall find it a really enjoyable, practical car at a very decent price. It feels like the rational choice, while the Tesla feels more like an emotional choice.
For a £5k-£11k differential (which is a lot of money!!!) it feels I'd get more range, faster charging (both points only matters maybe 20 times a year), more luxury, more safety, more convenience and much more power (though this could lead to more dangerous situations).
On the other hand, the ZS feels like a car wanting to show off as luxury but not quite there. A cursory read of the forum this morning tells me of:
  • no auto-dim on the rear mirror
  • sensors that go bonkers
  • ACC not useable on country roads, and no way to use a regular cruise control (I often use it on roads that are sprinkled with villages and you have to go 30-40-60 constant)
  • I also read that some safety features (like the one about traffic jams) doesn't have the array of sensors that a Tesla has and so will miss out motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians
  • A crappy satnav (not a real point as I'll use my phone I guess). When test driving it often showed me in a field nearby rather than on the road.
  • Lane assist generating a lot of complaints (but it also seems it is due to people not configuring properly?)
  • auto high beam being either erratic or bad on B roads
I really think my sensible choice is the ZS, but I am getting a creeping feeling that it is slightly misleading with some of its features, and that many people end up de-activating these features which were a selling point for me (I am not getting younger, and feel that more car assistance will improve my overall safety. Had friends raving about how their Tesla saved their life from a bad motorway decision due to tiredness). If I can't have ACC, proper collision detection, auto high beams, robust lane control, etc... a Tesla seems suddenly more attractive and justifiable.

So as owners or prospective owners of ZS, what was your decision process and what information would you think will help me make a decision?
(btw, I also need to spend quite a bit of money to build a driveway with charger)
I have to say, We have just received our new ZS EV (Trophy), and most of the issues you list above are not present. There is no auto dim on the rear mirror, but who cares? I have used ACC regularly on B roads and country roads. Its been fine. The satnav has been flawless. I have been using various units in Fords, Jaguar, BMW and Audi since they were first in cars, and this one is as good as any. I cant comment on the array of safety features compared to a Tesla. But my head is spinning trying to take in all the electronic aids in this car. there are plenty, and the Tesla is hardly a good comparison price wise. Like saying the leather in a luxury car is better than that in a Mondeo. Lane asset works flawlessly, but there are 3 settings and when on the highest, and on a country road it can be intrusive. So, I turn it down to med or low. Auto high beam is excellent. On my A6 it was crap. I doubt many people "are deactivating" their safety features. Most are not intrusive and are genuinely good. The ZS will stop for pedestrian when travelling under a certain speed. It also has blind spot assist, all the usual ABS, ESC, and myriad of other safety bits and pieces.

For the money, the 2022 Trophy model is exceptional. It feels anything but budget and does a damn good job of feeling a lot more expensive than it is. I'm sure a few things will niggle me in the coming months, Ive yet to have a car where something didn't agree with me. For instance, When I put hill start assist on, it seems to switch off after a while. I don't know why, but it may be something Im doing. In addition, they send over the air updates, so anything that they become aware of that can be sorted via an OTA update likely will be.
Outside of that so far, I'm loving it. Its actually going to be the wife's car. I'm holding out until the Marvel R arrives in RHD on these shores. My advice would be to get a good long test drive and try these things for yourself. Its an impressive car with a good turn of speed, composure and quietness. Add in the warranty and its a great buy. Incredible to think what the next updated version will be like!
 
Hill start assist only activates for 2 seconds after you release the brake, no need to turn it on it's on all the time by default. It's activated by pressing the brake pedal firmly before letting it go, it works when reversing as well.
 
Sorry. I mean Hill decent. I was fiddling about, and then noticed it turned off. On reading the manual, it seems there has to be a specific set of procedures for it to work, as in actually being on a hill descent.
 
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