MG ZS Hybrid+ high engine revs

I agree the over reving is my major concern with my ZS hybrid starting from day of delivery . I live in the Blue Mountains and regularly experience 3500-4000 RPM , the noise is cringe worthy. Passengers regularly comment but the authorised service state high revs should be expected as a feature of the design. I would feel much better if MG could state on paper that revving of this magnitude is a normal feature and will not be detrimental to the life expectancy of the petrol motor.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
20230430_164900.webp


Mal. 🙂👍
 
I too have experienced this high revving issue in our Hybrid+, but at higher revs than stated on this post - up to 4500 in most cases and not always going uphill, but usually. I know that our MG dealer knows about this but refuses to acknowledge its existence. I have represented this problem to other dealers here (Victoria Australia) and they too seem to be just looking the other way, for now anyway. I have heard of a software update available in the UK (but not universally so) that appears to fix this issue. I’ll be pursuing MG in Australia to address this issue as it cannot be justified as ‘normal’ by any stretch of the imagination in my view.
 
Not sure if your hybrid+ does have the latest software. I got my hybrid + in mid-February and was assured that it had all the available software updates then. The only software update that I'm aware of here in Melbourne Aus just addressed the problem of the software allowing the battery to drain down to around 10% before the engine kicked in to re-charge thebattery. This reportedly caused a loss of power and excessive revving to replenish it. After the software update the re-charging starts earlier when the battery gets to around 40%. I too can experience high revs going up hills whenever the battery falls below 40% but the car can still maintain it's speed. It concerned and embarassed me greatly to start with but I'm now much more relaxed about it, knowing that it's simply re-charging the battery. I've also found that gently easing off the accelerator a couple of times can help reduce the revs and appear to go into a lower gear quicker. Not ideal, but apart from this I'm very happy with the car.
 
I’ve had the same issue with my ZS Hybrid+. It consistently happens in the same spots on the road — one of them is on my route home, so I hit it daily. For no obvious reason, on a slight incline, the car suddenly revs hard and I’m behind a screaming motor. I’ve also noticed that if I decelerate around 3–6 km/h, it sometimes drops a gear, but not always. The behaviour feels inconsistent. Car hasn’t had its first service yet, but I’ll be asking the dealer to check for software updates when it goes in.
 
Robert1957 said:
Just been out today in wales at 23 degrees. Revving at 4500 whilst doing 45 on the flat, rarely goes below 2000 revs except when on EV for 30 seconds. On same 45 mile journey last December I got 76mpg, today I got 55. There is a group on Facebook specifically for the over revving with a view of going legal but it is UK only at present. There is something wrong with just a small minority of cars which means MG are ignoring the complaints but it's extremely annoying if you have one of the problem cars
Click to expand...
Do you have the link for the group on Facebook thinking about legal action, my son would like to join as having the same problem.
 
I too have struggled with this problem with my ZS Hybrid and when mentioning that my wife’s Yaris Hybrid (also a 1500 engine) does not behave at all like this when under load at around 50mph, to be then told the MG isn’t a Toyota, makes me feel as though it’s not fit for purpose especially on inclines. It’s certainly not safe if I suddenly have a loss of power as it decides to suddenly whack the petrol engine into high revs in second gear.
 
I've had my Trophy for a week now and like many other people I've experienced this high revving issue on hills and loss of power on the motorway when I tried to accelerate quickly (very disconcerting!). How can i see whether the car has the update PD052? I've leased it so I guess can go back and ask the leasing firm, but just wondering if there's anywhere in the settings that I can see it myself? My other car is a Toyota Auris which does also rev like mad if I ask it to accelerate quickly, especially on hills, but the CVT means you don't get the weird power loss thing. All help appreciated!
 
Mine is doing the same. Do you also experience quite noticeable vibrations on a steering wheel and accelerator, when engine hits 4000 rpm?
 
There is something wrong with your car .I have been driving my ZS since January and have never seen 4000rpm .Have you got the update?
 
Busman said:
There is something wrong with your car .I have been driving my ZS since January and have never seen 4000rpm .Have you got the update?
Click to expand...
I received it a month ago - should be up to date.
Isn't this entire thread about people getting > 4000 rpm? :)
 
matthew306 said:
I received it a month ago - should be up to date.
Isn't this entire thread about people getting > 4000 rpm? :)
Click to expand...
Hi received our ZS hybrid 24/10/2025 only done 160klms, engine is freewheeling up a incline, if it was underload, it would barely get to 4400rpm. Ours goes back tomorrow, the cars we test drove didn't do that and we weren't told that the motor would be screaming up a hill trying to charge a battery .
we will see what they say.
 
Ive had the hybryd + for just over a week as a hire car, and this situation going up hills is damn right dangerous. Took the kids to Whitby in it yesterday, went to over take on an incline , no power to do so, ive seen other posts stating this is what its supposed to do, i totally disagree if you cant overtake a hgv doing 25 on an incline its dangerous .

Its almost as though your trying to get the car to move without the car being in gear , this is a brand new car.

I havn't noticed this prior as ive just done motorway driving and theres no issues , yes it over revs but it still gets up to speed when it needs to.

Strange thing ive noticed though is it happens more so when your in the mid range say 30 - 50 and once your there on the incline theres no way to change it. Also its more aparrent when theres another vehicle in front . Strange i know .

Definatly over stressing the engine at such high revs looking for power imo.

The car hire company wont change it , say its meant to do that. but also have no other stock than 20 more ZS outside that they don't want to hire out.

Very very scary and poor expierence ,

on a 2nd note i have to switch front assist off every time too as the car had slammed the brakes on for zero reason a few times , only for split seconds , but its enough to give you a fright
 
Last edited:
Hi welcome to the shit show called mg hybrid totally agree with you regarding the power problem, and if anyone on this forum is saying it doesn't happen to them they are talking crap or have never driven up a steep gradient . If you speak to MG UK or dealership they say it's a chararistic of the car really? I just traded my Toyota hybrid for zs hybrid and I can tell you now didn't have power loss with the Toyota albeit it used a different gearbox yes one that worked 😁 just wait till the temperature drops and you will get a gearbox that won't change gear yes because the computer on the decides that the gearbox oil isn't warm enough yet so I will rev my nuts off till I heat up , I've never heard so much shit in my 40 plus years of driving.
 
Support us by becoming a Premium Member

Latest MG EVs video

First Look: MG IM5 & IM6 – Premium EV Saloon & SUV Unveiled at Goodwood!
Published
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom