MG ZS Long range Efficiency

[Palah]

I'm very happy with our purchase of 2023 ZS EV Trophy long range...

2 September 2025 ... update below

MG state a 440 km range but to my surprise even with 50% charge it was still showing 236 km range. Have seen as low as 14.4 kWh / 100km.. Only charged once to 100% and was displaying 463 km. Dec 2024: lately full charge 100% going over 500km.

I live close to a university and they have 15c/kWh charge or free after 5pm so I only spent AU$4.28 for 880km travel (couldn't wait to 5pm so paid 15c/kWh as wanted to make sure it would charge).

While it's still early days, it's good to know that not all manufacturers widely claim unobtainable efficiency... I understand it's a 'budget' brand but fix some cost cutting things like no rear cup holders/lights etc and rest of package is all I need in a car. But for price paid (17k off with only 314km) I'm very happy.

Update
Winter in AU is finishing & just charged on a 14 degree C day and at 98% charge shows 492 km range ... over winter with heating at 23 deg C noticed about 50 or so km less range than normal... Getting warmer now and usage as low as 12.4

 

[Chris H]

Have you tried actually getting that range? My standard range model regularly shows 190 miles on 100% charge, but on a 140 mile round trip driving very conservatively (all <60mph, most at about 40mph) I regularly arrive home with single digits remaining.

 

[DB Go Rex]

Australia in spring/summer... efficiency will probably be at its best.

As Chris H eludes to here... GOM is not necessarily reality.

Having owned other EVs before, the ZS is average at best on efficiency. It seems particularly badly affected by winter temps compared to say my previous Ioniq 38kWh.

 

[Palah]

We don't have bad winters in Australia so time will tell on range then but drive on (highest speed 80km/h) roads and rarely use mechanical braking. Find regenerative at level 3 excellent (prefer doesn't bring to full stop).

While I didn't drive for efficiency on any past vehicles (previous MG HS excite), just sold at 75k km was still on original tyres, pads/rotors (would need very soon so another reason sold) ..

But have learnt to read traffic which pays off in electric vehicle as if can keep an EV rolling in the city, it uses less energy hence more range.

 

[BobMonga]

My experience is that the estimated and actual ranges vary wildly.
In Australia on a highway drive of 300km at average speed of 100kmph, starting with 400 km estimated range on 100% full battery, my ZS EV 2023 will lose at least 100km of estimated range during the trip - so actual range is 25% less than stated. This is on a drive with an altitude increase of 700m. The reverse Journey range is slightly better being down hill.
In the city of course the range estimates are much closer to actual.

 

[wattmatters]

My experience is that the estimated and actual ranges vary wildly.
In Australia on a highway drive of 300km at average speed of 100kmph, starting with 400 km estimated range on 100% full battery, my ZS EV 2023 will lose at least 100km of estimated range during the trip

Range estimates are based on recent driving. If your recent driving has been city/suburban, then that's what it is basing the range estimate on.

As you start doing highway speeds then it's accumulating km at a new economy rate and adjusting the range estimate accordingly.

 

[BobMonga]

Thank you for the clarification

 

[fred12345]

My experience is that the estimated and actual ranges vary wildly.
In Australia on a highway drive of 300km at average speed of 100kmph, starting with 400 km estimated range on 100% full battery, my ZS EV 2023 will lose at least 100km of estimated range during the trip - so actual range is 25% less than stated. This is on a drive with an altitude increase of 700m. The reverse Journey range is slightly better being down hill.
In the city of course the range estimates are much closer to actual.

At the average speed of 100 km/h over 300 km distance, I'm not surprised it shows 25% loss of range, it uses a massive amount of energy when driving faster

 

[MG Clive]

@Palah has updated Post#1 today.

 

[Palah]

Have you tried actually getting that range? My standard range model regularly shows 190 miles on 100% charge, but on a 140 mile round trip driving very conservatively (all <60mph, most at about 40mph) I regularly arrive home with single digits remaining.

Find its not far off ... on a hour trip to our sons place 40km away returns low 13 s in efficiency best seen was 12.4 ... yesterday at 50% charge showed 234 km range left ... don't have any more stress than old petrol car