My 6-Month Experience with the ZS Hybrid+ (10,000 km)

[flowmaster]

I've now had my ZS Hybrid+ for exactly six months, and I've driven just under 10,000 km in that time.
I'd like to share my honest experiences with the vehicle:


Shortly after buying it, I noticed—like others here—the issue with high engine revs and noticeable loss of power, especially under load. After about two months, all available software updates were applied. While those updates didn’t noticeably improve the revving issue, they did improve the cruise control, which had always driven 2–3 km/h below the set speed. Since the update, it’s been much more accurate.

My Daily Driving Profile​

• ~60 km highway (120 km/h limit)
• ~30 km rural roads (80 km/h limit)
• ~15 km urban traffic (30–50 km/h)

On the highway, there's a 2 km uphill stretch, where the car always downshifts by one gear, causing it to rev up to around 4300 rpm, which sounds quite loud inside. Otherwise, it stays at around 2900 rpm, which isn’t exactly quiet but still tolerable.
To be fair, I previously drove larger BMW sedans, so I may be a bit more sensitive to cabin noise.


For the first four months, I consistently used cruise control and all driving assist systems, but never managed to get fuel consumption below 6.6 L/100km. After turning off all assistance systems and driving without cruise control, I managed to bring consumption down to 5.6 L/100km.

Other Observations​

• One time, the remaining range dropped from 100 km to zero within 10 km. Based on the fuel I added afterwards, the tank really was empty.
• The built-in radio is basically useless in Switzerland, since most major stations are broadcast only on DAB and the reception drops every few minutes. I now only listen via Android Auto, and bought a wireless adapter so I don’t need to plug my phone in every time.

---

Conclusion after 6 months​

Pros

• Great car for city and rural roads—as long as there are no long inclines or mountain routes
• Excellent value in terms of equipment and features
• Nice interior and exterior design

Cons

• Cruise control performance is lacking
• Engine very loud under high RPM
• Noticeable power loss on hills
• DAB radio practically unusable
• Not suitable for highway driving with inclines
• No way to manually control battery charging during climbs
• Very poor interior lighting
• Even in the top trim level (Luxury), there is no illuminated vanity mirror, and no sunglasses holder

Because of these issues, I’ve decided to sell the car and have already ordered a replacement vehicle.

 

[MG Clive]

Thanks for your 6 month observations @flowmaster, what are you replacing the ZS Hybrid with?

 

[Busman]

I must say all the things that you experienced ,has not been my experience.I must point out that I drive my car in an urban setting with the odd rural drive .With all the updates etc the car settled down after about1500KM .There is no Dab radio in Ireland and interior lighting is not an issue ,high revs up inclined is not a problem and overtaking on motorways is not a problem.Cruise control is excellent and regen has been very good since the weather got warmer.

 

[flowmaster]

Thanks for your 6 month observations @flowmaster, what are you replacing the ZS Hybrid with?

I will try a BYD Seal U DM-i comfort

 

[David38]

Happy with mine too no problem with engine noise and highest revs. 3.1, i live in hilly area.

 

[rayhansen]

I brought a Hybrid + end of May 2025. Around town it is a very good car, motorway driving and cruise control is fine. The dealer told me it has had the latest update to fix the over revving problem.
On a 500km trip recently the car revved to 5500rpm up a steep incline, which I wasn't expecting it to do, so it freaked me out. The car lost power and I ended up crawling up the hill with the engine making a din.
I took it to the dealer on return, his reply was that I didn't know how to drive it properly. I accept there is some learning to do as it is a different drive to an ICE car and even a full EV, which I have had both.
I am surrounded by mountain ranges so it is inevitable I will be going up long inclines sooner or later. I am prepared to give the car the benefit of the doubt while I learn the ropes on regen modes etc.
The car has done 1500km so far and achieved 5.2L/100km.

 

[Stephen L]

I brought a Hybrid + end of May 2025. Around town it is a very good car, motorway driving and cruise control is fine. The dealer told me it has had the latest update to fix the over revving problem.
On a 500km trip recently the car revved to 5500rpm up a steep incline, which I wasn't expecting it to do, so it freaked me out. The car lost power and I ended up crawling up the hill with the engine making a din.
I took it to the dealer on return, his reply was that I didn't know how to drive it properly. I accept there is some learning to do as it is a different drive to an ICE car and even a full EV, which I have had both.
I am surrounded by mountain ranges so it is inevitable I will be going up long inclines sooner or later. I am prepared to give the car the benefit of the doubt while I learn the ropes on regen modes etc.
The car has done 1500km so far and achieved 5.2L/100km.

In what way were you not driving it “properly” ?
What do you do differently now?

 

[salty]

I will try a BYD Seal U DM-i comfort

That's 2 members, who have defected to BYD now. Pics when you get it, please.
And enjoy your new motor. .

 

[flowmaster]

That's 2 members, who have defected to BYD now. Pics when you get it, please.
And enjoy your new motor. .

I will do that. The car should be ready in about three weeks.

 

[David38]

What's a BYD, please?

 

[Alb]

BYD Official Site | Electric Vehicles | BYD UK

Find and configure your perfect BYD electric vehicle, book a test drive, find financing and configure online. BYD has developed groundbreaking blade battery, electronic platform 3.0 and dual-mode hybrid technology for a range of electric cars.

www.byd.com

 

[salty]

What's a BYD, please?

BYD stands for, "Beyond Your Dreams" that's a bit naff. But the cars, seem to be pretty good. Particularly the Seal.

 

[MG Clive]

BYD stands for, "Beyond Your Dreams" that's a bit naff. But the cars, seem to be pretty good. Particularly the Seal.

I thought it was 'Build your Dreams'

 

[salty]

I thought it was 'Build your Dreams'

Oops, might be. Either way it's naff.

Actually "Beyond your Dreams" is better.

 

[MG Clive]

Actually "Beyond your Dreams" is better.

Yes it does sound better doesn't it.

 

[David38]

Thanks, not heard or seen them.

 

[salty]

BYD Seal Excellence. Nice motor.

 

[MG Clive]

Thanks, not heard or seen them.

Check out this video, see what they can do >

Thread 'Got 11 minutes to spare?'

Apr 7, 2025

If you have 11 minutes to spare, this is a very interesting video.

Check out just how far the Chinese have come in the last few years.

Staggering to see the pace of development from 2012 to now.

BYD U7 Yangwang. (translates as "to look up" or "to admire")

Silly name, amazing car.

• Bricktop X PWR
• byd chinese spare yangwang
• Replies: 12
• Forum: General Chat Forum

• 

 

[Hybrid Ann]

I have had my MGZS+Hybrid for 6 months now also. I haven't had any problems. I do occasionally get the slight over revving, mainly when I'm in cruise control trying to get to a high speed. Otherwise no problems.

 

[rayhansen]

In what way were you not driving it “properly” ?
What do you do differently now?

I Think that when the revs rise unexpectedly I may be unconsciously backing off the accelerator?
the first time it happened I watched the revs rise fast and the speed drop just as quickly, perhaps if the salesman had given me a heads up on what to expect I may have been more prepared and If MG included more sound dampening the engine noise may not be so obvious.
The second time it happened I was waiting for it but still kind of feathered the throttle so the speed fell away and I lost momentum, but, both times it felt like the gearbox was in neutral and the revving engine was just supplying the battery and not driving the wheels.
I also drive a Nissan Xtrail, by comparison when going up an incline, when the revs drop due to the hill and I accelerate, in the Nissan the revs rise and the car surges forward. When the same occurs in the ZS it seems to just rev and either maintains the the current speed or decelerate. I believe when going uphill and the battery is exhausted the engine sends all the power to recharge it and not enough to the wheels to keep going forward. Does that make sense?