Watch out, BYD Atto 3! Shock eleventh-hour price-drop for new 2023 MG ZS electric car! Will this be Australia's most popular EV?

MG has announced a last-minute surprise price-drop for its updated ZS EV range, which now arrives in two variants.

Now kicking off with an aggressive drive-away price of $44,990 for the base Excite grade, and a $48,990 price for the top-spec Essence, the ZS EV is again the cheapest electric car you can buy, grabbing that title back from the BYD Atto 3. In fact, the new ZS EV is only $1000 dearer than the car which it replaces, and $2000 cheaper than its previously announced drive-away price of $46,990.

The brand denied the last-minute price-change was in reaction to the arrival of the BYD Atto 3, which wears a before on-roads cost (MSRP) of $44,381 for its standard range variant. For reference the non-drive-away price for the ZS EV Excite is $43,990, which officially makes it the most affordable electric vehicle in Australia.

Both cars are far more affordable than Australia’s most popular electric car, the Tesla Model 3, which currently starts from $65,500 before on-road costs.

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One of the biggest catches with this is that the ZS EV is available with only one battery choice, a 50.3kWh unit granting it a 320km driving range (up from the outgoing model’s 263km range).

Meanwhile an extended range version of the rival Atto 3 can be chosen at an MSRP of $47,381, which grants a healthier 420km driving range, and the Tesla Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive offers an impressive 556km range.

The MG ZS EV is also confirmed to have additional features over the previous version, including vehicle to load (V2L) capability, allowing it to power household appliances from the charging port (at a maximum rate of 2.5kW), and the addition of a new ‘iSmart’ phone application, allowing owners to check the state of charge, unlock and lock their vehicle, and remotely start the climate functions.

Improved styling and underpinnings are only the start for the 2023 ZS EV.

The 2023 model also has a new motor driving the front wheels, which produces 130kW/280Nm, significantly more power but less torque than before. MG says this motor has improved efficiency and a new regen system which helps to increase its range. Officially though, the new ZS EV has a combined consumption figure of 17.1kWh/100km, a slight jump over the outgoing model’s 16.2kWh/100km. 

It also allows for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.2 seconds. For the first time, the ZS EV is also approved for a 500kg towing capacity.

The new lithium-ion battery also comes with new charging specifications. Able to charge at a maximum rate of 80kW on DC or a surprise 11kW on AC, the ZS EV has above average charging capabilities for a car in its class.

V2L functions and a phone app are firsts for the brand.

The addition of V2L means owners are able to power campgrounds or appliances for small business purposes. If set to the max output of 2.5kW, MG says it will take two to three days to drain the battery from a max charge.

The update brings the ZS EV onto the latest platform as the concurrent ZST combustion car. This platform is slightly larger than the original ZS and ZS EV, which means slightly expanded interior dimensions although it maintains the boot capacity of 359-litres with five occupants, or 1187-litres with the second row folded flat.

MG also says the ZS EV has revised suspension to improve ride quality and a host of other changes under the skin to improve road noise.

Standard equipment on the base Excite includes cloth seat trim, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.2-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 360-degree parking camera, a 7.0-inch digital dash cluster, built-in sat-nav, LED headlights and tail lights, as well as keyless entry and push-start ignition.

The 2023 ZS EV's interior scores many of the same updates as the concurrent ZST combustion car.

Stepping up to the top-spec Essence grade adds synthetic leather seat trim, heated front seats, a panoramic glass sunroof, rain sensing wipers, roof rails, a wireless phone charger, as well as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

The ZS EV is covered by a seven-year and unlimited kilometre warranty, which covers both the car and high-voltage battery components. 

Buyers can also opt for one of the premium colours (red, silver or blue) at an additional cost of $700, while the brand’s first-party AC charging hardware costs $1990 before fitment for a 7kW (single-phase) charger, or $2090 before fitment for the 11kW (three-phase) charger.

MG says its initial allocation of 2023 ZS EVs is some 2000 units and it does not expect to run into supply issues or waiting lists for the new model in the short term.

The new ZS EV is the first vehicle to launch as part of what MG’s calls its “next chapter” which comes with a new brand slogan, “Take Charge” and a new theme package for its dealer network (which now numbers 83 across Australia and New Zealand) which it describes as “the biggest dealer support package of any OEM.”

Stay tuned for more MG news, as well as our detailed 2023 MG ZS EV review in the coming weeks.