2022 MG ZS EV pricing and specs: New entry class, bigger battery, extended range and higher prices for Australia's favorite electric SUV.

The 2022 ZS EV follows the design of the ZST, which is simply an updated version of the original ZS.

The entry price for the MG ZS EV has increased by $2000 with the introduction of the midlife facelift.

Arriving at MG dealerships in July, the updated version of the all-electric small SUV will now be offered in two model classes instead of one class of the previous version.

The new entry-level Excite is $46,990, which is $2000 more than the previous Essence's starting price.

The high-end Essence now serves as the flagship of the ZS EV range, priced at $49,990. Compared to the outgoing Essence, this is $5000 more.

Although it was once the cheapest electric car in Australia, the MG ZS has lost that title to Chinese brand BYD with its Etto 3. BYD's small SUV starts at $44,381 before travel costs, with take-out pricing starting at $44,990 - in depending on your state or territory.

Other similarly priced electric competitors include the Nissan Leaf (starting at $49,990), Hyundai Ioniq (starting at $49,970), and Kona Electric (starting at $54,500).

You need to shell out a little more to get a Kia Niro (starting at $62,590), a Mazda MX-30 (starting at $65,490), or a Tesla Model 3 ($60,900).

As reported, the updated ZS EV increases the battery capacity from 44.5 kWh to 51 kWh, which increased the WLTP range from 263 km to 320 km. The 70 kWh long range version is not offered in Australia.

Its 320km range puts it somewhere between the regular Leaf (270km) and the Leaf e+ (385km).

The updated ZS EV takes on the updated styling already seen on the ZST, albeit with the closed grille now familiar from electric vehicles.

In terms of specifications, the ZS EV Excite and Essence are equipped with a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17-inch multimedia screen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 360-inch alloy wheels, a XNUMX-degree rear-view camera, and MG Pilot. safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.

Essence adds more safety gear, including a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert, as well as other useful in-car features such as a panoramic sunroof, six-speaker audio system, power-folding side mirrors, wireless device charging, heated front seats . six-way power adjustable driver's seat.

MG says the first 500 buyers of the facelifted ZS EV are eligible for a $500 discount on the MG ChargeHub wall box. Home wall charging starts at $1990 for the 7kW version and $2090 for the 11kW model. This price does not include installation.

Last year, the MG ZS EV became the second best-selling electric vehicle in Australia behind the dominant Tesla Model 3. Tesla has sold more than 12,000 Model 3s while MG has found a home for 1388 ZS electric vehicles. That was enough to outsell the Porsche Taycan, Hyundai Kona Electric and Nissan Leaf.