Passed under the Chinese flag, the brand offers a plug-in hybrid with a convincing price / quality ratio. Our impressions behind the wheel.
Act II of MG’s return to France. Less than a year after the ZS EV, the Chinese giant SAIC – owner of the British brand since 2006 – is marketing its second model in France. Offered to 33,700 euros at entry level, this SUV benefits from the state bonus of 1,000 euros allocated in the second half of the year to plug-in hybrids capable of traveling 50 km without emissions. A price which makes it close to the small Renault Captur E-Tech plug-in… even though this vehicle assembled in the province of Fujian can be classified as family, with its length of 4.57 m.
=> At the wheel of the MG ZS EV – Test drive
The first glance confirms that this machine is not a low-cost. Elegant if not original, the EHS stands out on the outside with its harmonious curves and chrome inserts. But it is above all on board that the MG SUV impresses. The presentation is very modern with a 12-inch digital instrumentation block rich in information. Turbine aerators, soft plastics, (many) steering wheel controls, aluminum facings, pile assemblies … European finishing standards are equaled or even exceeded. Only the central 10.1-inch screen detonates. The weak resolution and fishy reaction times encourage you to use your phone more to navigate. Fortunately, the system is Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatible.
The endowment is very generous. To facilitate its imports, MG has simplified the range as much as possible: only two versions are available. The Comfort already carries digital instrumentation, dual-zone air conditioning, adaptive regulator or lane keeping. For 2,500 euros more, the Luxury – which we drive here – adds a panoramic sunroof, sport-style seats, LED lights, an electric tailgate and a 360 ° maneuvering camera. The list of options is reduced to its simplest form, with the only metallic paint.
Roominess is in the category average, and rear passengers benefit from good knee room. Amputated by the presence of the battery, the trunk, however, capped at 448 liters. The batteries can be recharged from a domestic socket in six to seven hours using the cable (a short chouïa) supplied by MG.
On the road, there is theory and practice. The data sheet indicates that when the 1.5-liter thermal unit and the electric motor work together, the cumulative power reaches 258 hp. It’s more than an Alpine A110! But the consequent weight (1.77 tons), the ample movements of body in curve and the flexibility of the damping on degraded pavement denote a behavior more turned towards the comfort than towards the sport. The electrically assisted steering is flexible, but stingy in information. Cozy and reassuring more than dynamic, this EHS … The transmission does not encourage attack either: despite its 10 gears (4 for electric, 6 for thermal), the automatic transmission generates unpleasant latencies when you press the right pedal. The transitions between electric and thermal – most often around 45 km / h – go smoothly. We also salute the careful soundproofing, even when the SAIC unit starts up.
There remains the consumption chapter. In the city, count 4 liters / 100 kilometers in hybrid mode or a little less than 50 km if you only rely on electric (a button on the central console allows you to switch to EV mode). It’s when the battery runs out that things go wrong. If you continue your journey on the expressway (110 km / h), the instrument panel will quickly show you averages close to 9 liters of SP95. And it gets even worse if you go for vigorous riding or ride on corrugated iron. Especially since the small tank (37 liters) reduces the range of the vehicle to less than 400 kilometers without going to the pump. Once again, the rechargeable hybrid is only of interest if your uses are adapted (regular recharging, short trips, etc.). If so, the EHS is a serious proposition far removed from simple low-cost. The machine is also endowed with five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test. And the warranty of 7 years and 150,000 kilometers should reassure the most skeptical.
WE love
- Very competitive price
- Neat presentation
- Electric autonomy
We like less
- Disappointing consumption
- Slow transmission
- Peaceful character
Verdict
The cheapest plug-in hybrid SUV on the market shines with its endowment and interior. A little less by its mechanics.
Price
Tested version
MG EHS PHEV Luxury
From € 33,700
Tested version: 36,200 €
From € 33,700
Average manufacturer consumption / during the test: 1.8 / 8
Autonomy 100% electric manufacturer: 52 km
CO2 (g / km) / bonus: 43 / € 1,000 (from 07/01/21)
Fiscal power: 8 CV
Country of Manufacture: China
Range offered:
Plug-in petrol hybrid, from 33,700 to 36,200 €
Technical sheet
Engine: front, transverse, 4-cylinder in-line, 16 valves, petrol, turbo, 1490 cm3, 162 hp + electric motor 122 hp
Batterie : lithium-ion de 16,6 kWh
Transmission: traction, automatic, 10 speed
Cumulative power (hp): 258
Cumulative torque (Nm.): 370
Weight (kg): 1775 kg
Long. x larg. x haut. (m.) : 4,57 x 1,88 x 1,66
Wheelbase (m.): 2.72
Max speed (km / h): 190
0 to 100 km/h (s.): 6.9
Tank (l.): 37
Standard tires: 235/50 R18
Test tires: Michelin Pilot Alpin
Chest 5/2 (l.): 448/1 375
Recommended options:
Metallic paint: 650 €
To read on auto-moto.com:
MG is preparing a sporty roadster
MG is preparing its first electric coupé
MG EHS: plug-in hybrid SUV arrives in Europe
MG ZS Electric: 4 legitimate questions before considering the purchase
