MG ZS EV (2021) vs Hyundai Kona: which is the better electric car?

The Hyundai Kona is still a safe bet in the world of electric vehicles. But will it hold its own against the restyled MG ZS EV? This is what we are going to see in this confrontation.

Two compact electric SUVs are on the program for our match of the day: the restyled MG ZS EV (2021) and the Hyundai Kona Electric. The latest addition to the MG group made an excellent impression on us during our recent test drive, showing that the price/performance ratio was really good.

Opposite, one of the most popular electric cars of recent years, the Hyundai Kona Electric, will highlight its strengths to help you determine which of these two vehicles will be the one for you.

MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona specs

Dimensions, weight and exterior design

With its 4.32 meters, the MG ZS EV is slightly longer than the Hyundai Kona (4.21 meters), but the two SUVs are equal in width (1.81 meters). In height, small difference also, with 1.65 meters for the MG against 1.57 meters for the Hyundai. On the scale, the MG ZS EV weighs between 1,570 and 1,620 kilograms depending on the version, while the Hyundai Kona weighs between 1,610 and 1,760 kilograms.

In terms of design, the restyled MG ZS EV recovers the vast majority of the bodywork of its previous version, we will only retain the full grille at the front and its new texture which thus mark the differences with the first MG ZS EV released there. a few years ago.

The Hyundai Kona, for its part, offers a classic look of a small urban SUV, with the particularity all the same of the light signature at the front, very characteristic, otherwise the design of the vehicle would be quite ordinary.

Inside

The space on board the MG ZS EV is quite generous, especially at the rear where two adults can be comfortably seated. The various buttons in the cabin are placed intelligently so that you don’t have to look for the controls you want to use.

With a few centimeters less in length, the habitability of the Hyundai Kona will logically be a little below. At the level of the trunk, it feels immediately: count only 322 Liters for the Hyundai against 488 Liters for the MG, more than 50% more.

The driving position of the Hyundai Kona is quite correct, and the software and hardware ergonomics are neat. Although the total length of the vehicle is modest, we salute the place in the back which can accommodate two people comfortably all the same.

Embedded technologies

With its central 12-inch touch screen and its second screen behind the steering wheel, the MG ZS EV is welcoming for the most tech-savvy among us. Its graphical interface is quite fluid, but still lacks ergonomics. We will therefore regret having to go to a lot of sub-menus to perform the desired actions.

Fortunately, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available to replace MG’s iSmart interface if necessary. This is also the case on the Hyundai Kona. To finish with the MG ZS EV, we welcome the integration of V2L technology, which allows the car battery to be used to recharge other electrical devices.

For its part, the Hyundai Kona offers a two-part infotainment system (screen behind the steering wheel and central screen), with the good surprise of finding various relevant services when traveling in an electric vehicle. Visualization of nearby charging stations, remaining range depending on the charge level or even a very detailed view of the instantaneous consumption of the vehicle’s various equipment: it’s all there.

Conduct

The 2021 version of the MG ZS EV allowed the brand’s engineers to correct the few flaws of their first copy. We thus forget the too marked body roll of the first model, and we salute the new chassis and the running gear redesigned to erase this.

The consumption of the MG ZS EV is quite correct for an SUV. In our test, we recorded an average of 18.7 kWh per 100 kilometers, ensuring a range of around 260 kilometers for the small battery, and more than 350 kilometers for the large battery.

On the side of the Korean manufacturer, there are paddles behind the wheel of the Hyundai Kona that allow you to fine-tune the level of regenerative braking so as to have economical driving in all circumstances. However, if you want to put your foot down, the Sport mode will provide you with times that meet your expectations.

The Hyundai Kona electric // Source: Yann Lethuillier for Frandroid

As often with Hyundai, we feel the care given to the fact that we are in the presence of an electric car, with many means of optimizing its consumption in a fun way, and this is an excellent point.

The different engines offered

The MG ZS EV is available in two different configurations, depending on the battery size chosen:

• Range Standard 2-wheel drive, traction with 51 kWh battery: 130 kW front motor, 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, top speed 175 km/h;
• Range Extended 2-wheel drive, traction with 70 kWh battery: 115 kW front motor, 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, top speed 175 km/h;

For the Hyundai Kona Electric, two different configurations are also available:

• Traction with 39 kWh battery: 104 kW front motor, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds, top speed 155 km/h;
• Traction with 64 kWh battery: 170 kW front motor, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, top speed 167 km/h;

Autonomy, battery and charging

The MG ZS EV offers a range of 320 kilometers WLTP with the smaller battery (51 kWh), and 440 kilometers in its configuration with the 70 kWh battery. In either case, it will take around 40 minutes in fast charge to go from 5 to 80%. The maximum power accepted is 92 kW.

At home, count in the best case 7 hours to fully fill the battery, with the on-board charger of 7 kW for the entry level and 11 kW for the top of the range. On a domestic outlet, it will be necessary to count on a duration of between 18 and 25 hours depending on the size of the battery.

The entry-level Hyundai Kona offers a WLTP range of 305 kilometers, while the model equipped with the 64 kWh battery has up to 484 kilometers of range. In both cases, the manufacturer announces a fast recharge of 10 to 80% in 47 minutes in ideal conditions.

The standard 7 kW on-board charger, or optional 11 kW on 64 kWh versions, allows you to fully charge the battery in less than 10 hours. On a domestic outlet, the manufacturer announces between 17 and 28 hours depending on the configuration to fill up completely.

Price

One of the strengths of the MG ZS EV is undeniably its starting price: 30,990 euros excluding the ecological bonus, with all the benefits that we have detailed above, this is clearly hard to beat. For the more expensive versions with the 70 kWh battery, it will be necessary to count on 36,990 euros, which remains reasonable.

The Hyundai Kona Electric is available from 35,100 euros in the Intuitive finish, equipped with the small 39 kWh battery. The most expensive finish for this small battery is displayed at 41,800 euros.

If you want to opt for the 64 kWh battery, count between 39,900 euros and 46,600 euros depending on the level of finish. Of course, these prices are to be reduced by the ecological bonus, of which you can find all the details in our file.

Which to choose between the MG ZS EV and the Hyundai Kona?

Thus ends this comparison, with an undeniable advantage for the MG ZS EV. Indeed, with a trunk 50% larger for only 11 centimeters more, fast charging performance similar to the Hyundai Kona and a much lower price, how not to opt for the latest born from MG?

We were won over when testing the MG ZS EV, and although the Kona is a good electric car, it no longer measures up to the competition today. Never mind, let’s hope that Hyundai will soon review its copy to offer a serious alternative to the MG ZS EV. By then, the small Chinese SUV will be unanimous.

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