MG ZS EV prices reduced: Buy now or still consider the competitors?

Alternate electric SUVs include the Hyundai Kona EV, Tata Nexon EV facelift and even the Mahindra XUV400.

BHPian Omkar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The news of MG launching a new base variant of the ZS EV has created quite a stir primarily because the starting price is now a lot more accessible.

Originally Posted by BHPian sri_tesla:

MG has launched a cheaper variant of the ZS EV at Rs 18.98 lakhs. This is going to bring much-needed competition to the EV market. Now, both Nexon EV and XUV400 will be forced to lower their prices, especially the Nexon EV.
Comet EV also now starts at Rs 6.99 lakhs. This should have been the launch price for Comet. Link.

Originally Posted by BHPian ferrarirules:

Woah!! This is true price war now. It is not only the new variant, but the price of the existing variant "Excite" also reduced to Rs.19,98,000 ex-showroom. This is the second cut in 6 months. The price is reduced by 2.88 lakhs. The net reduction in 6 months - Rs 3.33 lakh

I am surprised with the amount of padding MG was carrying in its electric cars.

Tata needs to react now. The top variant of Nexon is also priced at 19.94 lakhs and it comes with only a 40 KW battery. Yes, it has more features, but the comparison will be between faster charging + range vs features.

Originally Posted by BHPian sri_tesla:

Thanks for sharing the updated brochure. Just went through the feature list difference between the new executive variant and the exciting variants. None of these are really necessary features and they are not worth paying Rs 1 lakh extra. MG just killed Nexon EV and XUV400 longer-range variants with these new prices.

Features in exciting over executive variant (for Rs 1 lakhs extra):

• Wheel cover over alloys
• Silver finish roof rails
• Vanity mirrors
• Parcel shelf
• Luggage net
• Black tape on pillar
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Originally Posted by BHPian Shreyans_Jain:

All this goes to show just how obnoxiously these EVs are being priced. All talk of a 5L rupee delta between petrol and electricity is marketing BS. Companies can reduce prices significantly if they want to, they have all been pocketing all the benefits of the 5% GST.

ZS EV is an ageing product and has neither the settled ride of Nexon nor the equipment levels. Not even a significant cabin space advantage. This price cut was much needed. God bless the competition.

And pity the people who bought it for 28L just six months back. These guys deserve some form of compensation.

Originally Posted by BHPian Hayek:

The cost of Lithium and Lithium Ion cells has fallen considerably. Source.

Some people mistakenly think lithium is rare - but there are plenty of resources around - people have been reluctant to develop them since they don’t know how prices will trend. That said we may see some volatility in prices since lithium supply demand will continue to be volatile over the next few years. But as more reserves are developed, and recycling technology improves, in my view, the long term price trend is down.

Further, the ZS now has LFP batteries rather than the costlier NMC batteries it originally had. Hence the price falls are not unnatural. That is the risk you take as an early adopter of a technology product.

Some people will see this as a disadvantage of EVs versus ICE vehicles - but the fact is that if EV prices fall, the resale value of all cars will be impacted - not just those of EVs.

Of course, as those scale benefits kick in, governments will be tempted to increase their take - I would be surprised if GST is still 5% on EVs 5 years from now. So as with all products, don’t bother about how prices move going forward and enjoy something you were happy to pay for when you bought it. You don’t gain if the prices of a car you bought rise and you don’t lose if they fall - unless you are a second-hand car dealer.

The lower price also means that the ZS EV can compete against the very popular Tata Nexon EV. The lines have blurred and the two segments which were distinct earlier have somewhat merged into one.

Apart from the fact that the ZS EV is a bigger car, most people would be interested in the features on offer. However, when comparing the ZS EV to the Nexon EV and the XUV400, only certain variants would be relevant:

1. MG ZS EV – Executive & Excite
2. Tata Nexon EV Long Range – Fearless, Fearless+, Fearless+ S and Empowered+
3. Mahindra XUV400 – EL Pro

A glance at the cars' brochures would give some vital information about the features on offer as well.

• All three cars come equipped with 6 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, hill assist, a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay (Nexon EV & XUV400 get wireless), auto headlamps and wipers, rear AC vents and connected car features.
• Nexon EV offers features like a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, a sunroof, ventilated seats, and vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-load technology which the ZS EV doesn’t. It even has an 8-speaker sound system compared to the 2-speaker system in the ZS EV.
• The ZS EV offers TPMS that the Nexon EV doesn’t.
• Nexon EV & XUV400 don’t get TPMS while the ZS EV does.
• XUV400 misses out on features like hill descent control, electronic parking brake, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats and vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-load tech.

So, with the updated prices of the MG ZS EV and the updates to the Tata Nexon EV and the XUV400, what would be your pick in the segment? There's also the age-old actual competitor to the ZS EV, the Hyundai Kona. Let us know your thoughts below.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Just yesterday, I read the entire price-cut discussion on the ZS EV Review thread, then stepped out for a walk in the area and saw a ZS EV on the road. Would I buy it? No. The ZS EV is an extremely sorted EV & its maker's vast experience with electric cars shows. The powertrain, suspension, less niggles etc. are all in favour of the car. But it looks terribly old inside & out. The MG ZS EV felt dated at launch, looks outdated today and will look like a history lesson in 10 years (I usually keep my cars for 10 years).

Voted for the Tata Nexon. Recently spent some time with the facelifted car & fell in love with it. What won me over = the styling, interiors, feature list, EV powertrain, sound system, suspension setup etc. What worries me = odds of bugs & problems, typical of freshly launched Tata cars. Won't be my only car, so am fine with the risk.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

First of all, god bless competition. If this aggressive move by MG makes Tata correct it’s prices, it will be great for in consumers as well as the market in general. Battery prices have come down substantially, but nothing has been passed on.

Coming to the cars, there is no scenario in which I am picking the XUV400 in a world where Nexon LR and ZS EV exist. Plain and simple.

Between the Tata and MG, the Nexon LR gets my vote. The car is newer(read as future proof), while the ZS looks and feels a generation older. Nexon comes fully loaded with all modern-day features, while the ZS lower trims are positively naked. I can’t remember the last time I heard of any car with a 2 speaker audio system, while Nexon’s JBL can give Creta’s Bose setup a complex. Nexon rides better, handles better, has the better steering and feels posh inside out. The top end costs 21L on road, but it also feels like the very best 21L rupee petrol and diesel cars. Surprisingly, Nexon doesn’t let the ZS get a major cabin space advantage either, both cars have similar knees up seating at the back.

The only case for the ZS EV is if there is a specific requirement of frequent highway driving and road trips, where the bigger battery pack, faster DC charging abilities and the bigger boot provide a decisive advantage.

Here's what BHPian d3mon had to say on the matter:

Between the ZS & the Nexon:

A product which is proven and sold internationally, and comes with a 5 star EURO NCAP rating, vs a locally engineered product with questionable reliability & guaranteed niggles ranging from infotainment bugs to battery issues leaving you stranded?

I know which one I'd get.

Here's what BHPian McLaren Rulez had to say on the matter:

The ZS EV is the Polo of EVs. Outdated, but a high-quality product that gives you the feeling of a car from a segment above. If I were in the market for an EV today, it's a pretty sweet deal!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.