The MG ZS EV has just received one of the most dramatic price corrections that we have seen in the electric vehicle space of India, up to RS 6.14 Lakh discount, depending on the variant.
For a car that was once awkward between mass market EVs and premium imports and even sold in decent songs, this step suddenly makes the ZS EV a much more rational proposition.
But apart from the flashy discounts and festive press releases, a more nuanced story, from mounting competitive pressure, an aging product and a brand that tries to stay relevant in a segment that evolves faster than most car manufacturers can keep track of.
Let's decode with Zigopinion!
This was coming, and MG knew it
Let's rewind something. When the ZS EV was launched in India in early 2020, it had the first Mover advantage. A decent battery, usable range, SUV styling and a relatively premium cabin with great quality meant it offered something that EV buyers did not have many options. And that worked for a while.
But the landscape changed. Fast. Very, very fast.
Tata doubled on the attack with the Nexon EV and the CURVVV EV. Mahindra arrived with the XUV400 and now the BE6. Hyundai, with the Creta Electric and even BYD, extended their portfolios upwards.
And MG itself launched the comet -V, followed by the Windsor Ev. The Windsor EV offers just as many functions as the ZS EV, in fact, more and above all, it provides a lot of superior rear experience.
Suddenly the ZS EV was stuck in the country of No-Man: too expensive for those who just needed a good city car, not flashing enough to offer the same emotional attraction or technology as the newer competition.
So, this price decrease? It is not generosity, it is survival. MG had to bring the ZS EV back to the conversation, and in that sense this is a well -timed Jab.
How big is the cut real?
The discounts are not cosmetic. They vary from about a lakh to a goinging RS 6.14 Lakh over the range! Let's look at the revised prices:
|
Variant |
New price |
Old price |
Price difference |
|
Leading |
RS 17.99 LAKH |
RS 18.98 Lakh |
(- RS 99,000) |
|
Excite Pro |
RS 18.50 Lakh |
RS 20.48 LAKH |
(- RS 1.98 Lakh) |
|
Exclusive plus |
RS 19.50 Lakh |
RS 25.15 LAKH |
(- RS 5.65 Lakh) |
|
Exclusive plus double tone |
RS 19.50 Lakh |
RS 25.35 LAKH |
(- RS 4.15 LAKH) |
|
Exclusive plus 100-year edition |
RS 19.50 Lakh |
RS 25.35 LAKH |
(- RS 4.15 LAKH) |
|
Essence |
RS 20.50 LAKH |
RS 26.44 LAKH |
(- RS 5.94 Lakh) |
|
Essence Double Tone |
RS 20.50 LAKH |
RS 26.64 LAKH |
(- RS 6.14 Lakh) |
The top variant now costs what the second variant used to be, and the basic manager now almost overlaps with the MG Windsor EV Pro, which costs around RS 17.25 Lakh. The Windsor EV, especially now with the Pro Pack, offers better comfort in the rear seat department, at an even lower price.
There is also a reduction in the price, if you choose the battery-as-a-service (boss) model, which are as follows:
|
Variant |
New price with battery rental schedule |
Old price with battery rental schedule |
Price difference |
|
Leading |
RS 13 Lakh + RS 4.5 per km |
RS 13.99 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
(- RS 99,000) |
|
Excite Pro |
RS 13.51 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
RS 14.99 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
(- RS 1.48 Lakh) |
|
Exclusive plus |
RS 14.51 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
RS 19.55 Lakh + RS 4.5 per km |
(- RS 5.04 Lakh) |
|
Exclusive plus double tone |
RS 14.51 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
RS 19.75 Lakh + RS 4.5 per km |
(- RS 5.24 Lakh) |
|
Exclusive Plus 100-year-old green edition |
RS 14.51 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
RS 19.75 Lakh + RS 4.5 per km |
(- RS 5.24 Lakh) |
|
Essence |
RS 15.51 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
RS 20.56 Lakh + RS 4.5 per km |
(- RS 5.05 Lakh) |
|
Essence Double Tone |
RS 15.51 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
RS 20.76 LAKH + RS 4.5 per km |
(- RS 5.25 LAKH) |
The ZS EV now undermines the Hyundai Creta Electric, remains under the BYD Atto 3 and is frightening close to the 45LR variants of the CURVV EV. For buyers who want to step slightly above the sub-meter EV EV-MEFTTE, this is a sweet spot that MG has finally hit.
But there is an elephant in the room: the ZS EV is getting old
This is not a next generation product. The ZS EV today is based on a combustion platform of 2017. It was introduced in India in 2020, and certainly, it received an upgrade of battery pack and a facelift in 2022, but that only gave time, no competitive advantage.
Worldwide, MG has already unveiled the next generation ZS EV (marketed as the S5 EV or ES5 in certain regions), with new styling, technology and based on a born EV platform. India has not received it yet and will probably not get it in the beginning or mid -2026.
This sudden price reduction makes the ZS EV certainly more attractive, but we do expect it to be replaced soon. The cut will not come as good news for existing ZS EV owners, who will probably see values that are influenced by the resale.
Still a decent EV, finally for the right price!
Here is the good news: although the price reduction is a tactical move, the ZS EV itself is still logical, especially now.
-
The 50.3 kWh battery is large enough for a real-world range of 300-350 km.
-
The 174 PS engine makes the Zippier then most compact SUVs.
-
It is a comfortable EV that rides both and drives well, looks fresh enough and gets the right safety equipment, including level-2 ADAS, six airbags, ESC, 360-degree camera (upper variant) and more.
-
Even the Base Executive variant does not feel like a compromise.
Now that it is just below the RS 18 Lakhmark, you now get a spacious, refined and zippy electric SUV that you don't ask to make too many compromises, something that the ZS EV could only claim with a straight face last week.
So do you have to buy it?
If you are looking for a daily electric runabout, the ZS EV is difficult to ignore. It is spacious, fairly well specified and no longer too optimistic priced.
But make that purchase open with your eyes. This is a nu-or-listed offer, a temporary, non-long-term positioning. When the next generation ZS EV arrives as a replacement, the current one may feel outdated.
Nevertheless, for urban commuters who need a good, comfortable EV without the standard sacrifices at entry level, this is the strongest self of the ZS EV, not yet because it changed, but because the price finally did.
Zigsays …
The MG ZS EV has quietly become a familiar face in the fleet world, with operators such as Lithium and Uber Black who put it to work. Now that the prices are reduced by more than a Lakh for the basic variant, do not be surprised if more of them go on the road in a cabin -mom.
This price reduction can very well be a smart move to keep the ZS EV relevant, while the next Genmodel is getting backstage. For buyers who want a refined electric SUV today, this is a solid, wisely priced option.
What do you think of the move of MG? Let us know in the comments!