The initial skepticism turns out to be unfounded.

No exotic low-cost provider took the MG ZS EV to the test, but a serious electric car from the Middle Kingdom.

The former British sports car brand has been part of the Chinese car group SAIC since 2007.

MG's first battery-electric vehicle for Europe is a 4.31-meter-long SUV in a pleasing sheet metal design and with harmonious proportions, which is positioned between the VW T-Roc and VW Tiguan in terms of dimensions.

Not entirely without prejudice, we take a seat on comfortable synthetic leather seats and are pleasantly surprised by the workmanship and the appearance of the material in the interior.

The Stromer passes the trial test without any complaints; We remember with horror the sometimes nasty exhalations from new cars from the Far East. Adaptive cruise control with a traffic jam function, a rather rude lane departure warning system that can be switched off permanently, traffic sign recognition and navigation with Android Auto and Apple Carplay are always on board at a price of 31,990 euros. 9570 euros electric bonus may be deducted from the purchase price. The test car in the 2000 Euro more expensive luxury equipment also had a reversing camera, heated seats and a panoramic sliding roof. There are no compromises when it comes to safety: in the Euro NCAP crash test, the MG ZS EV achieved the top score of five stars.

But there are also downsides. The 8-inch monitor in the center console, which persistently defies our fingertips, and the sluggish infotainment system with simple graphics are just as much a part of it as the poorly controllable air conditioning without a temperature display. Overview and space are good. But why is there no central headrest in the rear? The trunk holds 448 to 1116 liters, which are suitable for everyday use, and a bicycle rack weighing up to 75 kilograms can also be attached. The Type 2 charging cable, which is quite short at four meters, is housed under the double loading floor.

The 143 hp electric motor drives the front wheels. The lithium-ion battery placed under the floor has a capacity of 44.5 kWh. According to the WLTP, this is enough for 263 kilometers, in practice for 200 to 230 kilometers depending on the temperature and driving style. This makes the 1.5-ton city SUV more suitable for urban environments than for long journeys. This is matched by the comfortable set-up and the smooth steering. A maximum of 140 km / h is possible. The speedometer then shows 155 km / h, and the range on the precise display drops significantly. Three driving programs and three different levels of recuperation can be selected using a toggle switch. In sport mode, things are moving very quickly. For reasons of reason, we mostly drove in Eco mode and without air conditioning came to an average of 17.6 kWh per 100 kilometers with a standard consumption of 18.6 kWh.Charging is via a socket in the middle of the grill, which saves the hassle of maneuvering around the power column.

A light tap on the MG logo, then the cover swings up and reveals the connections. Will the plastic guides, which are not very solid, last the life of the car? At the wallbox with alternating current, the trolley can only consume up to 6.6 kW in one phase; the battery is full after 7.5 hours. With CCS fast charging up to 85 kW, charging to 80 percent takes forty minutes; in the test, a maximum of 42 kW flowed. What you need to know: The vehicle must be locked to the power supply. How much is currently flowing and how long the charging process takes can only be read on the power column, not in the car.

Overall, the MG ZS EV is a solidly built, handy vehicle with a lot of space; Otherwise, there is only a seven-year guarantee from Kia. You have to get used to a few quirks, and of course there is no image. The competition doesn't have to panic just yet.