Kia Soul EV vs MG ZS EV: interior and infotainment

Both cars get colour touchscreens as the focal point of the dashboard, complete with sat-nav, multiple USB inputs, digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Kia’s 10-inch screen (above) is a fantastic system that responds quickly and is logical to use; it also features a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

It’s one of the best infotainment systems going, short of more expensive equivalents in Audi and BMW. The large digital driver’s readout adds to the high-tech feel of the Soul, too, as does the standard head-up display, all of which can be enjoyed from a driver’s seat that has power adjustment and lumbar adjustment. It’s a comfortable seat and while we'd like it to drop a fraction lower, many owners will appreciate the pseudo-SIUV feel of the high seat.

The MG’s eight-inch touchscreen (above) is more than adequate in terms of its graphics and menu layout, but it can be very slow to load and respond, and feels rather aftermarket compared to the Kia’s. The analogue dials and rather grainy digital readout in the middle of them also feel quite cheap, although the gauge showing the percentage of power being used is a neat touch.

The driving position in the MG ZS is fine, and also has power adjustment, but the steering wheel only adjusts for height and not reach, which may frustrate some drivers. Still, the panoramic glass sunroof that floods the interior with light might makes up for that and the occasional cheap-feeling finish. There are areas of the Kia’s interior, too – such as the odd climate-control readout – where you’ll question the quality, but generally it feels more solidly put together than the MG, and there’s interest in the vent design and gloss finishes around the interior.   Ultimately, both cars are well equipped, but you’ll miss climate control in the MG; it only has manual air-conditioning that doesn’t offer specific temperature settings. Still, both get heated seats, leatherette upholstery and keyless entry – the Kia even includes a heated steering wheel – so you’re not at all short of comforts.