MG's change of fortunes since being taken over by the Chinese ten years ago have changed dramatically rising to new heights.

While diehard MG heritage sports enthusiasts may still rue the lack of a modern day MGB GT the motoring world now is all about all electric powered practical and comfortable models.

When it comes to the current vogue of compact family SUVs then MG is up among the leaders helping the company to be one of the rare car makers seeing a big rise in UK sales during these difficult covid times - up by 56.8 per cent so far this year.

A further boost comes with the arrival of a renewed five-door ZS EV which crucially for any electric car owner sees an even longer mileage range - some 273 miles - after a 40 minute battery recharge.

This extended range comes with the new-look ZS EV Trophy model which replaces the old Exclusive grade and is powered by a more powerful 72kWh whilst the cheaper SE model - which replaces the Excite model - has a 51kWh powered battery with a range of 198 miles.

Performance figures for the Trophy are a 0 to 60mph acceleration time of 8.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 108mph.

It's the way it is driven that counts in terms of efficiency but help is at hand on the new ZS EV with a choice of driving modes - eco, normal or sport - and a first run in the Trophy shows it's an improvement over its predecessor with a sharper all round performance and quicker, better response from the bigger battery.

It remains a practical, comfortable SUV which both rides and drives well on a par with any current compact rival coping with undulating surfaces without too much trouble.

It feels solidly built with a much improved regenerative braking set up that's more progressive and gentle and not as severe as on may rivals.

Sitting on 17-inch wheels the suspension is firmer than before while for the driver there's an improved dashboard layout with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen and new graphics plus loads of on-board connectivity including MG's iSmart system along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The new breed of MG models has quickly built a reputation for offering exceptional value for money in terms of their high level of standard equipment and the new ZS EV is no exception.

All the safety features like lane keep assist, active emergency braking, traffic jam alert are there while the interior of the car has been smartened up and remains spacious and with plenty of storage spaces.

Up to now the majority of ZS model buyers - around 60 per cent - have been with retail sales and the rest with fleet buyers but with this latest version MG UK bosses expect that percentage will be reversed particularly with zero CO2 emissions, a one per cent BIK rating and an insurance group of 28.

Prices of the two new models remain more than competitive in the compact SUV sector with the entry-level SE costing £28,495 and the slightly better equipped Trophy £30,995, both with the government £2,500 grant for electric cars taken off.

Attractive PCP schemes and good residual values - MG claims it will be as high as 45 per cent after three years - will help attract buyers to the new ZS EV.

Visually there are some subtle changes to the body at both the front and rear ends and it's good to see the recharging port is now located on the more practical side of the car and not at the sometimes inconvenient nose of the car on the front grille as previously.

And like all MGs, the new Trophy comes with a seven year, 80,000 mile warrranty.

Overall the new Trophy model is a welcome freshening up of the ZS EV with the longer mileage range a big plus factor for many drivers and with the interior changes made still makes it one of the more affordable, practical and comfortable compact SUVs currently in the market.