- MGS5 EV: Our first drive
- Compact SUV impresses
- Big brother to the MG4 EV hatchback
- Takes the fight to rivals like the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq
The MGS5 is the brand’s ‘most compelling and complete EV so far’, they tell us, while also being the big brother to the multi-award winning MG4.
So, no pressure then.
With big shoes to fill, can this electric family mover actually live up to the hype? We jumped behind the wheel of one to find out.
The quick low-down is this; while you can tell that the MGS5 EV has been built on a budget it’s still comfortable enough and excels when you get it out on the open road. A rear-wheel drive set-up borrowed from the MG4 will do that.
Is the MGS5 EV the most exciting lease vehicle going? No, it’s not. But for the vast majority of people who want a competent, unassuming and decently-styled daily driver, they won’t care one jot.
MGS5 EV Quick stats
As we’ve pointed out above, the MGS5 EV sits on the same ‘Modular Scalable Platform’ (MSP) platform as the MG4. And that’s important for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the platform is designed to be light, so you get the same nimble agility as the MG4.
The MGS5 EV is rear-wheel drive, just like the MG4, and you can sense that it’s a proper driver’s car wearing a school-run cardigan when you point it at some bends in the road.
And with the MG4 having won numerous ‘Car of the Year’ awards, including the overall winner at the Parkers New Car Awards 2024, the MGS5 should be sitting pretty when it comes to its illustrious underpinnings.
MGS5 EV battery and range
There are two main battery set-ups; Standard Range and Long Range.
Entry-level Standard Range models are equipped with a 49 kWh battery that provides a range of up to 211 miles between charges.
That’s not earth-shattering when it comes to some rivals (the entry-level Kia EV3, for example, can travel up to 270 miles between trips to the plug) but it’ll be adequate for most who commute the average 20 miles per day.
The Long Range battery is fitted to the SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range variants. Here you get a larger 64 kWh battery that ups the range to 298 miles (for the SE Long Range) or 288 miles (for the Trophy Long Range).
How does that stack up against rivals? It can’t match the 355 miles on offer with the ‘85’ variants of the Skoda Elroq and the more expensive versions of the Kia EV3 get a whopping 375-mile range.
Both of those cars, however, are more expensive to purchase outright than the MGS5 EV.
The MGS5 EV’s range also trumps that of some key rivals, including the Ford Puma Gen-E.
The MGS5’s 400V electric system means you can rapid charge at speeds up to 139 kW DC - which is decent enough.
So, a mixed bag but enough positives to keep things interesting.
MGS5 EV styling
While the MGS5 EV is a compact SUV, it’s still just as substantial as the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage in terms of its dimensions.
And the trick that MG has played with the S5 is that its family-sized capacities are somewhat disguised by its lithe and sleek design.
The nose is very much in MG4 territory, with a bonnet that drops away sharply at the front and with twin scoops either side of the front number plate.
There are stylish indentations in the doors to give the MGS5 EV a sportier profile than you might expect, while the rear roof spoiler looks the part, too.
The MGS5 EV doesn’t rewrite the rulebook when it comes to EV design, but it’s pleasant enough to look at and bears more than a passing resemblance to the BYD Atto 3.
MGS5 EV cabin, interior and boot space
First impressions here are good but don’t expect to be wowed.
There are some hard plastics to be found and the stalks on the indicators feel a little thin, as you might expect from an SUV that’s been built to be as affordable as possible.
But it’s not all bad.
We tested the MGS5 in range-topping Trophy trim, which unlocks goodies like a heated seats, a flat-bottomed heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging and a smart electric tailgate.
The seats themselves are a joy in which to park your posterior and are some of the comfiest we’ve tested in a while. And that goes for the seats in the rear, too, where there’s ample amounts of legroom.
A 12.8-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard across the range and worked intuitively enough for us, while there are physical buttons underneath that screen to please the purists.
At 453 litres, the boot space in the MGS5 EV isn’t the largest in its class, but it comes close to the Kia EV3’s 460 litres.
MGS5 EV driving and performance
How much fun can you really have in a budget electric SUV? Quite a lot, it turns out.
Like the MG4, the MGS5 EV enjoys rear-wheel drive, a 47:53 weight distribution and rear Five-Link suspension for sporty handling.
And you really can feel that set-up working its magic when you get up to speed.
The MGS5 EV performed admirably, with little in the way of body roll, during the twisty and undulating course we traversed, with plenty of feedback supplied through that flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Hit the ‘Sport’ mode and there’s even more heft to the steering while the acceleration is sharpened - although not to an extent that’ll unleash your inner hooligan.
The MGS5 EV is also deceptively quick off the mark. Models with the Long Range battery (like the one we tested) get power of 231 PS, 350 Nm of torque, and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 6.3 seconds.
In days gone by that’d be hot hatch quick, and you’ll have no trouble whatsoever keeping up with traffic.
Overall, everything feels taut and composed. You’re also greeted with an accommodating view out of the front windscreen, with the bonnet dropping down away from you to give a clear view of the road ahead and with two sharp bulges on the side of the bonnet adding a touch of drama.
Standard Range models make do with 170 PS and an 8.0 second 0-62 mph acceleration time.
MGS5 EV rivals
You’re looking at the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq as the MGS5 EV’s main rivals. They’re similarly priced and will attract a similar monthly lease fee.
But there are a couple of other options you should consider.
One is the Citroen e-C3 Aircross, another electric newcomer to the market that undercuts the MGS5 EV on price and which still has plenty going for it. The Citroen won’t be anywhere near as sporty as the MG, however.
Another alternative is the Vauxhall Frontera. It’s a compact SUV that can be enjoyed with an electric powertrain and which has been impressing most people (including us) who’ve tested it.
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