MG5 EV estate - Range, charging & running costs

Despite its budget billing, MG hasn't skimped on the 5 EV's battery. New for 2022 is a 61.1kWh unit, which is much larger than the 40kWh pack fitted in a standard Nissan Leaf. This is also an improvement over the pre-facelift model’s 52.5kWh battery and means the MG5 is now suitable for long trips as well as town driving.

MG5 range and charging

As of 2022, the MG5 EV is only available in the UK in Long Range specification. This brings the aforementioned 61.1kWh battery that provides a range of up to 250 miles in standard SE trim; top-spec Trophy models have a slightly shorter range of 235 miles, due to those cars’ larger 17-inch alloy wheels.

Before the MG5 underwent its 2022 facelift, buyers also had the choice of a 52.5kWh base model. This offered a range of around 200 miles and was really only suited for those who spend most of their time driving around town.

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The MG5 can charge at speeds of up to 87kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up will take as little as 35 minutes when connected to a 100kW public fast charger. It’s impressive that such an affordable EV comes with rapid charging at all – 50kW charging was standard on earlier models. Plugging the 5 into a 7kW home wallbox means it’ll reach full charge in around 10 hours, which is ideal if you plan to leave it charging overnight. Using a three-point plug is possible but best saved for emergencies, as the MG5 will take around 18 hours to reach full charge this way.

One of the biggest benefactors of the 5 EV could be the company-car crowd, because its zero emissions mean it qualifies for minimal Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax. It seems to have become a popular model with inner city taxi drivers, who need fast charging, long range and practicality. Private buyers will also benefit from free VED (road tax) - a saving of around £150 a year, along with tariff-free entry into low emissions zones.

Insurance groups

Insurance won’t be one of the MG 5’s cheapest running costs. The 61kWh facelift model sits in group 27 out of 50, which is four groups higher than a Volkswagen ID.3 with a similarly sized battery and more power.

Warranty

MGs benefit from a generous seven-year/80,000-mile warranty, which also covers the battery pack. This is much more compelling than the equivalent Volkswagen three-year warranty, though it lags slightly behind Kia’s seven-year 100,000-mile coverage.

Servicing

The MG5 needs servicing once a year or every 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Some electric cars like the Skoda Enyaq iV can go two years between services. MG offers service plans to allow you to pay for a couple of services through monthly payments; your dealer will be able to give you an idea on how much this will cost.