MGS5 EV review – bargain electric family SUV

Verdict  – is the MGS5 EV a good car?

MG has become a lead player in the compact electric SUV market thanks to its hugely popular ZS EV model. This is now replaced by the MGS5 EV, though the ZS continues as a hybrid model, and MG has built its new car on the same platform as the very good MG4 hatch. This means the MGS5 EV is enjoyable to drive (by the standard of this type of car), roomy, well equipped, and can come with a driving range just short of 300 miles depending on the model you choose. It all sounds, well, very MG, and that’s our only bugbear – we wish the company had been a bit bolder in the design of this new SUV.

MGS5 EV models, specs and alternatives

Anyone with even the briefest acquaintance with MG’s model lines will recognise the SE and Trophy trim names. The SE is the entry point and comes well equipped compared to rivals, though the likes of the Citroen e-C3 Aircross and Vauxhall Frontera are both priced below the MGS5 EV’s starting price of £28,000. This version of the MG has a 49kWh battery that gives a 221-mile driving range, so fine for commuting and urban life but we’d look to the Long Range’s 64kWh battery for a more flexible 299-mile range. In the upper spec Trophy that slips back slightly to 289 miles.

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The Trophy further recommends itself by coming with a more generous list of standard-fit equipment, including heated front seats and steering wheel, man-made leather upholstery, and a 360-degree parking camera. However, all MGS5 EV models have an excellent 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. And, hallelujah, MG has paid attention and fitted real, physical buttons for the stereo and heater controls – they even work with a satisfying click.

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Choose the MGS5 EV with the smaller 49kWh battery and it will cover a claimed 221 miles on a full charge. That should work out to a realistic 150 miles, though the MG will be more susceptible to cold weather than some rivals as it does not come with a heat pump to maximise efficient cabin warming. This model’s battery can be charged at up to 120kW, which is among the best in the class and should mean a charge from 10 to 80% takes around 25 minutes.

Charging up the larger 64kWh battery used in the SE Long Range and Trophy models will take about the same time as it is able to charge at up to 135kWh. The bigger battery offers an official range of up to 299 miles in the SE, or 289 miles in the Trophy.

All EVs pay £10 in first-year VED (road tax) from 1 April 2025, so this won’t break your budget and nor will the £195 annual road tax payment levied from the second year onwards. You also won’t have to worry about the expensive car levy with the MG.

We’ve yet to see depreciation figures for the MGS5 EV, though it’s fair to assume they will be similar to the MG4 that it’s based on.

What will the MGS5 EV cost to insure?

MG had not confirmed insurance groups for the MGS5 EV at the time of writing, but for reference, the outgoing MG ZS EV sits in group 28 out of 50, which is a few groups higher than most of its rivals.

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MG has a dedicated base in the UK to fine tune the way its cars drive over here. The result is the MGS5 EV is one of the best cars in its class to drive. It shows in the MGS5 EV’s steering that has a natural feel to the connection between your hands and the wheels.

MG’s boffins could have spent a little more time on the suspension, though in fairness it is tough to make a SUV ride well when it also has to control the weight of its battery pack. The result is the MGS5 EV is competent, but there is sometimes an unsettled feeling over lumpier surfaces.

We’ve yet to find out the exact performance figures for the 49kW battery version of the MGS5 EV, but the 64kW model we’ve driven serves up 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds so you will never be left waiting an age to get out of a busy junction. The Trophy comes with a Sport mode that makes the car feel a degree more alert, though generally the MGS5 EV is happier when driven in a more measured manner.

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Is the MGS5 EV’s infotainment and navigation system easy to use?

All trims in the MGS5 EV range come with a vibrant and responsive 12.8-inch infotainment display that’s mounted in the landscape position. This gives the driver a broad view of the screen, which is within easy reach while driving and there are also controls on the steering wheel much the same as you find in the MG4. As well as this, there’s a 10.25-inch digital display for the driver to show all the usual important information.

Every MGS5 EV has embedded sat-nav, though many drivers will prefer to use the apps on their smartphone. For that, you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the touchscreen also doubles as a monitor for the reversing camera, while the Trophy model upgrades that with a 360-degree view. All of the menus are easy to find and work through, making the MG one of the easiest cars in its sector to live with on this front.

So far, so normal, but where the MGS5 EV breaks with current convention is bringing back proper buttons and knobs for the heating and stereo controls. This is something that is unique to European-supplied models after MG listened to feedback from owners of the MG4 and others in its line-up. We can’t tell you how pleased we are that a car maker has taken this step and to make it even better, MG has used dials that are made from a metal-like material and look very high quality. They work with a satisfying click as you turn them, adding to the overall high grade feel of the MGS5’s cabin.

Look lower down, however, and there are some scratchy plastics around the interior. We’re also not sure if everyone will love the carbon fibre-style dashboard trim, which looks a bit dated to our eyes.

Is the MGS5 EV well equipped?

The SE versions of the MGS5 EV both come with the same equipment levels, so the only difference is the driving range between the Standard and Long Range models. Each comes on 17-inch alloy wheels and there’s a long list of safety kit plus LED headlights and a reversing camera. Inside, you’ll find air conditioning, four-way electrically adjusted front seats, cloth upholstery, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, and 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The infotainment has sat-nav included and can also be connected using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Move up to the Trophy trim and you gain 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, electrically operated tailgate, and heated front seats, steering wheel and door mirrors. There’s also man-made leather upholstery with MG logos embossed into the front seats.

What options should you choose on the MGS5 EV?

We have yet to see what options will be offered with the MGS5 EV, though they are likely to be limited to the choice of colour as with the MG4.

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Wherever you sit in the MGS5 EV, you won’t be left wondering who pinched all the space. The driver and front passenger get all the head, leg and shoulder room they could wish for, even if they are at the taller end of the measuring tape. For the person driving the MGS5, there’s more than enough adjustment in the seat and steering wheel, and the seat has four-wheel electrically worked movement in all models. Vision is aided by a reversing camera and parking sensors.

There are two cupholders in the centre console and a cubby between the seats to give some covered storage in addition to the glovebox. The doorbins are a decent size but don’t do anything clever such as provide a moulded bottle holder. Rear passengers also get a duo of cupholders in the fold-down armrest.

Step into the back of the MGS5 EV and, if anything, the amount of space on offer is even more generous. A flat floor helps in the second row and the large windows lend the car an airier feel than some rivals. This is an important point when ferrying kids in the car as they’ll be able to see out more easily.

On the outside of the MGS5 EV, the charging port is positioned on the left rear flank of the car, so you can reverse into a charging point, or onto your driveway if you have a wallbox mounted on your house.

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Does the MGS5 EV have a big boot?

The MGS5 doesn’t have the biggest boot among its competitor set, but then the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq do have exceptionally spacious load bays. Compared to the Citroen e-C3 Aircross, the MG’s 458 litres with the rear seats in use is more generous and we can’t see many owners struggling to fit in the week’s shopping.

The boot is a regular shape the Trophy has an electrically operated tailgate to help when you have your hands full.

Loading bigger items is simple as the boot floor sits flush with the load sill, though there is a small step from the bumper to the load sill. Bigger items should also fit in the MG as its rear seats split and fold to free up as much as 1,440 litres of room.

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It’s too early to make any informed judgement on the reliability of the MGS5 EV, but MG as a brand languished in 32nd and last place in our most recent Driver Power satisfaction survey. So, lots of scope for improvement there.

The signs are the MGS5 EV is a car to help MG in this mission as the cabin feels well made and built from solid materials, even if it does look a little plain to our eyes.

How safe is the MGS5 EV?

The MGS5 EV has not been tested by Euro NCAP yet, but the MG4 it shares its platform with has been awarded a five-star rating and we’d expect the same of the MGS5.

All MGS5 models come with a full range of safety aids as standard.

This includes features like active emergency braking, blind-spot detection, lane warnings and collision avoidance. MG Pilot safety features are all active each time you turn on the car (as decreed by European laws), but it’s possible to activate a personalised setup with just a few clicks. 

What are the MGS5 EV service intervals?

The MG4 that uses the same platform as the MGS5 EV has 12-month or 15,000-mile service intervals, and the car should be booked for attention based on whichever comes round soonest. We’d expect the MGS5 EV to have the same servicing schedule.

What is the warranty on the MGS5 EV?

As with all MGs, you get a seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty included, which is transferable to the next owner when you sell the car. This isn’t quite as good as Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile cover, but still one of the best warranties on offer with a new car. This is supplemented by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty package for the car’s battery.

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Should you buy a MGS5 EV?

There is a great deal to like about the MGS5 EV, so it might seem a little odd that we kick off this summary with the bits we’re not so keen on. However, it’s a short list and more to do with where MG could have been bolder in the design of its new electric SUV. We find the exterior a bit bland compared to rivals like the Citroen e-C3 Aircross and Kia EV3, but then some buyers will be happy to have a simply styled SUV that doesn’t feel the need to shout about its image.

It’s a similar story inside, where the MG’s pared back ethos leaves us yearning for a little more pizzazz, especially when we know MG has already got the basics of an EV SUV well and truly sorted by now. However, we also welcome the return of proper buttons for stereo and heating controls in addition to those found within the infotainment screen – MG deserves a big pat on the back for listening to customers about this and acting accordingly.

As for all the functional stuff that an SUV must fulfil, the MGS5 EV does it all very well. It has plenty of space for people in the front and back seats, a very decent boot, plenty of standard kit, and it’s made from good, solid materials.

With a driving range between 221 and 299 miles, the MGS5 should work for most driving needs without any nagging worries about where the next charge point is. It also recharges its batteries quickly so you don’t have to hang about waiting – a quick coffee stop should suffice. When the batteries are topped up, the MGS5 drives very well. The ride comfort is not quite as plush as some, but you won’t be rattled around on poor surfaces, and the MG is also refined and easy to drive in all situations.

Is all of that damning the MG S5 EV with faint praise? We don’t think so as it’s a very competent, appealing compact EV SUV pitched at keen prices. It’s better equipped for the money than most and gets a solid warranty included, so the MGS5 EV is a thoroughly sound bet that you’ll most likely buy with your head rather than your heart.

What is the best MGS5 EV for low running costs?

The cheapest MGS5 EV should be the one we name here, but we’re going for the SE Long Range as it has the best driving range at 299 miles. That is thanks to a bigger battery than the base SE, while the 17-inch wheels of this version lend it a slightly longer range than the pricier Trophy version that sits on 18-inch wheels. Company drivers will just be happy with the 3% BiK rating.

What is the best MGS5 EV for keen drivers?

Will MG offer an XPower version of the MGS5 EV? We don’t know as yet, so until that is confirmed or quashed we’d go for the Trophy model as the best of the range to drive. Put it in Sport mode and it will whisk from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds while handling corners in a calm, composed manner with decent steering feel.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the MGS5 EV range?

It could sound all too easy to pick the highest spec version of the MGS5 EV, but that's exactly what we’re going to do and recommend the Trophy model. It has the best equipment count, comes with the more potent 64kWh battery for a 289-mile driving range, and it looks the best with its 18-inch alloy wheels. We’re also keen on its electrically powered tailgate, 360-degree parking camera, and heated front seats and steering wheel, plus the convincingly good man-made leather upholstery.

MGS5 EV alternatives

The list of compact SUVs with EV power is growing ever longer and the MGS5 EV has some very able rivals to deal with. Prime among these are the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq that are its closest competitors in size, image and power. Both the Skoda and Kia have the edge in the style stakes over the MG, but they are more expensive. For a cheaper take, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross and Vauxhall Frontera make attractive alternative bids for your cash. If you’re happy to push the budget a bit further, the Hyundai Kona and Volvo EX30 are both distinctive and capable choices.

• Citroen e-C3 Aircross
• Kia EV3
• Skoda Elroq
• Vauxhall Frontera
• Hyundai Kona Electric
• Volvo EX30