New MGS5 EV revealed with 298-mile range and £28k price tag

• All-new MGS5 EV revealed as an electric SUV
• Up to 298 miles of range for Long Range model
• Prices start from just £28,495

The all-new MGS5 EV has been revealed, joining the brand’s lineup as its biggest electric car yet. It’s a mid-size SUV and, in typical MG fashion, it’s a good deal cheaper than many of its rivals – entry-level models will cost from just £28,495, undercutting the likes of the Skoda Elroq, Renault Scenic and Hyundai Kona Electric by some margin.

That said, the new Citroen C3 Aircross and Vauxhall Frontera are even cheaper still, so the MGS5 EV has its work cut out if it’s to enjoy the same success as the brand’s other models. On paper, though, things look pretty positive: you get up to 298 miles of range, plenty of cabin tech, lots of space and MG’s generous seven-year warranty.

What does the MGS5 EV look like?

Let’s start with the size of the MGS5 EV. At 4,476mm long, it’s essentially the same size as the Renault Scenic – another electric SUV – although the MG sports a more curvaceous design language than its French rival.

Up front, you get a pair of sharp daytime-running lights with three LED elements, designed to look like a chequered flag, according to MG. It’s a motif repeated in the tail-lights, too, which stretch across the full width of the rear of the car. The light-bar is similar to the one found at the back of the MG4, which isn’t a surprise given that the two cars share their underlying electric platform.

Elsewhere, the front bumper is designed to provide a visual link to MG’s halo car, the Cyberster. Unfortunately, you miss out on that car’s snazzy, supercar-inspired scissor doors, but the new MGS5 EV certainly looks more eye-catching than the old MG ZS EV it replaces. 

What about the MGS5 EV’s interior?

The new MGS5 EV is leagues ahead of the old ZS EV here, too. You get a big 12.8-inch touchscreen taking centre stage on the dashboard, alongside a 10.25-inch screen for the driver. Handily, not everything is digital – MG has included a slim bank of physical controls for certain functions, which was something “requested by many MG customers”.

The centre console features a rotary gear selector alongside a wireless smartphone charging pad and a pair of cupholders. There’s little in the way of decoration, besides a strip of faux carbon fibre that spans the width of the cabin.

MG claims that four passengers and plenty of luggage can all be accommodated comfortably in the MGS5 EV. You get a 453-litre boot, although you’ll find more space in a Renault Scenic or even a Hyundai Kona Electric. You can always fold the rear seats flat, though, which expands your cargo space to a generous 1,441 litres. Despite the long bonnet up front, you won’t find a second boot in the nose of the MGS5 EV, unlike in a Tesla Model Y.

What are the important battery, range and performance specs?

The MGS5 EV is essentially the same car underneath as the MG4, an electric hatchback that’s been on sale since 2022. Unsurprisingly, you get the same choice of battery and electric motors as that car, starting with the Standard Range model. This gets a 49kWh battery, providing up to 221 miles of range. That’s not a whole lot in this day and age, so we reckon that model will be best suited to buyers who mainly stick to urban driving.

If you regularly drive further afield, you’re in luck, as there’s a Long Range model available with a larger 64kWh battery providing up to 298 miles of range. It gets a slightly faster maximum charging speed than the smaller battery – 139kW instead of 120kW – but it actually takes a little longer to charge. Still, both will complete a 10 to 80% recharge in under 30 minutes.

Both models use a single, rear-mounted electric motor. In the Long Range model, this pumps out a healthy 228bhp, allowing for a 0-62mph time of just 6.3 seconds. The Standard Range model doesn’t get quite as much power, so the same acceleration benchmark takes a little longer at eight seconds.

There’s no heat pump available, which is a bit of a shame as this tech helps to improve range in cold conditions. At least there are some other neat features like the driving mode system, which provides Normal, Sport, Comfort, Snow and Custom settings.

How much does the MGS5 EV cost?

In its most basic form, the MGS5 EV costs just £28,495. That’s decent value, and a whole lot cheaper than the similarly sized Renault Scenic or Skoda Elroq, but it can’t claim to be the cheapest electric SUV on sale. The Citroen e-C3 and Vauxhall Frontera have both recently hit the market, costing several thousand pounds less than the MG.

Upgrading to the MGS5 Long Range brings a price tag of £30,995. You can also upgrade Long Range models from the standard ‘SE’ to ‘Trophy’ trim for a £2,500 premium. This gets some extra features, including 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and privacy glass – just beware that those larger wheels sap 10 miles of range.

All MGS5 EV models will go on sale from April 2025.

New MGS5 EV exterior and interior images

PreviousNext

1/15View Gallery

Find the latest new and used MG deals on our sister site Auto Express