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MG aims to take on the major makers on equal terms with its most competitive mainstream model yet, the S5 EV. This MG4-based compact electric crossover is a step forward from the brand's previous volume models in almost every way. You might hope for a bit more visual or handling pizzazz, but you can't fault the way brand has really moved forwards here.
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Detailed ratings
Compact Full Electric Cars
Background
MG learns quickly. In 2018, its first electric model the ZS EV really wasn't very good at all, so feeble in range and poor in build quality that even at its cheap price, it wasn't tempting. In 2020, the brand dramatically improved that ZS, but the real step forward came with the introduction in 2022 of the MG4 hatch, which really could start to look its competitors in the eye.
That model's rear-driven underpinnings appear again in the car we look at here, the MGS5 EV, which adds a more spacious body to that platform to create a replacement for the old ZS EV - the ZS range having gone its own way, with hybrid power.
It's interesting that MG is now differentiating EVs as stand-alone models - Mercedes, for instance, has just started going the other way. You'd think that Audi might have a thing or two to say about the name of this one; and this S5EV is bold in more than just its badging, with pricing edging up to a level just below its mainstream rivals. Can this MG pull that off? Let's take a look.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 28495 | 33495 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 101 | 101 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 6.3 | 6.3 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 211 | 211 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 4476 | 4476 |
| Width (mm) | 1849 | 1849 |
| Height (mm) | 1621 | 1621 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 453 | 1440 |
Driving experience
MGs says the S5 EV is the fastest-accelerating car in its class, which seems a somewhat pointless accolade considering what kind of class this is. Still, as we saw with the ZS Hybrid+, the brand has recently made a habit of providing more power than the class norm and that trend continues here. The Long Range versions you'll probably want are propelled by a 231PS rear-mounted electric motor with 350Nm of torque. That facilitates a 0-62mph sprint in just 6.3s, which in the combustion area would have been enough to see this car classified in the lower echelons of performance-orientated crossovers. More relevant is that the 64kWh NMC long-range battery takes the car up to 298 miles between charges.
There's also a Standard Range entry-level variant which has a feebler 170PS motor (0-62mph in 8s) and uses a 49kWh LFP battery that offers 211 miles between charges. Expect a third Extended Range variant with a 77kWh battery to be added to the line-up at some point.
As usual, Comfort, Eco and Sport driving modes feature; obviously, you'll need Sport to liberate full motor power. And there are five settings for the brake regeneration system - low, medium, high, one-pedal and adaptive. Plus there are modes for the steering too. Lots to play with. Thanks to a UK development centre, MGs drive pretty well on our roads, this one aided by a properly sophisticated multi-link rear axle. The rear-driven format makes the car feel agile in town, where you'll enjoy a tight turning circle.
And MG has listened to our criticism of over-intrusive ADAS driver assist systems on previous models; here, these are much easier to turn off. Swipe down on the centre screen, press the MG Pilot Custom button, then press again to confirm. Simple. Other brands take note.
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Design and build
The S5 EV is cleanly, neatly styled but in no way memorable, despite the inclusion of a split lower front grille inspired by MGs Cyberster sports car. But if you liked the idea of an MG4 but need something slightly bigger, the S5 will suit you just fine. At 4,476mm long and 1,633mm tall, it's much closer dimensionally to the class norm. Wheel sizes differentiate the two trim levels - 17-inch rims for the base 'SE' and 18-inchers for top 'Trophy' spec.
Inside, the cabin design really is a big step forward for mainstream MGs. You'd still struggle to perceive much of a 'want one' factor here, but the finishing and choice of cabin materials is vastly better than what you'd find in an MG4, which in turn was vastly better than the ZS EV model this S5 replaces. Not everyone will like the faux carbon fibre dashboard trimming, but the soft-touch faux-suede around the gear selector looks nice, as do the metal accents and the fabric-and-faux leather upholstery you get with 'Trophy' trim. MG has also discontinued its love affair with shiny piano black plastic: good.
There are digital interfaces of course; a 10.25-inch instrument display. And a 12.8-inch central touchscreen that (for the European market) sits above a row of physical buttons. The seating position is quite high-set and the seats themselves do without lumbar support. The second row is reasonably spacious and because there's no central transmission hump, a middle-seated occupant could fairly easily be squeezed in necessary. Overall, there is very little difference in the size you get here compared to the room in the back of a supposedly larger MG HS from the class above. There are no backrest reclining or seat base-sliding functions though.
Out back is a 458-litre cargo area with an adjustable-height boot floor above an area ideal for storing the charging cables. With everything flattened, up to 1,440-litres of luggage space is available.
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Market and model
From launch, prices were pitched from around £28,500 for the base 'SE' version with the smaller Standard range battery. An S5 with the larger Long Range battery and 'SE'-spec requires around £31,000 from you and an S5 Long Range with top 'Trophy' spec costs around £33,500.
As you'd hope from MG, you get quite a lot of kit for those prices. Base 'SE' spec gives you 17-inch 'Vector style' alloy wheels, full-LED headlights, Adaptive Cruise Control, rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, automatic climate control and a 12.8-inch HD infotainment touchscreen. To that tally, 'Trophy' trim upgrades you to 18-inch 'Rotor-style' alloy wheels and includes a 360-degree parking camera, a smart electric tailgate and heat for the front seats and steering wheel. Plus you get rain-sensing wipers and part-leather upholstery.
There's also the usual very complete portfolio of MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assist Systems. Including Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection. And Lane Keep Assist with lane Departure Warning and Emergency Lane Keeping. You also get Traffic Jam assist (which will virtually drive your S5 for you in urban queues). And Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Forward and Rear Collision Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Door Opening Warning.
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Cost of ownership
Earlier we gave you the driving range figures: 211 miles for an 'SE' 49kWh model and 298 miles for an 'SE' Long Range 64kWh version; it's 288 miles for a 'Trophy' 64kWh top variant. To achieve these figures, you'll obviously have to regularly select the provided Eco driving mode and get familiar with the fiercest regenerative braking setting. As for charging, well the 64kWh variant that most will want accepts rates of 135kW. At a 150kW DC rapid charger, that's enough to replenish the battery from 10 to 80% in 28 minutes. The charging rate is 120kW for the 49kWh battery, which DC charges from 10-80% in 24 minutes. AC charging from a home 7.4kW wallbox will take 11.5 hours with the 64kWh models - or 8.5 hours with the 49kWh version.
All versions of this MG come with an impressive seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty as standard - which is better than most rival brands can offer, though they do better this MG when it comes to roadside assistance (which here runs out after a year). MG's full warranty isn't the only seven year package available in this segment - rival Kia offers a seven-year 100,000 mile package - but MG still reckons its deal is preferable because it's backed by full factory support throughout, whereas direct manufacturer support for rival warranties declines the longer they go on. In many cases they don't go on too long.
The warranty is fully transferrable to future owners. Additionally, there's a six year factory warranty against rust, while a year's breakdown cover is also part of the deal. A dealers, a full digital service record of checks and maintenance provides the customer with complete transparency and full access to the service history of their vehicle. You'll be offered a range of MG servicing plans to spread the cost of maintenance for up to seven years.
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Summary
The S5 feels more than a generation on from its ZS EV predecessor. In fact, this is without doubt the best mainstream MG model we've seen to date. With the MG4 hatch, the brand proved that in certain ways, it could compete head-on with establishment competition. With this S5, we've a car that can do that in almost every way and most people could swap into one from a more familiar model in this segment without a trace of regret. That's a huge step forward for MG.
But this improvement is very necessary to justify pricing that's now getting quite close to that of the mainstream makers - though the S5 can still undercut those competing models and provide a better standard of spec whilst doing so. What it can't do is offer as much charisma and 'want one' factor as you might like. With the Cyberster sports car, MG has shown that it can do this and for future mainstream sales progress, it will need to. For the time being though, the S5 is very much a step in the right direction.
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