The MG5 EV is a simple family station wagon that combines reasonable functionality with the efficiency gains of all-electric driving. The MG5 lacks any pretension or flamboyant, ostentatious character, so it won’t appeal to owners wanting for some glitz and glam on their driveway.
Instead, it focuses on the essentials: ample space, adequate basic equipment, a usable range, and cheap operating expenses. The MG5 EV won’t make your heart beat, but if you can look past the dull exterior, you’ll discover a car that simply gets the job done – at a price that’s hard to refuse.
Older electric rivals such as the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe can’t match on price or interior capacity, while the MG5’s much cheaper running costs may encourage consumers to forego the more traditional Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf estate alternatives.
Exterior of MG5 EV
The exterior of the car has also been updated, with slimmer headlights joined by a thin strip of plastic and a charging port on the nose.
The new, narrower tail-light units with a Y-shaped LED signature give the 5 EV a smarter, more premium design. The front bumper is chunkier and looks sportier, while new, thinner tail-light units with a Y-shaped LED signature give the 5 EV a smarter, more premium look.
This perception comes with a certain degree of equipment. When the new MG5 EV arrives in the UK, it’ll most likely be available in Comfort and Luxury trims, with LED lights standard on even the entry-level model.
Interior of MG5 EV
In addition to straight-line performance, the new MG5 EV has excellent refinement and is also extremely comfortable. Although not a premium vehicle, the ride is comfortable when cruising. As you’d expect from an estate, it’s also rather practical. Although having to fit a battery means it’s not the most spacious in terms of cargo space, there’s plenty of legroom and headroom in the back, with 479 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,367 litres when they’re folded down.
The interior has been completely overhauled by MG, with a smarter cabin arrangement that includes a seven-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen set higher on the dash.
This vehicle is equipped with MG’s latest iSmart Lite infotainment system, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin materials are also a notable step forward.
Performance and Battery in MG5 EV
The front-wheel-drive MG5 can go 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds with 154bhp and 260Nm of torque, but the sprightly 0-30mph pace of 3.2 seconds will probably be more useful to customers in terms of real-world driving. In comparison, the 181bhp MINI Electric takes 3.9 seconds to go from 0 to 37 mph, indicating that the MG5 can hold its own if you need to accelerate quickly.
The MG5 employs a single-speed fixed gear to deliver drive to the front wheels, as do most electric cars with a single motor. The car’s soft suspension setup, on the other hand, does not move to a perfectly smooth ride, with the normal pockmarked roads around town being too easily felt through the cabin. On the highway, things improve, although the sloppy steering could be improved, and the inputs don’t feel particularly accurate.
Due to its claimed 250-mile maximum range and zero CO2 emissions, the MG5 will appeal to commercial users, attracting the lowest feasible Benefit-in-Kind rate: 2% for 2022/23. Private buyers will be attracted by the competitive list prices, which start at around £28,000, and some strong negotiating should result in a significant discount.
With a 100kW on-board charging capability, you should be able to charge from 0% to 80% in roughly 41 minutes with either battery. The 5 EV has a claimed efficiency rate of 3.5 miles per kWh, which is the same as the MINI Electric and barely below the Honda e, which has a rate of 3.8m/kWh. We got 3.7 miles per kWh in our tests with the Long Range variant.
The Long Range car also has a faster quick-charging capability, with a top speed of 87kW compared to the base model’s 70kW. It will take 40 minutes to recharge to 80% capacity.
Safety features in MG5 EV
The MG5 has yet to be tested by Euro NCAP, but buyers can relax knowing its sibling MG ZS EV has received a full five-star rating. The MG Pilot Driving Assistance package, which includes lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control and traffic jam assist, is now standard on all MG5 Long Range models.. Front, side, and curtain airbags are all standard, as are Emergency Brake Assist, ARP (Anti Rolling Protection), and Hill Launch Assist, as well as a rear parking camera and an automatic parking brake with auto-hold function.
Pricing of MG5 EV
The MG5 EV base trim starts at £27,244 and goes all the way up to £29,744 for the high-end trim with all the features.
Conclusion
The MG5 EV appeal is boosted by a sharper appearance, an enhanced cabin, and improved electronics. The chassis delivers enough performance, and the car’s extended range continues, which, along with the expected low price, is a plus.
It is definitely a family car with enough features at an affordable price.
