Our Rating
4/5
Pros
Cons
Introduction
MG has found itself a nice gap at the affordable end of the electric car market, with a range of well-priced EVs that are going down especially well with buyers. Things started in 2019 with the ZS EV crossover, with the MG5 arriving a year later as the first electric car estate in the UK.
It’s been a real hit with buyers and is now one of the more popular electric cars on the market today, with MG keen to ensure this remains through the introduction of a new facelifted model. Bringing a much more modern and eye-catching front-end design than its predecessor, MG has also revamped the interior with new displays and more upmarket-feeling materials.
But is this updated MG5 set to continue this winning streak? Let’s get behind the wheel and see.
Performance
One aspect that MG hasn’t changed is the powertrain of this EV. As before, it’s sold purely in a ‘Long Range’ form, which uses a 61.1kWh battery (57.4kWh usable) that allows for a claimed electric range of up to 250 miles, or 235 miles in the case of the top-spec Trophy model.
Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor that puts out 154bhp and 280Nm of torque, which allows the MG5 to accelerate from 0-60mph in 7.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 115mph.
The MG5 also has a maximum charging capability of 87kW, and when hooked up to a fast enough charger, allows a 10 to 80 per cent charge to take place in 35 minutes. It will take 10 hours using a 7kW home charger.
Ride and handling
The MG5 is more impressive than you might expect when it comes to the driving experience. The focus is comfort, and in this respect, it performs well, particularly the low-speed ride that’s able to shame far more expensive EVs.
But should you want to get your foot down it’s surprisingly capable. The performance feels far brisker than the power figure suggests, while it doesn’t handle badly either, though there is more body lean than what you’d find in a Volkswagen ID.3, for example.
Interior
The improvements to the MG5 are most certainly welcome, with the addition of a new touchscreen being a big plus point as it’s far slicker to operate than its predecessor. The quality has improved, but there are certain elements that still feel a touch cheap, but this is an affordable EV at the end of the day.
It offers a great deal of space, however. Adults will still be able to get comfortable sitting in the rear seats with plenty of head and legroom. The boot isn’t as large as other conventionally powered estate cars, but with 464 litres of room beneath the parcel shelf, it’s still roomier than many similarly-priced electric hatchbacks.
Equipment
The MG5 is available in two trim levels – SE or Trophy – though even the standard car comes with plenty of equipment.
All models are equipped with LED headlights, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera and a range of driver assistance technology. The Trophy adds plenty of extras, including leather-style upholstery, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 360-degree camera.
Cost
Though prices for the MG5 have increased slightly in recent months, it remains competitively priced compared to the opposition. The range starts from £30,995 for the SE, and for that you get a well-equipped model that’s able to undercut plenty of smaller EVs, such as the Peugeot e-208, for example.
Prices increase to £33,495 for the Trophy, but we reckon stick with the standard car if you can live without the Trophy’s extras, as it’s cheaper and can travel further on a charge too.
Verdict
The MG5 remains a very compelling electric car and is in class of one as the only true ‘normal’ EV estate car on the market.
Bringing plenty in the way of comfort, value and space, this redesign and improved interior have only made it all the more compelling
