MG S5 EV SUV: Is this the best affordable electric family car yet?

MG has experienced a surge in favour within the British automotive market in recent years, achieving recognition as the tenth best-selling brand in 2024. This accomplishment signifies a remarkable ascent, as the Chinese manufacturer now surpasses established marques such as Vauxhall, Skoda, Peugeot, Volvo, Land Rover, and Renault in UK sales. This success is largely attributed to MG’s commitment to delivering exceptional value, particularly within the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The MG4 established a benchmark as an accessible EV that balanced affordability with desirable attributes, including driving dynamics, spaciousness, technology, and comfort, all at a competitive price point below £27,000. MG has since broadened its EV portfolio to five models, all adhering to the same principle of accessible electric mobility. This strategy has resonated strongly with consumers, positioning MG as the second-highest seller of ‘private retail’ EVs in the UK, trailing only Tesla, between 2019 and 2024. Early impressions of MG’s latest electric SUV, the S5 EV, suggest this upward sales trajectory is set to continue.

Exploring the MG S5 EV within the Expanding Electric SUV Market

Built upon the same rear-wheel-drive Modular Scalable Platform underpinning the MG4, the S5 EV represents MG’s latest offering in the increasingly competitive B-segment SUV category. Effectively, the S5 EV can be seen as a larger iteration of the MG4, exhibiting increases in height (117mm), length (189mm), width (13mm), and wheelbase (25mm).

In direct comparison with its newest competitors, the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq, the S5 EV is longer and taller than the EV3, but longer and lower in profile than the Elroq. Within MG’s own lineup, the S5 EV serves as a successor to the ZS SUV, representing a notable step up in overall refinement.

According to David Allison, Head of Product and Planning for MG UK, the S5 EV stands as MG’s most refined mass-market electric vehicle to date.

Customer Feedback Drives MG S5 EV Enhancements

Guided by the principle that ‘customer feedback is essential for business sustainability,’ MG has demonstrably prioritized consumer input in the development of the S5 EV. The improvements implemented in this model are immediately apparent and address previously identified areas for enhancement.

Upon entering the S5 EV, it is evident that MG has responded to customer concerns from earlier models, implementing tangible improvements across technology, comfort, safety features, and driving dynamics. A key example is the retention of physical buttons alongside the expanded touchscreen interface.

MG’s consistent commitment to incorporating analogue controls is now proving advantageous, aligning with current trends indicating driver preference for physical buttons over solely touchscreen-based systems. While the S5 EV features MG’s largest screen to date – a 12.8-inch HD landscape touchscreen – it also incorporates a dedicated row of physical shortcut buttons for frequently used functions like air conditioning, hazard lights, and volume control.

Another significant upgrade is the introduction of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While MG’s implementation of this feature may be considered belated, its execution is virtually seamless. Initial phone pairing was exceptionally straightforward, a notable observation given the numerous vehicles typically paired with the test device.

In some recently tested vehicles, persisting with Apple CarPlay connectivity was primarily driven by the cumbersome nature of the onboard infotainment system. However, despite an overwhelmingly positive experience, a temporary disconnection issue occurred towards the end of the test drive, with subsequent reconnection attempts proving unsuccessful. Given the otherwise flawless performance throughout the day, this anomaly is considered potentially attributable to external factors, offering MG the benefit of the doubt.

Furthermore, the inclusion of MG Pilot Custom represents a notable advancement. This feature allows drivers to personalize the settings of MG Pilot, MG’s suite of safety systems encompassing lane assist, front collision assist, and blind spot detection. Current safety regulations mandate the activation of these features upon each vehicle start, often requiring drivers to manually disable systems like intelligent speed assistance and driver drowsiness monitoring that can generate frequent alerts.

Pilot Custom streamlines this process, enabling drivers to save and activate their preferred safety system configurations with a single button press, effectively mitigating potentially distracting and repetitive warning alerts. The final evident improvement, informed by customer and reviewer feedback, is the enhanced interior material quality.

Prior MG models sometimes exhibited cost-saving measures through the use of hard plastics in cabin materials, an area addressed in the S5 EV. The S5 EV interior incorporates soft-touch materials, elevating its perceived quality and positioning it more competitively within its class. Refined design elements, such as the embossed ‘MG’ pattern on seat trims, further contribute to a more premium interior ambiance. Overall, MG is commended for its responsiveness to feedback and its successful implementation of these enhancements.

Driving Dynamics Evaluation

In general driving scenarios, the S5 EV provides well-balanced steering, manages cornering with controlled body roll, and maintains composure suitable for family-oriented drivers prioritizing practicality over performance-focused handling. Ride quality on B-roads could be refined for improved smoothness (motorway driving was superior, though cabin noise was more pronounced compared to the Volvo EX30 previously tested). While less dynamically engaging than the MG4, the S5 EV presents a marked improvement in driving experience over the ZS.

Drivers can select from Normal, Custom, Comfort, Snow, and Sport driving modes. Eco and Comfort settings prioritize efficiency and relaxed driving, while Sport mode delivers enhanced responsiveness, especially noticeable on country roads. Snow mode remained untested due to the unusually mild March weather during the evaluation.

The S5 EV incorporates one-pedal drive and adjustable regenerative braking with four levels. The ‘Adaptive’ setting was found to align well with personal driving preferences. However, the brakes exhibited the characteristic MG initial bite.

Two battery configurations are available: a 49kWh SE Standard Range and a 64kWh option for the SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range, offering WLTP ranges of 211, 298, and 288 miles, respectively. The Trophy Long Range model, equipped with a rear-mounted motor, delivers 227bhp and achieves 0-62mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds, providing ample performance for varied driving environments. The SE Standard Range achieves the same benchmark in a still respectable 8.0 seconds.

The driving position proved well-suited for a 5ft3 driver, though evaluation from taller drivers was not conducted. Forward visibility is excellent, facilitating confident front wheel placement uncommon in SUVs, primarily due to the low bonnet design. The 10.53-meter turning circle enabled convenient U-turns.

Charging and Technology Highlights

The S5 EV supports home charging via a 7kW connection, requiring approximately 8.5 hours for the SE Standard Range and 11.5 hours for the Long Range variants to reach full charge. Maximum DC fast charging capability for all models is 150kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in 24 minutes for the Standard Range and 28 minutes for Long Range versions.

Beyond the enhanced 12.8-inch infotainment system, the S5 EV incorporates a 10.3-inch digital driver display and physical controls. The infotainment interface is more intuitive than that of the MG4, featuring larger icons and simplified widgets. Standard tech features include wireless charging, a 360-degree parking camera, and integrated entertainment apps, including YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok for use during charging periods.

Interior, Space, and Practicality

The S5 EV interior represents a substantial advancement over previous MG models, particularly the MG4, approaching the refinement levels of models like the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3, albeit lacking the Kia’s sustainability focus. SE trim levels feature grey fabric upholstery, while the Trophy trim upgrades to leather-style material, adding six-way power-adjustable heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The seats were found to be comfortable, lacking excessive lateral bolstering that could be less suitable for shorter occupants. The S5 EV comfortably accommodates four adults, offering more rear passenger space than anticipated for its class due to its width. Interior storage is ample, including a deep center console, hooks, and generously sized door bins.

The boot provides a respectable 453-liter capacity, slightly less than the Kia EV3 (460 liters) and Skoda Elroq (466 liters). However, a dual-floor boot configuration provides supplementary storage and partly compensates for the absence of a front trunk.

Pricing, Warranty, and Safety

MG maintains a straightforward pricing structure for the S5 EV range. The SE Standard Range is priced at £28,495, the SE Long Range at £30,995, and the Trophy Long Range at £33,495, with no additional options pricing complexities. A class-leading seven-year warranty (up to 80,000 miles) is included, addressing MG’s historically lower reliability ratings. While the S5 EV is pending Euro NCAP rating, MG expresses confidence in achieving a five-star safety score.

MG S5 EV: Cars and Motoring Verdict

While not the most exhilarating SUV tested, nor the most personally favored MG model (with the Cyberster roadster holding that distinction), the S5 EV is unequivocally MG’s most accomplished offering for environmentally conscious UK families. MG has successfully upheld its commitment to affordability without compromising perceived quality or essential equipment levels.

Despite its competitive price point, the S5 EV avoids significant compromises or shortcomings. While perhaps not destined for ‘dream car’ lists, for those prioritizing an accessible EV capable of comfortably transporting two adults and two children, the S5 EV warrants strong consideration.

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