2025 MG S5 EV evaluation

MG is popping out of its chrysalis in 2025.

The Chinese language model is readying an enormous array of latest arrivals over the subsequent 12 months that won’t solely develop its mannequin lineup, however broaden its buyer base and elevate to develop into a extra vibrant and broader mainstream participant.

Following a raft of second-generation arrivals for the likes of the MG 3 mild hatch, ZS small SUV and HS mid-size SUV, MG’s new mannequin rollout begins with this, the 2025 MG S5 EV – the alternative for the favored previous MG ZS EV and the corporate’s first devoted electrical SUV.

It arrives in Australian showrooms this month, with pricing as sharp as its appears to be like, and CarExpert has been given the chance for a quick drive earlier than it formally launches.

So, let’s test it out…

How a lot does the MG S5 EV value?

The MG S5 EV is obtainable in two acquainted mannequin grades – Excite and Essence – every with the choice of a 49kWh or 62kWh battery pack.

With a beginning value of simply $40,490 drive-away for the entry-level Excite 49, the MG S5 EV was probably the most inexpensive battery electrical SUV out there in Australia earlier than Jeep slashed costs of the smaller Avenger. Nonetheless, it’s a measurement class above the likes of the Jeep in addition to the incoming Hyundai Inster.

It does have a fleet of similar-sized rivals, together with the BYD Atto 3 which is marketed for much less however earlier than on-road prices ($39,990), in addition to the Geely EX5 (from $40,990), Chery Omoda E5 (from $42,990), Leapmotor C10 (from $45,888) and Kia EV3 (from $49,990 drive-away).

It’s additionally positioned proper within the candy spot of the ultra-competitive mid-size SUV class, in opposition to the likes of the favored Toyota RAV4 (from $39,760), the Mazda CX-5 (from $36,740), the Hyundai Tucson (from $39,100) and Nissan X-Path (from $38,025).

To see how the MG S5 EV strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

What’s the MG S5 EV like on the within?

One factor is for certain: that is past an evolutionary improve from the ZS EV. The MG S5 EV is, fairly merely, a revolutionary leap ahead when it comes to design, high quality, consolation and comfort.

The place the ZS EV was a battery-powered compact SUV transformed from a combustion-powered platform, the MG S5 EV is constructed on the identical devoted electrical car platform because the small MG 4 hatchback.

But, it’s a lot greater than a high-riding re-skin. In actual fact, the MG S5 EV is bigger in virtually each dimension, and doesn’t share a single physique panel with its hatch-backed relative.

It’s the identical inside too. Whereas there’s so much to love concerning the MG 4’s minimalist design and use of house, on the similar time it feels chilly and darkish with its black-and-chrome color palette, and onerous plastics.

The S5 EV is kind of the other, being far more fashionable and alluring due to its muted two-tone aesthetic throughout the decrease portion of the cabin and light-coloured headliner.

There’s an attention-grabbing mixture of tactile supplies too, such because the felt-like space on the centre console across the rotary gear selector with a built-in wi-fi telephone charging pad; the carbon-fibre-inspired strip that runs by means of the center of the sprint and into the door handles; and the good mix of fabric and artificial leather-based trim on the seats.

The rounded array of bodily controls for the air flow and audio in the midst of the sprint are lovely, as are the slimline knurled alloy sliders to regulate the air vents. The panoramic glass sunroof in our Essence check car additional provides to the sensation of house and lightweight.

Then there are the digital components – a ten.25-inch instrument cluster and 12.8-inch infotainment contact display that contains a new-look interface and a number of latest features, which we’ll dig into in additional element when we have now an opportunity to correctly assess the MG S5 EV over an extended time frame.

In any case, the MG S5 EV will get the fundamentals proper.

The heated entrance seats are comfy and supply loads of adjustment; the leather-based three spoke steering wheel has each attain and rake motion; and there’s beneficiant door bins large enough for big water bottles, in addition to a pair of cupholders within the centre console.

There’s additionally a deep lined bin between the seats, and extra house massive sufficient for a purse beneath the mid-section. Headroom can also be beneficiant, even with the glass roof, and a there’s a commanding view by means of the intensive glasshouse.

These within the again are handled to loads of legroom with sufficient house throughout the bench for 3 thanks its flat ground, in addition to rear air vents and a single USB charging outlet on the rear of the centre console.

But when it’s simply two within the again, there’s additionally a flip-down centre armrest with particular person cupholders, in addition to studying lights within the roof-mounted seize handles.

The MGS5 EV has two ISOFIX anchor factors on the outboard seats, and three top-tethers for little one restraints. Whereas it doesn’t have a entrance trunk – or ‘frunk’ – like different electrical automobiles, the S5 EV’s 453-litre boot is massive sufficient to cater for on a regular basis household duties and vacation baggage.

It’s deep and simply accessible – particularly with the digital tailgate that’s commonplace on the Essence – and options an additional under-floor space to separate moist, or safe smaller, gadgets.

To see how the MG S5 EV strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

What’s beneath the bonnet?

All MG S5 EV variants are powered by the identical rear-mounted electrical motor that produces 125kW of energy and 250Nm of torque, driving the again axle by means of a single-speed transmission.

Customers can select between commonplace 49kWh or bigger 62kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs.

All fashions are outfitted with a 6.6kW on-board charging unit and have a CCS Sort 2 connector. The 49kWh battery has a most charging fee of 120kW whereas the 62kW can deal with as much as 150kW which equals out their estimated charging occasions.

MG claims each batteries could be replenished between 30-80 per cent in 19 minutes for Excite variants, and 19.3 minutes for the Essence.

Estimated driving vary for all 4 fashions varies in response to the battery and tyre sizes, between 335km (WLTP) for the Essence 49 on 18-inch rims to 430km (WLTP) for the Excite 62 on 17s.

To see how the MG S5 EV strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

How does the MG S5 EV drive?

Straight up, we solely drove the MG S5 EV for a few hours as a preview earlier than it formally launches in showrooms later this month.

Our check automotive was actually recent off the boat, with lower than 40km on the odometer. So, contemplate this as a ‘fast spin’ evaluation on native roads fairly than a deep dive into its driving character, vary and charging occasions; which we’ll do within the coming weeks.

In our quick preview drive, we managed to cram in a mixture of street situations, from the tangled, dense city jungle of inner-city Sydney to some freeway cruising across the airport and a run by means of the japanese suburbs.

The route is perhaps quick and candy, but it surely supplied a pleasant large number of situations like pockmarked backstreets affected by velocity humps, to high-traffic however clean sections of meandering motorway, in addition to large arterial roads and slim twisties alongside the seashores.

So far as first impressions go, the MG S5 EV delivers every part you’d anticipate from a family-friendly SUV – not simply an electrical one.

The electrical motor is seamless, clean, and accelerates swiftly whenever you faucet into its instantaneous surge of torque. It’s not as neck-snappingly fast as another EVs, but it surely doesn’t must be. As a substitute, it feels simply proper.

Once more, we’ll depart its claimed vary for one more day, however even throughout our fast drive the instrument cluster claimed it was consuming a mean of 177Wh/km which is simply fractionally above MG’s declare of 171Wh/km, suggesting the Essence 62’s 425km vary declare is about proper.

With the one-pedal operate activated for almost all of our time with the S5 EV, its regenerative braking was clean and able to pulling to an entire cease in what felt like a pure distance when lifting off the accelerator.

Being a rear-driver helps in delivering a better-balanced driving character too. The steering is overly mild in its help, however optimistic to inputs and uninterrupted in speaking street irregularities again to the driving force.

The Macpherson entrance strut and five-link rear suspension offers a pleasant stability between consolation and cornering with out compromising or excelling at both finish of the spectrum. It may be a little bit harsh over sharp-edged bumps, but it surely’s in any other case well-sorted.

Total, the MG S5 EV feels comparatively sure-footed and safe round city and at freeway speeds.

To see how the MG S5 EV strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

What do you get?

The MG S5 EV packs lots of commonplace tools into its spacious cabin and for its comparatively inexpensive value.

2025 MG S5 EV Excite tools highlights:

• LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi smartphone mirroring
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• iSmart related app providers
• Local weather management with rear air vents
• Cellular Bluetooth key
• Keyless entry
• AC charging cable
• Automobile-to-load (V2L) performance

MG S5 EV Essence provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Panoramic sunroof
• Energy tailgate
• 6-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Voice management
• Artificial leather-based/cloth trim
• Heated entrance seats
• Energy-adjustable driver’s seat
• Rear centre console
• Rear privateness glass

To see how the MG S5 EV strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

Is the MG S5 EV protected?

The MG S5 EV has but to be examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP organisation, however MG is assured it’ll at the very least match the five-star score of its closely-related MG 4 hatch sibling.

Normal security options embrace:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver monitoring system
• Lane-keep and Lane-change Help
• Lane departure warning
• Ahead and rear collision warning
• Clever velocity restrict help
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Secure exit warning
• 7 airbags
• Reversing digicam
• Rear parking sensors

Essence provides:

• 360-degree HD surround-view cameras

A brand new characteristic within the S5 EV’s security suite is the power to tailor the intervention in its array of features by way of the MG Pilot Customized operate.

Right here, customers can set their very own preferences for the way sure options are activated – resembling turning off alerts for velocity zone modifications, driving monitoring alarms and lane retaining help. The stuff that annoys you, basically.

Whereas the default setting will at all times begin the car with all of the techniques activated, this makes it easy to activate your personal settings by means of one button on the house display, fairly than diving by means of the menu each time you begin driving. Intelligent, and handy.

To see how the MG S5 EV strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

How a lot does the MG S5 EV value to run?

The MG S5 EV is roofed by the model’s benchmark 10-year/250,000km guarantee with roadside help. Full particulars round service intervals and pricing are nonetheless to be confirmed.

To see how the MG S5 EV strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the MG S5 EV

We’ll excuse ourselves from making a definitive evaluation of the MG S5 EV simply but, as we have to spend extra time behind the wheel and dwelling with it to essentially decide its place in an ever-competitive a part of the market.

However, so far as first impressions go, it makes a really convincing one – the MG S5 EV appears to be like fashionable each in and out; it’s spacious and cozy; drives properly; and it’s stacked with tools.

Greater than something, it’s priced proper within the candy spot of the SUV market, the place you mightn’t even have to query – or justify – its battery-electric powertrain.

Considering shopping for a MG S5 EV? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

Click on the pictures for the complete gallery

MORE: Every thing MG S5 EV