MGS5 EV Trophy Long Range (2022 - )

The MGS5 EV is a fully electrified five-door family car that is attractively priced, comes well equipped and is very easy to drive. It replaces the all-electric ZS which is now sold in petrol of hybrid form only.

MG has really become a value-for-money brand in recent years and this is another example of that philosophy, although prices don’t stand out quite so much these days with so many rival models also coming out of China.

The MGS5 EV is available in two trim levels called SE and Trophy and there are two battery sizes to select from. The Standard Range 49kWh unit with a range of 211 miles is only available on the entry-level SE cars, while the Long Range 68kWh battery is available on both SE and Trophy models. This provides a combined 298 miles on the SE variant and 288 miles on the Trophy.

Prices start from £28,495, but we opted for the high-end MGS5 EV in Long Range Trophy format for our test drive and that was priced at £33,495.

The MGS5 EV is a compact SUV that boasts dynamic good looks and is very easy on the eye with a front grille similar to that seen on the sporty Cyberster. The daytime running lights have a chequered flag signature, which is repeated at the rear of the car and the side cladding, along with the roof rails, are finished in silver.

There is privacy glass, and at the rear, there is a spoiler, a light bar connecting the lights with 18-inch alloy wheels completing the look.

Moving inside, the cabin is bright, clutter-free and upmarket in its design. The supportive seats feature a combination of grey cloth and leather-like upholstery. They are powered and, along with the steering wheel, can be heated to fend off the winter chill. 

A 10.24-inch digital driver display clearly shows all the vital numbers such as speed, speed limit, battery charge levels and existing range, while the car’s on-board tech is accessed via the centrally-positioned 12.8-inch infotainment screen.

Once again, the level of technology impresses for the outlay, with sat nav, full wireless smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, DAB radio, a reversing camera, and a 360-degree parking camera. And there are four USB ports to keep devices connected on the move.

So, lots and lots of kit, but sadly, the MGS5 EV is let down by its sub-standard infotainment screen which is non-responsive much of the time leaving you jabbing at an icon like there’s no tomorrow. Additionally, when you connect a smartphone for directions, the map keeps freezing and the screen pixelates. Finally, it is prone to glare issues on a sunny day and quickly gets covered in fingerprints. Hopefully most of these issues can be rectified with software updates though.
 

We tested the MGS5 EV with the larger 68kWh battery unit delivering 231PS and 350Nm of torque which results in impressive performance figures. It can sprint from 0-62mph in just 6.3 seconds and has a top speed of 101mph, while achieving a WLTP-tested combined driving range of 288 miles.

The acceleration through the single-speed automatic transmission is both smooth and responsive with ample zip to join traffic on a fast-moving motorway from the slip road. It will sit effortlessly at 70mph, but the battery levels do drop quicker at higher speeds. For its attractive price-tag, the MGS5 EV can hold its own on the performance front alongside far more expensive rivals.

And it copes well when faced with twisting B roads too, fizzing through tight bends with impressive grip and little sign of body sway, but the suspension is quite firm so watch out for any potholes.

Then in busier towns with cars, cyclists and pedestrians darting out from all angles, the slightly elevated seating and great all-round visibility is another feather in this car’s cap.
While drive modes called Normal, Sport, Comfort, Snow and Custom can be adjusted via the touchscreen, you can quickly and easily switch between the modes via a favourites button on the steering wheel.

Similarly the levels of regenerative braking can be altered with settings called Low, Medium, Strong and Adaptive, as well as a One Pedal drive button which makes manoeuvring through congested city traffic that much more enjoyable.

The car features a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver assistance aids called MG Pilot. These include the likes of Braking Assist, Rear Collision Warning, Front Collision Assist, Speed Limit Recognition, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and lots more besides. As is the way with Chinese manufactured cars, there are lots of chimes and beeps, but they can easily be silenced, apart from the speed warning alert. No matter how many times I deactivated the function, the voice kept chirping up with reminders of the current limit. After three hours behind the wheel, I found myself actually arguing with the automated voice!
 

The MGS5 EV is billed as a compact SUV, so it needs to cover the space and storage requirements well. And it does just that. The vehicle stretches 4,476mm in length, is 2,094mm wide (including mirrors), 1,633mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,730mm.

A couple of six footers can sit comfortably up front and in the rear the levels of leg and headroom are generous. There is room for another couple of adults in the back without too much fuss or a trio of children, making it the ideal car for the school run.

Storage limits impress too thanks to a boot, accessed via a powered tailgate, that can swallow 453 litres of luggage, increasing to 1,441 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rears seats dropped flat. Additionally, there are numerous convenient storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin, including a glovebox, central cubby, door bins, seat back pockets, a large area beneath the centre console, front and rear cup holders and a wireless charging pad.

And speaking of charging, the MGS5 EV Long Range can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent via a 150kW fast charger in 28 minutes, in 1 hour, 46 minutes using a 50kW charger or in 11.5 hours if plugged into a 7kW home wallbox. The charging times for the Standard Range model with the 49kWh battery are reduced to 24 minutes on the fast charge or 8.5 hours for a 7kWh unit.

It's also worth mentioning that the MGS5 EV is able to power up external systems such as camp lighting or fridges thanks to is Vehicle to Load function.
 

Pricing is an area where MG has excelled for a number of years now, although we have seen the arrival of numerous Chinese models that are equally well equipped and also competitively priced.

The MGS5 EV costs from £28,495 for the SE Standard Range, £30,995 for the SE Long Range, and £33,495 for the Trophy Long Range model, as tested. There were no optional extras fitted to the test car and that’s another plus-point in our book as there are no unexpected costs to bump up the final price-tag.

While EV owners can still enjoy several financial incentives, many have been scaled back or completely withdrawn this year. For example, up until April, there was no road tax on EVs, but now owners will have to pay a first-year fee of £10, increasing to the £195 standard charge after 12 months.

EV owners also face the added cost of the Expensive Car Supplement which bumps up annual bills by a further £425, but that would not apply to the MGS5 EV as it is priced below the £40k threshold.

Also worth noting is MG’s impressive seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty package that is fully transferable if the vehicle is sold on.
 

While MG claims the MGS5 EV offers all the critically-acclaimed attributes of the highly-popular MG4 EV, whilst advancing the driving experience even further, we felt the latest model lacked the wow factor of the MG4. Yes, it is well equipped and it covers practicality bases well, including a very respectable range, but it is let down in other areas especially the infotainment system.
It may sound like we are being picky, but that’s because we expected a little more refinement from MG. It’s true that for the outlay, you do get a great deal of car, but that’s also the case with a number of other Chinese models these days too. 

It is a vast improvement on the ZS EV that it replaces, but we would like the tech brought up to an otherwise high standard too.