MG S5 EV review: A surprisingly solid contender that proves the brand is finally learning fast
The all new MGS5-EV
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MG S5 EV |
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★★★☆☆ |
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From €29,995 — €35,995 as tested |
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Two options: 170bhp or 230bhp |
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340km or 480km respectively |
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Spectacular — for the price |
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A big improvement on past efforts |
It’s probably fair to say that of all the Chinese-made cars we’ve seen in recent times, those made by MG — the once-British nameplate bought by the Chinese years ago — have not found much favour here at Examiner Motoring.
In fact, the only model they’ve produced that truly impressed us was the excellent two-seater Cyberster roadster, a seriously dynamic car that certainly fulfils MG’s claim of reinventing the heritage of the fabled British marque.
The MG4 was a good car, quick off the line, but we found it had a tendency to aquaplane on the Chinese-made tyres it was first supplied with — a flaw presumably fixed in a hurry. The ZS was plain awful, while the HS PHEV understeered badly.
My critiques even prompted a phone call from the company’s PR representative wondering why I’d taken such a dislike to them. Nothing against MG, I replied, other than that they should make better cars. Just because they were cheap as a flannelette sheet set from Guiney’s didn’t make them good.
The Cyberster — fancy scissor doors and all — was a revelation, proving the company can make genuinely good cars when it puts its mind to it.
Other than that, MG seemed to have gone down a road where mediocrity was acceptable and price was king. They’ve sold a lot of cars on that basis — fair play to them — but it probably says as much about the market they’ve targeted as it does about the company itself.
This week, however, we step into the latest EV from the faux British marque, the MG S5 EV, and it’s the second-best thing they’ve produced so far. It’s not a stunner to look at, but it drives better than most of their other models, has a decent range, and remains excellent value — as satisfying as a bag of Lennox’s finest.
That it’s a new car from the ground up is a very good thing. It appears that MG — as any progressive and determined automaker should — has learned from past mistakes and corrected them.
The car’s design has evolved from the MG4, with many of that model’s sharp angles softened to create a more rounded and approachable look. It’s a little more bland than its sibling, but that probably makes it more appealing to the target audience.
It comes with two battery options, the smaller offering 170 bhp and a claimed 340 km range. Priced at under €30,000, it will appeal strongly to family buyers.
The version we tested was the top-spec Exclusive model, which adds heated seats and a heated steering wheel yet still comes in just under €36,000 — an attractive proposition.
It also features a long-range 62 kWh battery, a 230 bhp motor, and a claimed 480 km range. For anyone who actually travels beyond the supermarket, it’s the one to go for.
Standard kit includes wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, 18-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, intelligent high-beam assist, an electric tailgate, and that 12.8-inch infotainment screen, which is easy to navigate and live with. It’s a very complete package.
The interior is all new too, and while it’s built on the same platform as the MG4, it’s larger in every dimension and offers a generous 453-litre boot. Many Chinese cars look great at first glance but don’t hold up under scrutiny. This one actually does — even if the materials are all faux Alcantara and carbon fibre — and the build quality feels solid enough to withstand everyday family use.
The dashboard layout is clean and intuitive, and the controls are simple to configure. The décor, however, is unrelentingly grey — more “OAP shoe” than “modern minimalist.”
Still, practicality wins the day. The cabin is impressively spacious, and MG has listened to critics by reinstating physical buttons for the climate controls, rather than burying them in a distracting touchscreen menu.
In many ways, the driving experience matches the car’s appearance — a bit dull. The ride is fine and the handling acceptable. At least MG has eliminated the terminal understeer of earlier models, though it’s more competent than compelling.
Around town, the steering feels heavy, but once on the open road the car relaxes, and even some spirited B-road driving reveals unexpected composure. It doesn’t lean excessively in corners, and overall handling is better than anticipated.
Performance is respectable — 0–100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 164 km/h — but you’d have to drive like a granny on Mogadon to achieve the claimed range. Expect around 420 km in real-world use.
Going up against the excellent Škoda Elroq, the MG has a tough fight on looks and dynamics. But priced as it is, such factors may be quickly forgiven by potential buyers.
At the end of the day, the S5 (and yes, Audi might object to that name) is a clear improvement on almost everything MG has released so far. It should appeal to a broader range of buyers.
I doubt any of my previous critiques made an impression on MG’s management, but they’re clearly listening to someone with a critical tongue, because they’ve corrected many of the obvious flaws of past efforts.
It’s well-rounded and very competent. While it lacks pizzazz, at this price, you really can’t complain. Congratulations to MG for moving the dial and showing genuine intent to meet customer needs.
If this rate of progress continues, they might yet produce another car as attractive and exhilarating as the Cyberster. I sincerely hope they do.
