Review: MG 5
Electric MG 5 Review
MG is a company making a big impact on the motoring landscape. Delivering cars that have plenty of useable range at a price that comes underneath many key competitors, MG now has a range of value-orientated EVs that still come with loads of equipment and features.
The MG 5 is one of its most spacious models. As one of the few electric estate cars currently on sale in the UK it definitely has its niche, but can it deliver in all the other areas that matter? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
MG has really concentrated on making the 5 as good-value as possible. In fact, for a similar price, you’d be looking at far more compact models than the MG 5 such as the electric Fiat 500 or the Peugeot e-208. With its larger boot and spacious interior, the MG 5 brings a real advantage over other cars of a similar price.
If you still liked the estate car design and electric powertrain, you’d have to look at the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo which is a car that commands a far higher premium than the MG 5.
What’s under the bonnet?
Regardless of which MG 5 model you opt for, you’re getting a 61kWh battery which brings a range of up to 250 miles in the regular SE version or 235 miles in the heavier, more equipment-laden Trophy variant. With the ability to charge at speeds of up to 87kW, the MG 5 can be taken from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 35 minutes. Plugged in to a regular home wallbox, the MG 5 will take around 10 hours to fully charge.
MG also claims that the 5 will manage the 0-60mph dash in 7.3 seconds. Plus, with vehicle-to-load technology, you can actually plug in domestic appliances to a handy three-pin plug inside the car.
What’s the MG 5 like to drive?
You can tell right from the start that the MG 5 has been designed with a more comfort-focused approach than other electric cars. It rides really nicely and deals well with potholes and rough surfaces. This makes it both relaxing and easy to drive.
The steering is nice and light, too, which makes this relatively large car a breeze to position. In a change to other vehicles, the MG 5’s regenerative braking controls are on a toggle switch below the dashboard, rather than on the steering wheel as is usually the case.
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How does it look?
MG has given the 5 a much sharper design over its predecessor. It’s part of a facelift, which has seen the front end given a futuristic new feel that makes it stand out from the crowd. The changes are less obvious at the rear, where it still looks pretty much like a ‘regular’ estate car.
A really clever feature is the location of the charging port. It has been placed right on the ‘nose’ of the car and this really helps when you’re driving right up to a charger. You’re able to get nice and close so that attaching the cable is even easier.
.jpg "MG 5 interior view")
What’s it like inside?
Though there might be some lower-rent plastics here and there, you can’t fault the way the MG 5 is put together. The seats are really well padded, while even taller drivers and passengers should be able to get comfortable thanks to decent levels of leg- and headroom.
Loaded to the parcel shelf the MG 5 offers up to 464 litres of boot space, which is slightly less than the 585 litres you’d get in the rival Skoda Enyaq. However, you can extend this space by lowering the rear seats and the opening to the boot is square and easy to access, too.
What’s the spec like?
Even if you opt for the lower-specification MG 5 then you’re going to get plenty of standard equipment. All cars get a 10.25-inch infotainment system, as well as a seven-inch driver’s display. Plus, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto it’s a breeze to connect your smartphone and mirror your apps on the car’s main screen.
Head towards the higher-spec Trophy version and you’ll find features such as a 360-degree parking camera, heated front and rear seats and automatic air conditioning. However, there really is no penalty for going for the lower-specification version - it gets all of the equipment you could really want.
Verdict
The MG 5 is the kind of electric vehicle that could quite easily slot into the space left by a conventional petrol or diesel car. It’s easy to live with, packed with tech and spacious too, while its large boot will make it a real hit with families.
It’s also great that the MG 5 has a really impressive range and quick charging capacity. Add it all together and you have a very appealing electric vehicle.
