MG5 Review

The world’s first all-electric estate, the MG5 does what it can to bridge the gap between technology-laden EVs and affordability. In this MG5 EV review, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the original 2020-2022 MG5.

MG5 Walk Around

Not one for reading? We’ve got you. Take a look around the pre-facelift MG5 with Josh:

MG5 Review: What’s it like?

When MG introduced the ZS EV, it was widely considered one of the best budget-friendly, fully electric SUVs on the market. But MG went one step further and released the MG5. Similar to the ZS in price, the MG5 offers a different package tailored to families who need a bit of extra space.

It sits above the MG4 in their range as the family estate car. 

Voted Best Value Car in the 2021 Business Car Awards, this family-friendly estate is surprisingly quick and very practical.

Granted, its design is not the sleekest-looking thing you’ve ever seen, but that’s not what the MG5 is all about. This is a no-nonsense estate with a generous amount of equipment that you’ll actually use.

How many versions does the MG5 come in?

The 2020-2022 MG5 is available in two trim levels – Excite and Exclusive.

Excite models come with: alloy wheels, push-button start, rear parking sensors, cruise control, Sat Nav, a 7-inch driver information display, as well as a central touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Exclusive models add luxuries including keyless entry, heated front seats with six-way electric adjustment, silver roof rails, automatic wipers and leather-style upholstery.

MG also released an updated version with a larger battery called the MG5 EV Long Range, which are the ones you can get on subscription with us.

How does it perform?

Considering it’s an affordable estate, there’s still plenty of oomph. If you floor it, the MG5 will hit 0-60mph in just 7.3 seconds and makes for a great motorway cruiser with a top speed of 115mph.

Designed very much with practicality in mind, the MG5 is all about space. With plenty of room front and back for all the family and a large boot (508l capacity when the seats are up and 1,456l with seats down), you’d be hard-pushed to find an electric car for similar money with this kind of space.

How far does the MG5 go?

The standard range has a total capacity of 53 kWh, giving a real-world range of 180 miles. The Long Range model has a bigger 61 kWh battery and can do up to 250 miles on one charge, according to MG.

We see the Long Range giving a real-world range of 210 miles, while in the summer months the range increases to over 240 miles between charges, under regular driving. That’s pretty impressive once you see the price.

Recharging the MG5 is easy with a Type 2 CCS charging point located at the front.

A 100kW rapid charger will take 40 minutes to hit 80% from zero whilst a 50kW rapid charger can get to 80% in 50 minutes. A simple charge overnight in a slow home charge point will get you all the way back to 100% no problem. 

What about the features?

The MG5 has a plethora of features that don’t reflect the affordable price point, with each contributing toward making the driving experience fun and easy.

With a seven-inch driver info display and a 10.25-inch colour touchscreen, vehicle control and satellite navigation is simple. There’s also MG Pilot which keeps you and your passengers safer, and six speakers that provide 3D sound.

How does it compare?

On subscription with elmo, the MG5 EV Long Range is priced from only £519 per month for the generously equipped Excite model, rising to £549 per month for the fancier Exclusive trim. 

In one sense, as it was the first all-electric estate to be launched into the market, it had no direct competitors. The closest rival is probably its ZS EV sibling. In that respect, with performance similar on paper, it depends more on your needs in terms of practicality. If style is more important, the ZS EV is a more attractive piece of kit. But, if ultimate space is your top priority, the MG5 is where it’s at.

If you cast the net wider, the Renault ZOE and Citroēn e-C4 are also worthy electric rivals.

The GT Line+ ZOE is closer to MG5 with regards to equipment, starting from £449 per month but doesn’t come close to the MG5 on sheer space (despite having a slightly higher quality feeling interior). The Citroēn is a more comfortable, but less spritely, alternative starting from £549.

What about when compared to petrol models? 

Next to the MG4 EV and the MG ZS petrol models, the MG5 is comparable when it comes to power and performance. While the cost of a petrol model is less than that of an EV, the advantages of the MG5 justify the higher initial cost.

MG5 Facelift

Yep, just two- and a-bit years into its existence in the UK, MG gave their 5 EV estate a facelift in late 2022 to match the rest of the new MG line up, and it looks like this:

Changes are mostly skin deep, including:

• A sharpened-up exterior with new alloy options
• A revised interior with larger 10.25” touchscreen
• And a new digital instrument cluster.

Performance wise? Things are pretty much identical to the pre-facelift version, with only one battery/motor combo available, apart from the facelift being able to charge fractionally quicker according to EV database (but it’s marginal, to be honest). We did say skin deep!

We at elmo currently just have the original MG5 EV Long Range on subscription – but with things only being slightly different, subscription could still be the best way to try out the MG5 EV for yourself.

What’s good?

• Great value
• Loads of boot space for all activities
• Copes well with motorway driving

What could be better?

• The design is not as eye-catching as some models
• The media control touchscreen can be slow to respond

Verdict

While the MG5 may not wow with its traditional looks, we think it delivers on what matters most: a usable range at an affordable monthly price, with straightforward functions and plenty of space.

For those looking to make the switch to their first EV, this is a smart electric choice that will get the job done. And there’s room for all the family too.

That’s our MG5 review, what do you think about this great value EV? 

Get an MG5 on subscription 

If you’re looking to drive an MG5 of your own but don’t want to commit to buying, a subscription offers a flexible alternative. Or if you’re not quite sold on an MG5, browse our full range of EVs today.