The electric family SUV market is becoming increasingly crowded, but the MG MGS5 EV has a fairly simple argument in its favour: give drivers plenty of space, useful technology, a competitive electric range and a genuinely good driving experience without pushing the price too far.
We spent time behind the wheel of the MG MGS5 EV 64kWh Trophy Long Range, the range-topping version of MG's electric SUV, and came away impressed.
This isn't an electric SUV relying on dramatic styling or gimmicks to get noticed. Instead, the MGS5 concentrates on the things that matter in everyday life, including comfort, interior space, ease of use and value.
And there is another surprise. It drives remarkably well.
What is the MG MGS5 EV?
The MGS5 EV is MG's electric family SUV and effectively succeeds the previous MG ZS EV, although the newer car represents a significant step forward in its underlying engineering.
It shares its electric vehicle platform with the MG4, giving the MGS5 rear-wheel drive and a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension arrangement. That provides a promising starting point for an SUV designed to combine family practicality with a more engaging driving experience.
The UK range includes Standard Range and Long Range versions, with the latter available in SE and higher-specification Trophy form. The Trophy Long Range tested here uses the larger 64kWh battery and a 170kW electric motor producing approximately 231hp.
Despite being a practical family SUV, it will accelerate from 0-62mph in just 6.3 seconds.
What is the MGS5 EV like to drive?
This is arguably where the MGS5 delivers its biggest surprise.
Electric family SUVs can sometimes feel detached from the driving experience, particularly when manufacturers prioritise light controls and comfort above everything else.
The MGS5 manages to feel considerably more composed.
The steering feels confident and accurate, the car reacts quickly when changing direction and there is a reassuring planted feeling through corners.
It isn't pretending to be a sports SUV, but there is enough feedback and agility to make it enjoyable to drive.
Its rear-wheel-drive layout and MG4-based platform undoubtedly help here. Independent testing has also highlighted the MGS5's grip, accurate steering and composure, while the multi-link rear suspension gives it a more sophisticated chassis setup than might be expected at this price point.
Performance from the Long Range version is also well judged.
With 231hp available, acceleration is strong enough for joining motorways or overtaking without giving the car the unnecessarily aggressive response sometimes found in powerful EVs.
Instead, power delivery feels progressive and predictable.
Comfortable enough for everyday family life
The MGS5 might handle surprisingly well, but this hasn't come at the expense of comfort.
During our time with the car, the ride remained comfortable and the seats provided plenty of support.
Trophy models include electrically adjustable and heated front seats, together with manual lumbar adjustment for the driver. One minor criticism is the lack of adjustment for the angle of the seat base, but we still found it easy to find a comfortable driving position.
Visibility is good too, with large windows and the elevated seating position expected from an SUV.
Some independent tests have noted that the ride can become slightly busier over poorer surfaces at higher speeds, but around town and on typical roads the MGS5 strikes a convincing balance between comfort and body control.
One-pedal driving that actually works
Regenerative braking is one of those EV features that varies enormously between manufacturers.
Thankfully, MG has implemented it well here.
There are several regenerative braking settings plus an adaptive mode, while a dedicated one-pedal driving function allows the MGS5 to slow all the way to a stop without routinely needing the brake pedal.
Once accustomed to it, driving through urban traffic can become remarkably smooth.
We would still like to see steering wheel paddles for quickly changing regeneration strength, rather than relying on screen-based controls or the configurable steering wheel shortcut, but the actual one-pedal calibration works very well.
An interior designed for people, not just touchscreens
MG deserves credit for one particularly straightforward decision inside the MGS5.
There are physical controls for the climate system.
It sounds like a small detail, but with manufacturers increasingly placing basic functions inside touchscreens, being able to adjust temperature or ventilation using switches without navigating through menus makes the MGS5 considerably easier to live with.
The main touchscreen measures 12.8 inches, while a separate digital display sits ahead of the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
The infotainment system felt responsive during our drive, with clear graphics and a relatively straightforward layout.
Independent testing has produced mixed results over outright screen speed, but there is broad agreement that the physical controls make the system easier to use than touchscreen-only alternatives.
Trophy models also gain features including wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, heated steering wheel, six-speaker audio and a powered tailgate.
The sound system isn't going to worry a premium audio manufacturer, but for a standard setup it is perfectly respectable and more than capable of providing the soundtrack to a family road trip.
MG Pilot Custom might be one of its best features
Modern cars contain an increasing number of driver assistance systems.
Many are valuable safety features, but drivers will also be familiar with getting into a new car and immediately hearing warnings for speed limits, lane positioning and driver monitoring.
European safety regulations mean some systems reactivate every time the car starts, which can result in drivers repeatedly navigating through menus to change their preferred settings.
MG has come up with a much smarter solution.
MG Pilot Custom allows the driver to create a preferred selection of driver assistance settings and save them.
When starting another journey, rather than manually navigating through each individual system again, the saved MG Pilot Custom configuration can be quickly selected.
You still actively choose the settings at the beginning of the journey, but the process is dramatically quicker. What Car? also singled the feature out as one of the MGS5's usability highlights.
It is a relatively small piece of software design that makes a noticeable difference to everyday ownership.
Is the MG MGS5 EV spacious?
Very.
There is plenty of space for both front and rear passengers, while the completely flat rear floor makes the centre seat more usable than it would be with a conventional transmission tunnel.
Rear headroom and legroom are generous enough for adults and there are useful storage areas throughout the cabin. Independent measurements and testing have also found the MGS5 competitive with cars such as the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq for passenger accommodation.
This makes it particularly appealing as a family vehicle.
How big is the MGS5 EV boot?
Boot capacity is 453 litres with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1,441 litres with them folded.
More importantly, it is a useful shape.
The relatively square loading area and height-adjustable floor make it easier to accommodate larger objects, pushchairs, luggage or the weekly shop without having to work around awkward protrusions.
Trophy models also include an electrically powered tailgate.
There isn't a front storage compartment, or 'frunk', so charging cables will generally need to live underneath the boot floor or elsewhere in the luggage compartment.
What is the range of the MGS5 Trophy Long Range?
The Long Range battery provides an official WLTP range of up to 288 miles in Trophy specification.
Interestingly, the lighter SE Long Range stretches that figure to 298 miles, so choosing the additional Trophy equipment costs around 10 miles of official range.
Maximum DC rapid charging is 139kW, with a 10-80% charge taking approximately 28 minutes in suitable conditions.
Those aren't class-leading charging figures, but they are competitive for an electric SUV positioned at this end of the market.
What does the MGS5 EV look like?
The MGS5 probably isn't going to attract a crowd every time you park it.
For many buyers, that might actually be a positive.
The styling is modern and clean without trying too hard to look futuristic simply because it is electric.
The aerodynamic alloy wheels fitted to the Trophy won't be to everyone's taste and aren't particularly sporty, but they are preferable to the plastic aerodynamic wheel covers fitted to some EVs.
Overall, it looks smart, contemporary and easy to live with.
How does it compare with the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq?
The MGS5 finds itself in an increasingly competitive section of the market.
The Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq and Hyundai Kona Electric are obvious alternatives, while buyers may also consider models including the BYD Atto 3 and Renault Scenic E-Tech depending on budget and size requirements.
Some rivals offer longer maximum ranges, faster charging or more premium interiors.
The MGS5 fights back with its combination of equipment, passenger space, strong performance, engaging handling and attractive pricing.
That combination becomes particularly compelling when leasing.
Is the MG MGS5 EV good value?
This may be the MGS5's strongest argument.
The range starts below £30,000, placing it among the more affordable new electric family SUVs available in the UK.
Lease pricing can make the proposition even more attractive.
At the time of writing, Rivervale is advertising MGS5 personal lease offers from around £239 per month, with the Trophy Long Range available from around £259 per month, depending on contract profile, mileage, initial rental and availability. Prices and offers can change, so customers should always check the latest live deal.
MG's seven-year/80,000-mile manufacturer warranty provides additional reassurance.
MG MGS5 Trophy Long Range verdict
The MGS5 isn't the most dramatic electric SUV on sale.
It isn't trying to be.
Instead, MG has created something arguably more useful: a comfortable, spacious, well-equipped electric family SUV that happens to drive considerably better than expected.
The steering is accurate, the chassis feels planted, the performance is strong and the one-pedal driving works well.
Inside, physical climate controls make everyday operation refreshingly simple, while MG Pilot Custom is one of those clever features you quickly wonder why more manufacturers haven't adopted.
Combine all of that with plenty of passenger room, a 453-litre boot, up to 288 miles of official range and some very competitive lease offers and the MGS5 becomes difficult to overlook.
For families looking to move into an electric SUV without dramatically increasing their monthly motoring costs, the MG MGS5 EV deserves to be firmly on the shortlist.
Lease prices quoted were available at the time of writing and are subject to change. Terms, mileage allowances, initial rentals, availability and eligibility apply.
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