MG is popping out of its chrysalis in 2025.
The Chinese language model is readying an enormous array of recent arrivals over the following 12 months that won’t solely increase its mannequin lineup, however broaden its buyer base and elevate to change into a extra vibrant and broader mainstream participant.
Following a raft of second-generation arrivals for the likes of the MG 3 gentle hatch, ZS small SUV and HS mid-size SUV, MG’s new mannequin rollout begins with this, the 2025 MG S5 EV – the substitute for the favored outdated MG ZS EV and the corporate’s first devoted electrical SUV.
It arrives in Australian showrooms this month, with pricing as sharp as its seems to be, and CarExpert has been given the chance for a quick drive earlier than it formally launches.
So, let’s test it out…
How a lot does the MG S5 EV price?
The MG S5 EV is obtainable in two acquainted mannequin grades – Excite and Essence – every with the choice of a 49kWh or 62kWh battery pack.
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2025 MG S5 EV Essence
| Mannequin | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| MG S5 EV Excite 49 | $40,490 |
| MG S5 EV Essence 49 | $42,990 |
| MG S5 EV Excite 62 | $44,990 |
| MG S5 EV Essence 62 | $47,990 |
With a beginning worth of simply $40,490 drive-away for the entry-level Excite 49, the MG S5 EV was probably the most inexpensive battery electrical SUV obtainable in Australia earlier than Jeep slashed costs of the smaller Avenger. Nonetheless, it’s a measurement class above the likes of the Jeep in addition to the incoming Hyundai Inster.
It does have a fleet of similar-sized rivals, together with the BYD Atto 3 which is marketed for much less however earlier than on-road prices ($39,990), in addition to the Geely EX5 (from $40,990), Chery Omoda E5 (from $42,990), Leapmotor C10 (from $45,888) and Kia EV3 (from $49,990 drive-away).
It’s additionally positioned proper within the candy spot of the ultra-competitive mid-size SUV class, towards the likes of the favored Toyota RAV4 (from $39,760), the Mazda CX-5 (from $36,740), the Hyundai Tucson (from $39,100) and Nissan X-Path (from $38,025).
To see how the MG S5 EV strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What’s the MG S5 EV like on the within?
One factor is definite: that is past an evolutionary improve from the ZS EV. The MG S5 EV is, fairly merely, a revolutionary leap ahead when it comes to design, high quality, consolation and comfort.
The place the ZS EV was a battery-powered compact SUV transformed from a combustion-powered platform, the MG S5 EV is constructed on the identical devoted electrical automobile platform because the small MG 4 hatchback.
But, it’s a lot greater than a high-riding re-skin. The truth is, the MG S5 EV is bigger in nearly each dimension, and doesn’t share a single physique panel with its hatch-backed relative.
It’s the identical inside too. Whereas there’s quite a bit to love in regards to the MG 4’s minimalist design and use of house, on the identical time it feels chilly and darkish with its black-and-chrome color palette, and arduous plastics.
The S5 EV is sort of the other, being far more fashionable and welcoming because of its muted two-tone aesthetic throughout the decrease portion of the cabin and light-coloured headliner.
There’s an attention-grabbing mixture of tactile supplies too, such because the felt-like space on the centre console across the rotary gear selector with a built-in wi-fi cellphone charging pad; the carbon-fibre-inspired strip that runs via the center of the sprint and into the door handles; and the great mix of fabric and artificial leather-based trim on the seats.
The rounded array of bodily controls for the air flow and audio in the midst of the sprint are stunning, as are the slimline knurled alloy sliders to regulate the air vents. The panoramic glass sunroof in our Essence check automobile additional provides to the sensation of house and lightweight.
Then there are the digital parts – a ten.25-inch instrument cluster and 12.8-inch infotainment contact display that incorporates a new-look interface and a number of recent capabilities, which we are going to dig into in additional element when we now have an opportunity to correctly assess the MG S5 EV over an extended time period.
In any case, the MG S5 EV will get the fundamentals proper.
The heated entrance seats are comfy and provide loads of adjustment; the leather-based three spoke steering wheel has each attain and rake motion; and there’s beneficiant door bins large enough for giant water bottles, in addition to a pair of cupholders within the centre console.
There’s additionally a deep lined bin between the seats, and extra house massive sufficient for a purse underneath the mid-section. Headroom can be beneficiant, even with the glass roof, and a there’s a commanding view via the in depth glasshouse.
These within the again are handled to loads of legroom with sufficient house throughout the bench for 3 thanks its flat ground, in addition to rear air vents and a single USB charging outlet on the rear of the centre console.
But when it’s simply two within the again, there’s additionally a flip-down centre armrest with particular person cupholders, in addition to studying lights within the roof-mounted seize handles.
The MGS5 EV has two ISOFIX anchor factors on the outboard seats, and three top-tethers for little one restraints. Whereas it doesn’t have a entrance trunk – or ‘frunk’ – like different electrical autos, the S5 EV’s 453-litre boot is massive sufficient to cater for on a regular basis household duties and vacation baggage.
It’s deep and simply accessible – particularly with the digital tailgate that’s commonplace on the Essence – and options an additional under-floor space to separate moist, or safe smaller, objects.
| Dimensions | MG S5 EV | MG 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4476mm | 4287mm |
| Width | 1849mm | 1836mm |
| Top | 1621mm | 1516mm |
| Wheelbase | 2730mm | 2705mm |
| Cargo capability | 453L-1441L | 363L-1165L |
To see how the MG S5 EV strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What’s underneath the bonnet?
All MG S5 EV variants are powered by the identical rear-mounted electrical motor that produces 125kW of energy and 250Nm of torque, driving the again axle via a single-speed transmission.
| Specs | MG S5 EV Essence 62 |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 62kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) |
| Energy | 125kW |
| Torque | 250Nm |
| Drive sort | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1755kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.6 seconds |
| Vitality consumption (claimed) | 171Wh/km |
| Vitality consumption (as examined) | 177Wh/km |
| Claimed vary | 425km |
| Max AC cost charge | 6.6kW |
| Max DC cost charge | 150kW |
Shoppers can select between commonplace 49kWh or bigger 62kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs.
All fashions are geared up with a 6.6kW on-board charging unit and have a CCS Sort 2 connector. The 49kWh battery has a most charging charge of 120kW whereas the 62kW can deal with as much as 150kW which equals out their estimated charging instances.
MG claims each batteries might be replenished between 30-80 per cent in 19 minutes for Excite variants, and 19.3 minutes for the Essence.
Estimated driving vary for all 4 fashions varies based on the battery and tyre sizes, between 335km (WLTP) for the Essence 49 on 18-inch rims to 430km (WLTP) for the Excite 62 on 17s.
To see how the MG S5 EV strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How does the MG S5 EV drive?
Straight up, we solely drove the MG S5 EV for a few hours as a preview earlier than it formally launches in showrooms later this month.
Our check automotive was actually contemporary off the boat, with lower than 40km on the odometer. So, contemplate this as a ‘fast spin’ evaluate on native roads slightly than a deep dive into its driving character, vary and charging instances; which we are going to do within the coming weeks.
In our brief preview drive, we managed to cram in a mixture of highway situations, from the tangled, dense city jungle of inner-city Sydney to some freeway cruising across the airport and a run via the jap suburbs.
The route could be brief and candy, but it surely offered a pleasant large number of situations like pockmarked backstreets plagued by velocity humps, to high-traffic however easy sections of meandering motorway, in addition to large arterial roads and slender twisties alongside the seashores.
So far as first impressions go, the MG S5 EV delivers all the pieces you’d count on from a family-friendly SUV – not simply an electrical one.
The electrical motor is seamless, easy, and accelerates swiftly while you faucet into its instantaneous surge of torque. It’s not as neck-snappingly fast as another EVs, but it surely doesn’t should be. As an alternative, it feels simply proper.
Once more, we’ll depart its claimed vary for an additional day, however even throughout our fast drive the instrument cluster claimed it was consuming a mean of 177Wh/km which is just fractionally above MG’s declare of 171Wh/km, suggesting the Essence 62’s 425km vary declare is about proper.
With the one-pedal perform activated for almost all of our time with the S5 EV, its regenerative braking was easy and able to pulling to an entire cease in what felt like a pure distance when lifting off the accelerator.
Being a rear-driver helps in delivering a better-balanced driving character too. The steering is overly gentle in its help, however constructive to inputs and uninterrupted in speaking highway irregularities again to the driving force.
The Macpherson entrance strut and five-link rear suspension gives a pleasant stability between consolation and cornering with out compromising or excelling at both finish of the spectrum. It may be a little bit harsh over sharp-edged bumps, but it surely’s in any other case well-sorted.
General, the MG S5 EV feels comparatively sure-footed and safe round city and at freeway speeds.
To see how the MG S5 EV strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What do you get?
The MG S5 EV packs lots of commonplace tools into its spacious cabin and for its comparatively inexpensive worth.
2025 MG S5 EV Excite tools highlights:
- LED headlights
- LED tail-lights
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi smartphone mirroring
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- iSmart linked app providers
- Local weather management with rear air vents
- Cellular Bluetooth key
- Keyless entry
- AC charging cable
- Automobile-to-load (V2L) performance
MG S5 EV Essence provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Panoramic sunroof
- Energy tailgate
- 6-speaker sound system
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Voice management
- Artificial leather-based/material trim
- Heated entrance seats
- Energy-adjustable driver’s seat
- Rear centre console
- Rear privateness glass
To see how the MG S5 EV strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
Is the MG S5 EV protected?
The MG S5 EV has but to be examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP organisation, however MG is assured it would at the least match the five-star score of its closely-related MG 4 hatch sibling.
Normal security options embody:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver monitoring system
- Lane-keep and Lane-change Help
- Lane departure warning
- Ahead and rear collision warning
- Clever velocity restrict help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Protected exit warning
- 7 airbags
- Reversing digital camera
- Rear parking sensors
Essence provides:
- 360-degree HD surround-view cameras
A brand new function within the S5 EV’s security suite is the power to tailor the intervention in its array of capabilities through the MG Pilot Customized perform.
Right here, customers can set their very own preferences for a way sure options are activated – comparable to turning off alerts for velocity zone adjustments, driving monitoring alarms and lane holding help. The stuff that annoys you, primarily.
Whereas the default setting will at all times begin the automobile with all of the methods activated, this makes it easy to activate your personal settings via one button on the house display, slightly than diving via the menu each time you begin driving. Intelligent, and handy.
To see how the MG S5 EV strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How a lot does the MG S5 EV price to run?
The MG S5 EV is roofed by the model’s benchmark 10-year/250,000km guarantee with roadside help. Full particulars round service intervals and pricing are nonetheless to be confirmed.
To see how the MG S5 EV strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the MG S5 EV
We’ll excuse ourselves from making a definitive evaluation of the MG S5 EV simply but, as we have to spend extra time behind the wheel and residing with it to actually decide its place in an ever-competitive a part of the market.
However, so far as first impressions go, it makes a really convincing one – the MG S5 EV seems to be fashionable each in and out; it’s spacious and comfy; drives properly; and it’s stacked with tools.
Greater than something, it’s priced proper within the candy spot of the SUV market, the place you mightn’t even have to query – or justify – its battery-electric powertrain.
Desirous about shopping for a MG S5 EV? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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