MG5 EV review: the entry-level electric estate
The MG5 may be feeling a little long in the tooth – despite a recent nip and tuck – but it remains a great budget electric estate option
Pros
- Roomy boot
- Excellent value for money
- Greatly improved infotainment
Cons
- Hardly thrilling to drive
- No range or charging upgrades
- Little space advantage over SUV rivals
| Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|
| 235-250 miles | 10hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 35mins (10-80%, 87kW) |
MG5 EV verdict
Not everyone wants a flashy electric SUV and nobody wants to pay more than they have to for a new car. The MG5 is proof that you can have the majority of an SUV’s practicality in a more conventional form and at a bargain price.
While not quite dull enough to send a hyperactive seven-year old to sleep, the MG5 is far from the most exciting new EV out there – a sedate driving experience and no-frills interior are perhaps the bargain zero-emissions estate’s weakest points. However, the MG is far roomier than the majority of similarly-priced electric superminis, plus it comes with a decent driving range and a fantastic seven-year warranty. There may be more appealing – and expensive – electric estates out there nowadays, but the MG5 is still certainly worthy of your attention.
Range details, specs and alternatives
For a very long time, the vastly different MG5 and Porsche Taycan Sport/Cross Turismo were your only two options if you were after an electric estate car. Now, while you also have the options of the Vauxhall Astra Electric Sports Tourer, Peugeot E-308 SW and BMW i5 Touring, the MG remains the cheapest of them all by far.
At launch, the MG5 was never going to set any hearts ablaze with its rather unassuming design, however, a facelift in 2022 introduced several fresh design features – and technology items – from the smaller MG4 hatchback, increasing the electric estate’s appeal somewhat.
Now available exclusively in what MG calls ‘Long Range’ configuration, every MG5 uses a 57.4kWh usable battery to power a 154bhp electric motor; this is enough for a range of up to 250 miles, according to its maker. However, such a figure is only possible if you stick with the base SE trim, which comes with the large central touchscreen, a seven-inch digital driver’s display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a reversing camera and the MG Pilot driver assistance system that includes lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and active emergency braking.
If you go for the Trophy trim, this bumps the price from £30,995 to £33,495, and cuts the MG5’s official range down to 235 miles – most likely because of the larger 17-inch alloy wheels you get with this specification. If you don’t mind the slight reduction in range, Trophy-spec cars also come with a 360-degree parking camera, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, automatic air-conditioning and leather-effect upholstery.
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