Written by Seth Walton Updated: 2 April 2025

Overview

According to the manufacturer, the MG S5 marks the beginning of a transition into the next generation of MG electric cars. The ICE-powered products were taken care of in 2024, with facelifts and other updates revealed across the lineup, but now it’s the turn of MG’s real money makers.

The last five years have been a story of incredible success for the brand, having sold the second most EVs in the UK since 2019, behind only Tesla. Though built on the same Scalable Modular Platform, the new S5 represents a departure from the angular looks of the MG4 EV, with softer edges for a less aggressive, more family friendly style. 

The S5 is in fact a replacement of the electric MG ZS variant, which is now available with full petrol or hybrid power units only. MG says another electric C-Segment electric SUV is on the way and due to reach the UK by the end of this year.

So what’s the S5 up against? Strong opposition in the form of the Skoda Elroq and Renault Scenic, both of which are better cars than the S5, but have starting prices around where the S5 ends, as does the Kia EV3.

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Read on for a first drive review of the MG S5 EV from Parkers, as we explore what it’s like to drive, the quality of the interior and its price point before reaching a final verdict. Head over to our how we test cars page to find out how we conducted our examination.

What’s it like inside?

Like most MG EVs before it, the S5’s interior is clean and minimalistic. With its monotone grey colour palette, it has quite a serious and business-like tone, which perhaps isn’t exactly what you’d want from your family electric SUV but that’s what you get. Build quality around the interior is good, each panel feels sturdy in its construction, and the various materials at the front of the cabin do well to break it up. I particularly like the pasting of faux Alcantara across the central armrest and the strip of carbon fibre weave-look plastic across the dashboard. 

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The bank of physical climate controls beneath the infotainment display is also most welcome, as the dials and buttons are easy to reach and control while on the move. It’s a practical cabin with ample leg room in the back but the whole affair is rather banal. There’s not a lot about it to stir the soul, which could be a deal breaker if you plan to use your EV S5 every day. 

The infotainment software is also rather slow. It began to lag after brief swipes through menu screens, and the display isn’t the clearest either.

Range and charging

The S5 EV is available with two battery packs: a 49 kWh pack that offers up to 211 miles of range, and a 64kWh pack that offers up to 298 miles. The 49kWh has a120kW max charging speed, the 64kWh battery 139kW, while they both can be charged from 10-80% in 24 minutes and 28 minutes respectively.

We achieved a 3.2 miles/kWh efficiency rating in the 64kWh variant, which would put the real-world range around 204 miles, though more testing is needed to find out how realistic the range figure really is.

What’s it like to drive?

The S5 EV is comfortable on road, as it floats along with composure on its suspension. Around town and at slow speeds, there’s very little about the S5’s ride quality that might offend, though its overly heavy steering could be a little more responsive. The feel is entirely numb, and it takes a substantial amount of input to get the car to turn. At higher speeds the weight feels more like engaging resistance, but only until the next 30 sign. The brake pedal is a little sensitive and requires some getting used to, but it’s at least firm and reassuring when you really need to slow the car down. 

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Jabbing the accelerator pedal unleashes all 227hp and 258lb ft of torque, but the car keeps its composure under hard acceleration, rather than wobbling from side to side with an alarmingly light front end. The S5 isn’t an especially quick car, but the instant torque deployed by the electric motor is useful when pulling onto roundabouts or away from traffic lights – the like of which can’t be matched by many combustion-powered cars.

What models and trims are available?

The S5 EV range is split into three grades, kicking off with standard-range SE trim from £28,495. Plenty of kit comes with SE trim, including the 12.8” infotainment display, vehicle to load charging, a six-way adjustable front seat and more. MG’s suite of safety systems also comes as standard. It includes intelligent cruise control assistance, blind spot detection, front and rear collision warnings and many more. 

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The long-range SE car starts from £30,995, while the range-topping Trophy Long Range costs £33,495. The latter includes several additional features including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear reading lights and more.

MG has so far prided itself on disrupting industry price paradigms, and this S5 EV is no exception. Its price range ends about where competitors like the Skoda Elroq start, and so represents great value for money.