The MGS5 EV is MG’s new electric offering, replacing the ZS EV in the brand’s increasingly crowded line-up.
Bigger, better-equipped, and riding on the same Modular Scalable Platform as the MG5 and MG4, this is MG’s second wind.
The brand has had a good run over the last five years, but now it wants to grow up. Out with the baby steps, in with the real players.
So, what’s new?
Quite a lot actually. The MGS5 EV is a fresh slate: sharper design, cleaner lines, and fewer of the MG4’s edgy design quirks. It’s as if MG sanded off the boy-racer aesthetic and dressed this one for the big meeting.
That said, it still wears a contemporary look. Daytime running lights swoop elegantly around the headlamps, and the overall shape is SUV in the most democratic sense.
It’s the sort of car you could picture anyone from your HR manager to your cousin’s tuition teacher driving, and that’s exactly the point.
Numbers, because we must
Under the skin sits a 62kWh battery good for 425km of WLTP-certified range. MG quotes 5.8km/kWh for efficiency; real-world driving netted us around 4.9km/kWh, split between CBD gridlock and a few expressway blasts.
AC charging maxes out at 6.6kW, while DC fast charging tops off at 150kW, meaning you can go from 10% to 80% in about 26 minutes, assuming you find a charger fast enough.
Power? A modest 99kW (133bhp) and 250Nm of torque sent to the rear wheels, enough to keep the S5 under the Category A COE banner.
It won’t shove you into your seat, but it will out-zip most sedans at a traffic light without breaking a sweat. Keep your foot down, and the century sprint takes 9.9 seconds.
Smooth and composed
Drive it, and you’ll understand the MGS5’s personality. Ride comfort is commendable. Over bumps, humps and undulations, the S5 stays composed. Steering is muted; a tad heavy at low speeds, but it firms up nicely when you ask more of it. Brakes feel a little grabby at first, but you get used to it.
Acceleration is smooth, never aggressive. The car moves with a kind of middle-management energy – productive, but not out to prove a point. And that’s how most folks like it.
Upmarket, with a caveat
The interior is, well, safe. Everything’s functional, laid out with intent, and trimmed with just enough faux Alcantara to break the monotony.
Build quality is solid, and there’s none of the plasticky flex you sometimes find in rival Chinese EVs. Even the climate control buttons (blessedly physical) are satisfying to prod.
Space is generous, especially for adults in the rear. Boot space clocks in at 453 litres, expanding to 1,423 litres with the seats folded. Good enough for a weekend IKEA run, or a spontaneous escape from city life.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the dashboard – the infotainment system. The 12.8-inch touchscreen is large, but the software can be sluggish. Apple CarPlay is there, but swipe between pages and you might be tempted to reach for a paperback while you wait.
Serious value proposition
This is where MG plays its trump card. The MGS5 is priced at S$166,888, and that’s with a solid spec sheet. That’s equivalent or thousands below other rivals along the Leng Kee belt. MG’s value-for-money ethos remains alive and well.
But is it worth it?
The MGS5 has no dramatic lines, no stirring engine notes, no wow-factor moments. But it’s honest. It’s spacious, it’s efficient, and it gets the job done without fuss. It’s a car for people who want a car, and a car that works well.
And maybe that’s exactly what the EV market needs right now. Amid a sea of gimmicks and outlandish tech, the S5 offers a sensible, grounded option. It will turn up, every time, with no complaints. In the long run, that’s what truly matters.
Technical Specifications
MG S5
Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 99 kW (133 bhp)
Torque: 250 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
Acceleration: 9.9 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Top Speed: 170 km/h
Battery Capacity: 62 kWh
Drive Range: 425 km
Energy Consumption: 5.8 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$166,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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