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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Now on display until Sunday (13 April), the car arrives not only as a fresh face in the compact electric crossover space but also as a subtle passing of the torch. This model will eventually succeed the brand’s ZS EV.

But to dismiss the MGS5 EV as a mere “ZS 2.0” would be missing the point entirely.

Built as an EV from the ground up

While the ZS EV was essentially an internal combustion car in EV clothing (a good effort constrained by its bones), the MGS5 EV is a whole different animal.

This is the first MG crossover in Singapore to be built from scratch atop the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), the same underpinnings used by the MG4 EV and the MG Cyberster roadster.

This translates to more cabin space, better weight distribution, and architecture truly tailored for electrification.

Stretching out to just under 4.5 metres in length, with a 2,730mm wheelbase, it offers generous legroom at the rear and a pleasingly flat floor.

Boot space is a healthy 453 litres, accessible via a hands-free powered tailgate.

Unlike its front-wheel-drive predecessor, the MGS5 EV sends its power exclusively to the rear wheels.

Underneath the sculpted bonnet lies a 99kW electric motor producing 250Nm of torque, enough to keep things brisk without tipping the car into the Category B COE bracket.

The century sprint is accomplished in under 10 seconds, and handling gets a helping hand from MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup at the rear. 

Its 62kWh battery can charge from 10 to 80% in just 26 minutes with a DC charger (150kW peak), while serving up a WLTP-rated range of 425km

High tech, high comfort

Inside, MG has taken a step up in design maturity. The cabin, with its symmetrical layout and minimalist lines, feels far more premium than you’d expect at this price point.

A large 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen takes centre stage, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while even popular apps like Spotify and YouTube are natively supported.

Ahead of the driver sits a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. There’s a touch of fun too: look closely at the seats and you’ll find MG’s initials perforated into the upholstery.

Prefer something less sombre? MG is offering a lighter beige-and-grey interior colourway as well. Either way, a wireless phone charging tray, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and even Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities come standard.

Where the MGS5 EV really throws its weight around, though, is in its safety and driver assistance systems.

There are no fewer than 16 active driver aids built-in, ranging from Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Keep Assistance to Exit Warnings and Adaptive Cruise Control.

A “Strategic Leap” for MG

Speaking at the launch, Mr Raymond Ng, Managing Director of Eurokars EV, was succinct but confident in his verdict, “the MGS5 EV is a strategic leap, perfectly aligned with our market’s demands.”

And the numbers make it a compelling one: $165,888 including COE, backed by a 10-year battery warranty, eight-year vehicle warranty, and five years of complimentary servicing.

As part of the launch roadshow, MG is also dangling extra carrots, including $5,000 off the car, $500 in aftersales vouchers and another $500 in shopping vouchers.

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