A new electric SUV to help MG dealerships tempt in car buyers reaches UK roads next month, and Automotive Management has driven it.
Priced from £28,495, the MGS5 EV takes the successful formula already created by the MG4 hatchback and moulds it into an even more desirable and spacious SUV that aims to attract retail buyers and fleets alike.
The MGS5 uses the same rear-wheel drive dedicated EV platform as the MG4, and even launches with the same two battery choices – a 49kWh one known as the standard range battery and a 64kWh long range battery. The standard one has a 211 mile official maximum range, and the long range maxes out at 298 miles (288 in Trophy specification cars).
MG bosses describe this as a B-segment electric vehicle but at almost 4.5 metres long it certainly sits at the very top end of that segment. The MGS5 EV offers enough space and practicality to allow it to serve as the main car of the household, thanks to a slightly enlarged wheelbase over the MG4 plus MG’s clever full-floor battery that’s only 11cm high so doesn’t compromise cabin space.
The boot space, at 453 litres, is 25% larger than the MG4 and much better than its rival Omoda E5, but roughly on a par with the Kia EV3, its direct competitor. Boot hooks, mesh pockets and a two-stage boot floor help owners to tailor the space to whatever they’re transporting.
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Inside the MGS5’s cabin there is good use of soft touch materials and hard-wearing fabrics, and lots of thought has been given to ways to make the car more driver-friendly. Beneath the 12.8in touchscreen are buttons for commonly-used functions, and the infotainment system also allows the user to customise two buttons on the steering wheel for their favourite actions – on our test drive these were set up to easily change the driving mode from normal to sport or comfort and to change the braking regeneration.
On my three hour test drive I found this electric car quiet and comfortable in normal mode on Warwickshire’s A-roads, and once in sport mode it became quite sprightly and engaging along country lanes.
MG believes in keeping things simple so metallic paint is the only optional extra and only two trim levels are available for this car: SE and Trophy.
SE models, which can be selected with the standard range or long range batteries, come with ample equipment including a rear parking camera, 17in alloys with aero wheel covers and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Trophy trim, offered only with the long range battery, adds many more conveniences such as a wireless phone charger, 360-degree camera, automatic wipers, leather-style upholstery, heated steering wheel and front seats and a hands-free electric tailgate.
All cars feature MG Pilot, the brand’s comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Aware that not all drivers enjoy being accompanied by an orchestra of alert noises as they change lanes or enter a new speed limit, MG has introduced a MG Pilot Custom button for the first time, which allows drivers to customise the features and save the configuration. Although for every journey the MG Pilot Custom button must then be selected and confirmed to switch off the aural annoyances, it’s a two second job and the custom configuration will certainly reduce the driver’s frustration.
MG is keeping the sale pricing simple too, with a £2,500 step up from the base car to a long-range version, and then another £2,500 step up to get the fully-loaded Trophy model for £33,495. It’s the Trophy variant which MG expects to sell the most of, and given that around two thirds of demand is expected from fleets, it should appeal strongly to company car drivers. Private buyers can expect some compelling finance offers from launch. The standard seven year/80k warranty is another benefit.
“We find that by combining the highest spec with the longest battery, that tends to be the sweet spot,” says David Allison, MG’s head of product and planning.
“There’s quite a lot of equipment in there, and on a monthly payment, it’s not a massive increase for what people would be looking to pay.”
A potential weakness for the MG5S is that, visually, it blends in with the SUV crowd. Its front end takes some inspiration from the MG Cyberster sports car, with a split lower grille, and assertive headlamps and daytime running lights dropping strong hints of its maker. Yet when viewed in side profile this car could be anyone’s.
Still, some buyers might see that as a strength.
Overall, this is an accomplished electric runabout that is certainly a welcome addition to MG dealers’ showrooms.