MG5 EV Review (2022)

Read Caroline’s MG5 review for everything you need to know about buying MG’s electric estate car in Ireland in 2022.

MG returned to Ireland at the end of 2020 with a new suite of electrified vehicles. Under a new distributor, the brand has launched three new models here – the MG ZS electric SUV previously reviewed for Changing Lanes, the MG HS plug-in hybrid SUV, and this, the MG5, an all-electric estate car for the Irish market.

Now in 2022, MG has updated the ZS and the MG5 with a new long range battery to give buyers more comfort and convenience behind the wheel.

The MG5 launched in Ireland for the first time in 2021 with a 52.5 kWh battery giving a range of up to 345 km (WLTP).

It’s replaced now by the MG5 EV Long Range with a 61 kWh battery that bumps the range up to 403 km (WLTP) – and the price. It’s now available from €30,645.

Let’s take a closer look.

What’s so special about the MG5?

Well first of all it’s an estate car, and an electric one at that. For the moment it’s the only electric estate car you can buy on the Irish market.

We don’t hear much about estate cars these days as the market is obsessed with SUVs and crossovers. Yet estate cars were always the default choice for buyers seeking a lifestyle vehicle that can fit the dog and some gear. While also giving a more active image than a saloon or hatchback.

But SUVs these days seem to capture most of that market. Though it’s debatable how well they fit the brief for space and practicality.

The new MG5 has the classic silhouette of an estate car and is discreet in its styling. It’s clearly not as trendy as the MG ZS, which has more fashionable SUV styling. But it’s cheaper to buy and gets almost as much range on a full charge.

The MG5 sits quite low for an electric car, with the water-cooled battery pack integrated into the car’s chassis. There are dynamic benefits here too, with the low centre of gravity influencing how the car feels on the road.

With pricing starting from €30,645 for the Excite model and from €33,895 for the Exclusive model with more equipment on board, the MG5 remains affordable in today’s EV market.

What’s it like to drive?

The MG5 EV Long Range on test uses a 61.1 kWh battery with up to 403 km (WLTP) of range available. There’s a 115 kW motor on board, equivalent to 156 hp.

The performance figures are good and the MG5 feels swift and responsive on the road. It is agile and simple to drive with a very conventional layout to the controls used to operate the vehicle and monitor its progress. The low centre of gravity means it feels planted at all times, behaving in a natural way in response to driver inputs.

The car is comfortable in driving on its 16″ wheels and will cruise happily on the motorway. In that way it can’t be faulted. The MG5 is predictable in charging and there are no massive drops in range when you get it out on the motorway.

Ownership of the electric MG5 of course will mean acquainting yourself very quickly with charging. With a 7 kW wallbox installed at home for example, a full charge can be got in about 9.5 hours or overnight.

The MG5 is also equipped with a CCS charging port so can avail of fast charging, gaining 80% in about an hour from a public 50 kW fast charge point. The charging port is easily accessed from the front of the car behind the MG badge.

From a 100 kW rapid charger, it will take about 40 minutes to charge the MG5 to 80%

What’s it like inside?

Inside the MG5 there is a traditional dashboard layout with all the controls logically laid out. The cabin is nicely appointed for the price point of the vehicle. The layout and design is more traditional than avant garde. But the rotary gear selector on the centre console is a neat feature.

Standard equipment includes the 8″ colour touchscreen and Android Auto/Apple Car Play, auto air con, parking sensors and rear view camera. There’s also a full suite of safety equipment ‘MG Pilot’ including lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam assist and high beam assist.

The MG5 Exclusive has plenty of nice features like heated front seats, keyless entry and electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.

However, it doesn’t get MG’s latest infotainment system as seen in the new MG ZS, which is more modern and responsive. Or a digital instrument cluster for that matter.

There’s a natural sense of practicality to the MG5 because it’s an estate car. Rear legroom is good for the C-segment also. There’s plenty of headroom from that tall roof line.

Buyers will be pleased to note that there’s 464 litres of space available up to the luggage cover, or 578 litres up to the roof. Other advantages include a wide loading area. There is a bit of a lip between the boot opening and the boot floor. A flat loading area would have been an even greater advantage and more practical for an estate car. The rear seats also split fold 60:40 for even more space.

Did you like it?

Estate cars often get overlooked in favour of SUVs. But the MG5 is a practical family car that just happens to be electric too.

Still, the MG5 lacks contemporary style and does feel a generation behind in terms of its styling and interior. It does without MG’s latest interior digital technology and app. But thankfully it’s not behind in battery technology and charging.

The new battery in the MG5 gives buyers that little bit more comfort between charges. The MG5 behaves in a predictable way on the road, with high equipment levels and a comfortable ride.

Though the entry price into the range has gone up, the MG5 still offers a lot of car for the money in today’s market. It undercuts the more fashionable MG ZS on price.

At a time when it’s getting even more expensive to run and own a fuel car, the MG5 is a good value entry into electric motoring.

Model tested: MG5 EV Exclusive
Price: €30,645
Battery: 61.1 kWh
Power: 156 hp
Torque: 260 Nm
Top speed: 185 km/h
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.7 seconds
Motor Tax: €120 per year

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes