MG 5 EV 2023 Review

The 5 can still claim to be the first fully electric estate car on sale, narrowly beating the far pricier Taycan Sport Turismo. Right now, these are still your choices if you want a practical electric family wagon without the domineering height of an SUV. 

But these are at very different ends of the spectrum - not least because the Porsche will turn every head while the outgoing MG5 was blander than baked beans. 

MG 5 Design 

​The new model certainly has a little more visual appeal than before, thanks to an updated look which is far more modern.

Compared to the more style-led crossover market there’s little in the way of sex appeal but it is uncontroversial and handsome. The new look incorporates an updated front end using the brand’s new design language. 

It’s sportier looking than before, and altogether a more aspirational looking car. But the biggest changes are on the inside.

MG 5 Interior and technology

Like its big brother, the ZS EV and the smaller MG 4, the new 5 gets an updated infotainment system which includes the ability to connect to an app and set charging times and a pre-heater. You can also check your charge status on your phone, or you can now also look at an LED indicator next to the charge port.

On the inside two large screens dominate the new-look dashboard, and the material selection is anything but cheap. Yes, the MG looks more old-fashioned than the ID. models from Volkswagen, for example. But in many areas the actual quality feels like a step up from the Volkswagens, and certainly the switches and infotainment systems are easier to use. 

MG 5 battery, powertrain and charging

Despite looking very different, the facelifted MG 5 doesn’t change much under the metal. 

There’s the same 154bhp motor driving the front wheels, and although you’d never mistake this car as being sporty, it’s perfectly quick enough.Interestingly, although the motor is the same, there have been some tweaks to the way it delivers its power, so the new MG 5 is actually a bit quicker than the pre-facelift model. 0-60mph takes just 7.3 seconds. 

In fact it feels a little too fast sometimes. We reckon it’s actually a bit faster than MG claims, and that means the front wheels do scrabble for grip sometimes.The battery is unchanged, at 61kWh in capacity. This means that the MG 5 comes with a useful official range of 249 miles. In real world conditions, you’ll probably get around 220 miles between the plugs. 

The MG5 can take charge at up to 87 kW. That's on a par with models from Kia, such as the new Niro EV. Connect to a public charger capable of topping the car up at that rate or higher, and you’ll see a recharge from 10% to 80% in around 35 minutes. Recharge your car at home using a 7kW wallbox, and a full charge to 100% should take around 10 hours. 

MG 5 driving and practicality 

The old MG5 was very refined and absorbed nasty bumps beautifully. The new Trophy version, on its larger wheels, doesn’t seem to do nearly as well. There appears to be more tyre roar too, and a bit of wind noise. But overall it’s a predictable and easy car to drive, with slightly vague steering. 

What the MG lacks in prestige and outright fun, it compensates with its practical virtues, and it’s very spacious for a car of its size. The boot has a deep step behind the loading sill but holds 479 litres of luggage, which can be expanded to 1,367 litres in two simple steps by folding the asymmetrically divided rear seat. 

This still leaves a 'hump' though as the seats don't fold flat. There is a sizeable hump, but it does squash down slightly when a heavy object is put on top, although it's never enough to make it level. This might only be a niggle if you are trying to load large items such as an Ikea purchase.And there’s a hidden little detail that makes it stand out from other estate cars: a 220-volt socket.

Those using the 5 as a zero-emissions work machine can power their tools outdoors without lots of unsightly extension leads. It will make you king of the campsite too, running everything from a hairdryer to a fridge in the middle of a field.

The MG5 might not have the class to itself for long. While rival manufacturers launched their electric future with top-selling SUVs, they’re slowly re-embracing the humble estate car as their electric offerings expand - not least because they have seen the success of the MG.

As well as the promise arrival of an electrified Vauxhall Astra Sport Tourer, Volkswagen is planning an estate version of its electric alternative to the Passat – as the flagship of the European ID family – while Audi has previewed an A6 Avant e-tron which will go into production in less than two years. For now, though, the MG5 remains an appealingly practical and relaxing car which deserves its popularity.

MG 5 models and pricing

With the sharp new look, tech and interior comes a larger price tag than before. The Excite model becomes SE Long Range, priced from £30,995. It now has LED lights front and back, lumbar support for the (very comfy) driver's seat, iSMART connectivity and infotainment with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display and a seven-inch digital instrument panel. It also features roof bars and a 500kg towing capacity. At the top of the line-up is the Trophy Long Range car, from £33,495. For that you get all of the extra bits the SE has, plus 17” alloys, a 360 degree parking camera and privacy glass.

​Book an MG test drive here​