New MG5 EV First Drive: Incremental Improvement, Still Great Value?

Sustainability New MG5 EV First Drive: Incremental Improvement, Still Great Value? James Morris Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I write about the rapidly growing world of electric vehicles Following New! Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Got it! Nov 5, 2022, 05:56am EDT | New! Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin MG has been driving the cost of EVs down for a few years now.

The MG4 EV set a new benchmark for price, but before that the MG5 EV had the dual benefits of both being relatively cheap and the first electric station wagon / estate car to hit the market. Now MG released an updated version of the MG5. I got a chance to spend a day with it to find out what has changed.

The MG5 EV’s exterior has been modernized with a smoother nose. MG The most obvious physical difference with the new MG5 EV is at the front. Instead of retaining the vestiges of an air intake grille, the car now has a smooth nose with new LED headlights built in.

The charging port sits behind a smooth flap rather than the MG logo, which has moved up to the bonnet / hood. The result is a much cleaner and more modern appearance. The rear has had a less obvious update, with just a slight tweak of the lighting cluster.

The side profile looks exactly the same, although there is now rear privacy glass on the top model. The drivetrain is no different than the previous MG5 EV Long Range, however. This car still has a 61kWh battery and 115kW (154hp) motor driving the front wheels.

This gives it a range of 250 miles on the WLTP cycle, as before, but the top trim level now comes with 17in wheels that reduce the range to 235 miles. DC charging maxes out at 87kW, which is low by today’s standards, but as the battery is relatively small it only takes 35 minutes to go from 10 to 80%, so charging on a long journey still won’t be too onerous. The MG5 EV’s interior has been cleaned up and modernized as well.

MG The trim options have changed their names – Excite becomes SE and Exclusive becomes Trophy – putting the new MG5 EV in line with other recent MG models. This has come with improvements in features. There’s vehicle-to-load capability on all models, meaning this car can deliver power to other devices, such as run your fridge when camping.

The Trophy trim now adds a 360-degree parking camera as well as the 17in wheels and privacy glass already mentioned. But there’s no option of a sunroof, unlike the MG ZS EV Long Range . Recommended For You 1 The ‘Backsies’ Billionaire: Texan Builds Second Fortune From Wreckage Of Real Estate Empire He’d Sold More stories like this Fewer stories like this 2 COP27: Two Easy Wins, Three Challenges And A US$65 Trillion Bill More stories like this Fewer stories like this 3 What Business Leaders Can Learn From Elon Musk’s Early Actions And Decisions About Twitter More stories like this Fewer stories like this Aside from the refreshed looks, the big change is the interior.

Not only has the trim been simplified and modernized in look, but the instrumentation and infotainment have had a major overhaul. Instead of the dowdy analog dials for speed and motor power or regeneration of the earlier MG5s, the instrument binnacle is now delivered by a 7in LCD panel and is entirely digital. The steering wheel and stalks are identical to the previous version, but the air vents are less fussy looking, and the central console is cleaner.

There are still switches for engine power and KERS (regeneration level), but the look is cleaner. There’s also a second tier with a cubby and USB ports for devices. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported via a cable.

There’s no wireless charging, however – a surprising omission. The 10. 25in infotainment screen with iSmart connected features is a massive improvement.

MG The infotainment system is the most significant aspect here, though. Although MG has gradually improved this, with the MG4 EV it took a great leap forward. The new MG5 EV shares the same 10.

25in panel as its smaller sibling, with much improved capabilities and faster response. There are still some discrete buttons to operate key air conditioning features, including demisting windows, but most functions are now accessed through the infotainment screen. I had some niggles with the panel not recognizing my finger input in certain sections, until I realized I had to press slightly above where I expected.

But overall, the infotainment layout and features are much better than before. Both SE and Trophy support MG’s iSmart connected services as well. The MG5 EV is still the only electric estate car / station wagon on the market unless you count the Porsche Taycan Sport and Cross Turismo models.

However, nobody will consider either alongside the MG5 EV, and they would probably be described as “shooting brakes” by many owners anyway. In terms of electric family non-SUVs with a big cargo capacity, the MG5 EV remains unique. Its cargo space is decent – 578 liters with the rear seats up, and 1,367 liters, which is about average in this class, and better than a hatchback.

On the downside, there is still a lip on the boot / trunk opening and the floor is far from flat. However, the roof rails capable of carrying 75kg are standard equipment, and the car is rated for 500kg of towing, although you will need to get a third party to install the hookup. So cargo options are extremely flexible.

Rear luggage space is reasonable, but not flat and there’s a pronounced door lip. MG The new version of the MG5 EV doesn’t drive any differently to the original, which is unsurprising considering that it has the same drivetrain. It is more rapid than a family wagon should be, hitting 60mph in 7.

3 seconds. However, being front-wheel-drive and a bit taller than the MG4 EV, the handling is less dynamic, with more body roll and steering that isn’t quite so precise. However, it’s still possible to drive brusquely and the car feels assured on highways.

Where the MG4 is a fun driver’s car, the MG5 is much more functional. MG has increased the price of the MG5 EV with this new version. The SE costs £30,995 ($35,300) and the Trophy £33,495 ($38,100), so this isn’t the bargain that the MG4 EV is either.

But it’s still competitive even with some internal combustion cars in this body format. The new facelifted MG5 EV isn’t a gamechanger like the MG4 EV, even if the original version moved the market on in its own way. It would be quite hard for a family-oriented vehicle like this to instill unmitigated desire.

But the improved exterior look and interior layout take the new MG5 EV up a considerable notch in quality. This will be the last MG5 based on this platform, after which MG will move over to its Modular Scalable Platform. But that won’t be for a year or two.

If you’re looking for a load-carrying electric car that isn’t an expensive SUV, the new MG5 EV still offers great value and practicality, even if it’s not quite the budget king it used to be. That prize is now owned by the MG4. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn .

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