Introduction to the 2025 MGS5 EV
MG has made its name with budget-friendly family cars, and the all-electric ZS EV was arguably one of its first and biggest successes. The SUV earned plenty of fans with its competitive range, low price and ample equipment. It may not have been a spectacular car, but it was excellent value and very successful.
Now, MG is hoping to move the game on a bit with the new MGS5 EV. A rival to the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3 and BYD Atto 3, it's a bit bigger and more advanced than its predecessor. Under the skin, it shares some underpinnings with the MG4 EV, and that's a strong platform on which to build.
To find out whether the S5 is capable of continuing - and perhaps improving on - the success of the ZS EV, we took the range-topping Trophy Long Range model for this - our first drive of the car on European roads.
Pros & Cons of the 2025 MGS5 EV
Pros: Smart cabin, practical interior, ample range
Cons: Slightly jittery ride, some ergonomic issues
Exterior & Design of the 2025 MGS5 EV
• New model based on MG4 underpinnings
• New front end is an evolution of the MG4's
• Silver accents give it an upmarket image
The new S5 looks a bit more aerodynamic than the old ZS, and MG has clearly put some effort in to reduce the car's drag. Yet the car is also larger than the ZS it succeeds, with dimensions that measure:
Length: 4,476mm
Width: 1,849mm
Height: 1,633mm
Wheelbase: 2,730mm
The styling largely borrows bits from other MG models and evolves design cues from some others, so the nose gets narrow daytime running lights that are reminiscent of the MG4 EV's but have a 'chequered flag' light signature. Look closely, and you'll also spot a lower grille that's inspired by the Cyberster roadster's design while side intakes in the front bumper are there for aerodynamic purposes and visually merge with the headlights.
Further back, the wheels are bestowed with aerodynamic covers and there's a spoiler above the rear window, yet roof rails are a standard feature. There's a full-width light bar, too, which seems to be a common theme among car designers these days, and customers get a choice of six different colours. They're the only options available, so don't expect too much in the way of personalisation, but some will like the no-nonsense approach.
Overall, the S5 EV is handsome enough, but it isn't all that remarkable to look at. It's far from ugly, but to the casual observer, it is just another small-to-medium-sized SUV, and some people will be put off by that lack of visual intrigue.
Interior, Practicality, Tech & Comfort of the 2025 MGS5 EV
• Smartest MG family car cabin yet
• Touchscreen tech is so-so
• Lots of space in the cabin and boot
If the exterior looks a bit unremarkable, the interior is much more like it. This has to be the smartest, most upmarket cabin that MG has yet produced - particularly when it comes to mainstream family cars. The design is pretty modern, with a big touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster, as well as a two-tone colour scheme that's much more inviting than the drab black of the MG4 EV.
The materials are better than in the smaller hatchback, too, with some really nice, padded upholstery on the top of the dashboard, tactile plastics and a sense that everything is pretty well stuck together. Admittedly, some of the window switches feel a bit cheap, but that's a minor issue.
More importantly, MG has worked on the touchscreen to try and make it more user-friendly. It has a faster processor, which is intended to reduce criticisms of lag and has worked a treat. There's still a slightly old-school feel to the graphics, and some of the menus are a bit awkward, but MG has put in a useful driver assistance customisation system that allows the driver to save their preference of which systems they want activated, then access those settings quickly when they get in the car. MG isn't the only company to do it - Renault, for example, has a similar system - but it's much neater than going through all the assistance systems when you start the car up.
It's a good example of MG's efforts to listen to customers, as is the decision to include physical controls for the heating and ventilation system, although there are still some ergonomic shortcomings. For starters, the steering wheel controls are a bit confusing, and they don't always do exactly what you expect them to, which takes a bit of getting used to, and the heater controls are imperfect, too. The fan control is a rocker switch, while the temperature is controlled by a rotary control, which feels the wrong way around, especially as the switch to turn the fan off is in the middle of the rotary dial.
On the plus side, the wireless charging pad in the more upmarket versions is now in a much better place than before, and there's no issue at all when it comes to practicality. The cabin space is massive, with loads of rear head- and legroom, as well as plenty of space for those in the front.
Four tall adults can sit inside perfectly comfortably, and there's no great trade-off of boot space in return. In fact, the 453-litre luggage space is just a couple of litres down on the Kia EV3, and buyers are unlikely to notice such a small difference.
Performance of the 2025 MGS5 EV
• Up to 231hp and rear-wheel drive
• Platform is shared with MG4 EV
• New model handles better than the old ZS
In essence, the S5 EV is based on the same underpinnings as the MG4 EV, albeit sitting a little higher off the ground. That means the battery - whether you choose the smaller 49kWh option or the 64kWh option tested here - powers an electric motor positioned between the rear wheels, so it's rear-wheel drive and the weight distribution is almost (but not quite) even between the front and rear of the car.
If that all sounds sporty, it is. The MG4 EV is a surprisingly entertaining car to drive, and the S5 hopes to continue some of that.
If you choose the smaller battery, the S5 EV gets a 170hp electric motor that's plenty fast enough to keep most happy, but those who choose the bigger battery will get 231hp to play with, and that's more than they'll ever need. It's fast enough, in fact, to give some petrol-powered hot hatchbacks a run for their money in a traffic-light drag race (not that we condone such behaviour) and the instant responsiveness makes it feel even faster than it is.
That performance is matched by remarkably entertaining road manners, with the S5 EV getting sharper steering than its predecessor and slightly better body control. Don't get us wrong, the steering isn't communicative enough to compete with sports cars, but it's more than a match for the likes of the Kia EV3, with linear and predictable responses that make it easy to position the car on the road.
It's especially good in its sportier setting, which adds a little more weight to the wheel, but it's perfectly adequate in the Normal mode, where most owners will probably leave it.
The steering is matched by suspension that does a decent job of controlling the car's movement in corners or over bumps, helping to make it feel poised in the bends. There's a bit of lean, but it's hardly disastrous, and the combination of that, good brakes and the rear-wheel-drive platform makes the car quite good fun to drive.
Unfortunately, the price you pay for that is a slight lack of refinement to the ride. The S5 is generally quite comfortable at low speeds, but as the speed increases there's a slightly jittery quality to it, so it can feel a bit unsettled on surfaces that are generally quite smooth.
That aside, it rides acceptably on the motorway, and it's little better or worse in any situation than the Kia EV3 with which it competes so admirably. In fact, for those who enjoy driving, the MG is probably the better choice.
Range, Battery & Charging of the 2025 MGS5 EV
• Choice of two battery sizes
• DC charging at up to 139kW
• Our test returned around 400km on a charge
The MGS5 EV comes with a choice of two different battery packs that not only have different capacities but also have different chemical compositions. The basic 49kWh battery uses cheaper lithium-iron phosphate technology, while the larger 64kWh battery uses nickel, manganese and cobalt to provide greater range.
And the difference is marked, with the base model officially offering up to 340km on a single charge, while the larger battery provides more than 40 per cent more range, at up to 480km. However, that range is dependent on trim level, and the more upmarket models with the larger wheels cut the range to 465km.
On our test drive, the MG impressively showed us enough to suggest such range is achievable. Admittedly, road-testing is not necessarily great for efficiency, but we still achieved efficiency good enough for a range of around 400km between trips to the plug.
Assuming most owners will drive a little more economically and on a mixture of roads, we'd expect a 400-odd-kilometre range to be achievable without too much trouble.
And when that range is exhausted, the S5 EV can charge fairly quickly. The maximum DC charging speed - the maximum speed you'll get from a high-powered public charging point - is 120kW for the 49kWh battery and 139kW for the 64kWh battery.
That means the car can recharge fast enough to top up the smaller battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just over 20 minutes. For the larger battery, the 139kW maximum charging speed means it can get from 10 to 80 per cent in just under half an hour.
If you're charging at home, meanwhile - and we expect most buyers will - a 7kW AC charging speed means a 'wallbox' charger will recharge the battery from 10 to 100 per cent in eight-and-a-half hours.
Running Costs of the 2025 MGS5 EV
• Low running costs for all-electric SUV
• Real-world range is commendable
• MG offers competitive warranty
Like almost all electric vehicles, the S5 EV will likely prove cheaper to run than a petrol- or diesel-powered equivalent, especially if you can charge regularly at home. If you get cheap-rate off-peak electricity, then recharging the car's battery overnight should be ridiculously cheap, and although the 7kW maximum AC charge speed doesn't sound all that great alongside 11kW or even 22kW rivals, most domestic 'wallbox' chargers will only provide around 7kW of charging power anyway.
And reliability shouldn't be a concern, either. The S5 largely uses similar technology to the MG4 EV's powertrain, so it's tried-and-tested stuff and we don't expect too much in the way of problems.
We haven't heard horror stories about the MG4 EV, and electric motors should be dependable anyway. After all, they only have one moving part. And if you need any more reassurance, the S5 EV gets the same seven-year warranty as any other MG sold in Ireland.
Irish Pricing & Rivals of the 2025 MGS5 EV
• Up against BYD Atto 3, Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq
• Irish pricing yet to be announced
• Elsewhere, the MG costs similar to the EV3
MG Ireland has yet to confirm prices for the S5 EV, but we're expecting it to be slightly more expensive than the ZS EV relative to its rivals. It's not that the car's expensive per se - it's generally cheaper than many of its rivals in its base form - but more upmarket variants are on a par with the low- and mid-range Kia EV3 models.
Fortunately, the MG is competitive in terms of space and quality, which helps MG justify the more comparable price tag.
It's also justified by the ample standard equipment. Even base models get alloy wheels, a reversing camera and navigation, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, keyless entry and two-zone climate control. You will need the more upmarket Trophy model if you want heated seats, though.
Verdict - Should You Buy the 2025 MGS5 EV?
With the possible exception of the Cyberster, the S5 EV is the first MG that doesn't make you feel as though you're sacrificing something to get a cheaper car. There's no dodgy interior, no so-so road manners and no crummy infotainment.
Perhaps it isn't perfect, but it is very competent, surprisingly classy inside and very spacious. Ample range does it plenty of favours, too, and though the price may not be as miniscule as we're used to from MG, this is a car that competes with models from more established brands on more than just value for money.
FAQs About the 2025 MGS5 EV
Does the MGS5 EV have a 'frunk'?
No, the MG has no storage under the bonnet, but it does have a competitively sized 453-litre boot and there's lots of storage in the cabin.
How many child seats fit in an MGS5 EV?
The S5 EV has two ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the rear seats, but there's no ISOFIX point in the front passenger seat.
How safe is the MGS5 EV?
Euro NCAP hasn't yet tested the MGS5 EV, so we don't yet know exactly how safe it will be, but MG is optimistic the car will score highly. The MG4 EV is based on similar underpinnings and performed well, while the S5 is packed with safety equipment, including a reversing camera, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.
Want to know more about the MGS5 EV?
Should you want to know more about the MGS5 EV, or any other MG on sale in Ireland, head over to our Ask Us Anything page. Post your questions there and let our team of experts come back to you with the answers you need to make your next car-buying decision. It's all completely free, so there's no reason not to try it.
