MG 5 EV Review 2024

MG 5 EV At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The MG 5 EV is a no-nonsense electric estate car. It's got a big boot, can travel 250 miles between charges and won't cost a lot to buy or run. There's a lot to like and a late-2022 facelift added a bit more pizzazz in the looks department.

+Versatile electric car that represents excellent value for money. Easy and comfortable to drive. Seven-year warranty. Some excellent pre-reg deals available.

-Range won't be enough for some buyers. An estate car when most buyers want SUVs.

Insurance Group 32

MG is carving an enviable niche as a maker of a affordable electric vehicles. The MG 5 EV is the first mainstream family electric car on the market – yet it's priced in line with much smaller and cheaper electric car alternatives like the Peugeot e-208, Renault Zoe and Fiat 500 Electric. Read on for our full review of the MG 5 EV.

All MG 5 EV models are powered by the same 156PS electric motor, and the firm has rationalised the range so both trims now come with the same 61.1kWh battery pack. That means a range of up to 250 miles for the SE on its smaller 16-inch wheels. The Trophy sits on 17-inch wheels and has a combined official range of 235 miles.

It's an unintimidating car to drive, particularly if you haven't driven an electric car before, much like driving an automatic petrol vehicle, really, albeit without any engine noise. Acceleration is swift although, while it's easy to spin the front wheels, it's not going to push you back in your seat like a Tesla.

Electric cars are usually quite firm – the suspension having to work particularly hard to cope with the weight of the batteries. The MG 5 EV is surprisingly soft, though, soaking up lumpy road surfaces with ease. The flip side of this is that it leans quite a lot during cornering, but the higher MG ZS EV SUV is more likely to make you seasick.

There are just two trim levels available: SE and the top-spec Trophy. The SE covers all the bases with its air conditioning, 10.25-inch colour infotainment touchscreen, safety kit, and lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat. However, the Trophy ups its game with synthetic leather upholstery, electrically adjusted and heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, larger alloy wheels, and rear privacy glass.

As a result, the MG 5 certainly doesn't feel like the budget option you might expect. It generally seems well-made, while the brand's seven-year warranty should put to rest any concerns that it's going to fall apart quicker than a mainstream alternative.

Of course, it's the 5's practicality which sets it apart from rivals. It's available solely as an estate car, with more interior space than aforementioned electric city cars – while it's more suited to family life than the Nissan Leaf hatchback.

It also represents exceedingly good value for money. Even a top-spec Trophy Long Range model is well under the £35,000 threshold for the government's plug-in car grant, meaning you'll save £2500 off the list price if buying new. We'd recommend looking for a pre-registered or ex-demonstrator model, though – we've seen as-new MG 5s offered from as little as £23,500.

Looking for a second opinion? Check out heycar's review of the MG 5 EV.

Ask Honest John

Why is my new MG5 suffering from condensation?

"I've just bought an MG5. The only problem is it’s bad with condensation but when I put the heater on it drains the battery. Can you help? "
A car this new should not be suffering with condensation, so it may be that there is a leak somewhere in the vehicle. Although using the car's ventilation system does drain the battery, the impact on range is relatively small. In addition, if you use the MG iSmart app on your smartphone you can pre-heat the vehicle while it is still plugged in, demisting the whole car without any impact on your range.
Answered by David Ross

Best EV for transporting a mobility scooter?

"I have a 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid which I consider to be the best car I have ever owned. My wife's mobility scooter, when dismantled, fits the boot perfectly. I don't do particularly long journeys and do about 6,000-7,000 miles per year. Is there an EV which will be as comfortable, reliable and as functional as the Auris? "
Start your search by visiting an MG dealer. MG makes some excellent no-nonsense electric cars with long warranties. The MG 5 estate has recently been updated and could be a great option for transporting your wife's mobility scooter. Alternatively, the new Kia Niro EV is a little more expensive but very versatile and an excellent electric car.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Replacement for Citroen Berlingo?

"I love my 2005 Citroen Berlingo, it has done everything I need. Now it is showing signs of age and I wonder if there is an electric alternative. Boot size is crucial, just for going to the tip and sleeping. Every car seems to be getting wider and wider and we live in Devon with narrow lanes, so something narrower would be good, and no pinging when you meet a blade of grass. "
The latest Citroen Berlingo is now electric-only, although it'll be quite a lot bigger than your 2005 model so might not be ideal for Devon country lanes. As an alternative, we'd recommend an MG 5 EV - it's one of the few electric estate cars on the market and represents very good value for money. You could also look at a hybrid alternative like the very versatile Honda Jazz.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Which is the best car for carrying a dog for a £25,000 budget?

"My partner currently drives a MINI convertible, which she loves. She will be retiring in the next six months and we are planning to have a medium sized dog. She has looked at a new MINI Clubman which she was very impressed with and the barn door style rear doors would have been ideal for a dog to get in and out. However, MINI prices seem very high; in decent spec. the car was over £32K which was a bit more than we wanted to pay. We have thought about a Toyota Yaris Cross, but are wondering if you can suggest some alternatives? Our requirements would be: accommodation for a dog; ideally below £25K; smooth ride (no small tyres) and a decent warranty so she can keep the car for a long time. "
A Toyota Yaris Cross sounds like a great option - it's likely to be very cheap to run and its warranty can be extended for up to 10 years. A Skoda Kamiq would be a good alternative - it's a very versatile small SUV that represents excellent value for money. As a left-field alternative, we'd recommend an MG 5 EV. It's an electric estate car with a big boot and easy access (making it ideal for transporting dogs). A new one currently starts from around £31k but you can save money by looking for a pre-registered model. It comes with a seven-year warranty, too.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a MG 5 EV cost?