Test Car Specifications
Model: 2022 MG 5 EV Trophy Long Range
Price: MG 5 EV from £30,995 (Trophy from £33,495)
Motor: 115kW electric motor
Battery: 61kWh lithium-ion
Transmission: single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 156hp
Torque: 279Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 235 miles
0-62mph: 7.7 seconds
Top speed: 115mph
Boot space: 479-1,367 litres
Styling
Although the MG 5's basic architecture is much the same as before, it looks thoroughly different thanks to a completely redesigned nose. Some inspiration has come from the angular MG 4, so there's a sharper and more upright front end without the old Audi-style grille-effect panel that defined the old car. Add in some sharper headlights and you've got a much more modern and more cohesive design that makes the MG feel contemporary in a way its predecessor never did.
Interior
Here, MG has tried to liven up the 5's interior with a new touchscreen infotainment system and a cleaner dashboard. That new dash is paired with a centre console housing a rotary gear selector, but the highlight is the new touchscreen infotainment system, which is lifted from the MG 4. Admittedly, it isn't perfect, but it's a massive step forward for the brand, offering functionality and usability expected of modern systems. But while the touchscreen has improved, the build quality is much the same as before. The plastics still feel a little cheap and there's some horrid blue trim, but at least everything feels relatively well stuck together.
Practicality
Although the 5's cabin has been revamped slightly, it's still every bit as practical as before, and that's sure to play well with customers. The rear seats are still perfectly spacious enough for two adults, and there's a 479-litre boot even with those back seats upright. Fold them down and the space expands to 1,300 litres, which should be ample capacity for the majority of drivers. It certainly makes the 5 considerably more spacious than the hatchback-sized MG 4.
Performance
MG hasn't really changed the 5's powertrain, either, so you still get the same 61kWh battery and the 115kW electric motor. That 156hp output is ample, giving drivers enough poke to get from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds. It's surprisingly quick, particularly if you engage the Sport mode. Perhaps more importantly, though, the car is capable of 235 miles on a single charge. That isn't exceptional range, but it is realistic, and on a mixture of roads you might be able to get somewhere close. And because there's no tailpipe, let alone any tailpipe emissions, you benefit from all the usual tax breaks associated with electric cars.
Ride & Handling
The new MG5 EV doesn't feel drastically different to its predecessor, but that might be because it isn't very different. MG hasn't felt the need to make wholesale changes to the suspension or the steering, so the car has much the same character. Which means the car is pleasant enough to drive without being especially remarkable in any way. The ride is composed, although the weight of the batteries means the odd pothole will unsettle it, and the body doesn't roll too much in corners. Steering feel changes depending on the driving mode, with sportier settings offering greater weight while the more eco-conscious settings lighten it to almost comical levels. All of which makes it easy enough to drive around town or on the motorway, but it isn't as much fun as the MG4.
Value
Value is often one of the most important considerations when it comes to MG products, and the MG 5 is no different. Prices start at just under £31,000, which would once have been considered exceptionally cheap. But since the arrival of the MG4, which is smaller and less spacious, the goalposts have shifted slightly. Nevertheless, the MG5 isn't too expensive and you get plenty for your money, with LED headlights, alloy wheels and a reversing camera all thrown in. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration tech is also fitted to every model in the range, along with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that means you can charge laptops or any other devices from the car's traction battery.
Verdict
The old MG 5 felt like something of a budget car – primarily because it was a budget car – but the latest model has changed that impression somewhat. Better looks, better technology and a better cabin can only broaden the appeal of the MG 5, which remains a solid choice for families seeking practical, low-cost electric motoring.
