Yesterday's MG S5 EV model had a lower price point.
Rebranded Article:
Affordable Ride, Lotsa Space: MG S5 EV - Cheap? Hold My Beer!
Insights Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Print Copy Link Get ready to hit the road in style and on a budget with the MG S5 EV, a well-crafted compact SUV that's more than just a bargain.
Avoiding Headaches for European Consumers While Chinese brands may still struggle a bit with workshops and service issues in Germany, only MG has got it figured out. With a quick expansion of dealers and service providers across half of Europe, the brand focuses on enticing segments where numbers truly matter: station wagons, and small to compact SUVs. As a result, MG now reigns as the most successful Chinese brand, selling a whopping 21,000 cars in Deutschland last year[1].
Flooding the Market? Nah Even though Chinese brands are following customer demands with rapid model cycles and updates, the ZS EV was quite recently available, yet its successor, the S5 EV, has arrived. Based on the same tech platform as the MG4 and Cyberster, it boasts improved charging speed, range, and ease of use[5].
At just under 4.50 meters, the S5 EV goes head-to-head with giants like the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, BYD Atto 3, or Ford Explorer[7].
No Cheap Thrills (Anymore)
With starting prices at 38k euros, the S5 EV may not be as wallet-friendly as you'd expect. For that budget, you'll get the basic model with a 47kWh battery and a range of 340km. The long-range version, powered by a 62kWh battery and boasting a range of 480km, will set you back 43k euros. The fully loaded luxe version will run you 45k euros, and there's no room for extras[7].
Monthly leasing rates can be more meaningful for customers. For a four-year term and 20k kilometers, MG demands 259 Euros per month for the base model, while the top version requires around 339 Euros[7]. Regrettably, that's not exactly a steal compared to the competition, who allow you to drive twice as far for similar rates.
Faster Charging with the Long-Range Version
The base model's technology-friendly, budget-friendly lithium iron phosphate battery is teamed with a 125kW/170PS electric motor, maxing out charging power at a modest 120kW[7]. This means that at a wall box or public 11kW charger, current flows at a capped 3.7kW. If you leave the car plugged in for shopping for four hours, you'll only manage around 100km of range. At 22kW chargers, the S5 EV charges twice as fast at 7.2kW, but it's still not very competitive[7].
The long-range version, however, wins the day. Its nickel-cobalt-manganese battery boasts a higher energy density, enabling DC charging at stations with a maximum of 140kW, and reaching 11kW at AC chargers[7]. Furthermore, it revs up spiritedly with its 170kW/231PS motor[7]. To get the navigation to factor in charging stops and traffic jams in route planning, though, you'll have to opt for the priciest luxe version[7].
Stepping Inside The moment you hop inside, you'll notice the spacious interior, thanks to the longer body and wheelbase[5]. There's ample room for three child seats on the rear bench[5]. The trunk, hidden under the tailgate, offers plenty of space for daily family use[5].
The cockpit design is clean and intuitive, with the landscape-oriented touchscreen responding promptly and submenus organized logically, even for a Chinese car[5]. Unfortunately, activating driving modes, adjusting brake regeneration, or enabling one-pedal driving requires digging into the touchscreen's submenus[5].
On the first test drive, a few minor issues stood out: suspension tuned for comfort, favorable consumption, slightly foggy driver display in poor sunlight, and questionable brake sensitivity[5]. MG should swiftly address these issues, considering their commitment to continuously updating their models every six months[5]. Perhaps they'll even turn off the electronic co-pilot that persistently reminds you of the speed limit[5].
MG S5 EV - Technical Specifications
- Five-seater, compact SUV
- Length: 4.48 meters, Width (with exterior mirrors): n/a, Height: 1.62 meters, Wheelbase: 2.73 meters, Trunk volume: 453-1441 liters
Standard Range
- Electric motor with 125kW/170PS, Torque: 250Nm, 0-100km/h: 8.0s, Vmax: 170km/h, Consumption: 16.6kWh/100km, Battery size: 47kWh, Range: 340km (WLTP), Charging power: 7.2kW (AC)/120kW (DC), Charging time AC: 5 hours; DC: 24 minutes
- Price: from 37,990 Euro (Comfort)
Long Range
- Electric motor with 170kW/231PS, Torque: 350Nm, 0-100km/h: 6.3s, Vmax: 190km/h, Consumption: 15.5kWh/100km, Battery size: 62kWh, Range: 480km (WLTP), Charging power: 11kW (AC)/140kW (DC), Charging time AC: 4 hours; DC: 28 minutes
- Price: from 42,990 Euro (Comfort)
Additional Information for Australian Readers
While this article focuses on the European market, the MG S5 EV is also making waves in Australia[3]. As the most affordable electric SUV in the land down under, it takes on competitors such as the BYD Atto 3, Skoda Enyaq, and VW ID.4, at prices substantially lower than these premium brands[3].
Sources:
[1] ntv.de[2] Hanno Boblenz, sp-x[3] MG S5 EV Pricing and Variants - Details & Comparison | CarsGuide[4] MG S5 EV – Starting at $40,490: more details on Australia’s cheapest EV SUV | Drive[5] MG S5 EV Insights – Fast Charging & Range | Recharge[6] MG S5 EV – Australia's Newest, Affordable Electric SUV Launched | CarExpert[7] MG S5 EV Technical Specifications & Review - Everything You Need to Know | Cars.co.au
- The Affordable Ride, Lotsa Space: MG S5 EV is not just a bargain, it's the most successful Chinese brand in Germany, selling over 21,000 cars in 2021.
- While the MG S5 EV has affordable starting prices at 38k euros, it may not be as wallet-friendly as expected, especially when considering the limited features and short range of the basic model.
- Despite the base model's modest charging speed and range, the long-range version of the MG S5 EV offers faster charging with DC stations and a more spirited ride due to its higher energy density battery and powerful motor.
- The MG S5 EV's spacious interior and clean, intuitive cockpit design make it a strong contender in the competitive compact SUV market, with room for improvement in areas such as brake sensitivity and driver display in poor sunlight.
