MG Launches the All-New S5 EV – A Spacious, Stylish, and Surprisingly Smart Electric SUV

Now under Chinese ownership, the storied British brand MG is stepping firmly back into the game. Its latest offering, the MG S5 EV, is a spacious, well-proportioned electric SUV designed to challenge the tired notion that “affordable” must inevitably mean “dull.”

Let’s be clear: this is not the MG of the '90s, where creaks and rattles were often louder than whatever happened to be playing on the radio.

The new S5 EV comes in three flavours: SE Standard Range, SE Long Range, and the range-topping Trophy Long Range. UK prices start at £28,495 – a figure that, when converted to euros, puts it in the same ballpark as a modestly equipped crossover. But don’t be fooled by the number – the S5 has a lot more going on than just a low sticker price.

Inside, there’s ample space for four adults and their luggage, without anyone needing to awkwardly hug a rucksack. The rear seats fold flat, unlocking up to 1,441 litres of cargo capacity. And in case you’re picturing a practical yet boxy family hauler, don’t worry – the exterior takes design cues from the sharp-looking MG Cyberster roadster. It’s actually... quite good-looking.

Front and centre on the dash sits a 12.8-inch HD touchscreen, which handles Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and yes, even TikTok. And for those who miss good old-fashioned buttons, MG has thoughtfully included physical controls for key functions like climate, audio, and hazard lights – no need to stab away at a screen like a cat chasing a red laser dot.

Technology is a key part of the S5’s offering. MG Pilot, the brand’s suite of driver assistance systems, includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Braking performance, developed in partnership with Continental, is impressive too – the car can come to a stop from 62mph in just 35.5 metres.

Performance-wise, the rear-wheel-drive S5 EV delivers 170 kW (232 bhp) and 350 Nm of torque. The SE Long Range can sprint from 0–62 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is more than respectable for something this practical.

Two battery sizes are available: 49 kWh and 64 kWh. The larger pack offers up to 480 km of range (WLTP), and both can rapid charge from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes – just enough time for a coffee and a scroll through, well, TikTok.

All in all, the MG S5 EV is spacious, quick, smart, and priced in a way that doesn’t force you to live on instant noodles. If it proves to be as reliable as its 7-year/128,000 km warranty suggests, MG may well have built itself a genuine contender in the electric SUV game.