MG S5 EV electric car driving report: recipe for success from China
MG is one of the few successful Chinese brands in Germany. The MGS5 EV is now the successor to the MG HS EV and does a lot of things right.
(Image: MG)
- Wolfgang Gomoll
MG has been offering its vehicles in Germany for four years. Apart from the name, the current vehicles have nothing in common with the traditional British brand; MG has long been part of the Chinese state-owned company SAIC. In addition to modern interpretations of classic models such as the cool but heavy, open-top electric roadster Cyberster, MG also has e-crossovers in its range. The MG4 Electric is quite popular in Germany. Since its launch in 2022, 63,945 German customers have opted for it, making it the best-selling MG model with 44.2 percent.
Two battery sizes, two outputs, no all-wheel drive
The slightly larger MGS5 EV shares the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) with the MG4. The electric compact is a successor to the MG HS EV and aims to offer an alternative to cars such as the Skoda Elroq (test). With a capacity of 49 (47.1 kWh net) and 64 (62.1 kWh net, "Long Range") kWh as well as two motorizations, with 125 or 170 kW, it offers enough power and capacity for most common applications. The demonstration car was the top-of-the-range Luxury variant with the large battery and more powerful drive for 44,990 euros, including inductive smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electric tailgate and 360-degree camera. A heat pump, which helps with more efficient heating in winter, is only available as part of the "Luxury" equipment.
MG S5 EV Exterieur (5 Bilder)
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MG
)The infotainment with the 12.8-inch touchscreen and the 10.25-inch instrument display is a further development of the MG4. This also includes steering wheel buttons and controls below the large screen for the air conditioning system with chic shiny chrome rotary knobs and levers. The non-slip coating of the charging tray is just as impressive as the solid workmanship of the interior. There is more than enough space in both rows of seats in the 4.48-meter-long e-crossover, and the trunk with a volume of 453 to 1441 liters is still acceptable for the segment. However, it is not only the front seats that have too short a leg rest and offer little lateral support.
Unease in the body
One step on the brake pedal is enough to get the MG ready to drive. The 170 kW and the torque of 350 Nm are perfectly adequate, GM quotes a sprint time from zero to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, with a kerb weight of 1725 kilograms. Even when accelerating above 120 km/h, the compact SUV does not run out of breath. At 190 km/h, it is faster than some of its competitors that were previously limited.
However, the suspension set-up does not quite keep up. It is basically comfortable, but the body always remains in motion on uneven surfaces, and transverse joints and potholes are felt by the passengers. In detail, this sometimes feels less harmonious than we are used to from European cars and cannot be adjusted to a completely satisfactory compromise, even with the adaptive dampers.
Good fuel economy
The four driving modes - Normal, Sport, Comfort, Snow and Individual - differ significantly. We were mostly on the road in "Normal". In the Sport driving program, the response of the accelerator pedal in particular is very spontaneous. We put together our own menu, set the drivetrain to Sport and the rest to Comfort. If you want, you can also change the driving modes using the favorites button on the steering wheel.
MG S5 EV Interieur (8 Bilder)
MG
)After the test drive, including on highways, the average consumption of 16.8 kWh/100 km was just 0.8 kWh above the standard value. The MGS5 EV is therefore obviously quite economical. The maximum charging power of 139 kW is not overly outstanding, but is still sufficient to fill the 64 kWh battery from ten to 80 percent in a minimum of 28 minutes. On an AC wallbox, it takes 7.5 hours at best with 11 kW. The 49 kWh battery can only be charged with seven kW at the AC charging station and then ideally takes 8.5 hours from ten to 100 percent.
Affordable entry
The MGS5 EV offers a choice of three recuperation levels plus an adaptive one that works in conjunction with the cruise control. One-pedal driving is offered in the menu as "One-pedal drive" when you swipe down on the home screen. The other relevant settings can also be found there, and assistance systems can be activated or deactivated. If desired, the charging planner can also use the navigation system to search for charging stations from selected providers that the MGS5 EV should drive to. If a fast-charging opportunity is scheduled, the battery is preconditioned as required in order to enable the highest possible charging power at the station.
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At 44,990 euros, the MGS5 EV in the "Luxury" configuration is not a special offer. The basic "Comfort" variant, including a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control, is available from 37,990 euros, which is a pleasant spread downwards in view of European electric cars. Even more important to MG is leasing, which is particularly popular with electric cars, with the press office citing a share of around 90 percent. This is where MG wants to start and convince customers with rates well below those for a Skoda Elroq. The MGS5 EV will be available at dealerships from June.
(mki)