5 STAR?(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 79

MG continues to specialise in providing budget brand buyers access to full electrification at super-affordable prices. In 2020, the company announced its second zero emissions model, the MG5 EV estate, added Long Range capability to it shortly afterwards, then in mid-2022 updated the styling inside and out to create the car we're going to look at here. This, the UK's first and cheapest EV estate, offers a 249 mile combined driving range and sells at a reasonably conventional price.

Background word count: 165

In recent years, MG has been making a name for itself, profitably riding the EV revolution by offering those ready to switch a range of more affordable options that make increasing sense as rising living costs take their toll. This lightly Anglified Chinese brand would have done even better had not its earlier products been not only cheap but deathly dull. But all that is changing. The new MG4 EV small hatch is one sign of that. Another comes with the makeover we're looking at here for the MG5 EV estate. The MG5 has done quite well for the brand - it was the U.K.'s fifth best selling EV in 2021 - but was rarely chosen in its bland original form by anyone below retirement age. So more than a mid-term wash and brush-up was required for this facelifted version. And that's exactly what we've got. A sharkey front-end highlights a complete change of bodywork, plus there's more equipment and improved towing capability. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience word count: 233

There aren't any engineering changes with this revised MG5 EV. For the time being, the brand is only offering the Long Range version, which has a 61.1kWh battery which powers a 154bhp electric motor on the front axle. Range is rated at 249 miles. At some point, the marque may also offer a more affordable version with a smaller 50kWh battery which manages 199 miles of range. Either way, performance is much the same, with 62mph from rest occupying 8.3s and 280Nm of torque allowing for swift, easy overtakes on the way to a rather un-EV-like top speed of 115mph. You won't be expecting much from the drive dynamics - and you shouldn't - but the steering is reasonably well weighted and the ride soaks up sharper bumps and speed humps quite well. You'll need to be careful with your right foot - it's easy for the power on offer through the single-speed auto gearbox to quickly overwhelm the front tyres modest reserves of traction. Pushing on a bit offers the opportunity to switch out of the default 'Normal' drive setting into 'Sport' and, as with most EVs, body roll is controlled by the low placement of the battery in the chassis floor. Longer trips in particular are aided by the inclusion of 'MG Pilot', a package of active safety features including adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking.